Ultimate Bride and Groom Wedding Checklist

We know you want everything to be perfect, but perfect doesn't have to mean chaotic. This wedding planning checklist for bride and groom breaks down every task you'll need to tackle, organized by timeline so you can pace yourself without the last-minute panic. Whether you're the type who loves checking things off lists or you need gentle reminders to stay on track, this guide will become your wedding planning lifeline.

What we love most about weddings is that no two are exactly alike, but the planning process tends to follow similar patterns. We've included insights and tips throughout to help you navigate the tricky parts and make decisions that feel right for your relationship. Save this guide, bookmark it, print it out, and share it with your partner – you'll both want to come back to it again and again.

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Bride's Wedding Checklist

As the bride, you'll likely find yourself coordinating many of the wedding details, from the big picture vision down to the smallest decorative touches. This doesn't mean you have to handle everything alone – delegate whenever possible and lean on your support system. Your standard wedding checklist focuses on the elements that typically require your direct input or decision-making, from choosing your dress to finalizing the day-of timeline. Remember, this is your day to shine, so make choices that feel authentically you.

12+ Months Before

1. Set your budget and discuss financial responsibilities
2. Choose your wedding date and book your venue
3. Start your guest list draft
4. Book your photographer and videographer
5. Research and book your caterer or reception venue
6. Find and book your officiant
7. Start shopping for your wedding dress
8. Create wedding website and registry
9. Consider hiring a wedding planner

The early months are all about securing your dream team and big-picture decisions. Don't underestimate how quickly popular venues and photographers book up, especially if you're planning a weekend wedding during peak season. When you're setting your budget, remember to build in a 10-15% cushion for unexpected expenses – trust us on this one. Also, starting your guest list early helps you choose the right venue size and gives you a realistic foundation for all your other planning decisions.

8-12 Months Before

1. Send save-the-dates
2. Book your florist
3. Choose and book your band/DJ
4. Order your wedding dress and schedule fittings
5. Book hair and makeup artists
6. Plan your honeymoon and book travel
7. Register for gifts
8. Shop for bridesmaid dresses
9. Book transportation for wedding day

This timeframe is perfect for booking vendors because you're not in panic mode yet, but you're far enough out that most vendors still have availability. When you're choosing your band or DJ, ask for videos of actual weddings they've done, not just promotional material. For your hair and makeup trial, schedule it close to an important event so you can really see how the look holds up and feels throughout a long day.

6-8 Months Before

1. Order wedding invitations
2. Plan your bridal shower
3. Schedule engagement photos
4. Book rehearsal dinner venue
5. Choose and order wedding cake
6. Start planning your bachelorette party
7. Shop for wedding shoes and undergarments
8. Research marriage license requirements

Now you're getting into the fun details that make your wedding uniquely yours. When you're ordering invitations, order about 25 more than your guest count – you'll want extras for keepsakes and unexpected plus-ones. For your engagement photos, choose outfits that photograph well but also make you feel comfortable and confident. These photos often become your favorite couple portraits, so don't overthink the styling. Your cake tasting appointments are some of the most enjoyable parts of planning, so savor them!

4-6 Months Before

1. Send wedding invitations
2. Finalize guest list and meal choices
3. Order wedding favors
4. Schedule final dress fitting
5. Book spa treatments for wedding week
6. Organize bridal shower
7. Choose ceremony and reception music
8. Plan seating arrangements

Sending invitations feels like such a milestone, and it really is! Include a link to your wedding website for easy RSVP management. When you're planning your seating chart, remember that people generally prefer to sit with others they know rather than being strategically placed to meet new people. Save yourself some stress and group friends and family members who already enjoy each other's company.

2-4 Months Before

1. Have your bachelorette party
2. Apply for marriage license
3. Finalize details with all vendors
4. Create day-of timeline
5. Write your vows
6. Confirm honeymoon reservations
7. Schedule final hair and makeup trials
8. Purchase wedding day emergency kit items

This is when things start feeling very real! When you're writing your vows, don't wait until the last minute – give yourself time to write, edit, and practice. Your day-of timeline should include buffer time between events because weddings rarely run exactly on schedule. For your emergency kit, think practical: stain remover, safety pins, tissues, breath mints, phone chargers, and comfortable flip-flops for dancing.

