Wedding article
FROM THE LITTLE STUFF TO THE BIG STUFF
Our free wedding planning checklist guides you through 12+ months of the planning process, helping you to manage your time and to-do list— right up until your big day and beyond.
Mark off your to-do’s and write-in your own. If you’re organized, you’ll have more time to enjoy the process and each other!
Wishing you all the best!
12+ MONTHS
No worries, you got this!
- Choose a date (or up to 3 so you can be flexible).
- Talk budget and decide who is contributing what. Use our wedding planning calculator for help.
- Discover your wedding style. Take our quiz!
- Choose wedding party: Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids, Best Man and Groomsmen, Flower Girl and Ring Bearer.
- Create a wedding website.
- Get engagement ring insured and consider purchasing wedding insurance.
- Explore ceremony and reception venue options.
- Start assembling a team of wedding pros: planner, photographer, videographer, caterer, florist, and musicians.
- Begin compiling a guest list.
- Browse wedding dress and veil styles.
- Create wedding and style boards on Pinterest. Follow MagnetStreet for ideas!
- Get discounts! Subscribe to MagnetStreet’s e-newsletter, for wedding stationery deals.
- Get engagement photos taken.
- Start browsing Save the Date designs to find your favorite shape and size.
- See your design in person! Order a custom Save the Date sample.
- Order your Save the Dates. Check our current promotions to seize the deal!
10 – 11 MONTHS
You’re on a roll …
- Choose bridal party attire and accessories.
- Reserve ceremony and reception venues.
- Book officiant.
- Hire photographer, videographer, caterer, DJ/band, florist, and planner.
- Mail your Save the Dates.
- Purchase wedding dress, veil and undergarments.
- Establish a fitness routine.
- Establish a skin care/beauty routine.
8 – 9 MONTHS
Get your colors on!
- Find 3 hotels (at different price points) for out-of-town guests.
- Refine guest list.
- Create gift registries at 3 national retailers.
- Browse Wedding Invitation designs and coordinating stationery (Enclosures, Programs, Menu Cards, Thank Yous, and Favors).
- Begin planning honeymoon.
6 – 7 MONTHS
Good job! What’s next?
- Explore wedding day hair and makeup styles.
- Meet with officiant to discuss plans for ceremony.
- Reserve rentals: chairs, linens, lighting, décor, etc.
- Choose cake style and schedule tastings.
- Decide on groomsmen attire.
- Personalize & order a custom Wedding Invitationsample.
- Hire ceremony musicians.
- Book transportation to and from venues.
- Purchase wedding bands.
- Order Wedding Invitation Suite. Check our current promotions to seize the deal!
- Order Thank You Cards (for gifts that arrive early).
4 – 5 MONTHS
The finishing touches…
- Choose flowers for: wedding party, attendants, venues, cake, etc.
- Schedule dress fittings.
- Book honeymoon flights and hotels.
- Book room for wedding night.
- Order wedding cake.
- Plan welcome baskets for out-of-town guests.
- Prepare {play/do not play} lists for DJ/band.
- Finalize wedding guest list.
- Assemble rehearsal dinner guest list.
- Book rehearsal dinner venue.
- Order Rehearsal Dinner Invitations.
3 MONTHS
You’re getting close!
- Finalize honeymoon plans and ensure all documents are in order.
- Plan ceremony and reception seating.
- Experiment with hair and veil with stylist.
- Finalize readers and readings.
- Purchase: toasting flutes, serving pieces, guestbook, flower basket and ring bearer pillow.
- Finalize reception menu.
- Order Menu Cards.
- Order Wedding Favors.
2 MONTHS
Crunch Time
- Mail Wedding Invitations.
- Develop system for organizing RSVPs.
- Begin writing vows.
- Review ceremony details with officiant.
- Lay out the content for Wedding Programs.
- Apply for marriage license: order 2-3 extra.
- Finalize seating arrangements.
- Finalize playlists with musicians.
- Finalize fittings for wedding party and parents.
- Create wedding day timeline and send to your vendors, officiant and wedding party.
- Write out honeymoon itinerary for family at home.
- Decide “Something Old, New, Borrowed, Blue.”
- Book spa and beauty treatments for you and your bridal party.
- Book wedding day transportation.
- Purchase gifts for attendants.
- Order a custom Wedding Program sample.
1 MONTH
Don’t Forget
- Call vendors to confirm date, times and location.
- Confirm honeymoon reservations.
- Pack for honeymoon.
- Pick up wedding rings.
- Pick up marriage license.
- Order Wedding Programs.
- Final dress fitting (with shoes & undergarments).
- Write Thank You notes as gifts are received.
2 WEEKS
Down to the wire
- Follow up with guests who have not RSVP’d.
- Give final count to caterer.
- Update registries.
- Begin breaking in wedding shoes.
- Make arrangements for the caring of pets and plants while on honeymoon.
- Send playlists to DJ/band/ceremony musicians.
- Get final haircut and color.
- Delegate wedding day duties: gift table, guestbook, etc.
- Delegate someone to return tuxes, rentals and tend to wedding dress.
- Send directions to wedding day limo/transportation driver.
1 WEEK
Relax, almost there!
- Prepare final payments to vendors + cash tips for service personnel.
- Give readers their scripts.
- Give photographer and videographer your image and video requests.
- Lay out wedding clothes.
- Prepare wedding day emergency kit.
- Get spa treatments for you and the bridal party.
THE DAY BEFORE
Can you believe it?
- Deliver welcome baskets.
- Get mani/pedi/massage.
- Attend wedding rehearsal.
- Have fun at the rehearsal dinner.
- Get to bed at a decent hour!
WEDDING DAY
Enjoy your Day!
- Eat a good breakfast! Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready.
- Give wedding rings and officiant fee to best man.
- Relax, smile, and soak in every moment.
- 10 Secrets to a Happy Marriage
BEYOND THE WEDDING
Wrapping things up…
Ensure tuxes and rentals have been returned.
Get wedding dress to preservationist or cleaners.
Order and send Photo Thank You Cards (include a wedding photo)