FREE Wedding Planning Checklist | The Only List You’ll Need
Having a good to-do list is an absolute must when planning a wedding. Unfortunately, a lot of the free checklists out there are vague or incomplete. Not this one. This wedding planning checklist is comprehensive, detailed, and totally free.
A good checklist is like roadmap to success; it keeps you on track and ensures that you don’t miss a thing. When it comes to planning a wedding, it is absolutely ESSENTIAL.
A wedding planning checklist will keep you organized, on track, and will save you LOADS of stress. While there are tons of free wedding planning checklists out there, they aren’t all the best. Some are vague, some are overwhelming, and some are just confusing.
After scouring the internet and looking at tons of different free checklists, I was left unsatisfied. Finally, I said “screw it” and decided to make my own. I created this checklist as DIY bride with the DIY bride in mind. I wanted it to be simple but detailed and comprehensive without being overwhelming. This wedding planning checklist was an absolute life-saver for me, and I know you’ll love it too!
This post is all about the Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist.
Disclaimer: This blog post does not go into full detail about every item on the wedding planning checklist! That would be a NOVEL. Instead, it summarizes what you should do at each interval of the wedding planning timeline. You’ll need to download the checklist to see every detail!
WANT THE FREE WEDDING PLANNING CHECKLIST?!
Simplify your wedding planning process with this FREE 12 month wedding planning to-do list. Simply click the button below to get the checklist delivered right to your inbox!
The Free Wedding Planning Checklist Printable
Before we get into the timeline, you’ll want to go ahead and download your free wedding planning checklist printable. Simply fill in the form below and the checklist will be sent straight to your inbox! I promise not to spam you and will only occasionally send helpful wedding planning tips.
Just for you!
GRAB THE FREEBIE
Here is some more information about this wedding planning checklist and why (not to toot my own horn) I think it’s the best one out there.
Comprehensive
This checklist is DETAILED. With 10 pages of items, I can confidently say that it’s got your wedding planning basics covered.
We don’t know what we don’t know, and when you’ve never planned a wedding before, there is A LOT you don’t know. (That was confusing; let me explain.)
When I first started planning my wedding, I was completely unaware of how many details actually went into it. Sure, I knew we would need vendors like a venue, photographer, and caterer, but had no idea how many other things I would need to buy, book, or do, and wasn’t sure what order I should do them in.
I am the type of person who likes to see the big picture before I start diving into the details, so not having a clear path to follow stressed me out.
I spent hours piecing together different timelines to create one comprehensive list of everything I would need to do in order to make it down the aisle. Seeing this big picture helped me and my fiancé set our priorities and take things one step at a time. I know it will do the same for you.
12 month timeline
I designed the checklist based on a 12 month timeline because that is the most common engagement period. However, no matter the length of engagement, the steps of planning a wedding are the same! Whether your engagement is 6 months or 26 months, you can still benefit from this checklist – simply adjust it to fit your timeline.
Intentional Progression
Each wedding planning to-do is purposefully placed in this checklist to set you up for success. For example, you have to set your priorities and budget before you can start planning. Your venue must be booked before you can book vendors. The guest list has to be finalized before you can send save the dates. You have to have have your guest RSVP’s in before you can make the seating chart. I think you get the point.
While you are welcome to switch up the order a bit based on your situation and priorities, this checklist is designed to make sure you are doing everything in the right order and at the right time.
Post Engagement
If your engagement is longer than 12 months, these are some things you should do after getting engaged but before you begin planning. If you just got engaged, make sure you read this post that goes over the first 9 steps of wedding planning in much more detail.
First, of course, you should share the good news and celebrate. Consider throwing an engagement party and booking your engagement photos.
Next you can start preparing for planning. You will want to get organized first so you can reduce stress later on. Check out this post goes over 7 things you can do to organize your wedding planning.
One of the most important things to do before you begin planning is to discuss your priorities. Your priorities should guide every decision you make, so you’ll want to be clear on these from the beginning. Discuss expectations with with your fiancé and families so you know where everyone stands.
