Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming—there are so many moving pieces, deadlines, and details to juggle. From booking your dream venue to sending invitations, it’s easy to lose track of what needs to be done and when. That’s why having a wedding planning checklist broken down month by month is one of the most effective tools you can use. It helps keep you organized, on schedule, and confident that you’re not forgetting any important details along the way.

Whether you’ve hired a professional wedding planner or you’re taking on the planning yourself, a monthly wedding checklist is an absolute game-changer. Instead of scrambling at the last minute, you’ll know exactly what tasks to prioritize at each stage of the process—12 months out, 9 months out, 6 months out, and so on. From big milestones like securing your vendors and finalizing your guest list to smaller details like choosing favors or confirming your seating chart, this guide covers it all.

In this blog post, we’ve created a step-by-step wedding planning timeline to help you stay on track from engagement to “I do.” Print it out, bookmark it, or keep it handy on your phone—this checklist will become your go-to guide to stress-free wedding planning. No matter your wedding size, budget, or style, this resource will ensure you stay organized and enjoy the journey just as much as the big day itself.

Wilsons Orchard Iowa Wedding — Photo By: Ashley Bowman Photography

Planning a wedding takes time, patience, and a lot of organization. Breaking tasks into a month-by-month wedding planning checklist is one of the best ways to stay on track and avoid stress. Whether you’re working with a wedding planner or going the DIY route, this guide will help you navigate each stage of planning—from 12 months out to the week of your wedding—so you can feel confident that nothing slips through the cracks.

Here’s a detailed wedding planning timeline to keep you organized as you count down to “I do.”

12 Months Out: Start With the Big Decisions

At the one-year mark, it’s time to set the foundation for your wedding. Discuss your budget, style, and guest count to establish realistic expectations. Next, book your wedding planner (if you’re hiring one), since they can guide you through vendor selection and logistics. Secure your venue and wedding date as soon as possible—this is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Finally, start a mood board to organize your inspiration, colors, and vision for the big day.

Discuss your budget, style, and guest count
Book a wedding planner
Choose your venue and wedding date
Create a mood board

11 Months Out: Secure Your Core Vendors

This month is about locking in the most essential vendors before they book up. Photographers, videographers, DJs/bands, and planners are often reserved over a year in advance, so secure your favorites early. Finalize your wedding party, since they’ll play a key role in supporting you. And don’t forget to set up your wedding registry so guests can start shopping for engagement party or shower gifts.

Hire photographer, videographer, DJ/band, planner
Confirm your wedding party
Make your wedding registry

10 Months Out: Build Out Your Vendor Team

Now it’s time to bring on your secondary vendors, such as florist, hair and makeup artists, caterer, transportation, and dessert baker. Begin creating your guest list and gather mailing addresses for Save the Dates. This is also the perfect time to shop for your wedding dress, since custom orders and alterations take months. Lastly, schedule your engagement photos—they’re perfect for Save the Dates and wedding websites.

Book florist, caterer, transportation, hair & makeup, desserts
Create guest list and collect addresses
Shop for your wedding dress
Take engagement pictures

9 Months Out: Focus on Décor and Logistics

With your major vendors booked, you can start focusing on design. Plan your décor rentals such as chairs, linens, signage, and specialty furniture. Begin designing your Save the Dates so they’re ready to send soon. Secure hotel room blocks for out-of-town guests, and launch your wedding website to share travel info and event details.

Plan décor rentals
Begin Save the Date design
Book hotel room blocks
Create your wedding website

8 Months Out: Spread the Word

At this point, you can send out Save the Dates (typically 8–6 months before). Make sure passports are up-to-date if you’re having a destination wedding or international honeymoon. You and your wedding party should also begin planning bachelor and bachelorette parties so travel and accommodations can be booked in advance.

Send Save the Dates
Renew passports if needed
Begin bachelor/bachelorette party planning

7 Months Out: Ceremony + Attire Prep

Now it’s time to shift focus to the ceremony details and bridal party attire. Select bridesmaid dresses and schedule fittings. Book your officiant if you haven’t already, and start planning any ceremony readings or traditions you want included.

Choose bridesmaid dresses and schedule fittings
Hire officiant
Begin planning ceremony readings

6 Months Out: Confirm Key Details

With six months to go, the excitement starts building. Begin your wedding dress alterations and schedule multiple fittings. Book your rehearsal dinner venue and confirm who’s hosting. Update your gift registry with new items to give guests plenty of choices.

Begin wedding dress alterations
Reserve rehearsal dinner location
Update registry

5 Months Out: Groom + Transportation

This month is all about attire and logistics. Have the groom and groomsmen buy or rent suits and finalize transportation arrangements for your wedding party and guests. Begin finalizing your dinner menu with your caterer.

Confirm/book transportation
Buy/rent groomsmen suits
Plan dinner menu

4 Months Out: Personal Touches

The four-month mark is when you focus on finishing touches. Schedule your final tasting with your caterer, purchase wedding bands, and have your hair and makeup trial. Place your invitation order so they arrive in plenty of time.

Final tasting with caterer
Buy wedding bands
Hair and makeup trial
Order invitations

3 Months Out: Invitations + Ceremony Finalization

Mail out your wedding invitations (between 10–8 weeks before the wedding). Begin writing your vows and finalize ceremony readings with your officiant. Check in with your wedding planner for a progress update.

Send out invitations
Write vows
Finalize ceremony readings
Planner check-in

2 Months Out: Legal + Décor Details

Two months out, it’s time for practical details. Schedule another dress fitting, and apply for your marriage license. Update your wedding website with hotel details, transportation, or FAQs. Order stationery pieces like table numbers, place cards, programs, and menus.

Dress fitting
Get marriage license
Update wedding website
Order stationery

1 Month Out: Final Confirmations

One month before, your planning shifts to confirming details. Do a final walkthrough at your venue. Provide your final guest count to your caterer and venue. Send your photographer a shot list so they know what’s important to you. Double-check timelines with all vendors.

Venue walkthrough
Submit final headcount
Provide photographer shot list
Confirm with vendors

The Month Of: Final Touches

The final weeks are all about preparation and relaxation. Confirm that all vendors are paid, have your final dress fitting, and steam your gown before the big day. Clean your wedding rings so they sparkle in photos. Touch base with your planner and vendors to make sure everything is ready.

Confirm vendor payments
Final dress fitting
Steam gown
Clean rings
Final vendor meetings

Seems easy enough, right?! While hiring a wedding planner can be a game-changer when it comes to staying on track and reducing stress, it’s still important to have a reliable wedding planning checklist in your back pocket. After all, for most couples, this is your very first time planning a wedding—and between vendors, décor, attire, timelines, and guest management, it’s easy for details to slip through the cracks. That’s why using a month-by-month wedding planning checklist is such a valuable tool. It gives you a clear roadmap of what needs to be done and when, helps you prioritize tasks in the right order, and ensures that no step is missed along the way.

By following a structured wedding planning timeline, you can break down the process into smaller, manageable tasks rather than feeling overwhelmed by everything at once. From booking your venue and photographer 12 months out to confirming your headcount and steaming your dress the week of the wedding, this checklist covers all the essentials. Whether you’re working with a planner or handling things yourself, having a step-by-step wedding to-do list will give you peace of mind and let you focus on what truly matters—enjoying the journey to your big day.

So be sure to print out our wedding planning checklist and keep it handy as you plan. With this guide in your corner, you’ll stay organized, stress-free, and confident that every detail is taken care of, leading up to a celebration that’s every bit as unforgettable as you’ve dreamed.