Planning a wedding can be one of the most stressful things you will do in life but it doesn’t have to be that way. Our free wedding planning checklist will ensure that you don’t forget anything and that everything runs smoothly. Use the free Google Docs or Google Sheets version to easily share and collaborate with those helping you organize your wedding.
Free printable wedding checklist to get you organized before your wedding. The checklist is available in 5 different formats: Google Docs, Google Sheets, MS Word, fillable PDF, and MS Excel. For more wedding printables see how to plan a wedding.
(Begins 12 months prior to the wedding)
This wedding timeline checklist plans every detail of your wedding starting one year before the wedding. It is available in Google Docs, Google Sheets, MS Word, MS Excel, or Fillable PDF.
(Ceremony and Reception)
The wedding reception timeline plans each activity before and during your wedding ceremony and reception. The wedding day timeline template is available in Google Docs, Google Sheets, MS Word, Excel, or as a pretty poster that you can customize online for free.
(Wedding Program)
A wedding program template lists your wedding program and adds details about the bride, groom, and wedding party. It is available as a Google Docs, MS Word document, and on our online app. All options are free.
Our free wedding planner includes a simple wedding checklist. It is editable so you can add your to-do list or your unique tasks.
Printable Wedding Checklist
PDF Version (Typeable)
Download PDFExcel Version (Dates Automatically Update)
Download MS ExcelComplete Wedding Checklist
These are the items included in our detailed wedding planning list, which you can download in Google Docs, Google Sheets, MS Word, PDF, or Excel.
Up to 12 months before- Set a date
- Get inspiration and ideas (see Pinterest and inspiration board)
- Decide on a wedding style
- Set priorities
- Set budget
- Choose the wedding party
- Find a venue for the ceremony and reception
- Find a wedding planner
- Find a photographer
- Find a caterer
- Find a florist
- Find a musician
- Find a wedding dress
- Order save the dates
- Consider purchasing wedding insurance.
- If desired, set up a wedding website.
10 – 11 months before
- Start looking for dresses and accessories for the bride and bridal party
- Reserve a venue for the ceremony and reception
- Book a photographer
- Book a DJ/band
- Book a florist
- Book a wedding planner
- Book a caterer
- Decide on décor
- Start making a guest list
- Research legal requirements for marriage in your state or country
9 – 10 months before
- Plan a honeymoon
- Start looking for invitations and stationery (wedding invitations, menu cards, thank you notes)
- Start looking for favors
- Choose dresses and accessories for the bride and bridal party
- Consider engagement photos or a pre-wedding photoshoot
7 – 8 months before
- Find two hotels for guests coming from out of town
- Create gift registries
- Start deciding on hairstyle and makeup style
- Book an officiant
- Reserve tables, chairs, linens,
- Reserve décor
- Choose cake
- Decide on menu
- Begin thinking about wedding vows or readings for the ceremony (see our free wedding vows generator)
6 – 7 months before
- Meet with officiant
- Book cake
- Schedule tastings
- Decide on outfits for groomsmen
- Book a florist
- Book a musician
- Finalize a guest list
- Research and book transportation for guests if many are coming from out of town
4 – 5 months before
- Choose flowers for the reception, party, attendants, etc.
- Order wedding cake
- Schedule dress fittings
- Book honeymoon flights and hotels
- Book a room for the wedding night
- Finalize a rehearsal dinner guest list
- Purchase or rent toasting flutes and serving pieces
- Purchase or make a guest book
- Order a flower basket
- Buy a ring bearer pillow
- Look into wedding insurance if you haven’t already
- Discuss and plan pre-wedding parties or events (like bachelor/bachelorette parties, bridal showers)
3 – 4 months before
- Prepare playlists for DJ/band
- Book rehearsal dinner venue
- Finalize reception menu
- Order menu cards
- Order wedding favors
- Order rehearsal dinner invitations
- Finalize any rental orders or adjustments
3 months before
- Finalize honeymoon plans
- Ensure your passports are valid if your honeymoon is abroad
- Plan ceremony
- Plan reception seating
- Experiments with hair to decide on a hairstyle
- Create RSVP list
- Book spa and beauty treatments for you and your bridal party for the week before
- Book a manicure, pedicure, and massage for the day before
2 months before
- Send wedding invitations
- Update RSVP list
- Begin writing wedding vows (see our free wedding vows generator)
- Meet with the officiant to plan the ceremony
- Apply for a marriage license
- Finalize fittings for wedding dress and wedding party
- Finalize seating
- Finalize playlists with DJ/band
- Create a wedding day schedule and send it to the wedding party, vendors, and officiant
- Get “Something Old, New, Borrowed, Blue”
- Order transportation for wedding day
- Pick up wedding rings
- Buy shoes and undergarments
- Discuss and finalize ceremony details: readings, music, etc
- Consider preparing a welcome bag for out-of-town guests
1 month before
- Give a copy of your honeymoon itinerary to someone at home
- Call vendors to confirm the date, time, and location
- Confirm honeymoon reservations
- Pick up your marriage license
- Update registries
- Delegate someone to return all rentals
- Consider a teeth-whitening procedure if desired.
2 weeks before
- Pack for honeymoon
- Final fitting for the wedding dress
- Makeup trials
- Follow up with guests who have not RSVP’d
- Give the caterer the final count
- Prepare wedding day emergency kit
- Break-in wedding shoes
- Send playlists to DJ/band and create a “Do Not Play” list if there are songs you definitely don’t want to be played
- Provide any specific song requests for special moments (e.g., father-daughter dance, bouquet toss)
- Prepare payments for vendors
- Prepare cash tips for service providers
- Meet with the photographer to discuss requests
1 week before
- Get a haircut and color
- Prepare all wedding clothes
- Get spa and beauty treatments for you and your bridal party
- Confirm day-of timeline with all vendors
- Make any final adjustments with vendors
- Finalize any personal DIY projects or decorations
- Prepare an overnight bag for the wedding night, if not returning home
- Ensure someone is designated to gather and keep safe gifts/cards from guests
- Designate a person for vendor questions on the day, so you’re not constantly approached with questions
The day before
- Get a mani/pedi/massage
- Attend wedding rehearsal
- Wedding day
- Eat a good breakfast
- Give wedding rings to the best man
After the wedding
- Return all rentals
- Get wedding dress cleaned
- Send out thank you cards
- Get photos and video
- Consider preserving the bouquet
- Review vendors online or provide testimonials if you were happy with their services
- If changing your name, start the legal name change process
My name is
Thank you Nicole. Your guidelines have been quite helpful.
You’re welcome DeDe. I am so glad they were helpful!
Thank you for your thoughtful planning list.
A fantastic checklist guide, very helpful and easy to follow! Thank you so much, Nicole!
You’re amazing! Thanks!
Thank you. Starting the journey today (09/01/24).
This guide is all anyone needs to plan the ultimate dream wedding with the love of their life