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Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. With the right timeline and a clear checklist, you can stay organized, reduce stress, and actually enjoy the process.
This wedding planning checklist breaks everything down step-by-step so you know exactly what to do—and when to do it!
Let’s get started 😊
12+ Months Before the Wedding
This is your foundation phase—big decisions happen here.
- Set your overall budget
- Create a preliminary guest list
- Choose your wedding date (or a few options)
- Book your venue
- Hire a wedding planner or coordinator (if desired)
- Start researching vendors (photographer, caterer, florist, DJ/band)
- Ask your wedding party
9–12 Months Before
Time to start locking things in.
- Book key vendors:
- Photographer/videographer
- Caterer (if not included with venue)
- Entertainment (DJ or band)
- Florist
- Start shopping for your wedding dress
- Book hotel room blocks for guests
- Create your wedding website
- Start thinking about your overall aesthetic and color palette
6–9 Months Before
Details start coming together here.
- Order your wedding dress
- Choose bridesmaid dresses
- Book hair and makeup artists
- Plan engagement photos
- Finalize your guest list
- Send save-the-dates
- Begin planning honeymoon
4–6 Months Before
Now it’s all about design and logistics.
- Finalize menu with your caterer
- Order invitations
- Plan ceremony details (readings, vows, music)
- Book transportation
- Order rentals (linens, furniture, décor)
- Schedule dress fittings
- Choose wedding rings
2–3 Months Before
Things start to feel real!
- Send out invitations
- Finalize timeline with your planner or coordinator
- Confirm all vendor details
- Plan seating chart
- Order favors (if doing them)
- Finalize playlist with DJ/band
1 Month Before
Time to tighten everything up.
- Final dress fitting
- Confirm final guest count with venue/caterer
- Create a detailed day-of timeline
- Apply for marriage license
- Break in your wedding shoes
- Prepare tip envelopes for vendors
1 Week Before
Almost there!
- Confirm all vendors one last time
- Pack for honeymoon
- Prepare wedding day essentials (rings, vows, attire)
- Delegate tasks to trusted friends or family
- Get plenty of rest (as much as possible!)
Wedding Day
Take it all in—you made it!
- Eat breakfast and stay hydrated
- Give yourself plenty of time to get ready
- Trust your vendors and your plan
- Be present and enjoy every moment
- Have your Wedding Day Bestie (aka, me 🤍) on site to make sure everything runs smoothly!
Wedding planning doesn’t have to feel chaotic. With a clear checklist and a step-by-step approach, you can move through each phase with confidence—and actually enjoy the journey.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start, or maybe your wedding date is getting close and you need someone to swoop in and tie up loose ends – girl, we got you! Whether it be our Full-Service Planning, or our Wedding Day Management Package, we are here for YOU.
Let’s chat and see how we can support you on your wedding planning journey!
Much love,
Rachel with All of the Above Weddings + Events
Vendor Team:
-Photographer: @gildedsparrowphotography
-Venue: @quarterdeckresort
-Planning & Coordination: @alloftheabovemn
Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. With the right timeline and a clear checklist, you can stay organized, reduce stress, and actually enjoy the process.
This wedding planning checklist breaks everything down step-by-step so you know exactly what to do—and when to do it!
Let’s get started 😊
12+ Months Before the Wedding
This is your foundation phase—big decisions happen here.
- Set your overall budget
- Create a preliminary guest list
- Choose your wedding date (or a few options)
- Book your venue
- Hire a wedding planner or coordinator (if desired)
- Start researching vendors (photographer, caterer, florist, DJ/band)
- Ask your wedding party
9–12 Months Before
Time to start locking things in.
- Book key vendors:
- Photographer/videographer
- Caterer (if not included with venue)
- Entertainment (DJ or band)
- Florist
- Start shopping for your wedding dress
- Book hotel room blocks for guests
- Create your wedding website
- Start thinking about your overall aesthetic and color palette
6–9 Months Before
Details start coming together here.
- Order your wedding dress
- Choose bridesmaid dresses
- Book hair and makeup artists
- Plan engagement photos
- Finalize your guest list
- Send save-the-dates
- Begin planning honeymoon
4–6 Months Before
Now it’s all about design and logistics.
- Finalize menu with your caterer
- Order invitations
- Plan ceremony details (readings, vows, music)
- Book transportation
- Order rentals (linens, furniture, décor)
- Schedule dress fittings
- Choose wedding rings
2–3 Months Before
Things start to feel real!
- Send out invitations
- Finalize timeline with your planner or coordinator
- Confirm all vendor details
- Plan seating chart
- Order favors (if doing them)
- Finalize playlist with DJ/band
1 Month Before
Time to tighten everything up.
- Final dress fitting
- Confirm final guest count with venue/caterer
- Create a detailed day-of timeline
- Apply for marriage license
- Break in your wedding shoes
- Prepare tip envelopes for vendors
1 Week Before
Almost there!
- Confirm all vendors one last time
- Pack for honeymoon
- Prepare wedding day essentials (rings, vows, attire)
- Delegate tasks to trusted friends or family
- Get plenty of rest (as much as possible!)
Wedding Day
Take it all in—you made it!
- Eat breakfast and stay hydrated
- Give yourself plenty of time to get ready
- Trust your vendors and your plan
- Be present and enjoy every moment
- Have your Wedding Day Bestie (aka, me 🤍) on site to make sure everything runs smoothly!
Wedding planning doesn’t have to feel chaotic. With a clear checklist and a step-by-step approach, you can move through each phase with confidence—and actually enjoy the journey.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start, or maybe your wedding date is getting close and you need someone to swoop in and tie up loose ends – girl, we got you! Whether it be our Full-Service Planning, or our Wedding Day Management Package, we are here for YOU.
Let’s chat and see how we can support you on your wedding planning journey!
Much love,
Rachel with All of the Above Weddings + Events
Vendor Team:
-Photographer: @gildedsparrowphotography
-Venue: @quarterdeckresort
-Planning & Coordination: @alloftheabovemn
