Month-by-month wedding checklist (free PDF)
Planning a wedding is rarely hard because of what needs doing — it's hard because of the order. Booking the venue before you have a budget, or leaving the photographer until last, are the two mistakes that cost the most money and stress.
This checklist splits roughly 70 wedding tasks across 11 phases, from "12+ months out" to "after the wedding". The full calendar is below to read right here, plus the printable PDF to tick off by hand.
What's in the PDF
- 11 time phases, from 12 months out to the day after
- Around 70 tasks with tick boxes
- A practical tip per phase (the real bottlenecks)
- A notes page for whatever doesn't fit a list
- A4 printable, 9 pages, no watermarks
Month-by-month wedding checklist
Everything to do and when, from 12 months out to the big day.
The full calendar, phase by phase
This is the backbone of the guide. In the PDF each phase has its full checklist and tip.
- 1
12+ months before
Don't book anything without a budget figure and a guest-count range.
- Set the budget and who pays what
- Draft the guest list (min / max)
- Book the reception and ceremony venues
- Lock in the final date
- 2
10 — 12 months before
Good photographers and caterers get booked almost a year out.
- Book the caterer
- Book photographer and videographer
- Book music (DJ, band or live ceremony)
- Book the officiant
- 3
8 — 9 months before
Key phase if you have out-of-town guests: tell them early.
- Send Save the Dates
- Build the wedding website
- Block hotel rooms
- Open the registry
- 4
6 — 7 months before
The fun stretch: menu, flowers, rings and honeymoon.
- Lock the menu and tasting
- Decide décor and floral style
- Buy the wedding bands
- Book the honeymoon
- 5
4 — 5 months before
The printer and the hair stylist are the classic bottlenecks.
- Design and print invitations
- Book hair and makeup
- Organise guest transport
- First dress or suit fitting
- 6
2 — 3 months before
Keep RSVPs in one place and save weeks of chasing.
- Send final invitations
- Start the seating plan
- Chase RSVPs
- Lock the day-of timeline
- 7
1 month before
Get it in writing — the number-one source of day-of mix-ups.
- Final guest count to the caterer
- Pay balances due
- Confirm timing, setup, menus, allergens
- Final fitting
- 8
2 weeks before
Pick 2-3 trusted people and give them specific jobs.
- Emergency kit
- Delegate tasks in writing
- Ceremony rehearsal
- Envelopes with final payments and tips
- 9
Wedding week
Don't start anything new. Close what's open and rest.
- Finalise the seating plan
- Pay anything outstanding
- Collect the rings
- Sleep 8 hours
- 10
The big day
Eat breakfast, drink water, remember to eat at the reception.
- Give your phone to someone you trust
- Take 60 seconds alone with your partner
- Photos with every important group
- 11
After the wedding
Don't let more than a month pass before thank-yous.
- Clean and store the dress
- Send thank-you notes
- Ask for and share photos and video
- Legal changes
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should you plan a wedding?
Typically 12 to 18 months. Twelve months is comfortable; under six is perfectly doable, but you get less choice on venue, photographer and caterer — the three that book up first. If you are short on time, start with those three and leave stationery and details for last.
What do you book first for a wedding?
The venue and the date, always — everything else depends on them. Next come catering (if the venue does not impose it), photographer and music: these vendors work one wedding per day and get booked 10-12 months ahead.
Does this checklist work if my wedding is in under 6 months?
Yes. The phases are a guide, not a rule: when time is tight they overlap. Start with the "12+ months" phase so you do not skip a structural decision, then run the rest in parallel, prioritising anything with a waiting list (venue, photo, catering).
Is the checklist free? Any watermarks?
It's free, with no watermarks and no ads. We only ask for your email to send it and, if you want, to follow up with tips matched to how far away your wedding is. One-click unsubscribe in every email.
What if you did not have to print anything?
Guests, seating, budget, tasks, vendors and your wedding website, all connected and updating themselves. Try it for 7 full days, no card needed.
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