Wedding Planning Checklist: Month by Month
A wedding is much easier to plan when you know what comes next and by when. Here's a practical timeline from twelve months out to the week after, with the milestones that matter most for your guests.
In short
- ✓10–12 months out: budget, guest list draft, venue, photographer and music.
- ✓6–8 months: save the dates. 6–8 weeks: invitations. 3–4 weeks: RSVP deadline.
- ✓Do the seating plan after the RSVPs are in, about two to three weeks before.
- ✓Send the final headcount to the venue about two weeks before the wedding.
The timeline
12–10 monthsSet the budget, draft the guest list, choose the date and book the venue.
10–8 monthsBook photographer, videographer, music or DJ, and caterer if the venue doesn't provide one.
8–6 monthsSend save the dates. Choose your outfits, florist and officiant.
6–4 monthsPlan the menu and cake, book hair and makeup, arrange guest accommodation.
3–2 monthsFinalize your invitation design and wording; send invitations 6–8 weeks before.
6–4 weeksFollow up with guests who haven't replied; confirm vendors and timings.
3–2 weeksClose RSVPs, finish the seating plan, send the final headcount to the venue.
Final weekConfirm the schedule with vendors, prepare payments and pack an emergency kit.
After the weddingSend thank-you messages and collect everyone's photos.
Where a digital invitation saves time
- •Save the date and invitation from the same design, sent instantly.
- •RSVPs collected automatically, with a live list and an Excel export for the venue.
- •A seating plan built from confirmed guests, with printable place cards.
- •A budget tracker for expenses and gifts.
- •Thank-you messages after the event, and a photo album guests fill via QR.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plan a wedding in less than a year?
Yes. Compress the timeline: book the venue and key vendors first, send save the dates as soon as the date is fixed, and keep at least 6 weeks between invitations and the wedding.
When should the guest list be final?
Draft it before booking the venue (capacity matters), and finalize it before you send the invitations.
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