Wedding Planning Checklist: Month by Month

Planning a wedding is a lot of small decisions in the right order. This checklist assumes about 12 months, but you can squeeze it into less by doubling up the early steps.

12 months out: the big picture

• Agree on a total budget and who is contributing
• Draft a guest list (it drives almost every other cost)
• Choose a rough date and season
• Visit and book your venue

10 to 8 months out: book the key vendors

• Photographer and videographer
• Caterer, if the venue doesn't provide one
• Band or DJ
• Officiant
• Start looking at dresses and suits

7 to 5 months out: the details

• Send save-the-dates
• Book florist, cake and hair and makeup
• Plan the honeymoon and check passports
• Register for gifts

4 to 2 months out: invitations and plans

• Send invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the date
• Plan the ceremony and reception order
• Arrange the rehearsal dinner
• Buy rings

Last month: finish strong

• Chase late RSVPs and give final numbers
• Make the seating chart
• Write a day-of timeline and share it with vendors
• Confirm every vendor one more time

After the wedding

Send thank-you notes within a few months, and keep a list of who gave what as gifts arrive so nothing gets missed.

Keep it all in one binder

The Wedding Planner Binder turns this list into a 12-month countdown, with a budget tracker, guest list and RSVP tracker for 100 guests, vendor contacts, a seating chart for 16 tables and a day-of timeline.

Keep reading: How to make a budget · How to plan your month