The Free Wedding Planning Checklist, Timeline & Spreadsheet

After the success of our wedding planning budget spreadsheet, it only made sense to create the best wedding planning checklist & timeline too!

In this wedding planning checklist, we’ve created a neatly presented timeline of absolutely everything you need to complete each month to ensure a smooth and stress-free wedding day.

Each task includes a link to the best resource we could find, whether on Bridal Musings or elsewhere, to help guide you through the task-at-hand.

You can browse the list below and revisit this page when needed, or if you prefer something more portable – we’ve also created a free PDF, as well as a free Google Sheets and Excel Version for you too.

Whether you’re just getting engaged or are deep in wedding planning mode, this practical guide will help you get started (or keep going!). So grab a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and let’s get started!

The Free Wedding Planning Checklist Spreadsheets & PDF

Free Google Sheets Wedding Planning Checklist

1. Make sure you’re logged in to Google / Gmail
2. Click here

Free Excel Spreadsheet Wedding Planning Checklist

Super straight forward, click here

Free PDF Spreadsheet Wedding Planning Checklist

Also a piece of cake, just click this here.

Free Notion Database Wedding Planning Checklist

Notion user? Us too! Click here to access the Notion version.

The Wedding Planning Checklist

Pre-Engagement Checklist

🔲 Make Sure The Time is Right

This is what the data says about how long to wait before proposing.

🔲 Find out their engagement ring style

Here’s a list of different engagement ring styles and a few tips to help get you find out their ideal ring.

🔲 Talk to your partner’s parents

Asking the parents can be a daunting task. Here are a few things to remember when asking the parents to make sure it goes off without a hitch.

🔲 Make Sure The Time is Right

This is what the data says about how long to wait before proposing.

🔲 Find Out Their Engagement Ring Style

Here’s a list of different engagement ring styles and a few tips to help get you find out their ideal ring.

🔲 Talk To Your Partner’s Parents

Asking the parents can be a daunting task. Here are a few things to remember when asking the parents to make sure it goes off without a hitch.

🔲 Buy Engagement Ring

So you’re finally ready to buy the ring! Wonderful. Before you get the credit card out, here are a few key questions to bear in mind and a list of great places to buy an engagement ring online.

🔲 Hide The Ring

When you’re getting ready to propose, the last thing you want is for your engagement ring to get lost, stolen or found by your partner! Here are a few ideas that will help keep your jewelry well hidden.

🔲 Plan Proposal And Post-Proposal Plans

Plans for a proposal can be as intricate as the proposal itself. If you’re thinking of popping the question, there are some things to keep in mind. In our Ultimate Guide to Proposing we walk you through everything you need to know.

🔲 Plan A Proposal Shoot (Or Have A Family/Friend Capture It On Camera)

How special would it be to be able to capture your proposal on camera? You could plan a proposal shoot with a professional photographer or have a friend or family member snap photos and videos. Here’s a great guide to pulling off the perfect proposal shoot.

🔲 Propose!

Enough dilly-dallying, propose already! 🙂

Just Engaged!

🔲 Enjoy The Moment, You’re Only ‘Just Engaged’ Once!

So. Many. Congrats!

🔲 Announce Your Wedding To Loved Ones

So you’ve just got engaged! Beautiful news! Now comes the fun part of telling your loved ones. How do you announce your engagement in a way that is special and memorable? Here are some ideas to get you started.

🔲 Set 2-3 Preferred Dates For Wedding

This article will help you figure out when’s the best time to say “I do.”

🔲 Discuss What Kind Of Wedding You’d Like

Here’s a list of different types of weddings to help with inspiration.

🔲 Research Wedding Locations And Reception Venues

This wonderful guide is packed with expert tips on finding the perfect venue.

12 Months Out
Wedding Planning Checklist

🔲 Budget And Decide Who Is Contributing What

I know everything in the wedding planning process seems important, but this really is. This article outlines who typically pays for what when getting married, and this spreadsheet is a helpful tool to make sure you keep all the costs in check and that there are no surprises.

🔲 Shortlist Wedding & Reception Venues, Schedule Viewings & Book Venue

Book the venue as soon as possible to have the greatest chance of getting your dream venue on your ideal date. Here’s 10 tips to choosing your wedding venue.

🔲 Pin Down Your Wedding Party And Propose To Them!

