The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist

You’re engaged (congratulations!!), you’ve told all your favourite people, and you’ve started nonchalantly browsing Pinterest… these are all signs that you are ready to kickstart the planning of your wedding day! But if you’re really not sure where to start and need a little push in the right direction, then The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist is for you!

Now, we’re going to sugarcoat it, there’s a lot to cover here, and every wedding is different, which is why we’ve broken this handy guide down into bite-size chunks to help you navigate your wedding planning journey at different stages. Of course, one size doesn’t fit all, and whilst this is based on a 12-month lead time, it’s important to remember that the length of your engagement or time spent actively wedding planning can be any amount of time, from two months to two years, so keep in time that this timescale will be unique to you.

First things first, we would highly recommend reading the step-by-step guide below but then head over to Say I do to gain access to your free wedding planning checklist. This comprehensive digital guide will sync to your wedding planning timeline and includes even MORE detail, so you really won’t miss a thing! You can even add in your own personalised wedding planning tasks which are unique to you and delete the ones that you’ve already actioned or that aren’t relevant to your specific wedding plans.

We want our wedding planning checklist to work hard for you, which is why we’ve included so much detail…you know, just in case! So, if you’re ready to dive in and discover what the next 12 months have in store for you, let’s go!

Wedding planning checklist: 12 months before the wedding

To ensure a seamless and joyous celebration, it's crucial to start the process early. 12 months before the big day marks a pivotal point in your wedding planning timeline. Begin by meticulously crafting your wedding budget, assemble your guest list (even if it’s roughly), and dip your toes into all things wedding inspiration…

• Work out your wedding budget; how much you have in savings, calculate how much you might receive in family contributions and how much you can save in the meantime
• Create your guest list - this may change over the course of many months, but starting with a rough figure in mind will help hugely
• Research wedding venues, browse lots of brochures and organise some in-person visits with your shortlisted few
• Establish your wedding theme/style/vibe through inspiration tools such as Pinterest, Instagram and wedding blogs
• Set a date and book your celebrant/church/wedding licence
• Hire a wedding planner
• Send digital save the dates through a wedding website such as Say I do
• Get wedding insurance
• Start wedding dress/outfit research and book some appointments at bridal boutiques/tailors
• Research and start booking other key wedding vendors, such as your photographer, caterer, florist etc.

Wedding planning checklist: 9 months before the wedding

As the excitement of the big day builds, the nine-month mark is a pivotal moment to dive into the finer details of your celebration and is the time to start researching and booking additional vendors such as cakes, entertainment and accommodation.

• Research and reserve accommodation for guests if possible. Otherwise, collate the information on your wedding website for guests to book themselves
• Book your entertainment for the day; a live band, DJ, games, magician etc.
• Find a wedding cake designer and indulge in some tasting samples!
• Contact wedding décor companies for hire items, backdrops, furniture etc.
• Start researching and planning your honeymoon!

Wedding planning checklist: 6 months before the wedding

Ok, you’ve reached the halfway milestone! Now it’s time to focus on the smaller details that will bring your big day to life. Think decor, outfits and finalising your menu.

• Shop for the groom's and groomsmen’s suits
• Research and choose bridesmaids’ outfits
• If you haven’t already done so, try and arrange a meeting with your key wedding vendors at this halfway mark
• This includes your caterer – at this point, you should be deciding on the menu for your big day. Again, tasting appointments will really help narrow this down!
• Book wedding transport
• Consider and start ordering wedding stationery ahead of your day
• Alternatively, you can send and track all of your digital invitations through a wedding website such as Say I do
• Research and decide whether you have a gift registry, a wishing well or nothing at all
• Book hair and makeup trials
• Research and book the rehearsal dinner

Wedding planning checklist: 3 months before the wedding

It’s getting SO close now; you can really feel the anticipation building which means it’s time to finalise the details that will make the day uniquely yours; your accessories, the readings, and, of course, the guest list!

• Send out your wedding invitations, either digital e-vites or physical paper invitations
• Send out rehearsal dinner invitations
• Attend dress fitting and plan any alterations
• Go shopping with your fiancé for your wedding bands
• Consider your wedding accessories; shoes, jewellery, veil, bag, bow ties, socks etc.
• Buy and order wedding party gifts, including parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen and each other!
• Discuss wedding ceremony readings and ask those who you’d like to be involved
• Select your wedding music, including a song to walk down the aisle to, sign the register to, exit the ceremony as a married couple to and, of course, your first dance song
• Write your vows and/or speech
• Research and book the smaller details such as a guest book, a photo booth, favours, confetti, candles etc
• If you’re planning on doing some DIY décor, start sooner rather than later…like right now!

Wedding planning checklist: 1 month before the wedding

The final countdown is finally here; all that’s left to do is pull everything together and ensure that every detail seamlessly falls into place. It’s likely that you might have an RSVP or two to follow up; it’s time for final fittings and the often tricky task of creating your table plan.

• Chase up any last-minute RSVPs/dietaries
• Have a final dress fitting
• Submit final guest numbers to your wedding venue and caterer
• Finalise your order of the day with your planner/coordinator
• Pay final balances to your wedding vendors
• Create a table plan
• Book appointments for close to the wedding, such as nails, eyebrows, spray tan etc.
• Collect wedding outfits and store them safely

Wedding planning checklist: 1 week before the wedding

The day is finally within touching distance! This last checklist is to guide you through the final touches because, let’s be honest, you’ve got quite a lot to think about/remember at this point! But most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy this last little bit of wedding planning fun!

• Share vendor contact details with your venue and/or the person coordinating your wedding day
• Create/print your place name cards
• Check in with all of your vendors to confirm the wedding day schedule and their time of arrival etc.
• Go to final appointments for nails, hair etc.
• Start packing for the wedding night
• Pack for your honeymoon!
• When you can (usually the day before), have a ceremony rehearsal with all of your key wedding party members at your venue so everyone knows where to be and when
• Decide who will be the 'ring keeper' and arrange how the wedding rings will get to that person safely

As you can see, there is a LOT to plan and juggle during the wedding planning process. This is why having an ultimate wedding checklist such as this, or the more detailed version available on Say I do could help you enormously in the run-up to your big day.

If some of these points noted aren’t relevant to you, don’t panic. And if your wedding includes even more steps, then that’s great too. Every wedding is different, but most importantly, it’s down to you and your chosen dream wedding team to curate and create your perfect day!