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The ultimate wedding planning checklist

💍 Right After the Engagement

  • ☐ Celebrate the engagement
  • ☐ Tell immediate family and close friends
  • ☐ Announce the engagement publicly
  • ☐ Take engagement photos
  • ☐ Insure the engagement ring
  • ☐ Have the ring resized, if necessary
  • ☐ Discuss what kind of wedding you both envision
  • ☐ Talk about wedding size, style, season, and location
  • ☐ Decide who will be involved in planning
  • ☐ Create a shared wedding email address
  • ☐ Create a shared digital planning folder
  • ☐ Begin a wedding inspiration board
  • ☐ Discuss family traditions you would like to include
  • ☐ Decide whether to hire a wedding planner
  • ☐ Choose a few possible wedding dates

💰 12–18 Months Before — Budget & Planning

  • ☐ Set the overall wedding budget
  • ☐ Decide who is contributing financially
  • ☐ Determine how much each person or family is contributing
  • ☐ Create a wedding expense spreadsheet
  • ☐ Set aside money for deposits
  • ☐ Build in an emergency or unexpected-expense fund
  • ☐ Prioritize the three things that matter most to each of you
  • ☐ Estimate the number of guests
  • ☐ Decide whether children will be invited
  • ☐ Decide whether guests may bring a plus-one
  • ☐ Begin collecting guest names and addresses
  • ☐ Create a preliminary guest list
  • ☐ Divide the guest list between both families
  • ☐ Discuss wedding insurance
  • ☐ Review vendor contracts before signing
  • ☐ Keep copies of all contracts, receipts, and payment schedules

📍 Venue

  • ☐ Decide whether the ceremony and reception will be at the same location
  • ☐ Research ceremony venues
  • ☐ Research reception venues
  • ☐ Schedule venue tours
  • ☐ Ask about venue capacity
  • ☐ Ask about parking and valet service
  • ☐ Ask about accessibility
  • ☐ Ask about noise restrictions and ending times
  • ☐ Ask whether catering is included
  • ☐ Ask whether alcohol must be purchased through the venue
  • ☐ Ask about setup and cleanup responsibilities
  • ☐ Ask what tables, chairs, linens, and décor are included
  • ☐ Ask whether the venue has a bridal suite
  • ☐ Ask whether there is a private room for the groom and wedding party
  • ☐ Ask about backup plans for outdoor ceremonies
  • ☐ Ask whether outside vendors are allowed
  • ☐ Ask whether vendors must provide proof of insurance
  • ☐ Book the ceremony venue
  • ☐ Book the reception venue
  • ☐ Pay the venue deposit
  • ☐ Confirm the wedding date in writing

🧑‍💼 Wedding Professionals

  • ☐ Hire a wedding planner or coordinator
  • ☐ Hire a photographer
  • ☐ Hire a videographer
  • ☐ Hire a DJ or entertainment company
  • ☐ Hire a ceremony musician, if needed
  • ☐ Hire a caterer, if not included with the venue
  • ☐ Hire a florist
  • ☐ Hire an officiant
  • ☐ Research photo booth options
  • ☐ Research uplighting and special-effect options
  • ☐ Research transportation companies
  • ☐ Research hotel accommodations
  • ☐ Research hair and makeup professionals
  • ☐ Research wedding cake and dessert vendors
  • ☐ Research rental companies
  • ☐ Research invitation designers or stationery companies

👰🤵 10–12 Months Before — Wedding Party

  • ☐ Choose the maid or matron of honor
  • ☐ Choose the best man
  • ☐ Choose bridesmaids
  • ☐ Choose groomsmen
  • ☐ Choose junior bridesmaids or junior groomsmen
  • ☐ Choose flower children
  • ☐ Choose ring bearers
  • ☐ Ask each person to be part of the wedding
  • ☐ Discuss expected expenses with the wedding party
  • ☐ Decide what the wedding party will wear
  • ☐ Begin planning the bachelor and bachelorette celebrations
  • ☐ Decide whether to include ushers
  • ☐ Decide whether grandparents or parents will be formally introduced

