Basic wedding Checklist
Planning a wedding involves many details and tasks. Here’s a comprehensive wedding checklist to help you stay organized:
12-18 Months Before the Wedding
Set a Budget: Determine your overall wedding budget and allocate amounts for each category.
Create a Guest List: Estimate the number of guests.
Hire a Wedding Planner (Optional): If you’re hiring one, do it early.
Book Your Venue: Choose and reserve the ceremony and reception venues.
Choose a Date: Select a wedding date.
Select Your Bridal Party: Decide on bridesmaids, groomsmen, etc.
Start Dress Shopping: Begin looking for your wedding dress.
Book Key Vendors:
Photographer/Videographer
Caterer
DJ/Band/Entertainment
Florist
Engagement Photos: Schedule an engagement photo session.
Create a Wedding Website: Set up a website for guests to find information.
9-12 Months Before the Wedding
Send Save-the-Dates: Especially important if you’re having a destination wedding.
Choose Attire for Bridal Party: Pick bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen attire.
Book Officiant: Secure the person who will marry you.
Register for Gifts: Set up your wedding registry.
Plan Your Honeymoon: Book travel and accommodations.
Start Planning the Ceremony: Discuss details with your officiant.
Hire Additional Vendors:
Transportation
Cake baker
Hair and makeup artist
Lighting and sound
6-9 Months Before the Wedding
Finalize Guest List: Make sure you have all addresses.
Order Invitations: Design and order your wedding invitations.
Shop for Wedding Rings: Choose and purchase wedding bands.
Book Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Plan the dinner for the night before the wedding.
Plan Ceremony Details: Choose readings, vows, and music.
Schedule Dress Fittings: Plan for at least two fittings.
Finalize Honeymoon Plans: Double-check travel documents.
3-6 Months Before the Wedding
Send Invitations: Send out the wedding invitations.
Order Wedding Cake: Choose flavors and design.
Purchase Wedding Accessories: Shoes, jewelry, veil, etc.
Plan Reception Details: Finalize menu, decor, and seating arrangements.
Create a Day-Of Timeline: Plan the schedule for the wedding day.
Confirm Vendors: Double-check all bookings and contracts.
1-3 Months Before the Wedding
Apply for Marriage License: Research the requirements and apply.
Finalize Seating Chart: Organize guests at tables.
Meet with Vendors: Confirm details and timeline with all vendors.
Write Vows: If you’re writing your own vows, finalize them.
Purchase Gifts: Get gifts for the bridal party, parents, etc.
Have Final Dress Fitting: Ensure your dress fits perfectly.
Confirm Travel Arrangements: Finalize honeymoon and guest accommodations.
Plan Bachelorette/Bachelor Party: Confirm details with the bridal party.
1-2 Weeks Before the Wedding
Final Venue Walk-Through: Go over the setup and final details.
Prepare Payments and Tips: Organize payments for vendors.
Pack for Honeymoon: Get your luggage ready.
Prepare Emergency Kit: Include items like sewing kits, band-aids, etc.
Break In Shoes: Wear your wedding shoes around the house.
1 Day Before the Wedding
Rehearse: Have your rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
Set Up Venue: Decorate and arrange the ceremony and reception spaces.
Relax: Try to get a good night’s sleep.
Wedding Day
Get Ready: Hair, makeup, and getting dressed.
First Look/Photos: If doing a first look, take photos before the ceremony.
Ceremony: Get married!
Reception: Enjoy your celebration.
Thank Everyone: Remember to thank your guests and vendors.
After the Wedding
Send Thank-You Notes: Mail out thank-you cards for gifts.
Preserve Your Dress: Have it cleaned and preserved.
Change Your Name: If you’re changing your name, update your documents.
Review Vendors: Leave reviews for your vendors online.
Relive the Day: Watch your wedding video and look at your photos!
Let me know if you need any specific details or help with any of these tasks!
9-12 Months Before the Wedding
Send Save-the-Dates: Especially important if you’re having a destination wedding.
Choose Attire for Bridal Party: Pick bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen attire.
Book Officiant: Secure the person who will marry you.
Register for Gifts: Set up your wedding registry.
Plan Your Honeymoon: Book travel and accommodations.
Start Planning the Ceremony: Discuss details with your officiant.
Hire Additional Vendors:
Transportation
Cake baker
Hair and makeup artist
Lighting and sound
6-9 Months Before the Wedding
Finalize Guest List: Make sure you have all addresses.
Order Invitations: Design and order your wedding invitations.
Shop for Wedding Rings: Choose and purchase wedding bands.
Book Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Plan the dinner for the night before the wedding.
Plan Ceremony Details: Choose readings, vows, and music.
Schedule Dress Fittings: Plan for at least two fittings.
Finalize Honeymoon Plans: Double-check travel documents.
3-6 Months Before the Wedding
Send Invitations: Send out the wedding invitations.
Order Wedding Cake: Choose flavors and design.
Purchase Wedding Accessories: Shoes, jewelry, veil, etc.
Plan Reception Details: Finalize menu, decor, and seating arrangements.
Create a Day-Of Timeline: Plan the schedule for the wedding day.
Confirm Vendors: Double-check all bookings and contracts.
1-3 Months Before the Wedding
Apply for Marriage License: Research the requirements and apply.
Finalize Seating Chart: Organize guests at tables.
Meet with Vendors: Confirm details and timeline with all vendors.
Write Vows: If you’re writing your own vows, finalize them.
Purchase Gifts: Get gifts for the bridal party, parents, etc.
Have Final Dress Fitting: Ensure your dress fits perfectly.
Confirm Travel Arrangements: Finalize honeymoon and guest accommodations.
Plan Bachelorette/Bachelor Party: Confirm details with the bridal party.
1-2 Weeks Before the Wedding
Final Venue Walk-Through: Go over the setup and final details.
Prepare Payments and Tips: Organize payments for vendors.
Pack for Honeymoon: Get your luggage ready.
Prepare Emergency Kit: Include items like sewing kits, band-aids, etc.
Break In Shoes: Wear your wedding shoes around the house.
1 Day Before the Wedding
Rehearse: Have your rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
Set Up Venue: Decorate and arrange the ceremony and reception spaces.
Relax: Try to get a good night’s sleep.
Wedding Day
Get Ready: Hair, makeup, and getting dressed.
First Look/Photos: If doing a first look, take photos before the ceremony.
Ceremony: Get married!
Reception: Enjoy your celebration.
Thank Everyone: Remember to thank your guests and vendors.
After the Wedding
Send Thank-You Notes: Mail out thank-you cards for gifts.
Preserve Your Dress: Have it cleaned and preserved.
Change Your Name: If you’re changing your name, update your documents.
Review Vendors: Leave reviews for your vendors online.
Relive the Day: Watch your wedding video and look at your photos!
Let me know if you need any specific details or help with any of these tasks!
Bridal Checklist Sample Downloads
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