Your Complete WeddingPlanning Checklist

Determine your total wedding budget before making any commitments. Include contributions from both families and your own savings. Break it down into categories such as venue, catering, attire, photography, and entertainment.

Discuss the type of wedding you both want. Consider the size, formality, season, and overall vibe. Look at inspiration together and identify common themes to build a cohesive vision.

Create an initial guest list to get a sense of numbers. This will directly influence your venue choice, catering budget, and overall planning. Start with a wish list and then refine.

Visit potential venues, check availability for your preferred dates, and book your top choice. Your venue will set the tone for the entire day, so take your time with this decision.

Decide who you'd like as your bridesmaids, groomsmen, best man, maid of honour, and any other roles. Consider the responsibilities involved and choose people you trust to support you.

Look into wedding insurance to protect your investment against unforeseen circumstances such as vendor cancellations, extreme weather, or illness. Policies vary widely, so compare several options.

Create a wedding website to share key information with guests: date, location, accommodation options, travel details, gift registry, and RSVP. It's the central hub for all your wedding communication.

Research and book your wedding photographer. Photography is often the most enduring record of your day, so invest time in finding someone whose style matches your vision.

If your venue doesn't provide catering, research and book an external caterer. Arrange tastings and discuss menu options that suit your style and your guests' dietary needs.

Decide on your wedding entertainment -- live band, DJ, or a combination -- and book early. Great entertainers get booked up fast, especially for peak-season weekends.

Find and book the person who will marry you. Whether it's a registrar, religious leader, or celebrant, make sure they're legally authorised to conduct your ceremony.

Research florists and book one who understands your vision. Share your colour palette, venue details, and any specific flowers you love or want to avoid.

Begin shopping for your wedding dress, suit, or outfit. Bridal gowns in particular can take 4-6 months to order and alter, so starting early gives you the best selection.

Start researching and booking your honeymoon. Whether it's a tropical beach, European tour, or a cosy staycation, booking early gets you better prices and availability.

Place your order for your wedding attire. Bridal gowns can take 4-6 months for production and delivery, and you'll need time for fittings and alterations on top of that.

Select outfits for your wedding party. Give your attendants enough time to order, receive, and alter their clothing before the big day.

If you'd like a wedding video, research and book a videographer. Like photographers, the best videographers book up well in advance.

Send save-the-dates to give guests advance notice, especially those who need to book travel or accommodation. These should go out 6-9 months before the wedding.

Find and book your cake maker or dessert supplier. Schedule a tasting to choose flavours, design, and size based on your guest count.

Choose the readings, poems, and music for your ceremony. Decide who will do readings and start asking them.

Set up a wedding gift registry or gift list. Include items at a range of price points so all guests can contribute comfortably.

Finalise the design of your invitations, including RSVP cards, information inserts, and envelopes. Allow time for printing and addressing before the send date.

Post or send your wedding invitations 8-12 weeks before the wedding. For destination weddings, send them 12-16 weeks ahead.

Confirm your final menu choices, bar packages, and any special dietary accommodations with your caterer. Discuss timing, service style, and staffing.

Arrange transport for the wedding party, the couple, and optionally for guests. Consider how you'll get to and from the ceremony, reception, and hotel.

Reserve a room for your wedding night, whether at the venue hotel, a nearby boutique hotel, or a special getaway. Also arrange a block of rooms for guests if needed.

Start working on your table plan once RSVPs begin coming in. Consider group dynamics, family relationships, and how to seat everyone comfortably.

If you're writing personal vows, start drafting them now. Give yourself time to write, revise, and practise so they feel natural and heartfelt on the day.

Book a trial session with your hair stylist and makeup artist. This gives you a chance to test your look, make adjustments, and feel confident about the final result.

Choose and purchase your wedding rings. Allow time for sizing, engraving, and any custom work. Make sure you have them well before the day.

Check the legal requirements in your jurisdiction and apply for your marriage licence. Processing times vary, so don't leave this to the last minute.

Follow up with guests who haven't responded by the RSVP deadline. You need accurate numbers for catering, seating, and place cards.

Complete your table seating plan based on final RSVP numbers. Create table assignments and order or prepare place cards.

Contact every vendor to confirm timings, requirements, deliveries, and final payments. Make sure everyone has the correct date, venue address, and point of contact.

Schedule your final fitting 4-6 weeks before the wedding. This is when the last adjustments are made to ensure a perfect fit.

Build a minute-by-minute timeline for the wedding day, from morning preparations through to the last dance. Share it with all key people and vendors.

Organise a ceremony rehearsal, typically the day before the wedding, and arrange a rehearsal dinner or gathering for the wedding party and close family.

Wear your wedding shoes around the house for a few weeks before the big day to soften them and avoid blisters.

If you or members of your wedding party are giving speeches, start writing and rehearsing them. A well-prepared speech is always better than a last-minute effort.

Provide your venue and caterer with the final headcount. This is usually the point after which you'll be charged for the confirmed number of guests.

Collect your wedding dress, suit, or outfit after final alterations. Store it safely in a garment bag, hung up and away from direct sunlight.

Review all vendor contracts and prepare final payments. Some vendors expect payment on or before the wedding day. Also prepare cash tips or thank-you gifts if appropriate.

Pack an emergency kit for the wedding day. Include essentials for quick fixes: sewing kit, safety pins, stain remover, painkillers, plasters, tissues, breath mints, phone charger, and a snack.

Send your final must-play list, do-not-play list, first dance song, and any special musical requests to your DJ or band. Confirm their setup time and requirements.

Finalise and assemble your wedding favours and place cards. If you're doing DIY favours, start early to avoid last-minute stress.

Send a final confirmation email or message to all vendors and members of the wedding party with the day-of timeline, addresses, contact numbers, and any last-minute changes.

Pack everything you'll need for the wedding day and your honeymoon. Use a checklist to make sure nothing is forgotten.

Walk through the ceremony with your officiant, wedding party, and readers. Make sure everyone knows where to stand, when to walk, and what to do.

Assign specific tasks to trusted friends and family: vendor tip distribution, gift table monitoring, guest book setup, emergency kit management, and any other logistics you don't want to handle yourself.

In the final days before your wedding, make time to relax and be present. Have a quiet dinner with your partner, get a good night's sleep, and remember that no matter what happens, you're about to marry the love of your life.