TheWeddingExpert.com Log in | Join Us | For Wedding Vendors

Wedding Checklist

Congratulations you're engaged! Now for the fun part - planning your wedding! Whether you have one year or one week, we promise, it can be done. Don't panic- this exciting new time is sometimes even more memorable than your actual wedding day. Our interactive checklist is here to help guide you on your way to “I do”.

Scared of falling of the marriage mobile? Don’t worry - our emailed reminders are here to keep you up to date on wedding preparation and get you back on the road to marital bliss. Personalize your checklist with your “must haves” then receive updates when that task needs to be completed!

Make sure to save your progress along the way so that you have an excuse to celebrate with some bubbly! Join us/log in to save, edit, and view your checklist whenever you want. You’ll want to finish your “to-do” before you say “I do”!

Wedding Checklist Banner

Insure your engagement ring
You're going to want to protect that rock

Take engagement photos
These give you a chance to test out potential photographers

Plan engagement party
Be sure everyone attending is also invited to the wedding, or things could get awkward

Start a wedding folder
You'll want to keep all of your info together in one place

Choose your wedding party
Everyone will be dying to know who made the cut, and will appreciate the heads up

Finalize a date and a ceremony venue
Many ceremony venues start booking events up to a year in advance!

Finalize a date and a reception venue
Many reception venues start booking events up to a year in advance!

Hire a wedding planner
Though it isn't completely necessary, wedding planners help the whole production run smoothly

Set a budget
Start the conversation and get a budget put in place early on Budget Calculator

Create a wedding website
Help your guests stay up to date on all things wedding, find your registry, and more with a personalized wedding webpage

Start researching vendors
You'll want to know what you're looking for before you start signing contracts

Hire a photographer and videographer
You already did a trial run, now is the time to book. Most will be booked up to a year in advance!

Choose wedding style
The color schemes, decor, and overall style will set the tone for the whole wedding

Meet with florists
At this point you have an idea of what flowers work with your venue and style

Book a caterer
If you want the right food at your ceremony, give the caterer plenty of time

Finalize your guest list
Now you know how many people your venue holds, time to put butts in the seats

Set up wedding registry
Remember to make your registry easily accessible to your guests

Finalize a wedding officiant
If you or having a friend or family member officiate, make sure they have time to get ordained

Figure out your music
Decide if you want a DJ, live band, acoustic performer, and arrange accordingly

Decide on entertainment
If you want live dancers, photo booths, or anything else, book them now

Pick out your gown
This will give you plenty of time for alterations - take your dress and veil for a trial run - can you dance in it?

Send out "Save the Date" cards
Give your guests plenty of time to arrange travel plans, save money, and prepare

Do a cake tasting
Bond with your fiancé and pick out the perfect cake for your big day

Plan transportation
Do you want a limo, a carriage ride, a vintage car? How Is your wedding party getting around?

Start planning your honeymoon
Make sure you have passports, visas, inoculations and anything else taken care of

Hair and makeup trials
Make sure you have the right hair and makeup artists that make you look your best

Put together a "day of" timeline
This will help calm wedding day jitters and give you a view of how the day will play out

Hunt down the bridesmaids dresses
the girls will also need time for fittings and orders, and don't forget about the flower girls!

Book the rehearsal and plan the rehearsal dinner
If you're planning a day-after brunch you can plan that at the same time

Make rental arrangements
From tables and linens to greenery, renting keeps money in your pockets!

Order your invitations
make sure to check a sample invite and then order away (don’t forget stamps and envelopes!)

Order Wedding favors for your guests
Thank your loved one's for joining you on your special day

Pick out wedding bands
find the perfect bands, order them, and get them sized

Select groom's attire
make any necessary alterations, groomsmen usually join in the process and don’t forget the ring bearers!

Purchase bridal accessories
pull the look together with shoes, jewelry, hair accessories and anything else

Finalize the guest list
make sure you have the correct addresses for your guests

Send an event schedule to vendors
this will help make sure you are all on the same page

Make a toast list
Determine who is making toasts and give them prep time

Send out invitations
Make sure you have the right addresses and stamps then send those suckers out

Finalize the menu
Meet with the caterer to set the perfect menu - if alcohol is not included ask about supplying it yourself

Discuss your vows
Will you write your own or recite the traditional ones?

Send rehearsal dinner invitations
Let your guests know when and where you will be eating

Dress fitting
have your final (hopefully!) dress fitting now because you will probably have some last minute changes

Purchase gifts
be sure to thank bridesmaids, groomsmen, mothers, fathers -anyone that helped you out

Finish DIY projects
Tie up all loose ends and get help from your wedding party before they are too busy

Pay Vendors
send out as many final payments as you can and confirm times at the same time

Directions for drivers
Make sure that all transportations has the right information and directions

Apply for marriage license
this can take up to six days, so plan accordingly

Finalize a schedule
create a final day-of schedule and give it to all of the important parties

Give a final headcount
know exactly how much food and beverages you will need

Finalize seating chart
Determine where everyone will be sitting and finish place cards

Break in your shoes
Now is the time to start wearing your heels and dress shoes around the house- also scuff the bottoms to avoid slipping on sleek surfaces

Prepare clothes
You might want to get some sexy lingerie or comfortable travel wear

Pack for honeymoon
Make sure you have everything you will need and ready to go, you will be exhausted so pack now!

Get your facials
Do NOT wait until the day before your wedding to get facials or spray tans

Have rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
Make sure everyone has the appropriate schedules and knows where to be

Pick up your dress
make sure it is steamed and fits

Eat a proper breakfast and drink lots water
You have a long day ahead of you!

Get Hair and Makeup Done
Enjoy friends and family while you and your bridal party get beautified

Hand off your cellphone
let a trusted member of your bridal party or your wedding planner handle any emergencies

Pay vendors
Assign someone to make any final payments and tip the different vendors

Relax and enjoy your special day!