You’re engaged — YAY! Now the planning begins, but where to start? There are so many details to consider from budgeting to managing vendors — it can be a daunting task! That’s why with some serious research combined with our own expertise we’ve curated a thorough Wedding Planning Checklist and Timeline.

We’ve broken down each task throughout a chronological timeline that will help you stay organized so you can focus on creating a stress-free wedding. Scroll to see each step laid out month by month leading up to your wedding date, plus a printed wedding planning checklist at the bottom!

WEDDING PLANNING CHECKLIST + TIMELINE

Announce your engagement!
Get your ring appraised and insured
Get inspired and start designing your day
Create a system
- TIP: Create a personalized email that you and your fiancé share to use only for wedding-related items ex: [email protected]
Start a notebook or binder with pockets to hold documents
Create a file box for wedding service contracts and contact information
Create a shared Google Calendar with your fiancé to keep track of appointments
Create a Pinterest board
Create a preliminary guest list to determine the size

Decide on the style of your wedding (Casual, formal, semi-formal, black-tie)
Discuss budget priorities
Discuss division of expenses
Choose wedding date and time
Research, tour, and book venue(s)
Research, interview, and select photographer and videographer
- TIP: Do this early, our market is very competitive!
Choose the wedding party and ask them to be in your wedding
Go gown shopping
Throw an engagement party!
Attend a wedding show to get inspired and meet vendors all in one place
- TIP: Discover upcoming shows here!

Interview with potential coordinators/planners and book their services
- TIP: Your venue may provide one, but be sure to ask
Interview officiants and book one (if you do not have a priest, minister, or rabbi)
Meet with stationer and calligrapher, and order save the dates
Meet with a travel specialist to discuss honeymoon options
Research wedding transportation options
Arrange hotel accommodations for guests and for you and your fiancé
Select groom’s and groomsmen attire and accessories
Select bridal party attire
Decide on the type of reception you want to have — cocktail, seated dinner, brunch, etc.
Research local event rental companies
Interview and choose a caterer
Meet with bar services (if the venue does not provide one) and make liquor, wine, & beer selections
Interview and book DJ and musicians
Interview makeup and hairstylists and arrange a trial
- Get the number of bridesmaids that would also like to get hair and makeup done

Furniture rentals at wedding found using Wedding Planning Checklist — *_^BeThings* | *_{^{Brian Bossany Photography}}*

Attend cake and dessert tastings and choose a baker
Interview and book florist
Reserve rental and decor items
Attend premarital classes if required by your officiant
- TIP: If you live in Minnesota, you’ll get a discount on your marriage license if you do this!
Arrange parents meeting if they have not yet
Request time off work for wedding and honeymoon
Look into wedding insurance
Make honeymoon plans and reservations with a travel specialist
Determine floor plan layout
- Gift display, photo booth, musicians and entertainment, head table, bar
Have an engagement photoshoot
Create a wellness and fitness routine
Create a wedding website
Register for gifts

Decide on getting ready locations
Order invites and “Thank You” cards
Finalize guest list
Address and mail save the dates
Purchase wedding bands
Order bride, groom, and wedding party accessories
Schedule tasting with the caterer and finalize the menu
Finalize bar menu
Order cake and desserts
Place floral order
Schedule dance lessons if you feel you need to!

Reserve transportation
Reserve rehearsal dinner location
Order guest favors
Begin preparing a wedding weekend and wedding day schedule
Reserve venues for welcome party, after party, and next-day brunch
Consider other decor elements and order from the rental company
- Uplighting, linens, lounge furniture, backdrops, tables, chairs, centerpieces

Dress fittings for bride and wedding party
Buy items for the ceremony
Shop for mothers and fathers of the bride and groom attire
Make beauty appointments
- Facials, manicures, pedicures, cut & color, teeth whitening
Test out a spray tan if you want a sun-kissed look on your day
Finalize wedding day hair and makeup
- TIP: Bring any hair accessories with you to the appointment
Address and mail out invites
- RSVPs should be due one month prior to the wedding
- TIP: Bring the full invitation suite to Post Office to ensure you purchase the correct postage!
Meet with officiant to go over the ceremony and decide on readers and readings
Determine the order of the processional