👗 Wedding Attire

  • ☐ Begin shopping for the wedding dress
  • ☐ Set a dress budget
  • ☐ Schedule bridal boutique appointments
  • ☐ Choose the wedding dress
  • ☐ Order the wedding dress
  • ☐ Begin shopping for the groom's suit or tuxedo
  • ☐ Decide whether suits or tuxedos will be purchased or rented
  • ☐ Select the wedding color palette
  • ☐ Choose bridesmaid dress colors
  • ☐ Choose groomsmen attire
  • ☐ Select accessories
  • ☐ Choose wedding shoes
  • ☐ Choose jewelry
  • ☐ Choose a veil, headpiece, or hair accessory
  • ☐ Plan for dress alterations
  • ☐ Discuss attire for parents and grandparents

🏨 Travel & Accommodations

  • ☐ Reserve a hotel room block
  • ☐ Ask about discounted guest rates
  • ☐ Confirm hotel cutoff dates
  • ☐ Reserve the wedding-night hotel room
  • ☐ Begin researching honeymoon destinations
  • ☐ Check passports and expiration dates
  • ☐ Research travel requirements
  • ☐ Begin a honeymoon savings fund
  • ☐ Consider transportation between the hotel and venue

📸 Engagement Photos

  • ☐ Schedule engagement photos
  • ☐ Choose engagement photo outfits
  • ☐ Choose photo locations
  • ☐ Use engagement photos for save-the-dates or the wedding website
  • ☐ Confirm image-use rights with the photographer

💌 8–10 Months Before — Guest Communication

  • ☐ Create the wedding website
  • ☐ Add the wedding date and location
  • ☐ Add hotel information
  • ☐ Add travel and transportation information
  • ☐ Add registry links
  • ☐ Add dress-code information
  • ☐ Add frequently asked questions
  • ☐ Add an adults-only note, when applicable
  • ☐ Add parking information
  • ☐ Add ceremony and reception start times
  • ☐ Order save-the-dates
  • ☐ Mail save-the-dates
  • ☐ Send electronic save-the-dates, when appropriate

🍽️ Food & Beverage

  • ☐ Review catering menus
  • ☐ Schedule a menu tasting
  • ☐ Select appetizers
  • ☐ Select soup or salad
  • ☐ Select entrées
  • ☐ Select side dishes
  • ☐ Select vegetarian and vegan options
  • ☐ Ask about allergy-friendly meals
  • ☐ Decide between plated, buffet, family-style, or stations
  • ☐ Decide whether to have a late-night snack
  • ☐ Choose the bar package
  • ☐ Decide between open bar, limited bar, or cash bar
  • ☐ Select beer, wine, and liquor options
  • ☐ Create signature cocktails
  • ☐ Ask about bartender fees
  • ☐ Ask about corkage fees
  • ☐ Ask whether champagne is included for toasts
  • ☐ Confirm meals for vendors
  • ☐ Confirm meals for children

🎂 Cake & Dessert

  • ☐ Research bakeries
  • ☐ Schedule cake tastings
  • ☐ Choose cake flavors
  • ☐ Choose filling and frosting flavors
  • ☐ Select the cake design
  • ☐ Determine the number of cake servings
  • ☐ Order the wedding cake
  • ☐ Decide whether to have a groom's cake
  • ☐ Decide whether to offer cupcakes or individual desserts
  • ☐ Consider a dessert table
  • ☐ Consider a doughnut wall, cookie table, candy table, or ice cream station
  • ☐ Select a cake topper
  • ☐ Select a cake-cutting song
  • ☐ Confirm who will provide the cake knife and server

🌸 Flowers & Décor

  • ☐ Meet with the florist
  • ☐ Choose the bridal bouquet
  • ☐ Choose bridesmaid bouquets
  • ☐ Choose boutonnieres
  • ☐ Choose corsages
  • ☐ Choose ceremony flowers
  • ☐ Choose reception centerpieces
  • ☐ Choose flowers for the cake
  • ☐ Choose flowers for the head table or sweetheart table
  • ☐ Choose flowers for memorial displays
  • ☐ Choose aisle décor
  • ☐ Choose altar or arch décor
  • ☐ Choose table linens
  • ☐ Choose napkin colors
  • ☐ Choose charger plates, if desired
  • ☐ Choose table numbers
  • ☐ Choose candles or lanterns
  • ☐ Choose signage
  • ☐ Choose a card box
  • ☐ Choose a guest book
  • ☐ Choose a seating-chart display
  • ☐ Choose welcome-table décor
  • ☐ Choose a cake-table design
  • ☐ Decide whether to rent specialty furniture
  • ☐ Decide whether to add uplighting
  • ☐ Decide whether to add a custom monogram
  • ☐ Decide whether to add cold sparks, dancing on clouds, or other special effects
  • ☐ Confirm what decorations the venue allows

🎶 6–8 Months Before — Music & Entertainment

  • ☐ Finalize the DJ or band contract
  • ☐ Discuss ceremony sound requirements
  • ☐ Discuss cocktail-hour music
  • ☐ Discuss dinner music
  • ☐ Discuss dancing preferences
  • ☐ Create a must-play list
  • ☐ Create a play-if-possible list
  • ☐ Create a do-not-play list
  • ☐ Select the wedding-party entrance song
  • ☐ Select the newlywed entrance song
  • ☐ Select the first-dance song
  • ☐ Select the father-daughter dance song
  • ☐ Select the mother-son dance song
  • ☐ Select the cake-cutting song
  • ☐ Select the bouquet-toss song, if applicable
  • ☐ Select the garter-toss song, if applicable
  • ☐ Select the anniversary dance song, if applicable
  • ☐ Select a last-dance song
  • ☐ Select a private last-dance song, if desired
  • ☐ Discuss line dances and group dances
  • ☐ Discuss whether song requests will be accepted
  • ☐ Provide pronunciation guides for names
  • ☐ Decide who will make announcements
  • ☐ Decide whether to use a photo booth
  • ☐ Choose a photo-booth backdrop
  • ☐ Choose photo-booth props
  • ☐ Choose a photo-booth scrapbook option
  • ☐ Confirm whether microphones are available for speeches

💒 Ceremony Planning

  • ☐ Meet with the officiant
  • ☐ Discuss the ceremony structure
  • ☐ Complete any required premarital counseling
  • ☐ Choose readings
  • ☐ Choose readers
  • ☐ Decide whether to write personal vows
  • ☐ Begin writing personal vows
  • ☐ Choose ceremony music
  • ☐ Select the processional song
  • ☐ Select the bride's entrance song
  • ☐ Select the recessional song
  • ☐ Choose music for seating parents and grandparents
  • ☐ Decide whether to include a unity ceremony
  • ☐ Decide whether to include religious or cultural traditions
  • ☐ Decide whether to remember deceased loved ones
  • ☐ Choose ceremony programs
  • ☐ Confirm rules for photography and videography
  • ☐ Confirm ceremony rehearsal requirements
  • ☐ Confirm marriage-license requirements

📨 Invitations

  • ☐ Choose the invitation style
  • ☐ Finalize invitation wording
  • ☐ Proofread names, dates, times, and addresses
  • ☐ Order invitations
  • ☐ Order RSVP cards or set up online RSVPs
  • ☐ Order detail cards
  • ☐ Order reception cards, if needed
  • ☐ Order envelopes
  • ☐ Order envelope liners, if desired
  • ☐ Order postage
  • ☐ Order thank-you cards
  • ☐ Order ceremony programs
  • ☐ Order menus
  • ☐ Order place cards or escort cards
  • ☐ Order favor tags
  • ☐ Order welcome signs and directional signs

🎁 Registry

  • ☐ Create a wedding registry
  • ☐ Register for household items
  • ☐ Register for experiences
  • ☐ Register for honeymoon funds, when desired
  • ☐ Include gifts at several price points
  • ☐ Review the registry periodically
  • ☐ Add registry information to the wedding website
  • ☐ Keep track of gifts and send thank-you notes

💇 4–6 Months Before — Beauty & Self-Care

  • ☐ Book wedding-day hair services
  • ☐ Book wedding-day makeup services
  • ☐ Schedule a hair trial
  • ☐ Schedule a makeup trial
  • ☐ Choose the wedding-day hairstyle
  • ☐ Choose the wedding-day makeup look
  • ☐ Confirm hair and makeup services for the wedding party
  • ☐ Begin a realistic skincare routine
  • ☐ Schedule dental appointments, when desired
  • ☐ Schedule grooming appointments
  • ☐ Avoid experimenting with risky new treatments close to the wedding
  • ☐ Create a wedding-day beauty timeline
  • ☐ Confirm travel fees for hair and makeup professionals

🚘 Transportation

  • ☐ Book transportation for the couple
  • ☐ Book transportation for the wedding party
  • ☐ Book transportation for parents or grandparents, when needed
  • ☐ Arrange guest shuttles, when needed
  • ☐ Confirm pickup and drop-off locations
  • ☐ Confirm the number of passengers
  • ☐ Confirm arrival and departure times
  • ☐ Provide the company with a full itinerary
  • ☐ Create a backup transportation plan

🥂 Pre-Wedding Events

  • ☐ Plan the engagement party
  • ☐ Plan the bridal shower
  • ☐ Plan the bachelor celebration
  • ☐ Plan the bachelorette celebration
  • ☐ Plan the rehearsal dinner
  • ☐ Create guest lists for each event
  • ☐ Reserve locations
  • ☐ Send invitations
  • ☐ Coordinate transportation
  • ☐ Confirm who is hosting each event

💍 Wedding Rings

  • ☐ Shop for wedding bands
  • ☐ Purchase the bride's wedding band
  • ☐ Purchase the groom's wedding band
  • ☐ Order engravings
  • ☐ Check ring sizing
  • ☐ Arrange for cleaning and polishing
  • ☐ Decide who will hold the rings during the ceremony

🕒 3–4 Months Before — Wedding-Day Timeline

  • ☐ Create a detailed wedding-day timeline
  • ☐ Confirm hair and makeup start times
  • ☐ Confirm photography arrival time
  • ☐ Confirm videography arrival time
  • ☐ Confirm florist delivery time
  • ☐ Confirm cake delivery time
  • ☐ Confirm rental delivery time
  • ☐ Confirm transportation pickup times
  • ☐ Confirm ceremony start time
  • ☐ Confirm cocktail-hour start and end times
  • ☐ Confirm reception doors-open time
  • ☐ Confirm introduction time
  • ☐ Confirm dinner service time
  • ☐ Confirm toast times
  • ☐ Confirm first-dance time
  • ☐ Confirm parent-dance times
  • ☐ Confirm open-dancing time
  • ☐ Confirm cake-cutting time
  • ☐ Confirm last call
  • ☐ Confirm last dance
  • ☐ Confirm venue ending time
  • ☐ Include extra time for traffic, photos, and unexpected delays
  • ☐ Share the timeline with all vendors

📷 Photography & Video

  • ☐ Create a family photo list
  • ☐ Create a wedding-party photo list
  • ☐ Discuss getting-ready photos
  • ☐ Discuss first-look photos
  • ☐ Decide whether to do a first look
  • ☐ Discuss ceremony photography restrictions
  • ☐ Discuss reception details you want photographed
  • ☐ List sentimental items to be photographed
  • ☐ Identify important family relationships
  • ☐ Identify divorced or separated family members
  • ☐ Identify any sensitive family situations
  • ☐ Discuss sunset photos
  • ☐ Discuss drone footage, when permitted
  • ☐ Confirm the photographer's meal
  • ☐ Confirm the videographer's meal
  • ☐ Confirm final delivery expectations

🪑 Reception Details

  • ☐ Decide between a head table and sweetheart table
  • ☐ Decide where parents will sit
  • ☐ Decide where the wedding party will sit
  • ☐ Create a preliminary seating chart
  • ☐ Decide whether tables will be assigned
  • ☐ Decide whether individual seats will be assigned
  • ☐ Order table numbers
  • ☐ Order escort cards or place cards
  • ☐ Choose wedding favors
  • ☐ Choose a guest-book alternative
  • ☐ Choose a card-box location
  • ☐ Plan a memorial table, if desired
  • ☐ Plan a photo display
  • ☐ Plan the welcome table
  • ☐ Plan the gift table
  • ☐ Decide where the photo booth will be located
  • ☐ Confirm the dance-floor size
  • ☐ Confirm the DJ or band setup location
  • ☐ Confirm access to power outlets
  • ☐ Confirm vendor load-in instructions

✉️ 2–3 Months Before — Invitations & RSVPs

  • ☐ Assemble invitations
  • ☐ Weigh a completed invitation at the post office
  • ☐ Purchase the correct postage
  • ☐ Mail invitations
  • ☐ Track RSVPs
  • ☐ Follow up with guests who do not respond
  • ☐ Track meal selections
  • ☐ Track dietary restrictions
  • ☐ Track plus-ones
  • ☐ Track children attending
  • ☐ Update the guest list regularly
  • ☐ Provide guests with hotel and transportation reminders

🗣️ Speeches & Announcements

  • ☐ Decide who will give a welcome speech
  • ☐ Decide who will give toasts
  • ☐ Confirm the maid or matron of honor's toast
  • ☐ Confirm the best man's toast
  • ☐ Confirm parent speeches
  • ☐ Set a time limit for each speech
  • ☐ Ask speakers to avoid embarrassing or inappropriate stories
  • ☐ Provide the DJ or emcee with the speaking order
  • ☐ Confirm microphone availability
  • ☐ Write a thank-you speech from the couple
  • ☐ Practice speeches aloud
  • ☐ Provide pronunciation notes for names

🧳 Honeymoon

  • ☐ Book flights
  • ☐ Book accommodations
  • ☐ Arrange airport transportation
  • ☐ Purchase travel insurance
  • ☐ Check passport expiration dates
  • ☐ Apply for or renew passports
  • ☐ Check visa requirements
  • ☐ Make restaurant reservations
  • ☐ Book excursions
  • ☐ Notify banks of international travel
  • ☐ Arrange pet care
  • ☐ Arrange house sitting or mail collection
  • ☐ Make copies of travel documents
  • ☐ Create a packing list

👗 6–8 Weeks Before — Final Attire Details

  • ☐ Attend final dress fittings
  • ☐ Practice walking in wedding shoes
  • ☐ Break in wedding shoes
  • ☐ Purchase undergarments
  • ☐ Purchase shapewear, if desired
  • ☐ Purchase socks and accessories for the groom
  • ☐ Confirm suit or tuxedo fittings
  • ☐ Confirm wedding-party attire
  • ☐ Confirm parent attire
  • ☐ Steam or press attire
  • ☐ Create a plan for transporting the wedding dress
  • ☐ Pack an extra shirt for the groom
  • ☐ Pack comfortable reception shoes
  • ☐ Prepare a sewing and stain-removal kit

📝 Final Planning Form

  • ☐ Complete the venue's planning forms
  • ☐ Complete the caterer's planning forms
  • ☐ Complete the photographer's questionnaire
  • ☐ Complete the videographer's questionnaire
  • ☐ Complete the DJ's wedding planner
  • ☐ Provide all formal-introduction names
  • ☐ Provide pronunciation notes
  • ☐ Provide song selections
  • ☐ Provide the do-not-play list
  • ☐ Provide the wedding-party order
  • ☐ Provide the speech order
  • ☐ Provide the final timeline
  • ☐ Provide emergency contact information
  • ☐ Confirm vendor meal counts
  • ☐ Confirm setup requirements

🧾 Legal & Financial Details

  • ☐ Apply for the marriage license
  • ☐ Confirm the license expiration period
  • ☐ Confirm who must be present when applying
  • ☐ Confirm identification requirements
  • ☐ Confirm who will return the signed license
  • ☐ Prepare final vendor payments
  • ☐ Prepare gratuities
  • ☐ Place payments in labeled envelopes
  • ☐ Assign someone to distribute payments
  • ☐ Confirm all remaining balances
  • ☐ Review cancellation and overtime policies

👥 3–4 Weeks Before — Final Guest Count

  • ☐ Contact guests who have not responded
  • ☐ Finalize the guest count
  • ☐ Finalize meal selections
  • ☐ Finalize dietary restrictions
  • ☐ Submit the final count to the venue
  • ☐ Submit the final count to the caterer
  • ☐ Submit the final count to the rental company
  • ☐ Finalize the seating chart
  • ☐ Print escort cards or place cards
  • ☐ Print table numbers
  • ☐ Print menus
  • ☐ Print ceremony programs
  • ☐ Print welcome signs
  • ☐ Print reserved-seat signs
  • ☐ Print transportation signs

📞 Vendor Confirmations

  • ☐ Confirm all vendor arrival times
  • ☐ Confirm vendor contact names and phone numbers
  • ☐ Confirm venue access times
  • ☐ Confirm setup and breakdown times
  • ☐ Confirm final music selections
  • ☐ Confirm final flower counts
  • ☐ Confirm rental quantities
  • ☐ Confirm transportation routes
  • ☐ Confirm the cake design and delivery
  • ☐ Confirm bar selections
  • ☐ Confirm the final reception layout
  • ☐ Confirm the backup weather plan
  • ☐ Confirm the ceremony rehearsal
  • ☐ Send the final timeline to vendors
  • ☐ Send the final timeline to the wedding party
  • ☐ Send the final timeline to immediate family

📦 1–2 Weeks Before — Pack & Organize

  • ☐ Pack ceremony décor
  • ☐ Pack reception décor
  • ☐ Pack the guest book
  • ☐ Pack the card box
  • ☐ Pack table numbers
  • ☐ Pack place cards or escort cards
  • ☐ Pack favors
  • ☐ Pack cake accessories
  • ☐ Pack toasting glasses
  • ☐ Pack unity-ceremony items
  • ☐ Pack memorial-table items
  • ☐ Pack emergency supplies
  • ☐ Pack comfortable shoes
  • ☐ Pack overnight bags
  • ☐ Pack honeymoon luggage
  • ☐ Label every box by location
  • ☐ Create setup instructions
  • ☐ Assign someone to transport personal items
  • ☐ Assign someone to collect gifts and cards
  • ☐ Assign someone to collect décor after the reception

🧰 Emergency Kit

  • ☐ Safety pins
  • ☐ Sewing kit
  • ☐ Fashion tape
  • ☐ Stain-removal wipes
  • ☐ Lint roller
  • ☐ Bandages
  • ☐ Pain reliever
  • ☐ Antacid
  • ☐ Tissues
  • ☐ Mints
  • ☐ Deodorant
  • ☐ Hair spray
  • ☐ Bobby pins
  • ☐ Makeup for touchups
  • ☐ Phone chargers
  • ☐ Portable battery packs
  • ☐ Snacks
  • ☐ Bottled water
  • ☐ Umbrellas
  • ☐ Copies of the timeline and vendor contacts

✅ Final Personal Tasks

  • ☐ Get a haircut early enough to allow it to settle
  • ☐ Schedule manicures and pedicures
  • ☐ Confirm grooming appointments
  • ☐ Clean the engagement ring
  • ☐ Pick up the wedding dress
  • ☐ Pick up suits or tuxedos
  • ☐ Confirm wedding rings are ready
  • ☐ Practice vows
  • ☐ Practice the first dance
  • ☐ Practice bustling the wedding dress
  • ☐ Confirm who will help with the dress and veil
  • ☐ Confirm who will hold personal belongings
  • ☐ Get plenty of rest
  • ☐ Stay hydrated
  • ☐ Avoid making major last-minute changes

💒 The Wedding Rehearsal

  • ☐ Bring the marriage license
  • ☐ Bring ceremony programs
  • ☐ Bring unity-ceremony items
  • ☐ Practice the processional order
  • ☐ Practice seating parents and grandparents
  • ☐ Practice the bride's entrance
  • ☐ Practice the exchange of rings
  • ☐ Practice the recessional
  • ☐ Confirm where everyone will stand
  • ☐ Confirm who holds the rings
  • ☐ Confirm who holds the bouquet
  • ☐ Confirm who fixes the dress or veil
  • ☐ Confirm who escorts each family member
  • ☐ Review the wedding-day timeline
  • ☐ Review transportation plans
  • ☐ Give the wedding party final instructions
  • ☐ Distribute wedding-party gifts
  • ☐ Enjoy the rehearsal dinner
  • ☐ Keep the evening reasonably early

📋 The Day Before the Wedding

  • ☐ Check the weather
  • ☐ Confirm the backup weather plan, if necessary
  • ☐ Charge all phones and devices
  • ☐ Pack the marriage license
  • ☐ Pack the wedding rings
  • ☐ Pack vow books
  • ☐ Pack final payment envelopes
  • ☐ Pack vendor gratuities
  • ☐ Confirm transportation
  • ☐ Confirm wake-up times
  • ☐ Confirm hair and makeup times
  • ☐ Confirm breakfast and lunch plans
  • ☐ Deliver décor to the venue, when allowed
  • ☐ Lay out attire and accessories
  • ☐ Remove tags and stickers from clothing
  • ☐ Steam garments
  • ☐ Drink water
  • ☐ Eat a proper meal
  • ☐ Get a good night's sleep
  • ☐ Stop checking the seating chart

That last one may require divine intervention.


🌅 Wedding Day — Morning

  • ☐ Eat breakfast
  • ☐ Drink water
  • ☐ Take necessary medications
  • ☐ Keep the wedding rings secure
  • ☐ Keep the marriage license secure
  • ☐ Keep payment envelopes secure
  • ☐ Put phones on chargers
  • ☐ Begin hair and makeup on schedule
  • ☐ Have wedding attire photographed before dressing
  • ☐ Have rings, invitations, shoes, jewelry, and perfume ready for detail photos
  • ☐ Allow extra time for dressing
  • ☐ Use the restroom before putting on formalwear
  • ☐ Confirm bouquets and boutonnieres have arrived
  • ☐ Confirm transportation is on the way
  • ☐ Give phones and personal belongings to a trusted person
  • ☐ Take a quiet moment together or separately
  • ☐ Breathe

💒 Ceremony

  • ☐ Confirm the officiant has arrived
  • ☐ Confirm musicians or DJ are ready
  • ☐ Confirm microphones are working
  • ☐ Confirm reserved seating is marked
  • ☐ Confirm programs are distributed
  • ☐ Confirm the wedding party is lined up
  • ☐ Confirm parents and grandparents are ready
  • ☐ Confirm rings are with the correct person
  • ☐ Confirm the bouquet is ready
  • ☐ Sign the marriage license
  • ☐ Make sure required witnesses sign the license
  • ☐ Assign someone to secure the completed license

🥂 Reception

  • ☐ Confirm the wedding party is lined up for introductions
  • ☐ Confirm the couple's entrance song
  • ☐ Confirm the first-dance song
  • ☐ Confirm parent-dance songs
  • ☐ Confirm the speech order
  • ☐ Confirm the cake-cutting time
  • ☐ Confirm dinner service timing
  • ☐ Confirm special-dance timing
  • ☐ Confirm transportation for the end of the night
  • ☐ Eat dinner
  • ☐ Drink water between alcoholic drinks
  • ☐ Visit guest tables
  • ☐ Take sunset photos
  • ☐ Take a private moment together
  • ☐ Enjoy the dance floor
  • ☐ Make sure gifts and cards are secured
  • ☐ Confirm personal items are collected
  • ☐ Confirm leftover food and cake arrangements
  • ☐ Confirm décor cleanup responsibilities
  • ☐ Confirm the final vendor payments have been distributed
  • ☐ Enjoy the last dance
  • ☐ Make a grand exit, when planned

🌙 After the Wedding — The Next Day

  • ☐ Confirm the marriage license was submitted
  • ☐ Return rental attire
  • ☐ Return rental décor and equipment
  • ☐ Collect personal items from the venue
  • ☐ Collect leftover cake, food, flowers, and décor
  • ☐ Deposit checks and cash gifts
  • ☐ Store wedding cards safely
  • ☐ Review hotel and transportation charges
  • ☐ Pay any remaining balances
  • ☐ Rest and recover

💌 Within the First Few Weeks

  • ☐ Send thank-you notes
  • ☐ Thank vendors who went above and beyond
  • ☐ Leave vendor reviews
  • ☐ Share wedding photos with family
  • ☐ Preserve the wedding dress
  • ☐ Preserve or dry the bouquet
  • ☐ Store wedding keepsakes
  • ☐ Order wedding albums
  • ☐ Order prints and wall art
  • ☐ Back up photos and video files
  • ☐ Update the wedding registry
  • ☐ Exchange duplicate gifts
  • ☐ Complete any legal name-change paperwork
  • ☐ Update identification and financial accounts, when applicable
  • ☐ Update emergency contacts and beneficiaries
  • ☐ Celebrate surviving the seating chart

✅ Final "Do Not Forget" List

  • ☐ Marriage license
  • ☐ Wedding rings
  • ☐ Personal vows
  • ☐ Wedding attire
  • ☐ Shoes and accessories
  • ☐ Transportation
  • ☐ Vendor payments
  • ☐ Gratuity envelopes
  • ☐ Marriage-license witnesses
  • ☐ Final guest count
  • ☐ Seating chart
  • ☐ Music selections
  • ☐ Wedding-day timeline
  • ☐ Emergency contacts
  • ☐ Overnight bags
  • ☐ Phone chargers
  • ☐ Medications
  • ☐ Food and water
  • ☐ Someone responsible for gifts and cards
  • ☐ Someone responsible for returning rentals
  • ☐ Someone responsible for personal belongings
  • ☐ Time alone together during the wedding
  • ☐ A sense of humor when something inevitably goes off-script