Wedding Planning Checklist

Here's a wedding planning checklist with a 12 month schedule to ensure things get done, nothing gets missed and tasks completed can be checked off.

It's always a good idea to decide upon duties you can give to other people so that you will not be overwhelmed by them yourself.

For example catering: Who do you believe would be the best person to handle all of the arrangements for the food and drink at your wedding ?

Invitations and seating
Who will be addressing and mailing out invitations and making sure that people are seated with people they will be comfortable with ?

Who will organize the decorations for the wedding and reception including the table center pieces ?

You should also not forget other tasks to be assigned like:

Rehearsal dinners
Music and the DJ
Bridesmaid, groomsmen and honoured guests, gifts and favors
Gowns and tuxedos
Bridal showers and bachelor parties

It's important to get in touch and agree with people as soon as possible about them taking on some of these tasks for you.

12 Months before your Wedding day

• Announce the engagement
• Set your wedding date
• Create a budget
• Create your guest list
• Start brainstorming ideas and themes
• Reserve your Ceremony spot
• Book an Officiate
• Make reservations for your Reception area
• Book a Photographer and Videographer
• Book Caterer, Florist and Music (Band, DJ, etc.)
• Look for a Wedding gown and Tux, allowing time for alterations and fittings
• Register for gifts
• Select and call the bridesmaids and groomsmen
• Agree on a date to order bridesmaids' dresses and groomsmen's tuxes
• Choose a destination for your Honeymoon
• Apply for passports, if required

6 Months before your Wedding day

• Finalize your guest list
• Decide on the timeline and details of Ceremony
• Book Reception Venue
• Order wedding cake
• Make invitations, and thank you notes
• Book airline and hotel reservations for the Honeymoon
• Choose a caterer
• Select a florist
• Book Transportation (Limo, Vintage Car) for wedding day
• Shop for any Party rentals

3 Months before your Wedding day

• Mail out/hand deliver invitations
• Confirm wedding details and contracts with all wedding vendors
• Choose gifts for your attendants
• Write out your own vows if you want to
• Set a date and time for the rehearsal dinner
• Help make travel arrangements for any out-of-town guests
• Make final alterations and fittings for the Wedding Gown and Tux
• Set time with Photographer to discuss photo album & video
• See a doctor for blood tests and travel immunization (if required)

1 month before your Wedding day

• Apply for the marriage license
• Buy your wedding bands
• Finalize music list and no-play list with band or DJ
• Decide upon bride hairstyle
• Attend showers
• Make insurance arrangements
• Set a date for the final fitting of the wedding dress
• Wear your wedding shoes around the house to break them in
• Buy luggage if you need to

1-2 weeks before your Wedding day

• Schedule the rehearsal a day or two before your wedding day
• Make an appointment with a Beauty Salon for day of wedding
• Send a wedding announcement to the local newspapers (optional)
• Make necessary arrangements for name & address change, if any
• Discuss final details with the reception organizer and caterer
• Write thank you notes for gifts already received
• Pack for honeymoon
• Write out all checks needed for wedding day
• Send reminders to the rehearsal dinner attendees about the location & time
• Discuss the ceremony and reception final details with family and bridal party

Wedding day or day before

• Visit your Beauty Salon for manicure and pedicure
• Host the rehearsal and dinner
• Make sure the ushers have the final guest list

In preparing your own wedding planning checklist, don't forget that you don't need to do everything yourself. By relying upon trusted friends and family you will be less stressed in the weeks and days leading up to the big day and be more relaxed to enjoy what is to come.

Family Advice on Family Matters