Your 12-Month Wedding Planning Guide
Use this handy checklist to help you plan a wedding filled
with wonderful, stress-free memories!
12+ months
❍ Announce your engagement.
❍ Set a date for your wedding.
❍ Decide on budget and expense sharing.
❍ Identify your wedding style and color palette.
❍ Find a venue for your ceremony and reception, and reserve your date.
❍ Determine number of guests.
❍ Research and book your photographer and videographer.
❍ Consider hiring a wedding planner.
❍ Begin shopping for your wedding gown.
❍ Have engagement pictures taken.
10-12 months
❍ Choose your wedding party.
❍ Book your DJ or reception band, and ceremony musician.
❍ Register for wedding gifts.
❍ Research airline, hotel and rental car reservations for out-of-town guests.
8-10 months
❍ Select and order bridesmaids’ gowns and groom's/groomsmen’s attire.
❍ Taste a variety of wedding cakes and select a baker; place cake order and arrange for delivery.
❍ Book your florist.
❍ Book your caterer.
❍ Decide on food and beverage to be served at reception.
❍ Coordinate with vendors to incorporate your theme/style into all aspects of your wedding.
❍ Reserve rental items for ceremony and reception.
❍ Select music for ceremony and reception.
❍ Purchase wedding invitations, stationery, table and escort cards and thank-you notes.
❍ Purchase bridal accessories: jewelry, lingerie, etc.
❍ Discuss the type of honeymoon you want, and research potential destinations.
6-8 months
❍ Purchase your wedding rings. Order engraving.
❍ Negotiate rates and book a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.
❍ Arrange wedding-night accommodations for the two of you.
❍ Send save-the-date announcements.
❍ Select ceremony readings and write personal vows.
❍ Ask relatives and friends to help at wedding and reception.
4-6 months
❍ Determine order of wedding day events.
❍ Have programs printed for the ceremony.
❍ Book rehearsal dinner venue.
❍ Book a stylist for your wedding day hair and makeup.
❍ Update or add items to your bridal registry, if needed.
❍ Purchase wedding shoes; begin breaking them in.
❍ Finalize honeymoon plans.
2-4 months
❍ Purchase gifts for all wedding party members and your parents.
❍ Arrange transportation for bride and groom from the ceremony site to the reception.
❍ Purchase ceremony accessories (unity candle, guest book, ring pillow, etc.).
❍ Shop for wedding favors.
❍ Create hotel information cards and maps to include with wedding invitations.
❍ Start addressing envelopes.
6-8 weeks
❍ Go to final gown fitting; arrange for pickup or delivery.
❍ Mail wedding invitations.
❍ Get your marriage license.
❍ Send rehearsal dinner invitations.
❍ Write thank-you notes as you receive gifts.
❍ Purchase a gift for your spouse-to-be.
4-6 weeks
❍ Confirm floral order and arrange for delivery times.
❍ Give photographer and videographer your "must have" shot list.
❍ Arrange for transportation to and from the airport.
❍ Create welcome bags for out-of-town guests.
❍ Finalize honeymoon plans.
2-4 weeks
❍ Contact guests who have not RSVP’d.
❍ Submit final guest count to the caterer.
❍ Review final details and timetables with all vendors.
1 week
❍ Pick up your wedding dress.
❍ Write and mail a note to both sets of parents, thanking them for their love and support.
❍ Put together wedding day emergency kit (aspirin, bobby pins, safety pins, mints, etc.).
❍ Begin packing for the honeymoon.
1 day
❍ Get a manicure and pedicure.
❍ Pack things to take to the wedding site.
❍ Give your marriage license to your officiant now so you don’t have to worry about it in the morning.
❍ Rehearse the wedding and attend the rehearsal dinner.
❍ Give attendants their gifts at the rehearsal dinner.
❍ Find a quiet moment to exchange wedding gifts with your fiancé.
Wedding Day
❍ Eat a good breakfast.
❍ Get your hair and makeup done.
❍ Hand off your rings to someone you trust and make sure they arrive at the ceremony safely.
❍ Relax and enjoy your day!
