Detailed Wedding Planning Checklist
4.8/5 with 317 votes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Want to cover all bases? Use our detailed wedding planning checklist:
What's included
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tasks done!
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Toggle At least 12 months before status
At least 12 months before
Toggle Date status
Date
You need to choose the date, or at the very least the month of your wedding. Be ready to be flexible to accommodate the space and the minister.
Toggle Time of day status
Time of day
An evening wedding does not require the same kind of planning as an afternoon one.
Toggle Engagement status
Engagement
Decide if you want to have an official engagement party.
Toggle Budget status
Budget
Look at your finances and consider what kind of financial help you will get from your and your partner's parents, if any.
Toggle Reception status
Reception
Reserve the location for the reception.
Toggle Minister status
Minister
Choose an officiant for your wedding and reserve the date.
Toggle Size status
Size
Decide if you want a big party or an intimate reception.
Toggle Guest list status
Guest list
Write down an initial guestlist according to the reception size.
Toggle Rings status
Rings
Look at online catalogues or go shopping for your rings.
Toggle 9 to 12 months before status
9 to 12 months before
Toggle Contributions and gifts status
Contributions and gifts
You can go the traditional way and let guests bring gifts, or ask them for a financial contribution towards the reception in its place.
Toggle Gift register status
Gift register
If going for gifts, book your gift list with your favourite store and let your guests know.
Toggle Dress status
Dress
Order your wedding dress and the bridesmaid's dresses online or at your local wedding dress store.
Toggle Photo/videographer status
Photo/videographer
Look at portfolios of photographers and choose one whose style you like.
Toggle Catering status
Catering
Choose your caterer and reserve the date with them.
Toggle Decor status
Decor
Choose your colors and meet with a decorator you like. Order the linens and chair covers, if any.
Toggle Flowers status
Flowers
Book the date with your florist. Build up a basic bouquet with the colors you chose.
Toggle Cake status
Cake
Order a cake from your favourite bakery. Many bakeries have online portfolios.
Toggle Rentals status
Rentals
If you need to rent any specific equipment, do so well ahead.
Toggle Entertainment status
Entertainment
Book your entertainer, whether it is a DJ or a live band.
Toggle Out-of-town guests status
Out-of-town guests
If any of your guests plan to stay at a hotel, book it now, especially if your wedding happens during tourist season.
Toggle Honeymoon status
Honeymoon
If going on a honeymoon, book it now with your travel agency or an online provider.
Toggle 6 to 9 months before status
6 to 9 months before
Toggle Menu status
Menu
Meet with your caterer and plan the menu for the reception.
Toggle Music for the ceremony status
Music for the ceremony
If you will have a singer or musicians at the ceremony, book them now.
Toggle Transport status
Transport
Reserve your transportation to the ceremony with a limousine or car company.
Toggle Stationery status
Stationery
Go to a designer and order your invitations and other stationery.
Toggle Wedding favours status
Wedding favours
Plan your wedding favour and order its components. You can save money by putting them together yourself.
Toggle Mothers status
Mothers
Buy or reserve both mothers' outfit, leaving time for modifications if required.
Toggle Licence status
Licence
Verify the requirements for a marriage licence in your state or country.
Toggle 3 to 6 months before status
3 to 6 months before
Toggle Final guestlist status
Final guestlist
Write down the finalized guestlist for the ceremony and the reception.
Toggle Reader status
Reader
Choose a reader for your ceremony within your friends and family.
Toggle Flowers status
Flowers
Confirm the flower arrangements with your florists, and make last-minute changes.
Toggle Men's attire status
Men's attire
Choose and reserve the wedding attire for the groom and the best man.
Toggle Hair status
Hair
Make your appointment with your favourite hairdresser. They are very busy during wedding season, so it is good to do so well ahead.
Toggle 2 months before status
2 months before
Toggle Invitations status
Invitations
Mail your final invitations, leaving enough time for those who need to get overseas. Notify them by email before the invitation comes, if needed.
Toggle Vows status
Vows
Write down your final vows with your partner.
Toggle Menu status
Menu
Finalize the menu with your caterer. Make any last-minute changes, and make sure the caterer knows about specific dietary requirements.
Toggle Ceremony status
Ceremony
Confirm the date and time of the ceremony with your officiant and musicians.
Toggle Programs status
Programs
If you are giving out programs, go to your designer and have them printed.
Toggle Gifts status
Gifts
Buy the gifts for your parents and the attendants.
Toggle Beauty care status
Beauty care
Make an appointment with your favourite aesthetician for your nails and make-up.