1-2 Months Before

1. Confirm final guest count with caterer
2. Pick up wedding dress and accessories
3. Confirm details with bridal party
4. Finalize seating chart
5. Confirm transportation arrangements
6. Pack for honeymoon
7. Schedule wedding rehearsal
8. Prepare vendor tip envelopes

The final weeks can feel overwhelming, but you're so close to the finish line! When you pick up your dress, hang it properly and steam it a day or two before the wedding. Don't pack your honeymoon bags the night before your wedding – do it earlier so you can actually relax. Prepare your vendor tip envelopes in advance with names clearly labeled so someone else can handle distribution on your wedding day.

1 Week Before

1. Get manicure and pedicure
2. Confirm all vendor arrival times
3. Pack emergency kit for wedding day
4. Give rings to officiant or ring bearer
5. Delegate day-of responsibilities to wedding party
6. Practice self-care and relaxation
7. Confirm weather backup plans
8. Prepare welcome bags for out-of-town guests

This week is all about letting go and trusting your planning. Delegate as much as possible to your wedding party and family members. If you're feeling stressed, remember that your guests are coming to celebrate your love – they won't notice if the centerpieces are slightly off-center or if dinner starts fifteen minutes late. Schedule some quiet time for yourself, whether that's a yoga class, a walk, or just a long bath.

Wedding Day

1. Start the day with a nutritious breakfast
2. Stay hydrated throughout the day
3. Take moments to be present
4. Have someone designated to handle vendor questions
5. Enjoy every moment – you've planned beautifully!

Groom's Wedding Checklist

Your role as the groom is just as important as your partner's, though your tasks might look different. You're not just along for the ride – you're an active participant in creating this celebration of your relationship. Your checklist balances supporting your partner with taking ownership of specific areas that matter to you both. 

12+ Months Before

1. Discuss and finalize budget with your partner
2. Help choose wedding date and venue
3. Start guest list for your side of family and friends
4. Research and taste-test caterers together
5. Begin shopping for wedding rings
6. Consider booking honeymoon accommodations
7. Start thinking about your groomsmen
8. Look into wedding insurance options
9. Research marriage license requirements

Early planning isn't just about booking vendors – it's about having honest conversations with your partner about what you both want this day to look like. When you're discussing the budget, talk about what matters most to each of you so you can allocate funds accordingly. Some couples prioritize photography, others focus on food and drinks, and that's perfectly fine. There's no right or wrong way to spend your wedding budget, just what feels right for your relationship.

8-12 Months Before

1. Choose your groomsmen and ask them to participate
2. Start shopping for your wedding attire
3. Help with save-the-date design and addresses
4. Research honeymoon destinations and activities
5. Book tuxedo rental or purchase your suit
6. Plan engagement party if you're having one
7. Help create wedding registry
8. Look into wedding party transportation
9. Start planning bachelor party logistics

Asking your friends to be groomsmen is one of the most meaningful parts of wedding planning. Choose people who will genuinely support you and help keep things fun and stress-free. When you're shopping for your attire, remember that you'll be wearing it for 12+ hours and in lots of photos, so comfort matters as much as style. If you're renting, book early to ensure availability in your size, especially if you need alterations.

6-8 Months Before

1. Order wedding bands and any custom engravings
2. Help with invitation wording and design decisions
3. Plan bachelor party with your groomsmen
4. Schedule engagement photos
5. Help plan and book rehearsal dinner venue
6. Coordinate groomsmen attire fittings
7. Research marriage license process in your area
8. Book wedding night accommodations
9. Start writing your vows

This phase is when you really get to put your stamp on the wedding details. When you're planning your bachelor party, consider what will actually make you happy rather than what you think you should do. Some grooms love big weekends in Vegas, others prefer a day of golf or a camping trip with friends. For your vows, start jotting down thoughts and memories now – you don't need to write the final version yet, but early brainstorming makes the process much easier later.