Next up: the budget. I know – nobody likes the B word, but you HAVE to know how much you can spend before you start spending. I have an entire category of blog posts about budgeting you should check out. You’ll definitely want to ready these two specific posts on how to set and break down your wedding budget. Click on the image to view the post.
Get Your Free Wedding Budget Breakdown Template!
Allocate your wedding budget like a pro with this FREE wedding budget breakdown template. Simply fill in the form below to get the template delivered right to your inbox!
Finally, you should start making your guest list and should decide on the maximum number of guests you want to invite. This is just a starting point, as you will continue to edit the guest list over the next few months. There will inevitably be people you forget to add and some people who don’t make the final cut. For now, just brain dump every person you may want to (or may need to) invite.
10-12 Months Out
This is when the planning really begins, but of course you could start earlier if you wanted. The most important thing you will do during this time is book your venue. After researching venues, schedule tours with your top 3-5 and make your decision from there.
After you book your venue and have a date, you should start booking other important vendors, like your photographer, videographer, caterer, coordinator, and DJ. This might seem like a lot, but remember you have two months to research and book.
Also, remember that your priorities should guide your planning. If photography is a top priority but you couldn’t care less about food, focus on finding your photographer first and put the caterer on the back burner for now.
You will also start creating your wedding website, continue editing your guest list, and choose your wedding party! Plan your wedding party proposals (if you’re doing that)
Lastly, and this is an exciting one, you will want to start dress shopping!! This post is all about 15 wedding dress shopping tips you need to know before your first appointment.
15 Wedding Dress Shopping Tips You Need to Know
About to go wedding dress shopping for the first time? Here are 15 wedding dress shopping tips you need to know before you first appointment. Shopping for a wedding dress is probably one of the most exciting and memorable experiences…
8-10 Months Out
You should try to book the rest of your vendors 8-10 months before the wedding. This includes your florist, hair and makeup artists, officiant, bartenders, cake, and any rentals that are not included in the venue or provided by the caterer.
You should also try to find your wedding dress during this time, especially if you are ordering one from a bridal shop. They can take up to 6 months to come in, and you’ll need to leave time for alterations!
You should finalize the guest list, start collecting guest addresses, and look into guest accommodations like hotel room blocks and transportation. Start shopping for or designing your save the dates too. Wondering what to include on your save the date? This post has got you covered.
Finally, you can finalize your wedding website, register for gifts, and order your save the dates. Don’t forget to include a link to your website on your save the dates so guest can stay up to date on important info!
19 Most Important Wedding Website FAQ Examples
One page that you must have on your wedding website is a FAQ page for guests. This post is all about the top 15 essential wedding website FAQ examples….
What to Include on Your Save The Date | 5 Essential Details
Wondering what to include on your save the date? While you have a lot of creative freedom when it comes to save the dates, you need to make sure…
6-8 Months Out
Save the dates typically go out around 6 months before the wedding, but could go out further in advance if you are having a destination wedding or most guest will have to travel. They could go out a little closer to the wedding too. There’s no hard and fast rule. I would just plan on sending save the dates around the 6 month mark.
Since most of your wedding day vendors should already be booked, you’ll want to start planning other wedding events, like your rehearsal dinner, farewell brunch, bachelor/bachelorette party, and the honeymoon. Once you have these things planned, don’t forget to request off work!
A few other random tasks include scheduling your catering or cake tastings, purchasing your wedding bands, and starting to put together song playlists. I like starting your playlist early because it gives you ton of time to listen to and add songs.
4-6 Months Out
Wedding planning ebbs and flows. It has periods of high intensity and some periods where not much is going on. This is definitely a slow period since there is not much left to book or plan. Enjoy it, because it will ramp up again as you approach the wedding!
You will want to take advantage of this time by purchasing some important wedding items. Here are a few things you may want to purchase during this time:
- The Groom’s suit
- Bridal accessories
- Wedding event outfits
- Card box
- Guest book
- Vow/officiant books
- Cake topper
- Ring box
Your dress should be ready to get picked up during this time too! Once you have it, you can start veil shopping and schedule your first dress fitting appointment to begin alterations.