Establish who will be in your wedding party and once you know, here’s a guide to when and how to propose to them.

🔲 Create Your Wedding Website

Here’s a great rundown of everything to include on your wedding website and here’s a solid list of the best wedding website builders.

🔲 Hire A Wedding Planner

Reading this will help you decide if hiring a wedding planner is right for you, and if you do decide to hire one. And here’s a rundown of questions to ask your wedding planner.

🔲 Collect Names And Emails For Guest List

One of the trickiest & most frustrating parts of putting together a guest list is collecting everyone’s contact information to send save-the-dates and invites to! Here are a few tips to help make the process as easy as possible.

🔲 Insure The Engagement Ring

Protecting your ring with insurance is a smart decision, and it’s easy to do. Here’s a quick guide to walk you through it.

🔲 Create Your Inspiration Board(s)

Creating your wedding vision board can be so much fun! It’s a great way to get inspired and start planning your dream day. Here’s how to get the inspiration rolling and the boards set up.

🔲 Create A Wedding Health & Fitness Plan

Here’s a great 12 month wedding-specific fitness plan to get you in tip top shape.

11 Months Out

🔲 Send Save-The-Dates

Here are a few things you need to know before you send your save-the-datesand a beautiful way to send them.

🔲 Browse Wedding Dress Styles

Here’s a helpful quiz to help you decide which wedding dress style is for you.

🔲 Choose A Theme, Color Scheme And Start Thinking Of Overall Design

Pcking the theme is a great way to start thinking about the overall design. If you’re not sure where to start, fret not, here’s a guide to choosing a wedding theme to match your style.

🔲 Find And Book Appointments With Main Vendors

Here’s a wonderful run down of how to find, maintain, & use your wedding vendor list.

🔲 Book Your Ceremony Officiant

Here’s a helpful guide on how to choose the right wedding officiant.

🔲 Buy Wedding Insurance

Wedding insurance has its pros and cons, here’s how to decide if you need it and here’s how to find the best wedding insurance.

🔲 Choose Your Bridal Subscription Boxes

Not a necessity by any means but can be fun and helpful!
This post takes you through the best bridal subscription boxes available.

🔲 Prepare A Folder For Vendor Receipts And Contracts

Getting married and dealing with vendors can get messy. It’s important to make sure you’re organized and prepared for all of the paperwork and planning that goes into it.

🔲 Shop For Wedding Dresses

Here are 20 essential tips for a flawless wedding dress shopping experience, and if you’re more of an online shopper, the best places to buy your wedding dress online.

10 Months Out

🔲 Shop For Veil

Here’s a useful guide to help you choose the right wedding veil and a run down of the best places to buy veils online.

🔲 Organize The Newlyweds’ Transportation

Organising transport to-and-from the wedding venue sounds straight forward but in reality it can get complicated. Here’s a helpful guide with everything you need to know.

9 Months Out

🔲 Finalize Your Wedding Dress And Make The Purchase!

Now you’re nine months out from your special day, it’s the ideal time to make your final decision and actually buy your wedding dress.
Before you make final call, though, take a minute to make sure you’ve had all the wedding dress purchasing questions answered.

🔲 Research Honeymoon Options

The honeymoon! Such a beautiful time… but it can be stressful to plan and there’s so many destinations to choose from. This list will give you some great ideas for honeymoon spots.

🔲 Ask Wedding Party To Schedule Bachelor / Bachelorette Parties

If they haven’t already spoken to you about them, it’s time to nudge your maid of honor and best man about planning the bachelorette and bachelor parties! Here’s 101 bachelorette party themes and 47 bachelor party ideas. You could also consider a joint bachelor/bachelorette party.

🔲 Shop For Shoes And Accessories

The perfect pair of shoes can take your outfit from beautiful to stunning. Check out our guides to the best places to shop for wedding shoes online and accessories online.

8 Months Out

🔲 Register For Gifts

With all the planning, don’t forget to register for gifts! This will make it easy for your guests to know what to get you. Here’s a guide to the best wedding registry platforms for gifts, cash, honeymoons & charity.

🔲 Choose Bridal Party Attire And Accessories

And you thought picking your wedding dress was tough! 🙂 Here’s a great overview of how to dress the bridal party.

