Image from Eleanor & Shane’s real wedding
This wedding planning checklist is downloadable! Save it, print it, and use it so you don’t forget anything.
12+ months before
· Sign up to weddingsonline!
· Discuss the wedding with your partner – what you both want and don’t want
· Decide how many guests you want to invite – make a rough guest list
· Look up venues in your chosen area to find out approximate costs for your size of wedding
· Do a budget
· Decide who is paying for what – and will you accept help from family
· Take out wedding insurance if desired
· Pick a season and preferred wedding date
· Book ceremony venue
· Book reception venue
· Decide on the size of your bridal party and ask the chosen people if they’d like to be in it
· Decide what type of entertainment you want? A soloist for the church, harpist, a DJ, or band?
· Research and book photographer, videographer, band, and wedding planner if desired
· Research wedding gowns, find styles you like
· Book appointments with bridal shops to try on gowns
· Send save-the-dates, if you wish
· Make note of any DIY projects you may want doing
· Throw an engagement party
· Start wedding website or diary
8-10 months before
· Research and book ceremony music
· Order your gown
· Decide on your colour scheme and/or theme for the wedding – start a mood board
· Research and reserve accommodation for guests
6-8 months before
· Research and book florist, hair and make-up artist
· Buy or order invitations
· Order bridesmaid dresses
· Buy bridesmaid accessories – shoes, jewellery, etc
· Book honeymoon
· Send save-the-dates, if you haven’t already
4-6 months before
· Buy lingerie for your wedding day
· Send notification of intent to marry
· Attend pre-marriage course if required
· Buy wedding rings
· Order Mass booklets
· Order favours
· Book transport
· Decide on and buy your wedding cake
· Buy your wedding shoes and accessories (veil, jewellery, etc)
· Ensure your gown fits, or get alterations done if necessary
· Plan hen and stag parties
· Renew passports if necessary
3 months before
· Have make-up trial
· Have hair trial
· Send notification of intent to marry (last chance)
· Get groom and groomsmen’s suits fitted
· Sort out venue décor – centrepieces, flowers, garlands
· Decide on music – ceremony processional and recessional, reception entrance, first dance song
· Have any vaccinations done you may need for your honeymoon
2 months before
· Send invitations
· Purchase gifts for bridesmaids, groomsmen and best man
· Test a tanning product if you’re using one
1 month before
· Have final gown fitting
· Collect bridal gown and bridesmaids dresses
· Confirm menu with reception venue
· Make last-minute adjustments with vendors and confirm their services
· Agree on wedding photo list with the photographer
· Send a music list to your band/DJ
· Review final RSVP list and call any guests who have not yet responded
· Have your hen and stag nights
2 weeks before
· Plan reception table seating
· Buy or make table plan
· Write wedding speeches and vows
· Order foreign currency for honeymoon
· Go over this checklist to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything
1 week before
· Give reception venue final guest head count
· Print place and table cards
· Call all wedding vendors and confirm services
· Get hair coloured if needed
· Have beauty treatments
· Attend rehearsal with ceremony officiant
· Assign a bridesmaid or an usher to be a point of contact for all the vendors on wedding day
· Re-confirm final details with all vendors. Provide a telephone number for the wedding day
· Wear in your wedding shoes
· Decide on your “something old, something new…”
· Pack for honeymoon
2-3 days before
· Collect groom and groomsmen’s suits
· Call the transport company for pick-up times and locations
· Get spray tan done
· Put together a wedding emergency kit
Day before
· Deliver cake, favors, flowers, etc. to the reception venue
· Sort out payments
· Get a manicure
· Relax
Day of
· Take in every minute of the day!
CONGRATULATIONS!
