Your Wedding Planning Checklist
14-12 MONTHS BEFORE
Work Out Your Budget
A good place to start with your planning is to determine how much money you want to spend on the big day. That way you can book vendors that suit your budget.
Collect Inspiration
Pinterest and Instagram are always good places to start to collect inspiration. Magazines such as Together Journal also display stunning real weddings and styled shoots.
Book your venue and lock down your wedding date.
Venues generally get booked out quite far in advance so it is a good idea to lock in a venue and date so that you can plan around it and work to a timeline.
Choose your wedding party.
If you are having a bridal party it is a good idea to let them know sooner rather than later so that they can help with the planning of the wedding.
Hire a photographer, videographer, florist, caterer, band, and other must-have wedding vendors.
Keep in mind that the best event pros tend to book up over a year in advance.
9 MONTHS BEFORE
Purchase a dress, suit, jumpsuit, or your wedding outfit of choice
Some dresses will need to be custom made or altered to fit. It pays to start looking at least 9 months before the big day
Send out save the dates
It is good to send out a save the date if you are getting married at a peak time of year. This also ensures overseas guests can arrange travel.
Reserve accommodation for the night before and after the wedding
If you are having an out of town wedding make sure you book somewhere for yourself and bridal party to get ready. It also pays to remind guests to book accommodation in advance.
6 MONTHS BEFORE
Select and purchase invitations
Here at Sequoia, all of our wedding packages include a customised wedding invitation set by Ellen Studio.
Start planning your honeymoon
Make sure that your passports are up to date, and book accommodation in advance for busy destinations.
Shop for bridal party outfits
Allow at least six months for the suits/dresses to be ordered and sized.
Meet with the celebrant
Map out the plan and tone for the ceremony and confirm that you have all the official documents for the wedding
Compose a day-of timeline.
Draw up a schedule of the event and slot in each component (the cake-cutting, the first dance). If you have a planner, he/she/they will assist with this.
3-4 MONTHS BEFORE
Taste and order the wedding cake.
Set your music playlist.
Finalise the menu and flowers.
Make a list of the people giving toasts.
Finalise the readings.
Finalise the order of the ceremony and the reception.
Print menu cards
Purchase the rings.
Send your event schedule to every vendor.
2 MONTHS BEFORE
Touch base again with all the hired pros.
Make sure any questions you or they had on your first draft have been answered.
Enjoy a bachelor/bachelorette party
Arranging a night out with your friends is a fun way to celebrate and for friends and family to meet before the big day.
ONE MONTH BEFORE
Get your marriage license
The process can take up to six days, but it’s good to give yourself some leeway. If you are changing your name, order several copies.
Visit the tailor for your last outfit fitting
Send out as many final payments to vendors as you can
Confirm times for hair and makeup and all vendors
Assign seating
Write your vows, if necessary
WEEK OF THE WEDDING
Reconfirm arrival times with vendors
Delegate small wedding-day tasks
Send a timeline to the wedding party
Pick up your dress or suit
Have your beauty treatments
Send the final guest list to the caterer
Break-in your shoes
Pack for your honeymoon