2-4 Months Out
This is when things start to feel real!! On top of sending out your official wedding invitations, you will start planning the nitty gritty details of the wedding.
You can begin to plan your ceremony with your officiant and/or coordinator. Think think about what you want the officiant to say, who will walk down the aisle and in what order, what songs you will play, and any other traditions you may want to include.
You can also start purchasing gifts for each other, the wedding party, parents, and guests. You should attend your hair and makeup trial, do a venue walkthrough, and start any DIY projects you have planned.
1-2 Months Out
It’s getting close now! Make sure you have an appointment to get a marriage license, start writing your vows (if you are writing your own), and check to make sure anyone who will be giving a toast has started their speech. You will also want to start reaching out to guests who have not RSVP’d.
Work with your photographer and coordinator to create your wedding day timeline and photo shot list. You may also have a mockup with your florist and should prepare final payments and confirm arrangements with the rest of your vendors.
I would create a comprehensive décor checklist that includes everything you are planning on bringing. Go ahead and purchase any final items during this time too. This is also typically when you attend the bachelor/bachelorette party.
2-4 Weeks Out
Everything should be getting finalized now! You should finalize your vows, décor, playlists, timeline, guest list, and seating chart. Make sure you send your final guest count, along with your seating chart, to your caterer. Plan with your DJ/MC to finalize their script. Make sure all vendors have a copy of the timeline and are on the same page.
Check with your wedding party to make sure everyone has their outfits and anything else they need. If you haven’t already, you should have your final dress fitting and pick up your dress. You might want to start breaking in those shoes!
2 Weeks Out
Now is the time to get all of your beauty treatments! Don’t do anything drastic or something you haven’t done before. Prepare your vendor tips and delegate someone to pass them out on the night of the wedding. Make a packing list of EVERYTHING you will need to bring – clothes, accessories, décor, etc.
Also, you are bound to have some last minute changes to your guest list, which will affect your seating chart. Just keep your caterer up to date and send any changes their way.
The Week Of
It’s time to start packing!! Organize all important documents in your wedding binder and distribute copies of the timeline to your wedding party. Put together a details box for your photographer (items like your jewelry, invitation suite, hair accessories, rings and ring box, etc.) Pack for the wedding and honeymoon. Don’t forget to get lots of rest and stay hydrated!
The Morning Of
Lay out everything you will need for the day, including clothes, accessories, flowers, props, anything! Don’t skip breakfast!! Your nerves might make you not want to eat, but try to eat something before your first mimosa. Make sure your best man gets the rings and soak up every bit your day.
Post Wedding
CONGRATULATIONS! You did it. It probably went by in the blink of an eye, but I hope you had a blast. After you get back from the honeymoon, you will want to clean and preserve your wedding dress and any other wedding mementos you want to keep. You can sell any unwanted wedding items, send out thank you cards, and start looking into how to change your name. NewlyNamed and HitchSwitch are both services that help you change your name by sending a customized kit with all the necessary documents.
It might feel a bit weird once the wedding is over. All of the planning, stress, and anticipation has suddenly come to an end. You might feel relieved by this, or you might feel a bit sad that it’s all over. I think both are totally normal. Take time to work through the emotions, reminisce about the cherished moments of the wedding day, and get excited about what the future holds.
Summary
Wedding planning isn’t necessarily difficult, but it can definitely be overwhelming. There are so many different things to buy, book, or do, and most need to be done in a particular order.
That’s where a wedding planning checklist comes in. A good checklist is absolutely essential for wedding planning. It keeps you on track and ensures that nothing falls through the cracks.
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to download a printable version of this free checklist! Just fill in the form below to get your copy.
WANT THE FREE WEDDING PLANNING CHECKLIST?!
Simplify your wedding planning process with this FREE 12 month wedding planning to-do list. Simply click the button below to get the checklist delivered right to your inbox!
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Happy Planning!