4-6 Months Before

1. Help address and send wedding invitations
2. Organize groomsmen accessories coordination
3. Finalize bachelor party details and arrangements
4. Assist with guest list management and RSVP tracking
5. Schedule haircut appointment for optimal timing
6. Confirm all honeymoon bookings and reservations
7. Help with seating arrangement discussions
8. Research and purchase groomsmen gifts
9. Coordinate with your partner on vendor check-ins

Your role during this phase is really about being your partner's teammate. Help with the tasks that feel overwhelming to them and take ownership of the things that matter to you. When you're organizing groomsmen accessories, keep it simple – matching ties or pocket squares work perfectly. For groomsmen gifts, think about items they'll actually use: nice bottles of whiskey, personalized flasks, or even just heartfelt handwritten notes thanking them for their friendship.

2-4 Months Before

1. Have your bachelor party celebration
2. Obtain marriage license together
3. Finalize your written vows
4. Confirm all honeymoon details and documentation
5. Schedule final tuxedo or suit fitting
6. Help confirm vendor contracts and timing
7. Select and purchase groomsmen gifts
8. Organize transportation logistics for wedding party
9. Create playlist suggestions for ceremony and reception

The bachelor party should be a celebration of your friendships and the next chapter of your life, not a stressful event to plan around. Keep it simple and focus on spending quality time with people you care about. When you're writing your vows, aim for 2-3 minutes when spoken aloud – long enough to be meaningful, short enough to keep guests engaged. Practice reading them out loud to get comfortable with the flow and emotional moments.

1-2 Months Before

1. Pick up wedding attire and all accessories
2. Ensure groomsmen have their complete outfits ready
3. Help confirm final guest count with vendors
4. Organize day-of logistics and responsibilities with groomsmen
5. Prepare cash envelopes for vendor tips
6. Pack honeymoon luggage completely
7. Coordinate bachelor party thank-you messages
8. Review ceremony logistics with officiant
9. Plan groomsmen gift presentation

This is when attention to detail really pays off. When you pick up your wedding attire, try everything on together one final time – jacket, pants, shoes, accessories – to make sure everything fits perfectly and looks cohesive. Create a simple day-of schedule for your groomsmen so everyone knows when and where to be. Most importantly, start mentally shifting from planning mode to celebration mode. You've done the work, now trust it.

1 Week Before

1. Get your haircut and any grooming appointments
2. Confirm you have wedding rings from the jeweler
3. Double-check all vendor timing with your partner
4. Pack your wedding day emergency kit
5. Run through ceremony details with the officiant
6. Delegate specific day-of tasks to groomsmen
7. Focus on rest and stress management
8. Prepare any special surprises for your partner

Your haircut should happen 3-4 days before the wedding, not the day before – this gives you time to adjust if anything needs tweaking. Your emergency kit should include things like stain remover, extra buttons, breath mints, tissues, and pain relievers. More importantly, this week is about taking care of your mental and emotional well-being. Get enough sleep, eat regular meals, and don't try to squeeze in too many last-minute tasks.

Wedding Day

1. Start the day with a nutritious breakfast
2. Help keep groomsmen on schedule and relaxed
3. Double-check you have rings and written vows
4. Stay calm and be your partner's biggest supporter
5. Take moments throughout the day to be present
6. Trust your planning and enjoy every celebration moment
7. Designate someone to handle any last-minute vendor questions
8. Focus on the joy and love you're celebrating

Remember that your main job today is to marry your best friend and have an amazing time doing it. Everything else is just details. Eat breakfast even if you're nervous – you'll need the energy for a long, exciting day. Stay present during the ceremony because it goes by incredibly fast. Most importantly, if something small goes wrong, laugh it off. In five years, you'll remember how you felt, not whether the flowers were exactly the right shade or if dinner started on time.