🔲 Meet With Florist To Finalise Flowers

Flowers are an important part of your wedding. But what do you do if you’re unsure what flowers to choose? Or how many to order? Don’t worry, we’re here to help with 22 questions to ask your florist! .

🔲 Book Hotel-Room Blocks For Guests

Particularly important if you’re having a destination wedding! Here’s a guide to what Room blocks are and some key tips.

7 Months Out

🔲 Design Or Purchase Wedding Invitations (If Paper Invitations)

Here are the best places to buy wedding invitations, stationery online.

🔲 Order Rental Items

This guide will give you some essential tips on what items you should really consider renting.

🔲 Book The Rehearsal-Dinner Venue

6 Months Out

🔲 Book Wedding Night Accommodation

Don’t forget to book your wedding night accommodation! It can be a lot of fun to spend your first night as husband and wife in a romantic setting.

🔲 Get Tastings Underway For The Wedding Cake And Order It

🔲 Finalise Who Is Giving Speeches

Here’s a great run down on everything speeches, including when the speeches take place, how long they should last and more.

🔲 Hire A Lighting Designer

🔲 Schedule Date & Location For Bridal Shower / Bachelorette Party

🔲 Schedule Date & Location For Bachelor Party / Stag Do

🔲 Plan For Day After Wedding

As you plan your wedding, it’s easy to forget about what comes immediately after. The day after the wedding, you’ll likely be feeling tired and perhaps, a little bit hungover so whatever you plan (and here are some ideas), go easy on yourselves!

5 Months Out

🔲 Buy Or Rent The Groom’s Tuxedo

For the groom, it’s time to shop for your tuxedo! And we’re here to help make the process as easy and stress-free as possible. This guide is a wonderful run through everything you need to know and here are the best places to buy or rent a tux online.

🔲 Book Transportation For Guests

🔲 Book The Honeymoon & Create Honeyfund

If you’re planning on going on honeymoon right after the wedding, it’s time to get it booked! You can also create a honeyfund to help pay for your trip.

🔲 Begin Premarital Counseling

🔲 Research Rehearsal Dinner Venues

Whether you’re planning a small, intimate gathering or a larger celebration, finding the right venue for your rehearsal dinner can be a stress. Here’s a helfpul guide.

4 Months Out

🔲 Send Out Wedding Invitations & Rehearsal Dinner Invitations

🔲 Schedule Necessary Time Off From Work

Four months out is ample time to give notice to your company that you’re going to need a few days off. To ensure the request goes smoothly, The Art of Requesting Time Off is a must ready.

🔲 Have Your Final Tasting With The Caterer

🔲 Buy Wedding Rings

It’s time to get those wedding rings purchased. Rings can be a big expense and you’re going to be wearing it for life, so it’s no small decision. Here’s 7 key things to remember before buying your wedding ring and here are the 18 best places to buy wedding rings online.

🔲 Select The Wedding Party Attire And Schedule Fittings

🔲 Hair And Makeup Trial & Book Stylist

A trial run with a hair and makeup artist will help ensure that you look your best on your big day. And be sure to book a stylist who can help create the perfect look for your wedding day book. Here are 10 tips to make the most of your hair and make up trial.

🔲 Create A Song List For Ceremony And Reception

🔲 Select Attire For Your Flower Girls And Ring Bearer

3 Months Out

🔲 Meet With Your Officiant

🔲 Create Or Order Wedding Favors & Gift Bags

Wedding favors are a long tradition and a lovely way to thank your guests for their attendance on your special day. But what do you put in them? Here are some ideas for both store-bought and DIY favors, as well as gift bags for out-of-town guests. And here are the best places to buy them online.

🔲 Collate RSVP’s And Call Guests Who Haven’t Sent A Response

🔲 Order Alcohol And Beverages

These are just a few points to consider, this guide has more factors to bear mind. You’ll also find this calculator very handy.

🔲 Decide On A Wet Weather Contingency Plan If Outdoors

Book A Photo-Booth Rental (Or Something Similar)

Photo booths are a great way to get everyone in on the fun, and they can be a great way to capture memories of your special day.

🔲 Select Readings

🔲 Start Crafting DIY Items If You Haven’t Already

Here’s a great round up of DIY ideas to consider.

🔲 Have Fun At Your Bachelor/Bachelorette Party!