Choose ceremony and reception music with DJ and musicians
- TIP: Also provide a “Do Not Play” list
Schedule delivery and setup of wedding cake
Schedule delivery and setup of all rentals
Provide a “must-have” shot list for the photographer
Finalize morning-of activities for groomsmen and groom (brunch, golfing, brewery)
Write vows
Decide on who will be giving speeches during the reception
- TIP: Give them a time limit of 3-5 min so they don’t speak too long
Send rehearsal dinner invites
Create a day-of timeline to send to the bridal party
Make sure your passport is up to date with your current, pre-marriage name
Have bridal or couples shower
Have any DIY projects completed

Review arrangements and wedding day schedule with the venue coordinator
Confirm all contracted services and vendors
Order and print wedding signage
- Welcome sign, bar sign, place cards, table numbers, and menus
Purchase a marriage license
Plan honeymoon wardrobe and travel needs
Arrange pet-sitting/house-sitting services for time away on honeymoon
Arrange delivery of favors and accessories to the venue

Ensure all bridesmaids have attire and alterations completed
Put together a day-of emergency kit (deodorant, concealer, tissues, sewing kit, etc.)
Purchase gifts for wedding party, parents, and your spouse-to-be
Put together welcome bags for out-of-town guests
Write your rehearsal dinner speech
Have Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties

Look over the guest list and contact those who have not RSVP’d
Color and cut hair
Finalize seating chart
Pick up rings, have them polished, and check the sizing
Assign someone to take gifts, decor, and accessories at the end of the night
Put together amenities kit for the bathrooms (hairspray, tissues, dry shampoo)
Have your final dress fitting
- TIP: Have your Maid of Honor or Personal Attendant attend so they know how to bustle your dress + bring your shoes and undergarments

Final guest count to caterer, bar service, and venue
- TIP: Don’t forget to include wedding vendors in the meal count
Write payments and tips for wedding services and place them in envelopes
- TIP: Assign a member of your wedding party to disburse these at end of the night
Pick up grooms and groomsmen attire
- TIP: Have groomsmen try on rentals at the store BEFORE they bring them home to make sure they fit
Have dress and suit steamed
Give wedding party a day-of schedule with a list of everything they need for the day
Create a “Contact List” of all wedding services booked and a checklist of tasks for the wedding day
- Give to Maid of Honor, Personal Attendant, or Planner

Let your family know the starting time for photographs
Assign a member of the bridal party or a parent to arrange lunch and mimosas for the morning of the wedding
Groom(s) to have hair cut and shave (day or two before)
Get a facial, manicure, pedicure
Confirm arrival time and details with all vendors
- Give a copy of details to Maid of Honor, Personal Attendant, and Coordinator
Give place cards, table numbers, and menus to the catering manager
Pack your honeymoon bags
Break in your wedding shoes
Get plenty of rest

Rehearse ceremony with the entire wedding party
Give marriage license to officiant
Deliver welcome bags to hotel(s)
Have rehearsal dinner
Don’t forget your car keys, rings, marriage license, cash, and hotel and honeymoon confirmations

Bring all ceremony and reception accessories to the venue (Decor, signage, guest book, cake server, favors, amenity baskets)
- TIP: Ask if there is an event the night before and if you could drop things off at your rehearsal
Give wedding rings to the Best Man or Maid of Honor
Start getting ready bright and early — time will go by fast!
Give gifts to parents and arrange delivery of gift and note to fiancé while getting ready
Have water and beverages on-site in getting ready rooms
Don’t forget to eat!
Thank your service providers for all of their work and ensure the correct ones are tipped
Enjoy yourself!