Wedding planning checklist and timeline | Free downloadable PDF

Wedding
Planning Checklist

Whether you're a couple months away
or a year from your big day,
plan each stage with confidence!

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From the little stuff to the big stuff

Our free wedding planning checklist guides you through 12+ months of the planning process, helping you to manage your time and to-do list—​right up until your big day and beyond.

Mark off your to-do’s and write-in your own. If you’re organized, you’ll have more time to enjoy the process and each other!

Wishing you all the best!

Man proposing to woman | Wedding Planning Checklist | 12 months out
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12+ months

No worries, you got this!

  • Choose a date (or up to 3 so you can be flexible).
  • Talk budget and decide who is contributing what. Use our wedding planning calculator for help.
  • Discover your wedding style. Take our quiz!
  • Choose wedding party:
    Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids, Best Man and Groomsmen, Flower Girl and Ring Bearer.
  • Create a wedding website.
  • Get engagement ring insured and
    consider purchasing wedding insurance.
  • Explore ceremony and reception venue options.
  • Start assembling a team of wedding pros:
    planner, photographer, videographer, caterer, florist, and musicians.
  • Begin compiling a guest list.
  • Browse wedding dress and veil styles.
  • Create wedding and style boards on Pinterest.
    Follow Truly Engaging for ideas!
  • Get discounts! Subscribe to Truly Engaging’s e-newsletter, for wedding stationery deals.
  • Get engagement photos taken.
  • Start browsing Save the Date designs to find your favorite shape and size.
  • See your design in person! Order a custom Save the Date sample.
  • Order your Save the Dates. Check our current promotions to seize the deal!
Bride-to-be and bridesmaids holding glitter | Wedding Planning Checklist | 10-11 months out

10 - 11 months

You're on a roll ...

  • Choose bridal party attire and accessories.
  • Reserve ceremony and reception venues.
  • Book officiant.
  • Hire photographer, videographer, caterer, DJ/band, florist, and planner.
  • Mail your Save the Dates.
  • Purchase wedding dress, veil and undergarments.
  • Establish a fitness routine.
  • Establish a skin care/beauty routine.
Wedding invitations & stationery | Wedding Planning Checklist | 8-9 months out

8 - 9 months

Get your colors on!

  • Find 3 hotels (at different price points) for out-of-town guests.
  • Refine guest list.
  • Create gift registries at 3 national retailers.
  • Browse Wedding Invitation designs and coordinating stationery
    (Enclosures, Programs, Menu Cards, Thank Yous, and Favors).
  • Begin planning honeymoon.
Silver wedding bands | Wedding Planning Checklist | 6-7 months out

6 - 7 months

Good job! What's next?

  • Explore wedding day hair and makeup styles.
  • Meet with officiant to discuss plans for ceremony.
  • Reserve rentals: chairs, linens, lighting, décor, etc.
  • Choose cake style and schedule tastings.
  • Decide on groomsmen attire.
  • Personalize & order a custom Wedding Invitation sample.
  • Hire ceremony musicians.
  • Book transportation to and from venues.
  • Purchase wedding bands.
  • Order Wedding Invitation Suite. Check our current promotions to seize the deal!
  • Order Thank You Cards (for gifts that arrive early).
Wedding cake with berries on top | Wedding Planning Checklist | 4-5 months out

4 - 5 months

The finishing touches...

  • Choose flowers for:
    wedding party, attendants, venues, cake, etc.
  • Schedule dress fittings.
  • Book honeymoon flights and hotels.
  • Book room for wedding night.
  • Order wedding cake.
  • Plan welcome baskets for out-of-town guests.
  • Prepare {play/do not play} lists for DJ/band.
  • Finalize wedding guest list.
  • Assemble rehearsal dinner guest list.
  • Book rehearsal dinner venue.
  • Order Rehearsal Dinner Invitations.
Two flower girls wearing white dresses | Wedding Planning Checklist | 3 months out

3 months

You're getting close!

  • Finalize honeymoon plans and ensure all documents are in order.
  • Plan ceremony and reception seating.
  • Experiment with hair and veil with stylist.
  • Finalize readers and readings.
  • Purchase: toasting flutes, serving pieces, guestbook, flower basket and ring bearer pillow.
  • Finalize reception menu.
  • Order Menu Cards.
  • Order Wedding Favors.
White gift box with twine tie | Wedding Planning Checklist | 2 months out

2 months

Crunch Time

  • Mail Wedding Invitations.
  • Develop system for organizing RSVPs.
  • Begin writing vows.
  • Review ceremony details with officiant.
  • Lay out the content for Wedding Programs.
  • Apply for marriage license: order 2-3 extra.
  • Finalize seating arrangements.
  • Finalize playlists with musicians.
  • Finalize fittings for wedding party and parents.
  • Create wedding day timeline and send to your vendors, officiant and wedding party.
  • Write out honeymoon itinerary for family at home.
  • Decide “Something Old, New, Borrowed, Blue.”
  • Book spa and beauty treatments for you and your bridal party.
  • Book wedding day transportation.
  • Purchase gifts for attendants.
  • Order a custom Wedding Program sample.
Wedding invitations & ceremony program fans | Wedding Planning Checklist | 1 month out

1 month

Don’t Forget

  • Call vendors to confirm date, times and location.
  • Confirm honeymoon reservations.
  • Pack for honeymoon.
  • Pick up wedding rings.
  • Pick up marriage license.
  • Order Wedding Programs.
  • Final dress fitting (with shoes & undergarments).
  • Write Thank You notes as gifts are received.
Groom wearing tuxedo for wedding | Wedding Planning Checklist | 2 weeks out

2 weeks

Down to the wire

  • Follow up with guests who have not RSVP’d.
  • Give final count to caterer.
  • Update registries.
  • Begin breaking in wedding shoes.
  • Make arrangements for the caring of pets and plants while on honeymoon.
  • Send playlists to DJ/band/ceremony musicians.
  • Get final haircut and color.
  • Delegate wedding day duties: gift table, guestbook, etc.
  • Delegate someone to return tuxes, rentals and tend to wedding dress.
  • Send directions to wedding day limo/transportation driver.
Bride wearing a wedding dress | Wedding Planning Checklist | 1 week out

1 week

Relax, almost there!

  • Prepare final payments to vendors + cash tips for service personnel.
  • Give readers their scripts.
  • Give photographer and videographer your image and video requests.
  • Lay out wedding clothes.
  • Prepare wedding day emergency kit.
  • Get spa treatments for you and the bridal party.
Wedding venue with flowers and decorations | Wedding Planning Checklist | The day before wedding Book Advertisement

The day Before

Can you believe it?

  • Deliver welcome baskets.
  • Get mani/pedi/massage.
  • Attend wedding rehearsal.
  • Have fun at the rehearsal dinner.
  • Get to bed at a decent hour!
Bride and groom posing for a picture on their wedding day | Wedding Planning Checklist | Day of wedding

Wedding Day

Enjoy your Day!

  • Eat a good breakfast! Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready.
  • Give wedding rings and officiant fee to best man.
  • Relax, smile, and soak in every moment.
  • 10 Secrets to a Happy Marriage
Bridge and groom throwing glitter after their wedding ceremony | Wedding Planning Checklist | Beyond the wedding
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Beyond the wedding

Wrapping things up...

  • Ensure tuxes and rentals have been returned.
  • Get wedding dress to preservationist or cleaners.
  • Order Thank You Cards (include a wedding photo).
  • Order Personalized Stationery with your new last name.
  • Put your favorite wedding photo on a beautiful Custom Canvas.

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