If you have made it to this page, you probably just got engaged. Congratulations! We are so happy to hear that and hope that you choose to use Uniquely Set Event Management during your wedding planning process.
Planning a wedding can be stressful, of all people, we know this! We constructed a detailed checklist for you to follow to make sure you are dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s while you prepare for your big day. This includes wedding planning starting a year out, but no rush! You can start looking into it ahead of time.
You can find a printable version of our wedding planning checklist here. Enjoy and please don’t hesitate to ask us any questions!
ONE YEAR
Get excited and ready to plan! Visit our Gallery, Instagram, or Pinterest to start getting ideas on your color scheme, wedding date, and more.
Choose a color scheme! All of the links above will still be helpful.
Work out your budget with our wedding budget planner. Remember to pick the top TWO things that are most important to you, and then work your budget from there, it will keep you from over stepping and getting overwhelmed.
Choose a few dates so you can be flexible with your venue options.
Select your wedding party: Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids, Best Man and Groomsmen, Flower Girl and Ring Bearer.
Start your wedding guest list.
Hire a planner, hopefully us!
Reserve your date at your dream venue, and be sure to ask about our favorite venue list.
Start researching photographers, bands, caterers, florists, rentals, officiants, etc. Or ask us for help!
Start a wedding binder to keep all of your quotes, brochures, and notes in one place.
Create a wedding website.
Get engagement ring insured and consider purchasing wedding insurance.
Create wedding and style boards on Pinterest. Follow us for ideas!
Get engagement photos taken.
Start browsing Save the Date designs to find your favorite shape and size.
8 MONTHS
After researching, hire your wedding photographer & videographer.
Take your engagement photos! Don’t know what to wear? Check out our blog.
Buy your dress, veil, and undergarments.
Meet with caterers.
Check on reservations at hotels for out-of-town guests. This step is often missed!
Start your gift registries for your showers and parties!
Book the officiant.
If you’re having a destination wedding, be sure to read our Top Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding
Choose bridal party attire and accessories.
Mail your Save the Dates.
Establish a fitness routine and a skin care/beauty routine. This is our favorite wedding workout!
Browse Wedding Invitation designs and coordinating stationery.
Begin planning honeymoon.
7-6 MONTHS
Purchase your invitations.
Finalize your guest list and request addresses.
Book a florist.
Arrange Transportation.
Explore wedding day hair and makeup styles.
Reserve rentals: chairs, linens, lighting, décor, etc.
Choose cake style and schedule tastings.
Decide on groomsmen attire.
Hire ceremony musicians.
Purchase wedding bands.
Order Thank You Cards (for gifts that arrive early).
4-5 MONTHS
Time to order your cake. Go cake tasting!
Send your bridal shower guest list to your host.
Check on the status of your wedding invitations.
Book the rehearsal and rehearsal-dinner venues.
Schedule hair and makeup artists.
Choose your processional music and reception playlist.
Go to your first dress fitting, and pick up some accessories while you’re at it!
Purchase/rent groom’s attire.
Book accommodations for your wedding night.
Provide guest lists to maid of honor and best man for bachelor and bachelorette parties and bridal shower.
Choose flowers for: wedding party, attendants, venues, cake, etc.
Book honeymoon flights and hotels.
Plan welcome baskets for out-of-town guests.
3 MONTHS
Work with your caterer to finalize the menu for the reception.
Print menu cards
Meet with your florist to finalize the florals for the event.
Finalize the event schedule and start creating the day-of-timeline or hire Uniquely Set to customize your day-of-timeline.
Print programs.
Order your wedding favors and be sure to check out our party favor ideas.
Meet with officiant and coordinate readings from friends and family as well as anything else to include in the ceremony.
Finalize honeymoon plans and ensure all documents are in order.
Plan ceremony and reception seating.
Experiment with hair and veil with stylist.
Purchase: toasting flutes, serving pieces, guestbook, flower basket and ring bearer pillow.
Finalize reception menu.
2 MONTHS
Meet with your photographer to discuss day-of plans and specific shots you are wanting.
Review the playlist with the band and DJ, and provide them with “don’t play” and “must play” lists.
Send out invitations.
Submit your announcement to the local newspaper.
Let loose at your bachelor/bachelorette parties.
Send out as many final payments as you can.
Touch base with all vendors.
Make sure groomsmen attire has been purchased/rented. You have to check twice!
Mail Wedding Invitations.
Develop system for organizing RSVPs.
Begin writing vows.
Apply for marriage license: order 2-3 extra.
Finalize seating arrangements.
Finalize playlists with musicians
Finalize fittings for wedding party and parents.
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 wedding party gifts.
1 MONTH
Get your marriage license.
Book your one month out consultation with Uniquely Set Event Management to discuss the day of coordination services.
Call vendors to confirm date, times and location so we can finalize the timeline!
Confirm honeymoon reservations.
Pick up wedding rings.
Pick up marriage license.
Final dress fitting (with shoes & undergarments).
Write Thank You notes as gifts are received at showers and parties
Send out rehearsal-dinner invitations.
Purchase alcohol and finalize your signature cocktails if needed.
Get final haircut and color.
Enter all RSVPs you have received into your guest list.
Check on hotel room blocks.
Call guests who have not yet RSVP’d for final head count.
Make sure members of the wedding party know their roles and duties come the wedding day.
1 WEEK
Touch base with all vendors and ensure they have the day-of timelines provided by your coordinator.
Outsource any small day-of tasks you can to family and friends or your coordinator.
Begin breaking in wedding shoes.
Ensure everyone in your wedding party has your wedding day timeline.
De-stress at the spa!
Send the final guest list to the caterer.
Have extra checks ready for day-of payments.
Dance around in your shoes!
Pack for your honeymoon!!
Relax!!!
Give readers their scripts.
Give photographer and videographer your image and video requests.
Lay out wedding clothes.
Prepare wedding day emergency kit.
AFTER THE WEDDING
Pay all remaining balances to vendors.
Clean and preserve your wedding gown.
Ensure tuxes and rentals have been returned.
Write “thank you” cards.
Officially change your name!
Please download our printable version of the Wedding Checklist here! Happy planning!