The Wedding Planning Checklist – a Month-by-Month Timeline

Most couples plan their wedding in 12 to 18 months. The secret to enjoying that time isn’t doing more – it’s doing things in the right order. Here’s the timeline we built into our planners, condensed into one checklist.

12+ months before: the big decisions

• Set your budget and decide who contributes what.
• Draft a rough guest list – it drives the venue size and the budget.
• Choose a season and a few possible dates.
• Book the venue and, if separate, the ceremony location.
• Start a vision board: colours, mood, must-haves.

Tip: decide your top three priorities as a couple (for example photos, food and music). Spend generously there and save everywhere else.

10–12 months before: the key vendors

• Book your photographer and videographer – the best ones go first.
• Book the caterer (if the venue doesn’t provide one) and the band or DJ.
• Ask your wedding party.
• Research wedding attire and plan dress appointments.

8–10 months before: save the dates

• Send save the dates, especially for destination weddings.
• Book the florist and the officiant.
• Reserve hotel room blocks for guests.
• Start a wedding website or a simple information page.

6–8 months before: the details

• Order the wedding dress or suit (alterations take time).
• Book hair and makeup, and schedule a trial.
• Plan the honeymoon and check passports.
• Order invitations and stationery.

4–6 months before: the day takes shape

• Taste and choose the menu and cake.
• Order rings.
• Plan the ceremony with your officiant and start writing vows.
• Arrange transport and rentals (chairs, linens, lighting).

2–3 months before: invitations out

• Send invitations 8–10 weeks before the wedding.
• Finalise the order of events and music for key moments.
• Buy wedding party gifts.
• Apply for the marriage licence (check local rules).

1 month before: the day-of plan

• Chase final RSVPs and create the seating chart.
• Write a minute-by-minute day-of itinerary and share it with vendors and the wedding party.
• Give the photographer a shot list with family groupings.
• Have final dress fittings.

The week before

• Confirm arrival times with every vendor.
• Pack an emergency kit: safety pins, stain remover, painkillers, phone chargers.
• Prepare envelopes with final payments and tips.
• Hand the day-of binder to your coordinator or maid of honor – and then rest.

Keep it all in one place

A checklist only works if you can find it again. Whether you prefer paper or an iPad, a planner with the budget, guest list, vendors and timeline in one binder saves you from scattered notes and lost screenshots. Our printable wedding planner binder follows exactly this timeline, and the Goodnotes wedding planner does the same on your iPad.