Before the wedding planning checklist

You already have the ring, so now what? You have a long way to go and so many details to arrange and tasks to take care of.

As a wardrobe stylist, I know that wedding planning is full of stress. You can put it aside with a wedding check-off list to plan the perfect celebration and give yourself enough time to plan and sort your tasks, making it less stressful and more fun.

In my experience and my clients experience, it is better to break down the year by months.

To make wedding planning perfect use this ultimate Wedding Check off list to help you manage your time right up until your special day.

The ideal engagement length in terms of planning is 12 months, so be ready to plan a stress-free path to “I do.” Let’s start with this wedding planning!

Wedding Planning Checklist

12 Months Until Your Wedding:

Announce your engagement in a fun way and get engagement photos taken.
Choose the perfect day for your wedding.
Determine your budget.
Determine your wedding’s bottom line.
Remember numbers will change on the way so it is a good idea to make a detailed spreadsheet.
Hire a wedding planner. (This will depend on your budget but trust me, this person will be your right-hand and will guide you until your big day.)
Make a guest list.
Choose your wedding party: maid of honor, bridesmaids, best men and groomsmen.
Choose rings.
Browse wedding dress and veil style (check out our Veil or Headpiece post and How to wear your wedding train).
Create wedding boards on Pinterest. (Follow Lori’s Pinterest).
Explore venue options and reserve it.
You and your wedding planner start assembling a list to hire: photographer, videographer, florist, musicians and caterers.

10-11 Months Until Your Wedding:

Guest address list.
Book officiant.
Search for your honeymoon ideal destination and begin planning it.
Choose bridal party attire.
Mail your Save the Date.
Start a skincare routine.
Purchase your wedding dress and veil.

8-9 Months Until Your Wedding:

Refine guest list.
Crate gift registries.
Find hotels for your out-of-town guests.
Design your wedding invitation and order your custom invitations.

6-7 Months Until Your Wedding:

Meet with the officiant to discuss the ceremony plan.
Choose your wedding makeup look and hair style.
Schedule cake and desserts tastings.
Reserve linens, chairs, decorations.
Choose the date and place for Bachelor and Bachelorette party.

4-5 Months Until Your Wedding:

Finalize wedding guest list.
Schedule dress fittings.
Book room for wedding night.
Book honeymoon flights and hotels.
Order wedding cake and desserts.
Prepare music list for band/DJ.
Book dinner venue 2-3 months out.
Write your vows.
Book wedding day transportation.
Create wedding day timeline to send it to your officiant, vendors and party.
Organize RSVP’s.
End seating arrangements.
End fittings for wedding party.
Decide your “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.”

1 Month Until Your Wedding:

Call vendors to confirm.
Final dress fitting- this is my favorite part as a wedding stylist!
Pick up wedding rings.
Confirm honeymoon.
Pack for honeymoon.
Attend bachelor/bachelorette party.

1-2 Weeks Until Your Wedding:

Update registries.
Delegate wedding day duties.
Begin breaking in wedding shoes.
Final count to caterer.
Follow up with guests who have not RSVP’d.
Final payments to vendors.
Prepare wedding day emergency kit.

The Day Before Your Wedding:

Attend wedding rehearsal and have fun.
Get a facial and massage.
Go to bed at a decent hour.

Wedding Day:

Don’t skip breakfast.
Give wedding rings to best man.
Take your time to get ready.
Smile and have the best day in your life.

Every couple’s time frame is different, just make sure to check off everything on this list. This ultimate wedding check off list will help you and your wedding planner put everything together on time.

If you are located in the Orlando, Florida area and are looking to get a consultation for your most special day, fill out Lori’s bridal form to apply to work with her.