The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist
The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist to Help You Ditch the Stress
A Wedding Planning checklist and timeline for the recently engaged by two North Carolina photographers with over 14 Years experience in the industry!
Planning a wedding can be stressful! Even if you are using a wedding planner, there are just so many things to do and decisions to make before your big day. Sometimes, you just aren’t quite sure when you should do something. Perhaps you can wait a few weeks, maybe it should have been done a couple months ago! Never fear, let our years of expertise guide you as you plan for your big day! Keep scrolling to see our Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist and download your own copy to help keep you on track!
12+ Months from Your Wedding Day
- Choose a date
- Determine your budget and who is paying for what – your guest list, location, and time of year will be big factors in determining your budget.
- Decide who will be in your wedding party
- Create a Pinterest board for inspiration
- Create a wedding website (We recommend Wedsites)
- Start interviewing venues and other wedding professionals (Venues, planners, and photographers book quickly!)
10-11 Months
- Begin booking vendors, especially venue, wedding planner, and photographer
- Celebrate with an engagement photography session and engagement party
- Finalize your guest list
- Mail your Save-the-Dates (use your engagement photos to create beautiful save-the-dates!)
- Choose your wedding dress and bridal party attire (This is going to be very important to do early if you have a gown that needs to be ordered)
8-9 Months
- Research hotels and plan for out-of-town guests
- Begin your wedding registry
- Design your wedding invitations (We love using local printers, but Minted is a great budget-friendly option)
- Begin planning your honeymoon – if you aren’t sure where to start, reach out to a travel agent
6-7 Months
- Begin creating your ceremony timeline with wedding planner and officiant
- Discuss if a First Look is right for you
- Reserve chairs, linens, lighting, and decor with a rental company
- Schedule cake tasting choose wedding cake flavor and design
- Determine groomsmen attire
- Book your music and entertainment for your wedding – think DJ, Emcee, photo booth, or live music
- Order Invitations and Thank You cards
4-5 Months
- Complete flower order with florist
- Write wedding vows
- Create a playlist and Do-Not-Play list for DJ
- Mail Invitations (Pro Tip: number your RSVP Cards so you know which ones are missing!)
- Plan and book rehearsal dinner
- Schedule dress fitting and alterations
3 Months
- Finalize honeymoon plans
- Complete hair and makeup trial
- Celebrate with a Bridal or Bridal Boudoir Session
- Finalize Menu with the Caterer
- Order Favors
- Collect RSVPs and begin planning your seating arrangements
2 Months
- Apply for Marriage License
- Finalize Wedding Day Timeline and share with Vendors
- Arrange Wedding Day Transportation
1 Month
- Complete Final Dress Fitting
- Pick up marriage license and wedding rings
- Confirm all reservations with vendors including a final meeting with photographer
- Avoid the wedding day hangover and have your bachelorette party now!
2 Weeks
- Follow up with any missing RSVPs
- Send final guest count to Caterer (Don’t forget to include your vendors!)
- Update registries
- Delegate wedding day duties
- Finalize any last minute payments to vendors
1 Week
- Pack for honeymoon
- Review your wedding day timeline to confirm no changes need to be made
- Communicate with family and friends who will be included in formal portraits and give them instructions of where to be and when
- Relax! Have a spa day!
- Get a manicure/Pedicure/Massage!
1 Day
- Attend rehearsal
- Enjoy rehearsal dinner with your family and wedding party
- Get a good night’s sleep and drink plenty of water
Wedding Day – Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist Complete!
- Congratulations! You made it! Enjoy your wedding day!
If you enjoyed this Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist, don’t forget to download your own and share with other engaged friends!
These images were captured at a recent editorial shoot and workshop. We enjoyed working with each of these vendors and could not recommend them more! This venue is absolutely gorgeous, with a view that can’t be outdone! If you are getting married in North Carolina, you have to check them out!
Venue // Hidden Hill Venue and Conference Center
Planner/Designer // Graceful Gatherings
Maroon Florals // Sharon Sturgess Florals
Hair // Sharpe Styles
Makeup // Alexis Faith
Bride & Groom Apparel // Tracys on the Square
Jewelry // Oz’s Jewelers
Rentals // Cook Rentals
Catering// CP Clontz
Cakes & Calligraphy // Kayli Fox
Watercolor Stationary // Neer the Creek
Styling Mats// Sophia’s Art
Host Photographers //Katelyn Shelly & Amy Leigh Griffin
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The ultimate wedding planning checklist indeed! This guide is comprehensive and covers everything you need to plan the perfect wedding. A fantastic resource for couples at any stage of their wedding journey.