You have finally said “YES, ” flaunted the ring to your friends, and even had an insane celebration with your family, but now what?

The fun part begins– “WEDDING PLANNING!”

Did it sound exciting? A bit worrying? Or both?

Yeah, that feeling of getting married to the person you love is awesome, but planning a wedding is no joke! Organizing it with perfection is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle with no picture on the box!

Okay, take a deep breath and say goodbye to your not-so-good panic mode! 

We have a way to make the process easier! This blog contains an ultimate wedding planning checklist to track as you plan every detail of your wedding so that you don’t forget anything important.  

This guide will keep you cool no matter how insane you get while handling all the chaos! 

So, shall we begin planning the bliss?

Countdown to the Big Day: Key Timeline Breakdowns

12 Months Before

• Set a Wedding Budget

Topping in your wedding to-do list– deciding how much you are going to put in your D-Day is the key to keeping things on track. The sooner you start allocating funds to various aspects, the more ease you will feel throughout the journey! 

• Do You Need a Wedding Planner? 

This is really important. Before moving on with the wedding prep, ask yourself if you can handle all the mess yourself. If you feel even a bit of a dilemma, it’s best to hire a wedding planner. 

• Get Your Wedding Insured 

We recommend getting wedding insurance, especially if you are planning a big-fat wedding. It will not only protect your day from unexpected hiccups like cancellations or weather hazards but will also give you peace of mind that your wedding is secure from unwanted mishaps! 

• Finalize the Guest List

Create a rough list of the people you expect at the wedding and categorize them as the most important and optional.

• Book the Venue and Accomodation

Securing your dream venue should be done as soon as possible! Also, ensure you book accommodations near the main venue for the out-of-the-town guests.

• Start Browsing for “THE DRESS”

While planning a checklist for the wedding, it’s never too early to start hunting for the most gorgeous wedding dress. The perfect dress is right out there; just make sure you explore various boutiques, designers, and online platforms as much as possible until you snag “THE ONE.” 

6-8 Months Before

• Book All the Required Vendors 

Now is the time to secure your wedding team, including the photographer, DJ, caterer, florist, etc. Also, pick a few bakers you like, taste their samples, and order in advance the kind of wedding cake you want. 

• Decide on the Decor

Think about the kind of decor you would like for the wedding—simple, traditional, luxurious, rustic, or contemporary. Then, decide on the colors or themes you want in the decor and convey the same to your vendor.

• Finalize the Bridesmaids' Attire and Accessories

It’s the time when you should get your girls on board to select their dresses and accessories. Everyone wants to look fantastic, and if you are going for a coordinated look, you’ll need time for all the fittings and alterations.

• Start Planning for the Pre-Wedding Events

From your bridal shower to the rehearsal dinner, you’ll have to juggle multiple things all at once, right? So, it’s better you make a separate wedding arrangements checklist so that everything stays organized and stress-free.

3-4 Months Before

• Send Out Invitations

Send out invitations so your guests can have ample time to respond and make any necessary travel arrangements. Remember to list everything: the place, the dates, the dress code, etc.

• Schedule Hair and Makeup Trials

If you plan to do your hair and makeup yourself, skip this step! On the contrary, book a trial session with the makeup artists and hairstylists you prefer and communicate well with them so that they can clearly get an idea of your glowing, dreamy bridal look.

• Finalize the Honeymoon Details

Double-check your honeymoon plans—confirm flights, accommodations, and activities. If you’re traveling abroad, remember to pack your passports or any other essentials!

• Choose Wedding Favors

Your guests witnessed the most romantic day of your life and even celebrated with you. So, a small, thoughtful wedding gift is a must as a gesture to thank them for their lovely presence. 

• Get Your Marriage License Issued

It’s better to handle the legal things in advance! Check your state’s or country’s requirements and apply for your marriage license to ensure everything is all set for the big day, minus the hurdles.  

1 Month Before

• Confirm RSVP Count

Time’s running! Reach out to any guests who haven’t responded yet and finalize your count. This ensures your accommodations, food, logistics, seating chart are spot on.

• Order Your Wedding Rings

You need to hurry up now! Take some time out and choose your wedding bands that truly reflect your love story. Doing so will ensure they are ready on time without any last-minute rush! 

• Plan a Gown Cleaning Session 

Chances are, after alterations or multiple trials, your wedding gown might have picked up a few stains or wrinkles. But you don’t need to worry; it's completely normal. 

At Trusted Wedding Gown Preservation, you can order our Clean Only Wedding Dress Kit. Once your gown arrives in our facility, our experts will thoroughly inspect it and gently handle it for spotless cleaning using the safest and most effective SYSTEMK4 Cleaning technology. 

• Break in Your Shoes

You don’t want to get those painful blisters while dancing with your spouse and the bridal party, right? So, walk around your home in those heels so that you get comfortable in them with time. 

• Create a Wedding Website 

You won’t be able to reply to a hundred texts on your wedding day, right? So, to make things easier, create a website with all the details locked in, including timings, festivities, directions to the venue, accommodations, dress code, or any other necessary information. 

• Create a Wedding Day Timeline

Make a detailed schedule for the wedding day, from hair and makeup to the last dance, and share it with your bridal party to ensure smooth operation. Here’s a simple yet beautiful sample wedding timeline above to make your planning a breeze!

1 Week Before

• Finalize Wedding Timeline with Vendors

Make sure every vendor of yours is on the same page. Talk to them, confirm the timings, and remind them of every detail you have specifically demanded. Even a minor misunderstanding can lead to a disaster, and you surely don’t want that, right?

• Double-Check all Your Outfits

Go through your dresses one last time and check if the right accessories have been assigned to each. You surely don’t want your wedding shoes to be resting in your wardrobe when you are all dolled up in your bridal suite. 

• Prepare an Emergency Kit

You never know when you'll need a quick fix, whether it's your veil that decides to take a flight or your dress’ straps get stubborn. So, it is very important that you pack a mini emergency kit with you, including fashion tape, safety pins, your lipstick shade, wet wipes, band-aids, tampons, pain relievers, etc.

• Finalize the Playlist

To ensure everyone is on their feet until dawn, create a killer playlist with the DJ or band you have hired for the wedding! 

• Practice Your Vows

Take a quiet moment to practice your vows, even in front of the mirror or in the bathroom. Whether you keep it traditional or add your personal touch, these vows should come straight from your heart! 

• Planning for Wedding Gown Preservation

Do you want your wedding gown to be as beautiful as you wore it for the first time? If yes, consider preserving it! At Trusted Gown Preservation, we understand how precious this treasure is! 

So, make sure you order our Traditional Wedding Dress Cleaning + Preservation Kit in advance. This amazing kit not only cleans your gown from every inch but will also preserve it in a gorgeous chest so that it remains pristine for the next 100 years! 

The Night Before the Big Day

• Take a deep breath first; it’s your last night as a fiancée!
• Have a good, nutritious meal.
• Try to get plenty of rest and a good sleep! The bridal glow should be there! 
• Spend the most time with your loved ones! 
• Confirm timings with your hair and makeup artist once again! 
• Drink plenty of water!
• Remember, not everything has to be perfect. Just enjoy the moment and let go of any last-minute jitters.

The Bottom Line: Your Stress-Free Wedding Toolkit is Here!

Alright, here we come to the end of this blog! We agree that planning a wedding can be a real headache, but with this ultimate bridal planning checklist, you have everything you need to keep things stress-free and on track.

So, grab a printout of each of the timelines, start checking off those boxes, and get ready to witness the wedding of your dreams!