Planning Checklist
12 MONTHS TO GO
- Announce your engagement
- Gather ideas for your wedding theme and style by going to wedding trade shows or looking online
- Work out a basic budget: research wedding/reception venues
- Determine number of guests
- Get started on attire ideas
- If you will be working with a planner, review potential candidates
- Research photographers, videographers, reception bands or DJ’s. Set up Zoom or live consultations.
11 MONTHS TO GO
- If you are working with a planner, make your selection and set up a meeting.
- Select and reserve your wedding venue and schedule a rehearsal time.
- Choose reception venue; negotiate contract; leave a deposit to secure booking
- Determine the theme/colors/and décor for your reception
- Meet with potential caterers; arrange for tastings
- Select and book a caterer
- Reserve musicians/DJ
- Determine ceremony musicians and make musical selections
- Book videographer and photographer and put together shot list
- Research floral designers. Decide if you want fresh flowers, or faux flowers ,or a combination of both.
- Secure venue parking and or guest transportation
- Visit local bridal salons and start looking at dresses
- Choose your wedding party members; invite them to take part in your celebration
- Meet with your officiant to discuss the ceremony
- Determine your honeymoon budget
- Start creating a wedding website as soon as your wedding date and venue are set
10 MONTHS TO GO
- Select and order your wedding gown
- If your ceremony will be held in a special setting such as a park, obtain any necessary permits
- Go over attendants’ duties with your maid of honour and bridesmaids
- Send out save-the-dates if yours is a destination wedding (include your wedding website and URL)
9 MONTHS TO GO
- Register for gifts (update your website accordingly)
- Work closely with vendors to ensure that your theme/style/palette will be woven into all aspects of the day.
- Decide on the food and drink that will be served
- Prepare a playlist of reception music ideas for your DJ
- Select and order your headpiece, veil, shoes
- Confirm delivery dates for your wedding attire
- Research air, hotel and car-rental options for guests
8 MONTHS TO GO
- Go for your first gown fitting. Invite your maid of honor to join you
- Choose and order bridesmaid dresses and accessories
- Research wedding rings for you and your partner
- Determine your florist and select a color palletee
7 MONTHS TO GO
- Review and finalize wedding details with your partner and your planner
- Coordinate any fittings/alterations with your bridesmaids
- Consider groomsmen attire; make recommendations for a formal wear shop or rental house
- Select attire for flower girl and ring bearer
- Scout stationers: Determine the design, wording, and paper stock for your invitation suite, table cards, and thank-you note paper. Finalize order
- Hire a calligrapher (if needed) for table and escort cards
- Determine order of ceremony events and choose appropriate wording for your programs
- Book hotel room blocks for your guests; negotiate rates; post info onto your website
- Select and order wedding rings
- Purchase bridal accessories: jewelry, lingerie, etc.
- Choose and order something fun for your guest to toss after your ceremony; rose petals, bird seed, confetti etc.
6 MONTHS TO GO
- Brainstorm honeymoon ideas
- Review and approve proofs of invitations and stationery
5 MONTHS TO GO
- Order table cards
- Place print order for programs
- Book your honeymoon
- Taste test a variety of wedding cakes and select a baker, place cake order and arrange for delivery
- Make reservations for rehearsal dinner and select a menu
4 MONTHS TO GO
- Determine method of addressing invitations and hire a calligrapher if applicable
- Create wedding vows
- Have groom try on tuxedo
- Purchase or rent Grooms wedding accessories
3 MONTHS TO GO
- Review and approve wedding announcement and printed program proofs
- Get reservations for brunch the day after the wedding
- Discuss bachelorette party plans with your attendants
- Book and appointment for a hair trial
2 MONTHS TO GO
- Mail wedding invitations
- Secure a wedding day dressing room for your bridesmaids
- Go to final gown fitting; arrange for pick-up or delivery
- Have grooms formal wear fitted
- Purchase attendants’ gifts
- Arrange transportation for bride and groom from ceremony site to reception
- Update wedding website
6 WEEKS TO GO
- Send rehearsal dinner invitations
- Write thank you notes as you receive gifts.
- Confirm music selections with musicians or DJ
- Shop for or create wedding favours
4 WEEKS TO GO
- Confirm Floral order and arrange delivery time
- Meet with ushers and assign duties
- Discuss ceremony details with your officiant
- Determine seating arrangements for guests
- Go in for a makeup trial
- Book a mani -pedi for the day before the wedding
- Finalize details with the photographer
- Schedule pick up of the grooms’ rental tux
3 WEEKS TO GO
- Call anyone who has not responded to their invitation
- Finalize guest list that is attending, give final numbers to caterer
- Arrange for all deliveries; flowers, décor, rentals
- Arrange for pick- up of these items the day after the wedding
1 WEEK TO GO
- Pick up wedding dress
- Confirm all honeymoon travel bookings
- Pack for your honey moon
WEDDING DAY
- Eat a healthy, energizing breakfast
- Arrange to have food available for nibbling as the wedding party gets ready
- Assign your event planner or a trusted person to gather all the rented Boutonnieres from the groomsmen and bouquets from Bridesmaid at 10:00 before they start to leave. This helps you to avoid the hassle of tracking down rented flowers the day after the wedding.