Free and Simple Wedding Checklist

If you’re looking for a simple and free wedding checklist, we’ve got you covered! This no-frills list takes you from engagement to wedding day. Comprehensive and bursting with pro tips, this month-by-month wedding checklist is just what you need to kick off your planning in organized style.

Upon Your Engagement

• Have financial discussions with anyone (like your parents) who may want to help contribute to wedding expenses
• Determine your general wedding budget
• Create a very approximate guest list with head count
• Decide on your wedding day style and vision
• Make a list of preferred wedding dates (have several, your venue may not be available for every date)
• Research, set-up tours of and reserve ceremony and reception venues
• Send an Engagement Announcement and throw an Engagement Party

1 Year Before Your Wedding

• Button up your wedding budget and create buckets by category:
  • Venue rental Food and Cake
  • Beverage and Bar
  • Entertainment
  • Attire
  • Wedding Stationery
  • Photo and Video
  • Flowers and Décor
  • Hair and Beauty
  • Accommodations (Hotel or other rentals)
  • Honeymoon
• Reserve these wedding-day services:
  • Wedding Photographer and Videographer
  • Ceremony Musicians, if needed
  • Band or DJ for your reception
  • Wedding Florist
  • Cake Maker
• Begin creating your wedding website
• Finalize your guest list (it may change slightly, this is ok!)

8 - 9 Months Before Your Wedding

• Choose your bridal party
• Take engagement photos
• Order and mail Save the Date cards
• Create your gift registry
• Make appointments for wedding-day hair and make-up (as well as trials runs, if you’d like)
• Shop for and order:
  • Your wedding gown, hairpiece and/or veil
  • Undergarments
  • Jewelry
  • Shoes

6 - 7 Months Before Your Wedding

• Reserve a hotel block of rooms for your guests
• Book your honeymoon
• Shop for bridesmaid attire, included dresses, shoes and accessories
• Finalize menswear and purchase or reserve rental for formalwear
• Meet with your officiant to discuss ceremony details
• Gather ideas for wedding day hair and makeup
• Reserve a location for your rehearsal dinner
• Book your wedding night hotel

4 - 5 Months Before Your Wedding

• Arrange for gown fittings and begin alterations
• Finalize your guest list
• Select and order wedding bands
• Meet with your venue or caterer to finalize your menu
• Decide on and order wedding invitations and rehearsal dinner invitations
• Order any necessary décor pieces, that aren’t being provided by your venue or florist
• Reserve wedding day transportation, if needed
• Finalize honeymoon plans, ensure you have valid ID and/or passports

3 Months Before Your Wedding

• Begin to assemble and address wedding invitations
• Order thank you cards
• Meet with your florist and baker
• Choose your ceremony music and meet with musicians
• Determine ceremony order and select any special readings or other special moments
• Begin to write your vows

2 Months Before Your Wedding

• Mail your wedding invitations and rehearsal dinner invitations to arrive 6 weeks before your wedding date
• Enjoy pre-wedding celebrations, like your Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party
• Finish your vows (you’ll be happy you did this early!)
• Purchase gifts for your wedding party, parents and any other special participants in your wedding day
• Purchase a gift for your fiancé
• Begin to work on your reception seating arrangement
• Order wedding ceremony programs
• Order menu cards and other reception stationery such as place cards or custom signs
• Call and confirm details with each wedding vendor

1 Month Before Your Wedding

• As RSVPs come in, create place cards
• Write a speech and/or toast, together as a couple or separately
• Get your marriage license
• Do a trial run for hair and makeup
• Have your final gown and attire fittings (remind out of town bridesmaids and groomsmen too!)
• Write thank you notes as gifts arrive
• Touch base with your officiant on any questions about the ceremony or schedule for the day

2 Weeks Before Your Wedding

• Send final head count to your venue and caterer
• Finalize your reception seating arrangement
• Finish place cards
• Assemble a wedding-day emergency kit
• Send a day-of itinerary to family and wedding party

1 Week Before Your Wedding

• Have your gown steamed and aisle-ready
• Confirm all services and reservations
• Get cash and create tip envelopes for your wedding service providers
• Text exact addresses details for your rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception to all wedding-day participants (check map apps first and make sure everything looks right)
• Rest and enjoy your wedding week!

We hope this checklist helps you as you begin to organize your big day! As always, we’re here to help with any questions you have as you customize your wedding invitations and other wedding stationery. Best wishes, brides and grooms!