A WEDDING PLANNING CHECKLIST FROM A ST. LOUIS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
As some of you know, I got married on 12/31/2022. Coming from the wedding industry I knew all things DAY OF for weddings but was lost when it came to getting the nitty gritty details together. So after my wedding I created a checklist that I used to plan my own wedding!
12+ Months
- Have fun announcing your engagement
- Choose date (try to figure out 3 dates)
- Talk budget and decide who is contributing what
- Choose your wedding party. Maid of honor, bridesmaids, best man, groomsmen, flower girl and ring bearer
- Get your engagement ring insured and consider purchasing wedding insurance
- Explore ceremony and reception venues
- Start assembling your team of wedding pros: planner, photographer, videographer, caterer, florist, etc.
- Browse wedding dresses and veil styles
- Create wedding and style boards on Pinterest
- Get engagement photos taken
- Start browsing Save the Date designs to find your favorite shape and size
- Begin compiling your guest list
- Place your Save the Date order
10-11 Months
- Choose your bridal party attire and accessories
- Reserve ceremony and reception venues
- Book officiant and check into premarital counseling
- Hire photographer, videographer, caterer, DJ/band, florist, and planner
- Finalize your guest list
- Mail your Save the Dates
- Purchase wedding dress, veil and undergarments
- Establish a healthy skin and wellness routine
- Research honeymoon destinations
8-9 Months
- Find 3 hotels (at different price options) for out of town guests
- Browse wedding invitation designs
- Begin planning honeymoon
- Refine and update your guest list as needed
- Create gift registries at 2-3 national and/or online retailers. (Good to have at least one in person store for older demographic)
6-7 Months
- Explore wedding day hair and makeup styles
- Meet with your officiant to discuss plans for the ceremony
- Reserve rentals: chairs, linens, lighting, décor, etc.
- Choose desert style and schedule tasting
- Purchase wedding bands
- Decide on a date for the Bachelor and Bachelorette party or weekend
- Order Thank You cards (for bridal shower and gifts that arrive early)
4-5 Months
- Place your full Wedding Invitation order
- Choose flowers for your wedding party, attendants, venues, cakes, etc.
- Schedule dress fitting
- Book honeymoon flights and hotels
- Book room for your wedding night
- Order your wedding dessert/cake
- Plan on welcome baskets for out of town guests
- Prepare a play/do not play playlist for your DJ/Band
- Finalize your guest list
- Assemble rehearsal dinner guest list
- Book rehearsal dinner venue
- Order rehearsal dinner invitations
3 Months
- Finalize your honeymoon plans and ensure that all your documents are in order
- Plan your ceremony and reception seating
- Experiment with hair and veil styles
- Finalize readers, readings and music for the ceremony
- Purchase; toasting flutes, serving pieces, guest book, flower basket and ring bearer pillow
- Finalize reception menu
- Order menu cards and wedding favors
- Mail wedding invitations
2 Months
- Develop system to organize your RSVPs
- Begin writing vows
- Review your ceremony details with your officiant
- Lay out your content for Wedding Programs
- Apply for your marriage license
- Finalize seating arrangements
- Finalize appointments for alterations
- Create wedding day timeline and send to your vendors, officiant, and wedding party
- Write out your honeymoon itinerary
- Decide on “something old, new and blue”
- Book some facials and treat yo self
- Finalize your music playlist
1 Month
- Call your vendors to confirm date, time, and location
- Confirm your honeymoon arrangements
- Start packing for your honeymoon
- Pick up your wedding rings
- Confirm ceremony plans with your officiant
- Order your wedding programs
- Final dress fitting with your shoes and accessories
- Write thank you cards as gifts are received
- If you have pets look for a sitter for day of wedding and honeymoon
- Bachelor/Bachelorette PARTIES
2 Weeks
- Follow up with your guests who have not RSVP’d
- Delegate someone to return tuxedos/dress if rented.
- Give final headcount to caterer
- Give directions to your limo/transportation driver
- Update your registries
- Begin breaking in your wedding shoes
- Send out your playlists to your DJ
- Get final haircut and color
- Delegate wedding day duties to your people; getting ready playlist, gift table, centerpieces, etc.
1 Week
- Prepare your final payments and cash tips to your wedding day professionals
- Give readers their scripts
- Give photographer/videographer your final shot list
- Lay out your wedding day attire
- Prepare your wedding day emergency kit
The Day Before
- Deliver welcome baskets to out of town guests
- Get mani/pedi
- Attend your rehearsal dinner (can also be done two days before your wedding)
- Go to bed at a decent hour
WEDDING DAY!!!
- Eat a good breakfast
- Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready
- Give wedding rings and officiant fee to the best man
- Assign someone to be in charge of feeding you throughout the day
