Your Wedding Planning Checklist

One of the biggest reasons couples feel overwhelmed during wedding planning is because they don’t know what they should be doing and when. Without structure, planning quickly turns from exciting to stressful.

A clear checklist removes guesswork, reduces decision fatigue and keeps your planning on track from day one.

This is just a basic outline of what you should be doing from getting engaged through to the day itself - my detailed checklist that I follow for my wedding planning clients is over 15 pages long!

Why a checklist matters

A wedding involves dozens of suppliers, timelines and moving parts. When tasks are tackled out of order, it often leads to rushed decisions, unnecessary costs or missed opportunities.

A checklist creates clarity. It allows you to plan proactively rather than reactively.

12+ months before the wedding

• Set a realistic overall budget based on your priorities

• Create a rough guest list so you know a guest count

• Choose a preferred wedding date or season

• Book your venue

• Engage a wedding planner if you’re working with one (ideally before booking the venue!)

This phase lays the foundation for everything that follows.

9–12 months before the wedding

• Book your key suppliers (celebrant, photo/video, caterer, entertainment)

• Begin dress shopping

• Decide on your wedding style and colour palette

• Start planning accommodation and transport if required

These suppliers shape the experience of the day, so securing them early is essential.

6–9 months before the wedding

• Finalise your bridal party

• Book hair and makeup

• Organise hire items and decor

• Begin stationery design

This is when your wedding starts to feel real and tangible.

3–6 months before the wedding

• Send invitations

• Plan your ceremony structure

• Finalise menu selections

• Create your run sheet and logistics

At this stage, details come together and timelines begin to solidify.

Final month

• Confirm all suppliers and timings

• Provide final numbers to your venue and caterer

• Prepare payments and tips

• Pack an emergency kit

This final phase is about confirmation, not creation.

Final thoughts

A wedding checklist isn’t about creating pressure – it’s about creating calm. When you know what’s coming next, planning becomes far more enjoyable and far less overwhelming. It’s important to note that this checklist is just a high level overview - each individual item has multiple smaller tasks! If you need help, I’d love to chat!