Use Wedding Checklist to Help You Plan Your Wedding

The wedding checklist timeline will help you organize the many details involved in planning a wedding. So if you are going to get married, you'd better prepare an ultimate wedding checklist so that you can prepare everything for your wedding day in order.

Have a look at our wedding planning list.

Wedding planning checklist timeline

Wedding checklist: 12 months before the wedding day

• Tell the good news to family and friends. If the parents haven't seen each other, arrange a time to have them meet. Explore how to announce your engagement.
• Decide on your wedding and engagement budget to make sure all goes right.
• Determine the wedding date, time, venue, themes, etc.
• Inform important guests, officials and reserve the locations for your wedding.
• Choose your wedding rings
• Draw up an initial list of the guest so that later you will save much time in invitation planning.
• Organize your engagement party.

For more engagement ideas, please go to engagement ideas page.

Wedding checklist: 9-12 months before the wedding day

• Prepare a full wedding guest list.
• Select your bridal entourage and their gowns and order attendants' attire.
• Reserve the caterer and arrange the decor, chair covers and linens.
• Book your photographer, videographer, DJ, entertainer or band.
• Finalize the ceremony details and religious requirements with your officiant.
• Reserve your florist, wedding cake and any rental items from the rental company.
• Find accommodation for your guest if necessary.
• Start to make your own wedding favors now.
• Begin to make a plan about your honeymoon.

Wedding checklist: 6 - 8 months before the wedding day

• Select the bride's and groom's outfits.
• Confirm the outfits of the bridal party members.
• Confirm the wedding guest list.
• Start making your own wedding invitation card.
• Finalize the wedding day catering with the hotel.
• Reserve the musicians and soloist for your ceremony. You can select some great wedding songs by yourself.
• Choose outfits for mother of the bride and mother of the groom and reserve the men's wedding attire.
• Check marriage license requirement

Wedding checklist: 4 - 5 months before the wedding day

• Reserve a hotel room for your wedding night
• Select a florist to decide on flowers and floral arrangements.
• Shop for wedding rings.

Wedding checklist: 2 -3 months before the wedding day

• Send out wedding invitation cards.
• Confirm room reservations for out-of-town guests.
• Schedule for a final wedding dress fitting.
• Make a wedding photo guest book.
• Decide on your wedding vows or compose your own.
• Finalize the reception menus.
• Confirm the wedding details with the musicians and clergy or officiant.
• Purchase gifts for parents and attendants.

Wedding checklist: 3 - 4 weeks before

• Call up all the guests to confirm attendance.
• Confirm the hotel, menu, florist, photographer/videographer, entertainer and make-up artist.
• Finalize your honeymoon plans.
• Apply for a marriage license.
• Plan the rehearsal dinner. Learn how to make a rehearsal dinner invitation card.

Wedding checklist: 1 - 2 weeks before

• Finalize the wedding seating chart and place cards.
• Make bridal party gifts for attendants/groomsmen/bridesmaids.
• Check and ensure all the accessories are ready.
• Get well prepared for the honeymoon and confirm the travel arrangements.

Wedding checklist: The day before the wedding day

• Rehearse the ceremony with officiant, emcee and wedding party.
• Relax yourself! Go to bed early to have a good rest.

Wedding checklist: The big wedding day

• Eat something to ensure that your have enough energy.
• Take a bath, fix your hair and do the make-up 2 - 3 hours in advance.
• Get your dress ready 1.5 hours before the wedding ceremony.
• Make sure the photos and videos are planned to be taken.

Wedding checklist: After the wedding

• Make a gift list and send out your wedding thank you card.
• Arrange for cleaning and preservation of your gown.
• Arrange your wedding photos and videos and make a keepsake, such like a wedding DVD slideshow or a wedding scrapbook.

Note: During the process of preparation, you can have some exercise and have some spas to make you more beautiful.