Wedding Planner

Tick the boxes with our wedding checklist

It can be stressful not having certainty you have everything organised, so the longer you have to plan all the details and the earlier you start, the less stressed you’ll feel. The Event Boutique has created this checklist as a guide to all the tasks you’ll need to plan your big day. 10–12 MONTHS PRIOR

Announce your engagement

Set the wedding date

Create your budget

Create your guest list and estimate numbers

Contact a wedding planner and/or stylist or research hire companies and products

Choose your wedding party

Decide on wedding party colours and style

Book appointments with bridal stores to try bridal gowns

RESEARCH AND BOOK THE FOLLOWING:

Venue or ceremony and reception locations Celebrant or minister

Caterer

Photographer/videographer

All hire furniture and décor

Florals (through florist or your stylist) Entertainment: Band or DJ

Send out-of-town guests ‘save the date’ and information about accommodation

6–10 MONTHS PRIOR

Book hairdresser and arrange a trial

Book makeup artist and arrange a trial

Choose bridesmaids dresses, accessories

Choose groom and groomsmen attire

Choose flowergirl and pageboy attire

Colour coordinate parents attire

Confirm the ceremony start time

Create a wedding website, or research invitation styles and printers

Set up a gift registry

Meet stylist for concept, décor and florals

Have engagement ring appraised, insured

Book all beauty appointments: nails, facials, tanning, lashes, groom’s shave

4–6 MONTHS PRIOR

Order wedding rings

Research honeymoon locations and costs

Book pre-wedding accommodation

Book wedding night accommodation

Finalise guest list

Book all furniture/décor if hiring

Arrange tasting and book wedding cake

Book wedding vehicles

Select music for ceremony and first dance

Book dance lessons for first dance

Book ceremony musicians

Book chiller trailer and finalise beverages

If BYO, start buying or place order

Decide if having favours and order or source products, and arrange to make

2–4 MONTHS PRIOR

Select menu and organise a tasting (if ordered by caterer) Decide on other dessert options, look into lolly or dessert table

Arrange rehearsal, book dinner and invite family, wedding party and guests

Create invite list for hens, bucks functions

(maid of honour and best man to organise)

Buy gifts for attendants, parents, fiancé

Start breaking in your wedding shoes

Select friends/family for ceremony readings, speeches, ushers

Choose your MC

Confirm date and details with all suppliers

Start writing your ceremony with officiant

Arrange guest book, photo/selfie station, ringbox/ pillow, favours and something old, something borrowed, something blue

Buy all bridal accessories

Buy any shapewear and lingerie

Finalise florals

Order printed invitations, and address envelopes

6–8 WEEKS PRIOR

Send invitations

Organise your marriage licence

Book the honeymoon

Get advice from your lawyer about updating your Will Book final dress fittings

Collect wedding rings and have engraved

Start writing wedding vows

Create playlists if not using live musicians

Create the timeline for your day

3–6 WEEKS PRIOR

Organise seating plan

Discuss song choices with the band

Create a list of all items you’re supplying, arrange a delivery day/time with the venue

- all hire items, decorations and florals

- games, guest book, stationery, favours

If not working with a stylist, ensure you discuss the access, setup and pack-down times with your venue, and arrange helpers

Create a list of tasks prior to, and on the day of the wedding, and who will help, i.e.

- take flowers/cake topper to cake maker

- collect bridal flowers on the day and deliver - manage ceremony music playlist

- ensure guest book is signed by all guests

- collect presents, remaining cake, florals, all hire and supplied items, after wedding

1 WEEK PRIOR

Confirm final guest numbers to caterer

Give photographer list of images/guests

Write a personal thank you to parents

Create wedding day kit (aspirin, mints, hairpins, safety pins, deodorant, lip gloss)

Begin packing for honeymoon

Advise ushers of seating requirements

Give marriage licence to celebrant

Give attendants gifts at rehearsal dinner

1–2 DAYS AHEAD

Greet all out-of-town guests

Pack everything for ceremony/venue Arrange a date night and exchange gifts