Complete Wedding Checklist + FREE Printable Timeline

Wedding Planning

4 minute read

theweddingnotebook

November 7, 2023

Table of ContentsHide

12+ Months Out
11 Months Out
9-10 Months Out
7-8 Months Out
6 Months Out
5 Months Out
4 Months Out
3 Months Out
2 Months Out
1 Month Out
2 Weeks Out
1 Week To Go
Day Before
Night Before
Wedding Day
Beyond the Wedding Day

Congratulations! You’re engaged! Take a moment to bask in the afterglow of that just-said-yes moment. This is one of the most exciting times of your life, so enjoy every second of it. Planning a wedding is a big deal and can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help make sure that you have fun along the way.

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Skip ahead to your month

12+ Months Out

Congratulations! Don’t fret, we’re here every step of the way..

Choose a date (or up to 3 for flexibility)
Determine your budget
Discuss priorities
Have conversation with parents
Decide if you’ll hire a planner
Begin compiling rough wedding guest list
Decide which traditions you will include
Decide on the size of your wedding

Start looking for a photographer for your pre-wedding/ engagement shoot
Explore venue options
Create a wedding website
Discover your wedding style and overall theme
Gather planning tools
Decide if you will hire a planner or a day coordinator
Will it be a destination wedding?

11 Months Out

Explore wedding vendors
Hire vendors that book out quickly; eg photographer, videographer, planner
Finalise wedding date
Book venue
Pick bridal party

Establish skincare routine
Establish fitness routine

9-10 Months Out

Finalise guest list
Finalise venue
Start designing save-the-dates
Begin wedding dress/tuxedo shopping
Research Caterers
Research Decorators
Research Florist
Research makeup artist

Send out your save-the-dates
Browse invitations
Take engagement photos
Decide bridal party attire, plus accessories
Book the rest of your vendors

7-8 Months Out

Finalise booking of non-negotiable vendors
Start planning your honeymoon
Discover bridal makeup and hair styles
Browse decor and flower arrangement photos for inspiration

Order invitations
Shop for wedding dress accessories, veils, undergarments
Research Emcee

6 Months Out

Send out invitations
Schedule fittings for bridal party
Select cake design and schedule tasting
Attend pre-marital courses
Shop wedding bands

Book emcee
Book master of ceremonies
Book entertainment
Book food truck, dessert booth
Book photobooth services

5 Months Out

Plan rehearsal dinner, traditional ceremonies, gatecrashing ceremony, pre-wedding celebrations
Guest list for the above events
Submit paperwork for registration of marriage
Book honeymoon flights and accommodation
Finalise flower and décor selection with decorator

Arrange transportation to and from venue for yourself
Arrange transportation to and from venue for out-of-town guest
Book hotel rooms for out-of-town guest

4 Months Out

Purchase gifts for bridal party
Prepare for Guo Da Li, Hair combing ceremony, Chinese tea ceremony
Prepare for hantaran
Prepare for Christian ceremony

Prepare for Hindu ceremony
Finalise honeymoon arrangements and make sure documents are updated
Order wedding favours/gifts

3 Months Out

Makeup and hair trial
Food tasting
Finalise reception menu
Finalise persons involve in ceremony for example: reading of scripture in a Christian ceremony
Order alcohol, finalise drinks with bartender

Dress fittings
Plan reception seating
Order the rest of the stationary suite; menu cards, programme booklets, escort cards or place cards

2 Months Out

Organise RSVPs
Write wedding vows and speeches
Review ceremony order with officiant, emcee or master of ceremonies
Final fitting for bridal party

Create wedding timeline and send to vendors, officiant, bridal party (if not hiring coordinator)
Finalise playlist with musicians/ DJ
Purchase gifts for parents
Start practicing for your first dance (+/- dance classes)

1 Month Out

Touch base with vendors; confirming date, time, location
Meet with coordinator
Start packing for honeymoon
Confirm honeymoon reservations
Final dress fitting, complete with accessories

Pick up marriage license
Final facial session
Break in wedding shoes
Finalise seating arrangements

2 Weeks Out

Follow up with guest that have not RSVP-ed
Give caterer/hotel final head count (things to discuss)
Get final haircut or colour
Make arrangements for the care of plants or pets while away on honeymoon

Delegate wedding day duties: guest registration, gift collection
Give photographers and videographers your requests
Complete work to-do-list (get work out of the way)
Finalise walk-in songs for reception dinner

1 Week To Go

Prepare final payments for vendors
Pack your garments and accessories
Make time for relaxation, book a spa
Prepare wedding day emergency kit
Prepare gifts for those helping out

Prepare red packets
Collect jewelleryfrom bank/safe
Get wedding bands/engagement ring cleaned at the jewellers’
Prepare additional shoes to be kept in the car in the event of an emergency
Pack overnight bag

Day Before

Get wedding car decorated
Get manicure/pedicure
Rehearse your ceremony
Layout your dress and veil and have them steamed

Pack small bag of personal items (basic medication, mint, snacks etc)
Layout stationary suits, props, jewellery for photographers to capture

Night Before

Attend rehearsal dinner
Pack suitcases, bags, shoes, emergency kits in the bridal car (if travelling to a different venue)
Go to bed earlier

Wedding Day

It’s finally here!

Eat breakfast
Allow ample time to prepare
Pass wedding bands to best man
Stay hydrated
Relax and enjoy your day

Beyond the Wedding Day

Return rentals
Send out thank you notes
Enjoy your honeymoon
Complete outstanding payments

Store registered marriage license/certificate in safe place
Update insurance policies
Share wedding photos and video
Submit your photos to The Wedding Notebook for featured write up

UP NEXT:

Also check out:

- Wedding Guest Seating Cheat Sheet: A Step-By-Step Guide
- TWN Couples Share 30 Wedding Saving Tips
- Top 7 Myths of Destination Weddings
- The Difference Between Wedding Planners, Stylists and Coordinators.
- The Difference Between a Wedding Stylist, a Decorator and a Florist

Post written by:theweddingnotebook

The Wedding Notebook is an ultra chic quarterly online magazine and website for the modern bride. We cover engagement celebrations, bridal portraits and weddings. Besides that, we also offer fresh perspectives on wedding ideas and new talent in the industry. Showcasing some of this region’s most unique, never-before-seen celebrations, our aim is to inspire others to plan a wedding day that truly reflects their personality and, most importantly, themselves as a couple. Above all, we are crazy about anything and everything that has to do with weddings!

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