Aisle Sheets / Free guides
Wedding planning checklist: a month-by-month timeline
Most wedding checklists are the same list in a different font. What helps is knowing which tasks are due now. Here is a timeline you can print and tick off.
Planning in less than a year? Start at the section that matches your time left and do the earlier tasks first.
Free printable: wedding planning checklist
12 months or more before
- Agree a budget and who is contributing
- Draft a rough guest list and head count
- Choose a date or season
- Visit and book the venue
- Book the officiant or ceremony
- Start a shared spreadsheet or folder
9 to 11 months before
- Book the photographer and videographer
- Book caterer, if not with the venue
- Book music or band
- Choose the wedding party
- Send save-the-dates if guests need to travel
6 to 8 months before
- Order wedding outfits
- Book florist
- Book hair and make-up
- Arrange accommodation blocks for guests
- Plan the honeymoon
4 to 5 months before
- Order invitations
- Book transport
- Order the cake
- Plan the ceremony order and readings
- Buy rings
2 to 3 months before
- Send invitations
- Book dress fittings
- Finalise the menu
- Buy gifts for the wedding party
- Check licence or registration paperwork
1 month before
- Chase missing RSVPs
- Give final numbers to caterer and venue
- Make the seating plan
- Confirm times with every vendor
- Write the day-of timeline and share it
The week before
- Pay final balances due
- Pack an emergency kit
- Give the timeline and vendor contacts to your coordinator or a trusted friend
- Rest
After the wedding
- Return hired items
- Send thank-you cards
- Leave reviews for vendors you liked