Wedding Planning Checklist: What to Do 12 Months to 1 Week Before
The secret to a calm wedding is doing the right things in the right order. Book the hard-to-get things first, decide the guest list early, and leave only confirmations for the final weeks.
12+ months before
- Agree on a total budget
- Draft the guest list (this decides your venue size)
- Choose a season or date range
- Book the venue
- Decide if you need a wedding planner
9-12 months before
- Book photographer and videographer
- Book the caterer (if not included at the venue)
- Start dress and suit shopping
- Create a simple wedding website with date and location
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- Book florist, DJ or band, hair and makeup
- Send save the dates
- Plan accommodation for out-of-town guests
4-6 months before
- Order the cake and invitations
- Plan the honeymoon
- Book transport
- Choose the wedding party and their outfits
2-3 months before
- Send invitations
- Buy the rings
- Finalize the menu
- Write a first draft of your day-of timeline
1 month before
- Chase missing RSVPs
- Final dress fitting
- Create the seating plan
- Share the timeline with vendors and the wedding party
1 week before
- Confirm arrival times with every vendor
- Prepare final payments and tip envelopes
- Pack an emergency kit and your honeymoon bag
- Hand over tasks - and rest
Pro tip: put every task and payment on one calendar with due dates. When a task is late, you’ll see it immediately instead of discovering it the week before.
FAQ
Usually the venue, because it sets the date and guest capacity. Popular photographers are often booked next.
A common timeline is 2-3 months before the wedding, with save the dates 6-9 months before.
