This wedding checklist keeps planning calm and in order. Work through it month by month, tick off each step as you go, and adapt it to your own traditions, budget, and guest list. You do not need to do everything in this exact order, but if you follow the shape of it, nothing important will sneak up on you.
12 to 9 months before
- Agree on your total budget and who is contributing what
- Draft your guest list and pick a rough date and season
- Book your venue and your photographer, since both go first
- Start saving ideas for outfits, decor, and flowers
- Research celebrants, music, and catering options
8 to 6 months before
- Send save-the-dates and order your invitations
- Choose outfits for the couple and the wedding party
- Book hair, makeup, music, and transport
- Taste cakes and menus, then confirm your caterer
- Plan the ceremony wording and the order of the day
5 to 3 months before
- Finalise the guest list and send the invitations
- Order flowers, decor, and any rental items
- Plan the seating, the playlist, and the speeches
- Arrange rings, gifts, and anything you need to buy
- Check passports, paperwork, and any legal steps for your ceremony
2 to 1 month before
- Confirm every vendor in writing, with times and addresses
- Do a final tasting, a hair and makeup trial, and an outfit fitting
- Write your vows and speeches, and practise them out loud
- Prepare a rain plan, a timeline for the day, and a contact list for helpers
- Confirm the final guest count with your venue and caterer
The final week
- Pack an emergency kit: safety pins, tissues, plasters, and spare shoes
- Charge phones and cameras, and lay out outfits and accessories
- Hand the timeline to one trusted person, so you are not answering questions all day
- Rest, eat properly, and get an early night before the wedding
On the wedding day
- Eat breakfast, even if you feel too excited to eat
- Stick to the timeline, and let your helpers handle the small problems
- Take ten quiet minutes together, away from the cameras and the crowd
- Enjoy it. The plan did its job, and now the day is yours
After the wedding
- Thank your guests, vendors, and helpers while the day is still fresh
- Return rentals, preserve outfits, and back up your photos in two places
- Review your budget one last time, so you know exactly where you landed
Planning a wedding is a long list, but it is only one step at a time. Start with your budget, then work through this checklist in order, and the day will come together far more calmly than it first looks. If you need help with the money side, read our guide to planning a wedding budget, and if you have a question or a correction, reach us through our Contact page.