Toggle Dress fitting status
Dress fitting
Arrange for the final dress tailoring.
Toggle 1 month before status
1 month before
Toggle Licence status
Licence
Request your marriage licence.
Toggle Rehearsal status
Rehearsal
Arrange a date for the rehearsal dinner with your attendants.
Toggle Photo/video status
Photo/video
Meet one last time with your photographer to finalize the details.
Toggle 2 weeks before status
2 weeks before
Toggle Party status
Party
Throw your party for your attendants.
Toggle Speeches status
Speeches
Start drafting everybody's speeches at the ceremony and the reception.
Toggle Reception status
Reception
Confirm the last details with the space provider, caterer and entertainers.
Toggle Guests status
Guests
Contact guests who have not replied and confirm their attendance.
Toggle Beauty status
Beauty
Consult with your hairdresser and aesthetician to choose style and colors.
Toggle Music status
Music
Choose your music and give the list to your entertainer.
Toggle Honeymoon status
Honeymoon
Confirm your trip with your travel agency or tour operator.
Toggle 1 week before status
1 week before
Toggle Seating plan status
Seating plan
Make the seating plan and confirm with family and friends for any conflicts.
Toggle Place cards status
Place cards
Write down or print your place cards according to the seating plan you've drawn up.
Toggle Procession status
Procession
Build the procession and decide the order.
Toggle Rehearsal status
Rehearsal
Have your attendants over for your rehearsal dinner.
Toggle Accommodations status
Accommodations
If you have made reservations with hotels for out-of-town guests, confirm the reservations with the hotel and your guests.
Toggle Attire status
Attire
Get the groom's attire and have it checked for last-minute fittings.
Toggle Catering status
Catering
Confirm the final costs and menu with your caterer.
Toggle Transport status
Transport
Call the limousine company and confirm your transportation.
Toggle Licence status
Licence
Give your licence to your officiant so he or she can perform the ceremony legally.
Toggle Wedding favours status
Wedding favours
Choose the person who will give out the wedding favours to the guests.
Toggle Rentals status
Rentals
Make a friend or family member responsible for returning any rental items after the wedding.
Toggle Cheques status
Cheques
Write any cheques that need to be handed out on the wedding day.
Toggle Honeymoon status
Honeymoon
If going on a trip, start packing. You will be too busy for the rest of the week.
Toggle Wedding day status
Wedding day
Toggle Rings status
Rings
Give the rings to your best man.
Toggle Cheques status
Cheques
Give your best man the cheques that need to be handed out to the providers.
Toggle Gifts status
Gifts
Give the gifts to the parents and attendants.
Toggle Enjoy your day! You deserve it! status
Enjoy your day! You deserve it!
Toggle After the wedding status
After the wedding
Toggle Notes status
Notes
Mail or email the thank-you notes for those who purchased gifts for you.
Toggle Providers status
Providers
Send thank-you letters to your providers as well.
Toggle Dress status
Dress
If you are keeping your dress, have it cleaned and prepared for preservation. You may also have it cleaned and bring it back to the store if you are selling it used.
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Presented by:
Sherry M. Lewis
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Uses: 12
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Tasks: 81
Details
Detailed Wedding Planning Checklist Tips
Although this is a detailed wedding planning checklist, you should customize it to your own situation. Simply click on the Use List button to save it to your checklist account. You can then remove tasks or add your own. Don't forget to share the list with your loved one. It's a great time start sharing your workload and your life. After all, this is what the wedding is all about: an intro to your mutual life.
Who it's for
This Detailed Wedding Planning Checklist is for anyone who wants a simple, practical way to get things done without missing steps.
- Avoid forgetting - keep all your Detailed Wedding Planning essentials in one place (external memory)
- Save time - start from a proven Detailed Wedding Planning structure instead of a blank page
- Stay on track - track progress, come back later, and keep momentum
- Coordinate with others - share the list and divide responsibilities
- Learn the process - follow the steps in a sensible order, even if it's your first time
How to use it
How to use this Detailed Wedding Planning Checklist
- Save Detailed Wedding Planning Checklist to your free Checklist account so your progress is saved and synced across devices.
- Customize it in the app: remove anything that does not apply, then add your own details for Detailed Wedding Planning (dates, sizes, addresses, notes).
- If others are involved, invite them to collaborate and divide responsibilities.
- Work through the list: check items off as you go, and set reminders for time-sensitive steps.
Rate this Checklist
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Scores 4.80 with 317 votes