wedding planning checklistKnow what's next, every month.
A month-by-month wedding planning checklist, from a year out to the week of. Use it as it is, or let Coco turn it into tasks with due dates based on your wedding date, shared with your partner.
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what coco does
How Coco helps
Tasks with due dates
Add tasks with priorities and due dates, assign them to you or your partner, and check them off together.
One shared calendar
Tasks, payment due dates and your important dates all appear on one calendar, so nothing's buried in a list.
A checklist made for your date
With Coco AI, ask Coco what to do next and it suggests tasks based on your wedding date and what's already booked.
Linked to your vendors
Connect tasks to the vendors they're about, and keep notes on each one, so every follow-up has its context.
month by month
Your wedding planning timeline
This is a typical timeline for a wedding planned about a year ahead. If you have less time, that's fine. Do the first few sections together, starting with the venue.
12+ months before
- Agree on your total budget and rough guest count
- Pick a date range and the kind of wedding you want
- Visit and book your venue
- Start your guest list
- Book anything that books up early where you live, often the photographer and caterer
9–12 months before
- Book the photographer, videographer and caterer
- Book your band or DJ and your officiant
- Shop for your wedding attire
- Set up a wedding website
- Send save-the-dates, especially for travel or holiday weekends
6–9 months before
- Book the florist, hair and makeup, and rentals
- Choose your wedding party
- Plan and book travel for the honeymoon
- Book a room block if guests are traveling
4–6 months before
- Order invitations
- Book transportation
- Do a menu tasting and choose your cake
- Plan the ceremony with your officiant
- Buy wedding rings
2–3 months before
- Mail invitations (about 6–8 weeks out)
- Schedule dress fittings and alterations
- Do a hair and makeup trial
- Write a day-of timeline and share it with vendors
- Check the marriage license requirements where you're marrying
1 month before
- Chase RSVPs and give the final count to your caterer and venue
- Finish the seating chart
- Get your marriage license
- Confirm arrival times and details with every vendor
- Prepare final payments and tips
The week of
- Pack for the wedding and honeymoon
- Hand off the timeline and vendor contacts to a point person
- Put tips and final payments in labeled envelopes
- Rest. The planning is done.
good questions
Wedding Planning Checklist: common questions
When should we start planning our wedding?+
Many couples start about 12 to 18 months ahead, mostly because popular venues and vendors book up early. Weddings can be planned in much less time; you'll just have fewer choices of date and vendor.
What should we book first?+
Set your budget and rough guest count first, then book the venue. The venue fixes your date and capacity, which every other vendor depends on.
Can Coco make a checklist for our wedding date?+
Yes. With Coco AI, ask Coco what you should be doing now and it will suggest tasks with due dates based on your wedding date and what's already booked, which you can add to your list in one click.
Is Coco's wedding checklist free?+
Yes. Tasks, due dates, the calendar and sharing with your partner are all part of Coco's free plan.
ready when you are
Your wedding,
one less worry.
Free forever plan · No credit card needed