Photography by Philip Kent
Wedding planning can be arduous. The proof is in the details and if you want to keep track of the details you'll need a wedding planning checklist. If you hire a wedding planner, he or she will have his or her own wedding planning checklist to go over. In the meantime, here's a great wedding timeline below to help. I used checklists from several different sources and pulled from my own experience to create this so nothing is left out. If you are setting up your own portfolio for wedding planning, this wedding planning checklist should go at the very front!
First Things First:
Create your Guest List with addresses and phone numbers
Finalize your Budget
Choose your Wedding Party
10-12 Months Before:
Hire a Wedding Planner
Book Ceremony Venue
Book Reception Venue - Visit 4-7 before making a final decision
Reserve Hotel Rooms for your Out-of-Town Guests
Determine and Book Liability Insurance
9-10 Months Before:
Book Caterer
Book Musicians
Book Photographer
Book Videographer
Pick out and Order your Wedding Gown and Bridesmaids Dresses
8-9 Months Before:
Book Florist
Book Cake Designer/Baker
Book Transportation
Select and Order Grooms and Groomsmen Attire
6-7 Months Before:
Send out Save The Date Cards
Plan Honeymoon
Book Rentals (i.e. chairs/tables etc as needed)
Confirm Wedding Rehearsal Time
Select and Order Wedding Invitations
Review All Vendor Contracts, Update Timeline
5 Months Before:
Order invitations etc.
Order Flowers
Make a List of Songs to give to Musicians/DJ
4 Months Before:
Send Wedding Invitations
Enroll at Bridal Registries
Meet with Caterer for food tasting (w/Bride & Groom)
Order Wedding Cake
Plan Rehearsal Dinner, Golf Outings, Spa Days, and any other weekend wedding parties
3 Months Before:
Schedule Final Fittings
Purchase Wedding Party Accessories
Provide Caterer with menu and beverage selections
Have Bride/Groom meet Officiant to review ceremony
2 Months Before:
Choose Gifts for Wedding Party
Book Beauty Appointments for your Bridesmaids
Apply for your Marriage License
Contact all book vendors to confirm arrangements
Pay any balances to booked vendors
1 Month Before:
Confirm Music and Arrangements with Musicians/DJ
Confirm Ceremony and Reception Itineraries with Venues
Confirm transportation
Confirm flower orders with florist
Confirm rental requirements
Confirm transportation times
2 Weeks Before:
Confirm With All Vendors One More Time
Follow up with Guests that did not respond
Set Seating Arrangements
Write Place Cards
Break in your shoes!
1 Week Before:
Make sure ALL vendors have final RSVP numbers for reception
Make sure vendor bills are collected to make final payment
Pack for your Honeymoon
Day Before/Morning Of:
Ask a friend to oversee the decoration of the ceremony and reception venue
Day Of:
Ask a friend to oversee and coordinate with all vendors
Have a family member Pay Vendors their Final Checks
Start Organized and Stay Organized:
Make yourself a Wedding Portfolio - Keep your ideas and your vendor details in one place
Make a List of Songs you would like/not like played
Give Photographer a List of Shots you would like
Write Thank You Notes as you receive gifts
Design Transportation Inserts for Out-of-Town Guests
HELPFUL HINT: Pick 3-4 people to help you plan your wedding. It's too much to ask just your parents or only your Maid of Honor. You'll find that your friends and family members will be helpful in different ways too. One person won't be great at everything; and one person can't do it all!
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