Planning a wedding can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. To keep you cool, calm and collected, we’ve put together a wedding to-do list that will be there every step of the way.

12+ MONTHS 

  • Announce your engagement to all your loved ones!
  • Start the wedding budget discussion
  • Pick a date for the big day (or up to 3 options)
  • Assign tasks to all parties involved in the wedding – this is a good time to enlist the help of friends and family
  • Send out your ‘save the date’ announcement
  • Decide on your wedding style / theme
  • Start researching wedding dress and veil styles / tuxedos and suits
  • Begin compiling a guest list
  • Assemble your wedding party: maid of honour and bridesmaids, best man and groomsmen, flower girl and ring bearer
  • Arrange an initial meeting with your minister or priest to set a date for the wedding OR if you’re having a civil ceremony, then book the registry office or civil venue
  • Look into ceremony and reception venue options that suit both the groom and bride
  • Get engagement ring insured and consider purchasing wedding insurance
  • Build your team of wedding professionals: planner, caterer, videographer, photographer, florist, and band/DJ
  • Optional: turn to social media and create wedding and style boards on Pinterest! And have an engagement party.

8 - 10 MONTHS 

  • Reserve your chosen ceremony and reception venues 
  • Research and reserve accommodations for guests
  • Schedule dress fittings
  • Meet and hire all your wedding professionals: photographer, videographer, caterer, DJ/band, florist, and planner
  • Choose bridal party attire and accessories
  • Book officiant 
  • Order the rings
  • Create a wedding website and wedding registry
  • Review your wedding planning checklist 

6 MONTHS 

  • Personalise and order your wedding invitations
  • Purchase wedding dress, veil and undergarments / tuxedo & suit + accessories 
  • Decide on your cake style and schedule tastings
  • Decide on groomsmen attire and choose bridesmaids’ dresses 
  • Start planning hen and/or stag parties – if you’re involved in the process!
  • Explore wedding day hair and makeup styles
  • Meet with officiant to discuss plans for ceremony

4 MONTHS 

  • Post your wedding invitations
  • Meet with florist to discuss options 
  • Order wedding cake
  • Finalise wedding guest list
  • Start gathering addresses for guest list - create spreadsheet for RSVPs
  • Organise the legalities — give at least 3 months’ notice to registrar or priest/religious celebrant
  • Decide on prayers, readings and music for ceremony booklets — check with your priest / registrar 
  • Plan a makeup trial and book a makeup artist
  • Sort out and book wedding transport

3 MONTHS

  • Arrange for your initial wedding dress fitting
  • Plan the wedding menu with your caterer
  • Finalise reception menu
  • Order menu cards and wedding favours
  • Select hymns and decide on order of service - choose appropriate wedding music and/or readings 
  • Finalise honeymoon plans and ensure all documents are in order
  • Plan ceremony and reception seating

2 MONTHS

  • Create a system for organising RSVPs
  • Start writing your vows – this applies to both the bride and groom
  • Review ceremony details with officiant
  • Order and lay out the content for wedding programs
  • Apply for marriage license
  • Finalise seating arrangements
  • Finalise fittings for wedding party and family

1 MONTH

  • Have final wedding dress / suit fittings (with shoes & undergarments) arrange to pick up the garments
  • Make any last-minute adjustments with suppliers
  • Review final RSVP list and call any guests who have not yet responded
  • Call all vendors to confirm date, times and location
  • Confirm honeymoon reservations and start packing!
  • Pick up wedding rings and marriage license
  • Finalise seating plan and write place cards

2 WEEKS

  • Wear your wedding shoes on carpets round the house to break them in – the groom should do the same!
  • Give final head count to caterer
  • Finalise playlists with DJ/band/ceremony musicians
  • Send directions to wedding day transportation driver

WEDDING WEEK 

  • Prepare final payments to vendors + cash tips for service personnel
  • Confirm that your suppliers know what they're delivering, where they're delivering it and when it should arrive
  • Give ceremony and reception site managers a schedule of vendor delivery and setup times, plus emergency contact numbers
  • Book in for a spa treatment & all your beauty prep – this applies to both the bride and groom
  • Do full wedding dress rehearsal – the same applies to the groom
  • Check everyone in the wedding party knows what responsibilities they have and give vendors / suppliers emergency contact details

THE DAY BEFORE 

  • Ensure the cake is on track to be delivered to reception venue – delegate this task to someone else!
  • Rehearse ceremony with full wedding party, ceremony readers and your officiant at the ceremony site to rehearse and iron out details
  • Get a good night’s sleep!

THE BIG DAY 

  • Hand over wedding bands to the best man to hold during the ceremony, as well as the officiant's fee envelope, to be given after the ceremony
  • Eat a good breakfast 
  • Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready and relax!