When it comes to planning your wedding, knowing what to book is one thing – but knowing when to book each supplier can make all the difference. With so many moving parts, having a clear order to follow helps everything fall into place more smoothly (and with far less stress).
That’s where this wedding planning checklist comes in. We’ve mapped out the ideal order to book your suppliers, along with helpful timing guidelines so you know exactly when to make each decision. No matter the length of your engagement, this list will act as your go-to roadmap – keeping you organised, on track and confident every step of the way.
Featured image credit: Killashee Hotel & Spa, Wedding With Me Photo & Video
18+ months before
⎕ Download the free weddingsonline wedding planning app and join our HIGM (Help! I’m Getting Married) Facebook community
⎕ 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 wedding 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, band etc
⎕ Research and book photographer, videographer, band, and wedding planner if desired
⎕ Research wedding outfits, find styles you like
⎕ Book appointments to try on wedding outfits
⎕ 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
10-12 months before
⎕ Research and book florist, hair and make-up artist
⎕ Research and book ceremony music
⎕ Order your outfit
⎕ Decide on your colour scheme and/or theme for the wedding – start a mood board
⎕ Research and reserve accommodation for guests
8-10 months before
⎕ Buy or order invitations
⎕ Order wedding party outfits
⎕ Buy wedding party accessories – shoes, jewellery, etc
⎕ Book honeymoon
⎕ Send save-the-dates if you haven’t already
6-8 months before
⎕ Buy lingerie for your wedding day, if desired
⎕ 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 outfit fits, or get alterations done if necessary
⎕ Plan hen and stag parties
⎕ Renew passports if necessary
5 months before
⎕ Have make-up trial
⎕ Have hair trial
⎕ Send notification of intent to marry (last chance)
⎕ Get wedding party suits fitted
⎕ Sort out venue decor – centrepieces, flowers, garlands, signs
⎕ 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 wedding party
⎕ Test a tanning product if you’re using one
1 month before
⎕ Have final outfit fitting
⎕ Confirm bridal gown cleaning services
⎕ Collect outfits
⎕ 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 somebody 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 suits
⎕ Call the transport company for pickup 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!
