Wedding Preparation Checklist
Everything you mustn't forget — in phases from “a year out” to the wedding day. Checkmarks are saved in your browser, so you can come back and continue.
Why the wedding checklist is split into six phases
The phases follow one simple logic: book what is scarce first, decide what depends on those bookings next, and leave the details that can change for last.
- 9–12 months out is for decisions, not purchases: style, scale, budget, a first guest list and candidate dates. Everything later depends on these.
- 6–9 months out is for the things that get booked up: the venue, the MC, photo and video, music. These vendors can only work one wedding per day.
- 3–6 months out covers what needs the date and venue fixed: invitations, décor, rings, the seating plan, outfits that need time to make or alter.
- 1–3 months out is about confirming and rehearsing: final menu, RSVPs, the running order with the MC, your vows.
- The week before is for checking, not creating: confirmations, packing, sleep.
- The day itself has almost no tasks on purpose. If the list is working, there is nothing left to do but be there.
What to do if you have less time
Six months, three, even six weeks — the same order still works, it just compresses. Merge the first three phases into one intense fortnight:
- Agree on the budget, guest count and a short list of dates in one evening.
- Book the venue first, then within a few days the vendors you consider essential — often the photographer and whoever runs the day.
- Choose what can be bought ready-made instead of ordered: outfits off the rack, simple flowers, digital invitations.
- Cut or simplify anything that is not on your non-negotiables list.
Then go back to the normal rhythm for the last two phases: confirmations a month out, checks the week before. A shorter timeline mostly means fewer options, not more stress, as long as you decide quickly and do not revisit decisions.
How to use the checklist together
Your ticks are saved in the browser of the device you use, and the progress ring shows how far along you are. If you are planning as a couple, agree who owns which phase or which tasks, and use one device for ticking so progress is not split. A weekly ten-minute check-in — what is done, what is next, what is stuck — is usually enough to keep things moving.
Add your own notes on paper or in a shared document for anything the list does not cover, such as family traditions or a second celebration. Check the money side against the budget calculator as quotes arrive, and if you have not fixed the day yet, start with the best dates shortlist.
Frequently asked questions
Will my ticks sync between my phone and laptop?
No. They are stored locally in each browser. Pick one device as the main checklist, or agree that one person does the ticking.
Can I skip a task that does not apply to us?
Of course. Simply tick it off as done or ignore it. The list is a reminder of what couples commonly need, not a set of requirements.
What if we are behind schedule?
Look at the earliest unfinished phase and deal with bookings first, because those are the tasks that can actually run out. Details from later phases can wait a little.