The countdown is on until your big day and your head is spinning with all those last minute things you’re afraid you’re going to forget. Have no fear, here’s a step by step wedding planning timeline from 3 months to after the big day all in one place to help you pull off the best day ever!

3 Months Before

• Book beauty appointments

• Arrange a wishing well & guest signing book

• Organise a table for wedding certificate signing if the venue doesn’t provide one

• Accessories & shoes for wedding party

• Oufits & accessories for the little people in your bridal part (basket for the flower girl & box or pillow for the ring bearer to carry the rings in)

• Book your fitting/alterations appointments

• Dance lessons for first dance

• Hire a photobooth

• Line up gifts for loved ones

• Send your invitations (please order 2-4 months in advance)

• Order your on the day stationery (place cards, menus, table numbers, order of ceremony booklets) and signage such as welcome sign, seating chart, bar sign & small signage (in memory, guest book, wishing well, photo booth etc.). Do this even if you haven’t finalised the guest list and menu. Your stationer (I can help!) can use placeholder text in the meantime.

• Organise signage stands for all of your signs

2 Months Before

• Create a Wedding Music Playlist (and maybe Do Not Play List) & which songs will be played for entrance, first dance, last song etc. Provide your DJ or band a run-sheet so they can play the right songs at the right time

• Organise a spare pair of comfortable shoes in case your feet get sore

• Check when final payments are needed for all vendors

• Lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) if you haven’t already

• Create your table plan

• Arrange any special under garments for your dress

6 weeks Before

• Review final RSVP list and call any guests who have not yet responded

• Finalise your menu & drinks list & table plan

• Your wedding stationery designer will need these details so they can organise the final artwork for your on the day stationery/signage and send it to print

• Create a shot list & schedule with your photographer & videographer

1 Month Before

• Write & practise speeches and ask the people who you’d like to give a speech as well

• Write & practise your vows

• Write your fiancé or fiancée a love letter

• Craft a timeline/run-sheet. Include vendors’ bump in/out times too and send to all of your suppliers

• Break in your shoes daily. Practise walking & your first dance in your shoes

• Button down tops or robes for when the bride and bridal party getting ready (don’t undo your HMUA’s lovely work!)

• Confirm your arrangements with vendors & finalise your payments with them

• Have an outfit run-through with entire wedding party to see if you’re happy with everyone’s outfits, accessories, shoes & colours

• Get your Something Old, New, Borrowed, & Blue

• Be sure your pets are taken care of

• Supply wedding coordinator with a list of supplier requests such as a table for DJ or setup space needed by florist.

• Have final wedding dress/suit fitting

2 Weeks Before the Wedding

• Give your venue/caterer final head count

• Breakfast & lunch for everyone while getting ready

• Getting ready playlist

• Designate ushers, gift caretakers, a wedding document guard, people hustler for photos (provide them with portrait list), someone to collect flowers & wedding rentals at the end of the night

• Plan your gown transportation. How is your gown getting to the site? Check with your venue to see if you can bring it a day early so you can get it out of the bag and breathing before the big day. 

• Have a plan for storing your personal items

• Clean your rings

1 Week Before the Wedding

• Call all wedding suppliers to confirm arrangements

• Give ceremony and reception site managers a schedule of vendor delivery and setup times, plus contact numbers.

• Get manicure, massage, waxing and all your other preening and prep.

• Do full wedding dress rehearsal from underwear to veil

• Pack an overnight bag for the reception

• Pack for the honeymoon or mini mooon

• Get your ‘emergency kit’ together

• Cheap sparkling wine for photos

2-3 Days Before the Wedding

• Make last-minute changes to table plan if necessary

• Print off run-sheet, and the main suppliers’ contact details. Give copies to your best man and maid of honour

• Organise a time during your wedding day to be alone with your spouse

• Confirm pick-up times with wedding transportation. Get the transportation’s driver's number and share it with the bridal party. Likewise, give your driver the maid of honor and best man's numbers (or possibly a list of the entire party). Supply driver with printed directions as well

• Practice your kiss!

The Day Before the Wedding

• Drop off place cards, table cards, menus, favours, table plan to reception coordinator

• Provide all wedding professionals with an emergency phone number to call on the day of the wedding.

• Sort out payment for any final balances to be paid at the end of the reception

• Ensure the cake is on track to be delivered to reception venue - have someone else look after this one!

• Rehearse ceremony with full wedding party, ceremony readers, your officiant at the ceremony site to rehearse and iron out details.

• Organise your love letter to be delivered to your future husband or wife!

• Get a good night’s rest!

The Wedding Day Checklist!

• Give your gifts to your parents, best man/bridesmaid

• Flowers delivered to where the bride is getting ready - buttonholes may need to be brought to the guys

• Give wedding bands to the best man or ring bearer to hold during the ceremony

• Introduce your reception coordinator to your wedding planner (if you're having one), or bridesmaid/best man for questions or problems during the reception

After the big day

• Return any wedding rentals

• Clean and preserve your wedding dress

• Review your wedding vendors online

• Order and send thank you cards to your guests

Please leave a comment if you have any other ideas to add to the list or if you’d like me to create a printable checklist. Also, please get in touch if you need help you with your invitations, on the day stationery/signage or thank you cards!

Thanks for reading, Alana x