Hey there, fellow brides-to-be!
Planning a wedding in 2025 is an exciting, beautiful, and sometimes overwhelming adventure. Trust me, I know! With so many decisions to make, it’s easy to feel like you’re juggling a million things at once. That’s why I’ve created this ultimate wedding checklist to help keep you on track and ensure you don’t forget anything important on your big day. Whether you’ve just said “yes” or you’re deep in planning mode, this guide is for you. Let’s dive in!
12+ Months Before the Wedding
- Announce Your Engagement
- Share the exciting news with family and friends (and don’t forget to celebrate)!
- Think about creating an engagement party or just a special gathering for your loved ones.
- Set Your Wedding Date
- Pick a season, month, or specific day. Keep in mind any family events, holidays, or personal milestones.
- Budget Planning
- This is the most important part of your planning process. Create a wedding budget and stick to it! You may want to break it down into categories (venue, catering, attire, etc.) so you can keep track easily.
- Start Researching Wedding Venues
- Begin looking at potential venues that fit your style and guest list. If you’re getting married in a popular season, venues may book up quickly, so start early.
- Create a Guest List
- Start thinking about who you’d like to invite. This list may evolve, but it helps you get an idea of the size of your event.
- Research Wedding Themes & Style
- Whether you’re leaning towards a traditional, rustic, or modern aesthetic, start gathering inspiration from Pinterest, wedding blogs, and magazines.
9-12 Months Before the Wedding
- Book Your Venue
- Once you’ve found the perfect location, secure your date by booking your venue. Don’t forget to inquire about availability and deposits.
- Hire a Wedding Planner (Optional)
- If you need professional help with the planning process, this is the time to find and hire a wedding planner to take some stress off your plate.
- Choose Your Bridal Party
- Ask your closest friends and family to stand by your side as bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, and ring bearers.
- Start Dress Shopping
- This is one of the most exciting parts of planning! Begin your search for the perfect bridal gown. Expect fittings, alterations, and more fittings, so plan ahead for enough time.
- Book Vendors
- Secure your photographer, videographer, caterer, and entertainment (DJ or band). If you plan to have a wedding cake or dessert table, reach out to bakers early too!
- Start Thinking About Your Honeymoon
- Research destinations and set your honeymoon budget. If you plan on traveling internationally, make sure your passport is up to date!
6-9 Months Before the Wedding
- Order Invitations
- Choose and order your wedding invitations, save-the-dates, and any other printed materials (menus, programs, etc.). It’s better to order early to ensure timely delivery.
- Choose Your Wedding Rings
- Start browsing wedding rings for both you and your partner. Be sure to consider time for resizing and engraving.
- Hire Your Officiant
- Whether it’s a religious leader or a professional officiant, make sure you secure the person who will marry you.
- Finalize Your Wedding Dress
- If you haven’t done so yet, finalize your wedding dress and schedule your fittings. Don’t forget about undergarments and shoes!
- Book Transportation
- Think about how you and your bridal party will get to the venue. Whether it’s a limo, classic car, or even a party bus, book early for the best options.
4-6 Months Before the Wedding
- Send Out Save-the-Dates
- Now is the time to send out your save-the-dates to ensure your guests have plenty of time to make arrangements.
- Order Bridesmaid Dresses
- Choose and order bridesmaid dresses. Give your bridal party ample time for fittings and adjustments.
- Create Your Wedding Website
- Many couples choose to set up a wedding website to share event details, accommodations, registries, and updates with guests.
- Finalize the Menu
- Meet with your caterer to finalize your food and drink options. Don’t forget to account for dietary restrictions and preferences!
- Finalize Wedding Decor and Flowers
- Work with your florist to choose the flowers for your ceremony and reception. Think about your color scheme and floral arrangements.
2-4 Months Before the Wedding
- Get Your Marriage License
- This is a big one! Make sure you understand your local laws and obtain your marriage license in time for the ceremony.
- Finalize Your Seating Chart
- As RSVPs start coming in, finalize your seating chart for the reception. Think about groupings and special seating arrangements.
- Confirm Details with Vendors
- Double-check all your vendor contracts, confirming times, payments, and specific requests.
- Order Wedding Favors
- Decide if you’d like to give guests a small gift as a token of appreciation for attending. From personalized gifts to sweet treats, there are endless options.
- Practice Your Vows
- Start writing and practicing your wedding vows if you plan on doing your own. You’ll be so glad you did when the big day arrives!
1 Month Before the Wedding
- Final Dress Fitting
- Schedule your final dress fitting. Make sure it fits perfectly and you feel comfortable moving around.
- Confirm the Final Guest List
- Call or email anyone who hasn’t RSVP’d to make sure you have an accurate count.
- Create a Day-of Timeline
- With the help of your planner or coordinator, create a detailed day-of timeline for yourself and your vendors.
- Check-in with Your Bridal Party
- Remind your bridesmaids and groomsmen about the details for the big day, from attire to timing.
The Week Before Your Wedding
- Break in Your Shoes
- Wear your wedding shoes around the house to make sure they’re comfortable and ready for the long day ahead.
- Delegate Tasks
- Hand off any last-minute duties to trusted friends or family, so you can relax and focus on enjoying the moment.
- Get Your Beauty Treatments
- Schedule any final beauty appointments (hair, nails, facials, etc.) to feel fresh and glowing.
- Pack for Your Honeymoon
- Don’t forget to pack for your honeymoon! Make sure your passport, tickets, and all your essentials are ready to go.
The Big Day!
- Eat Breakfast and Hydrate
- Make sure you start the day with a nutritious breakfast to keep your energy up.
- Relax and Enjoy the Moment
- You’ve worked so hard to get here, so enjoy every single moment of your wedding day! Take deep breaths and savor the joy of the day.
I hope this checklist helps make your wedding planning journey smooth and stress-free! Just remember, this day is about celebrating love, so don’t sweat the small stuff. Happy planning, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!