Planning your own wedding can be stressful—no matter how much you've thought about your vision for your wedding and what you want, there's always details you haven't thought about. The entire planning process can be intimidating, no matter how detail-oriented you are! To help you stay on track, we've made this checklist to help you prepare for your big day.
24 to 12 Months Before Your Wedding
❏ Share the good news!
❏ Insure your engagement ring(s)
❏ Set up a wedding website
❏ Start a Pinterest board. Ours has a lot of inspiration from Chicago vendors!
❏ Start planning your guest list to get a good idea of numbers
❏ Start your wedding budget. Have a clear and honest conversation of all involved who is paying for what.
❏ Choose your wedding date/season
❏ Choose a wedding theme or style
❏ Host an engagement party
❏ Begin looking at venues
1 Year Before Your Wedding
❏ Book reception facility. Make sure to review change or cancellation policies
❏ Book your officiant
❏ Have an engagement photo shoot (hint – this time allows you to connect with your photographer, allowing you both to become more comfortable with each other)
❏ Choose your wedding party
❏ Determine your color scheme
❏ Plan and budget for your honeymoon
❏ Order your passport if you plan to travel for your honeymoon
❏ Start researching your bachelor/bachelorette parties
❏ Get started on a health and skincare routine. Our friends at Refined Beauty have
a great checklist for you! (ps waxing your armpits makes a huge difference, no shadows)
6 to 9 Months Before Your Wedding
❏ Finalize your guest list
❏ Book your DJ, musicians or other entertainment
❏ Hire your florist, caterer and other wedding vendors
❏ Order your invitations and thank you cards
❏ Mail out save the date cards
❏ Book any transportation needs and reserve hotel rooms
❏ Book a suite for your wedding night
❏ Revisit your budget to make sure you’re on track and make any adjustments
❏ If you are not using a full service wedding venue, confirm any rentals you may need, including a tent, tables, chairs, linens and table settings
❏ Book your rehearsal dinner
4 Months Before Your Wedding
❏ Order your flowers
❏ Register for marriage classes
❏ Finalize the food for your rehearsal dinner
❏ Decide on your hair and makeup style and book appointments with stylists
❏ Choose your cake and food for the wedding reception
❏ Start writing your vows and choose any ceremony readings
❏ Create a schedule of the ceremony and reception timeline (this is where a planner comes in very handy!)
❏ Schedule dress fittings for yourself and your bridal party
❏ Purchase your rings
❏ Plan the menus for all your pre-wedding events
❏ Purchase gifts for your wedding party (love these
artisan soaps)
6 to 8 Weeks Before Your Wedding
❏ Send out your wedding invitations (if you're expecting international guests or planning a destination wedding, earlier is better)
❏ Start tracking RSVPs
❏ Arrange for your marriage license
❏ Plan any name change documents and insurance
❏ Finalize your reception menu
❏ Finalize any outstanding vendor bookings
❏ Purchase a guestbook
❏ Purchase favors
❏ Create a seating plan
❏ Confirm any travel arrangements
❏ Get together (Facetime or Zoom work too) with your bridal party to help you coordinate the details of the day. Trust us, they want to help!
❏ Purchase your wedding accessories including shoes, jewelry,
ring box, etc.
1 Month Before Your Wedding
❏ Finalize your wedding vows
❏ Have a trial hair and makeup day
❏ Finish tracking and following up RSVPs
❏ Final fitting of your gown
❏ Find something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue!
❏ Pick up your wedding rings
❏ Start preparing DIY elements of your wedding
❏ Prepare thank you cards
❏ Prepare a shot-list for your photographer
❏ Get a facial and continue with your skincare routine
❏ Order a clear umbrella for you and matching ones for your bridal party - better to prepare than to be running around last minute.
2 Weeks Before Your Wedding
❏ Finalize your guest list and give a final headcount
to your reception facility, caterer etc.
❏ Confirm all final arrangements with your vendors (another great thing planners can help with!)
❏ Send detailed instructions to your bridal party and vendors, including the final schedule for the ceremony and reception
❏ Pack for your honeymoon
❏ Provide a final song-list (must plays and don’t you dare) to your DJ/musicians
❏ Print place cards
❏ Prepare payment for all your vendors
❏ Write speeches
❏ Pick up your wedding dress. Make sure to have a space cleared to store it so it stays wrinkle free
1 Week Before Your Wedding
❏ Build a bridal emergency kit with tissues, lipstick, band aids, a sewing kit, safety pins etc.
❏ Check the weather forecast and make any required alternative plans
❏ Finalize any DIY projects or purchase any remaining event decor
1 to 3 days Before Your Wedding
❏ Get a manicure/pedicure
❏ Wedding rehearsal or pre-wedding dinner
❏ Pack all your wedding day items including your rings, booking receipts, passports, shoes, accessories, vows and your marriage license
❏ Arrange for someone in your wedding party to transport any gifts or flower arrangements before and after the wedding
❏ Arrange for return of rental items
❏ Get as much rest as possible
Your Wedding Day
❏ Give the rings to the best man and maid of honor
❏ Spend a lot of time getting ready
❏ Eat breakfast
❏ Attend hair and makeup appointments
❏ Include your photographer in the wedding preparation process
❏ Give your bridesmaids their gifts
❏ Meet with your vendors and officiant and go over any final arrangements
❏ Get dressed
❏ Get married!
We hope this checklist helps you plan the day of your dreams, stress free! Book your appointment at Bri'Zan Couture today to find your perfect dress!
