There are millions of little details you need to remember when you are in the planning process for perhaps the biggest and most important day of your life. When planning your wedding you need to keep track of several important details and although you might have help from your vendors or a wedding planner with our ultimate wedding checklist you can make sure you check off each item as you plan to make your day perfect.
Brides Often Ask
Why a wedding planning checklist is important?
A wedding planning checklist is important because it organizes and outlines all of the possible tasks and items you could need to prepare for your wedding day. Check off tasks as you travel through the planning process so that when you arrive at the wedding day all you have to do is enjoy. The more organized you are the more you can enjoy the entire wedding process!
What is the difference between a wedding timeline and a wedding checklist?
This is a question it seems all couples ponder when they start doing some wedding research and at first you might think they are the same but they are actually slightly different and each plays an important part in the wedding planning process. A wedding timeline is an outline that helps you plan month by month and what tasks need to be completed at each phase while the wedding planning checklist is an overall list of all planning items you might need for each section of the wedding.
Ready to plan your perfect wedding? Check out this customizable checklist, download it, and have fun planning!
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Apparel
Let’s face it the wedding gown and the wedding day style are a major part of wedding planning – some brides have been dreaming about their wedding dress for years so it definitely pays to make sure each one of these items has a spot in your checklist.
- Gown
- Bridal Shoes
- Bridal Slip
- Lingerie
- Hosiery
- Jewelry
- Bridal Headpiece/veil
- Bridal Gloves
- Bridesmaid Dresses
- Bridesmaids Accessories
- Bridesmaid Shoes
- Groom’s Tux/Outfit
- Groomsmen Tux/Outfit
- Garters
- Gown Preservation
- Alterations
- Going Away Outfit
- Honeymoon Clothes
- Flower Girl Dress
- Ring Bearer Outfit
- Bridal Shower Outfit
- Rehearsal Dinner Dress
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Stationery
There is a lot more to the wedding stationery than just the invitations. In today’s wedding planning world couples have the opportunity to create full suites of stationery for their wedding.
- Invitations
- Escort Cards
- Place Cards
- Table Numbers
- Map/Direction Cards
- Menus
- Wedding Welcome Bag Cards
- Wedding Welcome Bag Tags/Labels
- Reply Cards
- Ceremony Program
- Save The Date Cards
- Enclosure Card
- Postage
- Calligrapher
- Newspaper Announcement
- Thank You Notes
- Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
- Bridal Shower Invitations
- Bridal Shower Thank You Cards
- Bachelor/Bachelorette Party Invitations
- Wedding Programs
- Address Labels
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Flowers
A large part of the wedding budget is usually designated for the flowers and there are lots of little details surrounding this checklist item so make sure you have all of your flower needs ready before you meet with your florist.
- Bridal Bouquet
- Bridesmaids Bouquet
- Corsages (mother of the bride. Mother of the groom, father of bride, father of groom, grandparents, special guests)
- Wedding arches/backdrop
- Boutonnieres
- Flower crown/Hair Flowers
- Reception Centerpieces
- Reception Flowers
- Rehearsal Dinner Flowers
- Ceremony Flowers
- Throw Away Bouquet
- Flower Girl Flowers
Instant Poll
When did you start preparing for the wedding?
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Ceremony
This is the moment where you will become a married couple so you want to plan the ceremony to reflect exactly who you are. No matter what type of location you are hosting your ceremony at you will need to carefully make sure you have these checklist items ready.
- Venue
- Officiant
- Vows
- Transportation
- Ushers
- Musician
- Reserved Seating Signs
- Ring Box
- Aisle Runner
- Ceremony Backdrop
- Unity Candle
- Readers & Readings
- Microphones/amps/a PA system
- Flower Girl Baskets
- Ring Bearer Pillow
- Back-Up Plan for the weather if outside
- Confetti or something to toss as you exit
- Gratuities
Reception
This is the part of the wedding day where you will have spent the most amount of your time planning and designing so you don’t have to leave any item off the list. Work with your venue and see what resources are available which might allow you to check off some of these items quickly.
- Venue
- Caterer
- Bar Service
- Food
- Wedding Cake
- Cake Topper
- Cake Stand
- Grooms Cake
- Heating/ Fans/ Umbrella
- Musician
- Band or DJ
- Childcare
- Transportation
- Parking
- Guest Book
- Guest Book Pens
- Seating Chart
- Welcome Sign
- Chairs
- Tables
- Linens
- Glassware
- Napkins
- Dishes
- Table Decorations/Centerpieces
- Servers
- Cake Knife
- Chair Decorations
- Card Box
- Gratuities
- Vendor Meals
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Gifts + Favors
You might want to find a special way to thank your wedding party and guests so don’t forget to plan for wedding favors and special thank yous.
- Attendants Gifts
- Wedding Favors
- Parents of the Bride and Groom
Rings
This might be a small part of the checklist but the wedding rings are essential to your wedding ceremony.
- Wedding Bands
- Engagement Ring
- Engraving
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Honeymoon
The ultimate chance to relax and connect after a long wedding planning process and the big celebration day. No matter where you honeymoon is taking place you should have these key items and tasks ready to go.
- Airline Tickets
- Hotel Accommodations
- Transportation
- Car Rental
- Activities & Entertainment
- Passports
- Currency
Photography
After all the planning and once the big day happens all you are left with is your memories and photographs. Your photographer will work with you to make sure you get the images you want and captured in the style you prefer.
- Photographers Shot List
- Bridal [ortraits
- Reception
- Ceremony
- Photo Albums
- Engagement Portraits
- Videography
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Rehearsal Dinner
The rehearsal dinner might not be on your list of planning tasks since traditionally the groom’s parents host the rehearsal dinner but even if someone else is planning it you should have these key items in place.
- Venue
- Catering
- Linens
- Centerpieces
- Parking
- Music
- Decorations
- Bar Service
- Gratuities
Transportation
You need to get yourself where you need to be on wedding day so don’t forget to plan your transportation far enough in advance you have the best options for your wedding.
- Bride To Ceremony
- Couple To Reception
- Wedding Party Transportation
- Guests Transportation
- Hotel Transportation
- Airport Transportation
Miscellaneous
There are always details that don’t fall into the major planning categories so here is our list of things you should keep on your list.
- Marriage Licence
- Wedding Registry
- Wedding Website
- Bridal Subscription Box
- Bridesmaid Luncheon
- Day After Brunch
- Wedding Day Insurance
- Hair & Beauty
- Wedding Planner
- Hotel Accommodation
- Hotel Wedding Block
- Wedding Day Emergency Kit
Taking on the idea of planning such a large-scale event as a wedding can be daunting but since you now have a complete list of items needed or details to consider you will have a much easier time. Using our wedding planning checklist will not only help you stay on task and organized but will also help you feel like you can take things one step at a time.
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