Wedding Planning Checklist

Congratulations on your engagement! Ready to start planning your wedding? Use this wedding-planning timeline below and begin checking tasks off your list.

By MINTED, Last Updated: December 11, 2023 6 minute read

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Congratulations on your engagement! Ready to start planning your wedding? Use this wedding-planning timeline below and begin checking tasks off your list. If you're planning a wedding in a shorter time frame, don't stress—just begin as soon as possible and work your way down the list.

You might have been gathering wedding ideas your entire life–or never considered it until now–but now you need to get started! That’s why we've constructed a wedding planning checklist to make everything much more manageable.

So whether it's obtaining your marriage license, having friends select their bridesmaid dresses, or choosing your wedding venue, we're here to help.

Ready to start planning your wedding? Use this wedding-planning timeline below and begin checking tasks off your list. If you're planning a wedding in a shorter time frame, don't stress—you can just start as soon as possible and work your way down the list.

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How do I start planning my wedding?

1. Make a budget

Before you start selecting your venue, catering, and all the other fun stuff, you should create a wedding budget. It's easy to get carried away with the list of things you want for your special day, and a budget will help ensure you stay on track, as well as narrow down your choices. Your budget should include everything and anything; entertainment, wedding vendors, photography, catering, attire, etc.

It's also the time to have a conversation with your soon-to-be spouse about whether you're going to shell out for a large, traditional wedding or have a smaller, more intimate one.

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2. Research & prioritize

After you've crunched the numbers and decided on your wedding budget, it's time for research. Your wedding style depends on your personality, values, and preferences. Some would prefer a church wedding, while others love the idea of a garden wedding.

Choose venue options that resonate the most with you. Remember, not every wedding has the same requirements. Your wedding is a special and unique day; your priority should be what you want! Make the necessary arrangements that fit your needs.

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3. Use a checklist!

Now that you've created your budget and have conducted the research, it's time to put everything in order. What's the easiest and most efficient way to do that? With a checklist, of course. Using a checklist will help you compartmentalize everything you need.

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Wedding planning should be a fun process and we are here to help you prepare your special day. To avoid being overwhelmed, we have created a checklist & timeline as a start for you to plan your wedding. You can also join a MasterClass on wedding planning with Mindy Weiss, a professional wedding planner, to make your dream wedding come true.

Free Wedding Planning Checklist & Timeline

While you may be searching for a simple wedding planning checklist, it's essential not to skip out on any steps that may prove to be crucial. That's why we've made this fully comprehensive checklist and accompanying wedding planning timeline template. So, you can follow along with each step. This list will serve as your very own personal wedding planner/coordinator.

Remember that not everything on this list is essential to your wedding, so strike what you don't need. Though you will likely incorporate many of the items here, it's also important to remember that you can't possibly fit everything.

The following timelines will walk you through the months and weeks until the day itself. We've listed out everything–from the essentials to the optional.

Let's take a look:

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12+ months before the wedding

You've just gotten engaged–congratulations! Before you jump straight into wedding planning, try to relax and savor the moment. You've just made a significant life decision, and it's worth basking in those special feelings. There's no need to rush immediately to the next step.

You don't have much to worry about at this stage in the wedding planning timeline. Start telling people the good news, and feel your engagement glow.

Due to the high number of post-pandemic wedding bookings, this would be an excellent time to: