ImmedIately after gettIng engaged
Announce your engagement on social media.
Have the money talk with your ancé, your parents
and the groom’s parents to determine who plans to
contribute to the budget.
Get inspired. Start collecting bridal magazines, pinning
on Pinterest and perusing ArkansasBride.com.
Create a wedding binder or buy a wedding organizer.
Print these helpful tools:
Wedding Planning Checklist
Wedding Budget Spreadsheet
Gown Buying Guide
Wedding Day Timeline & Checklist
Bridal Registry Checklist
Insure your engagement ring.
15 months+
Fill out a budget.
Compile a guest list draft. You can’t book a venue if
you don’t have an estimate number of guests in mind.
Tour potential wedding venues.
Interview prospective photographers.
Meet with wedding planners and event designers.
Start choosing your wedding party.
Have you insured your ring, yet?
Wedding Planning Checklist
12 months
Finalize your budget.
Work on the guest list.
Hire a wedding planner or designer.
Decide on a venue.
Book your photographer.
Start looking for a wedding gown.
Formally ask your wedding party to take part.
Schedule engagement photography.
Begin a tness regimen.
Schedule regular beauty treatments: facials, massages,
Botox, etc.
11 months
Secure your venues with deposits,
if you haven’t already.
Take engagement photos.
Determine your wedding style: choose your colors
and/or theme.
Stay organized with our wedding worksheets.
Find out about trunk shows and sample sales at local
bridal boutiques.
10 months
Build a wedding website.
Attend a bridal fair or event.
Continue wedding dress shopping.
Research hotels for out-of-town guests.
Hire an ofciant.
Get caterer quotes and begin tastings.
Research bakeries; schedule 1-3 cake tastings.
6-9 months
Order your wedding dress.
Book a caterer.
Order wedding cakes.
Hire a orist.
Book the videographer.
Reserve the DJ or band for your reception.
Secure ceremony musicians.
Research honeymoon destinations.
Shop for wedding bands. Order custom bands now.
Send save-the-dates.
Reserve a block of rooms for guests.
4-5 months
Register for wedding gifts.
Order your wedding invitations.
Book honeymoon plans.
Make sure plans are underway for the rehearsal dinner.
Draft a rehearsal dinner guest list.
Buy wedding bands.
Shop for wedding party thank you gifts.
Pick out wedding shoes, veil, headpiece, garter and any
other accessories you might need.
Research transportation for the wedding day.
3 months
Order custom thank you notes.
Book bridal beauty treatments. Schedule these a safe
distance from the big day incase of unexpected reactions.
Finalize menu with caterer.
Order beer, wine and/or liquor now to ensure you get
the best price. Discuss your needs with a liquor store
manager for bulk discounts and deals on certain brands.
Buy wedding favors.
Add items to your wedding registry, if incomplete.
Begin gown ttings and alterations. Your gown should
arrive this month. Bring your shoes and accessories.
Book transportation services.
2 months
Mail the wedding invitations.
Check in with all wedding vendors to conrm dates,
plans and ask questions.
Create a photo checklist or review the list provided
by your photographer. Discuss your wishes with the
photographer.
Do a hair and makeup run-through.
Take your bridal portraits.
Order all programs, menus, place cards, table numbers,
etc. for the reception.
Marriage license can now be obtained.
Remember, it’s only valid for 60 days.
Be sure your wedding website is up-to-date.
Continue gown ttings.
Buy your outt for the rehearsal dinner.
Wedding Planning Checklist
1 month
Enjoy your bridal shower(s) and bachelorette party.
Have a nal meeting or phone call with photographer.
Now’s a good time to check in with your wedding
planner and/or day-of coordinator.
Schedule a nal walk-through at your venue(s).
Print programs, menus, place cards, table numbers, etc.
Get your marriage license, if you haven’t already.
2 Weeks out
Call and conrm any unconrmed guests (optional).
Give nal headcount to the caterer and bar service
providers.
Provide nal headcount to reception venue.
Conrm rehearsal and rehearsal dinner plans.
Do you have the marriage license yet?
Finalize ceremony readings and vows with ofciant.
Write and mail any bridal shower thank you notes
left to send.
Week of
Email a rehearsal schedule to those obligated to attend.
Email a wedding day timeline to the wedding party,
house party and close family.
Be sure your wedding website is updated for guest.
Begin to relax.
Host a bridesmaids luncheon (the weekend before or a
few days before the wedding) to thank your bridal party;
present thank you gifts at this time.
Designate a point person for the wedding day to answer
vendor and guest questions, troubleshoot issues that
may arise and pay gratuities. Be sure to tell your
vendors, family, wedding party and out-of-town guests
who this point person will be.
day of
Download our Wedding Day Timeline & Checklist
for a complete guide to your big day!
2 Weeks later
Preserve your wedding gown.
Return duplicate or unwanted wedding gifts.
Send thank you notes.
Make sure all vendor balances are paid in full, and all
gratuities have been shared.
Notes
Wedding Planning Checklist