So you just got engaged and the time has arrived… PLANNING. No doubt wedding planning can be overwhelming. But this checklist was designed to make sure everything gets taken care of so that you get to enjoy your day without a worry in the world.

You’ve dreamed about this day forever, so let’s make it happen seamlessly.

FIRST THINGS FIRST.

*Take a minute right now. Seriously. Breathe it in. You’re marrying your bff, and getting to plan a wedding is a privilege. Also, if you’re not exactly on these timeline markers, it’s gonna be okay. This is meant to be a guideline to help set you up for success – not freak you out more. Also – THIS IS EXCITING!! You finally get to hire those vendors you’ve been eyeing and make all the dreams come true. Alright, let’s get to it.

(And a PSA to all my couples planning a wedding in less than 12 months, you’re totally fine. Just take this timeline and condense it however it makes sense for your timeline).

12 MONTHS OUT

• Choose a date (or a few you’re interested in)

• Chat about budget + reflect on what the most important pieces of your wedding will be

• Make a Pinterest board and decide on a wedding style (Boho, editorial, natural, etc.)

• Make your first draft of a guest list

• Research ceremony + reception venues

• Start gathering a team of wedding pros

• Engagement photossss hello!!

• Choose your wedding party if you’re doing one

• Create wedding website

• Browse Save the Date designs

  • Order samples, then full order

• Start swooning over dress and veil styles if you’re a dress-wearer

11-10 MONTHS OUT

• Hire those dream vendors!! Don’t let ‘em get away!

• Reserve ceremony + reception venues

• Purchase dress, veil, undergarments, etc.

• Choose bridal party attire so your squad looks fire (click here for some inspo!)

• Book officiant

• Send Save the Dates

9-8 MONTHS OUT

• Find hotel options at different price points for out of town guests + put it on your wedding site

• Browse official invitation stationary

• Refine the guest list (sorry great aunt Linda twice removed)

• Create registry! Did somebody say Targét?!

• Start planning honeymoon (the real reason we’re doing all this)

7-6 MONTHS OUT

• Reserve rentals

• Book transportation to and from venues

• Research hair and makeup styles

• Meet with officiant/discuss ceremony

• CAKE TASTING 🙂

• Order official invites and thank-you notes

• Purchase wedding bands

5-4 MONTHS OUT

• Place order for wedding cake

• Meet with florist/go over vision

• Schedule dress fittings

• Book honeymoon flights + hotels

• Book room for wedding night

• Prepare playlist for DJ/band (all bangers, please)

• Finalize guest list

• Make rehearsal dinner guest list

• Book rehearsal dinner venue

• Order rehearsal dinner invitations (or invite them the old fashioned way of texting)

3 MONTHS

• Hair + makeup trial

• Finalize ceremony details (any readings or special elements)

• Final honeymoon planning/get documents in order

• Plan reception seating

• Purchase serving pieces, guestbook, flower basket, ring bearer pillow if needed

• Finalize your menu with caterer

• Order menu cards

• Order prints of your engagement photos if you want to have them on the wedding

2 MONTHS

• Mail invitations

• Start drafting vows

• Review ceremony details with officiant

• Finalize seating arrangements

• Buy wedding party gifts

• Final fittings for wedding party and parents

• Create timelines and send to vendors, officiant, and wedding party

• Start getting excited!!!

1 MONTH

• Final dress fitting!

• Pick up marriage license

• Confirmations with all vendors on timing

• Confirm honeymoon details

• Pick up wedding bands

• Order wedding programs

• Start writing thank-you’s as the gifts start coming in

• Make sure you’re adding in lots of self-care this month. Yoga, baths, journaling and reflecting. Remember, all of your vendors and people got you.

2 WEEKS (OMG)

• Start breaking in your wedding shoes!

• Make arrangements for care of plants + pets while honeymooning

• Follow up with guests that have not RSVP’d

• Final guest count to caterer

• Final playlist-calls to DJ/band

• Get haircut/freshen up color if you need to

• Update registries

• Send directions to wedding day drivers

• Delegate someone to return tuxes, rentals, and tend to wedding dress

ONE WEEK

• Prepare wedding day emergency kit

• Give photographer + videographer “must have” shot list

• Prepare final payments and cash-tips to vendors

• Lay out wedding clothes and accessories/pack for honeymoon!

DAY BEFORE

• Treat yourself to mani/pedi (massage even??)

• Enjoy your rehearsal dinner and all the love around you

• Go to bed early (and try not to drink toooo much to avoid feeling puffy and hungover the next day

WEDDING DAY

• Eat a nutritious breakfast with your pals

• Maybe do an early morning jog or workout class with your friends to get the wedding jitters out (plus that endorphin glow ayy!!)

• Drink water

• Lay out all items/trinkets you want captured by photographer

• Steam dress

• Give officiant fee and wedding bands to best man/whoever is appropriate

• Exchange notes with fiancé

• Relax. Smile. Breathe. Take mental snapshots throughout the day. And soak it all in.

POST-WEDDING

• Ensure all rentals have been returned

• Send thank-you notes

• Talk to your photographer about designing an album + ordering prints!

That wasn’t too bad, was it?! Okay yeah, it’s still a little overwhelming. But don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to family and friends that want to help, and to split the tasks fairly between you two. You got this. And it’s all gonna be so worth it.

Pssst, Pin this to your wedding planning Pinterest board to reference again and again!