Bridal Team · Free printable
Wedding planning checklist
59 tasks, month by month, from just engaged to thank-you notes. Tick each one as you go.
Just engaged — first steps
- Talk through the wedding you each picture — size, formality, vibe
- Agree on your top 3 priorities (what you'll spend and splurge on)
- Pick a rough season or a few candidate dates
- Set a total budget you're genuinely comfortable with
- Confirm who is contributing and how much
- Set aside a 5–8% buffer for surprises
- Draft a rough guest count — even a range
- Decide whether children and plus-ones are invited
12–9 months out
- Tour venues that fit your guest count and budget
- Book your venue and lock your date
- Ask the venue what's included vs. extra (tables, chairs, linens, staff)
- Book your photographer
- Book your videographer (if you want one)
- Book your caterer (if not included with the venue)
- Book your band or DJ
- Choose your wedding party and ask them
- Invite your party and family into the plan on Bridal Team
9–6 months out
- Start shopping for wedding attire
- Book alterations
- Choose wedding party attire
- Lock your color palette and overall style
- Book your florist
- Book hair and makeup, and schedule a trial
- Book your officiant
- Reserve a hotel room block for out-of-town guests
- Arrange transportation for the couple and party (and guests if needed)
- For a destination wedding: confirm travel logistics, marriage-license rules, and a local coordinator
6–3 months out
- Order save-the-dates and send them
- Finalize the guest list and collect addresses
- Order invitations
- Build your wedding website and registry
- Plan the engagement party (if you're having one)
- Coordinate the bridal shower with whoever is hosting
- Plan the bachelor / bachelorette celebrations
- Book and plan the rehearsal dinner
- Consider a day-after brunch for out-of-town guests
- Order the cake or dessert and schedule a tasting
- Plan décor, rentals and lighting
- Decide on favors, signage and stationery extras
3–1 months out
- Mail your invitations
- Finalize the menu and any dietary needs with your caterer
- Confirm the day-of timeline with every vendor
- Apply for your marriage license (check your local waiting period)
- Buy wedding rings and allow time for sizing
- Review every vendor contract and payment schedule
- Plan vendor gratuities and set the cash aside
The final month
- Chase any missing RSVPs and give the final headcount to your caterer
- Build the seating chart
- Send a detailed day-of schedule to your party and vendors
- Make final payments and prepare tip envelopes
- Confirm hair/makeup, transportation and delivery times
- Pack for the wedding night and honeymoon
Week of & wedding day
- Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
- Hand off tasks — assign someone to manage vendors and payments on the day
- Get married and celebrate 💍
After the wedding
- Return any rentals and attire
- Write thank-you notes
- Leave reviews for the vendors you loved
- Handle name changes and update documents (if changing names)
Get this checklist with due dates for your wedding, free, at bridalteam.com/wedding-checklist
Want the why behind each step? Read the complete wedding planning checklist.