Wedding planning checklist · 100% free
Every task from "set a budget" to "return the suits", in the order you'll need it. Read the full checklist below - or create a free account and it's dated to your wedding automatically, with overdue tasks on your dashboard and a short email every Monday.
Anna & James
184 days to go
Saturday, June 12, 2027
The Glasshouse, Napa
Planning
62% complete
Budget
$31,420 of $40k
Guests
98 attending
of 142 · 32 awaiting RSVP
Due this week
Dated to your wedding
Every task gets a due date counted back from your day. Move the date and the tasks move with it.
From 12+ months to after
Grouped by planning period, so you only look at what's next.
Add your own
Add any task with a due date, priority, notes and who's doing it.
Who does what on the day
Rings, speeches, tips, the guest book - and who's responsible for each.
Monday digest
A short email with what's overdue, what's due this week and new RSVPs.
Shared with your partner
You both tick off the same list - no more "did you call the florist?"
Create your free account and enter your wedding date (or leave it for later).
Already booked the venue? Tick it off and see what's next.
Assign tasks, add notes and your own to-dos.
Overdue tasks show on your dashboard and in the Monday email.
Don't try to do everything at once. Look at the period you're in, do the high-priority tasks first, and let the rest wait for their turn. If you're planning in less than 12 months, start at the top and catch up on the essentials - venue, date, budget, guest list - before anything else.
73 tasks, from your first conversation about the budget to the last thank-you note.
Set your overall budget
Agree on a total you're comfortable with and who is contributing.
Draft the guest list
A rough list drives the venue size and budget. Start with must-haves.
Choose your wedding style
Collect inspiration and agree on the overall feel - formal, relaxed, garden, city...
Pick a date (and a backup)
Research venues
Shortlist 3–5 venues that fit your guest count, budget and date.
Tour your shortlisted venues
Book the venue
Read the contract carefully: inclusions, curfew, vendor restrictions, cancellation.
Research photographers
The best photographers book up a year ahead.
Decide whether to hire a planner or coordinator
Ask your wedding party
Consider wedding insurance
Book your photographer
Book a videographer
Book the caterer
Skip if your venue includes catering - then confirm the menu options instead.
Book entertainment (DJ or band)
Book your officiant
Book the florist
Set up a wedding website or info page
Start shopping for wedding attire
Many dresses take 6–9 months to order and alter.
Reserve a hotel room block for guests
Plan engagement photos
Order wedding attire
Send save-the-dates
6–8 months ahead; 9–12 for destination weddings.
Finalize the guest list
Collect addresses and group guests into households.
Book hair and makeup
Book rentals (tables, chairs, linens, lighting)
Plan the honeymoon
Check passports and any visa requirements.
Create your gift registry
Choose wedding party attire
Order the cake / dessert
Book a tasting first.
Book transportation
Order invitations
Menu tasting and final menu choices
Plan the ceremony structure with your officiant
Book the rehearsal dinner venue
Buy wedding rings
Allow time for sizing and engraving.
Plan décor and lighting
Send invitations
6–8 weeks before; set the RSVP deadline 3–4 weeks before the wedding.
Schedule attire fittings
Hair and makeup trial
Check marriage license requirements
Documents, waiting periods and how long it's valid.
Choose ceremony and first-dance music
Write a photography shot list
Especially family group photos - who, in which order.
Write your vows
Order day-of stationery
Welcome sign, menus, table numbers, place cards, programmes.
Buy accessories (shoes, veil, jewelry, cufflinks)
Buy gifts for the wedding party and parents
Chase missing RSVPs
Get the marriage license
Give the final headcount to venue and caterer
Finish the seating chart
Write the wedding-day timeline
Share it with your vendors and wedding party.
Final attire fitting
Confirm details and arrival times with every vendor
Schedule final vendor payments
Confirm who is giving speeches
Break in your shoes
Prepare vendor tips in labelled envelopes
Pack for the honeymoon
Put together a wedding emergency kit
Deliver décor and items to the venue
Confirm transport pick-up times
Book something relaxing for yourselves
Ceremony rehearsal
Pack your wedding-day bag
Charge phones and get a good night's sleep
Eat a proper breakfast
Take a moment together to enjoy it
Return rentals and borrowed items
Send thank-you cards
Within about three months. Track gifts and thank-yous on the Guests page.
Update your name on documents (if changing)
Leave reviews for your vendors
Clean and preserve your attire
12 to 18 months before is typical, mostly because popular venues and photographers book up early. Shorter engagements work too - start with the venue, date, budget and guest list.
Agree a budget, a rough guest count and the feel of the day with your partner. Those three decide the venue - and the venue decides your date.
You can print this page. In BrideSpark the checklist is dated to your wedding, and you can filter it by status, category or person.
Yes - the full checklist, your own tasks and reminders are free, like everything in BrideSpark.
Wedding budget planner
Budget planner
Plan your wedding budget by category, track quotes and what's paid, and get reminders before every payment is due. Any currency. Free wedding budget tool.
Learn more
Wedding day timeline
Wedding day timeline
Build your wedding day timeline minute by minute: a sample schedule from hair and makeup to last dance, editable and printable for your vendors. Free.
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Wedding guest list
Guest list manager
Manage your wedding guest list for free: households, RSVPs, plus-ones, meals, allergies, gifts and thank-yous. Import from Excel or Google Sheets.
Learn more
Guests, RSVPs, your website, budget, checklist, seating, timeline and stationery - every feature unlocked from your first minute.
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