2 Months Out

🔲 Confirm Date, Time, And Venue With All Your Vendors

🔲 Purchase A Guest Book & Don’t Forget Lots Of Pens!

A guest book is a wonderful way to keep track of who attends your wedding and to provide a space for well-wishes.

🔲 Organize Cake Servers, Candles, Small Decor & Details

🔲 Finalize Decor And Run Through With Wedding Coordinator/Planner

The big day is fast approaching, and there are still a few things to take care of. First, finalize the decor and dig up the best places to buy wedding decorations online.

🔲 First Dress Fitting

🔲 Purchase Wedding Dress Undergarments

Here’s a helpful a guide on finding the perfect underwear to wear under your wedding dress.

🔲 Write Your Wedding Vows

🔲 Apply For Your Marriage License

🔲 Buy Wedding Party Gifts

This isn’t a must but it is a thoughtful way to thank your wedding party for all their time & energy. Here’s everything you need to know.

🔲 Give The Song Selections To Your Band Or DJ

🔲 Set Up Appointments For Any Beauty / Grooming Eg. Teeth Whitening, Hair Colour Etc.

🔲 Design And Order Your Wedding Programs

Here’s a guide to everything to consider when creating your wedding program.

1 Month Out

🔲 Have Your Final Dress Fitting

Here’s a great run through of everything to bear in mind for your final dress fitting.

🔲 Pick Up Your Marriage License

🔲 Assemble Gift Bags

🔲 Break In Your Wedding Shoes

You’ll be thankful you did! Here are 7 useful tips & tricks to make sure you’re comfortable on your special day.

🔲 Buy Lingerie For Your Wedding And Honeymoon

🔲 Create A Seating Chart

Here are 15 unique seating charts to welcome your guests with a wow.

🔲 Finalize Number Of Tables And Centerpieces

🔲 Confirm Final Headcount & Seating Plan With Your Venue And Caterer

🔲 Review Music List With Your DJ Or Wedding Band

Here are 10 tips to planning your wedding music.

🔲 Confirm Reservations For The Honeymoon

🔲 Set Aside Tips In Small Envelopes For Your Vendors

🔲 Make Sure Groomsmen Have Clothes In Order

🔲 Remind Everyone (Including Yourself) To Prepare Speeches!

🔲 Order Or Make Escort Cards And Place Cards

🔲 Have A Final Venue Walk-Through

Make a list of all the questions you need to ask and take someone with you who can help you remember everything.

🔲 Book A Manicure And Pedicure

🔲 Have A Bridal Shower

If you’re having a bridal shower, now is the time to do it! Here are 30 bridal shower game ideas to keep the guests entertained and mingling.

The Final Week

🔲 Send A Wedding Day Checklist And Timeline To Your Bridal Party

🔲 Clear Your Work To-Do List So You Can Only Focus On Wedding Festivities And Take It All In

🔲 Confirm Drop Off Times And Locations With ALL Vendors

This will help ensure that everything arrives on time and in the right place.

🔲 Pay Up All Vendors

🔲 Groom To Book Haircut For Day Before Wedding

🔲 Get Your Hair Done

Whether you’re opting for a traditional updo or something a little more modern, your stylist will be able to help you achieve the perfect look – here’s some inspiration we think you’ll love.

🔲 Have A Ceremony Rehearsal And Rehearsal Dinner.

🔲 Getting Your Eyebrows Done

🔲 Have A Manicure/Pedicure

🔲 Having A Massage – Perhaps Couples Massage?

🔲 Pack For Honeymoon

🔲 Clean Your Ring

A quick clean just before the big day will help it look its best. Here’s a helpful guide to how to ensure your ring is in great shape for the day you tie the knot.

🔲 Practice Your Vows Out Loud

🔲 Get A Wax

If that’s your thing.

🔲 Put Any Boxes, Suitcases, Bags To Bring To The Ceremony Or Reception In The Car

🔲 If You’re Staying At A Hotel/The Venue Pack Clothes For The Day After

The Day Before The Wedding

Prepare Wedding Dress And Accessories.

Hang your dress and check for any stains or wrinkles and once you have decided on the items you will wear, lay them out in an easily accessible place so you can get dressed quickly on the day of the wedding.

Pack An Emergency Kit.

It’s important to remember to pack an emergency kit for the big day. Here’s everything you should consider including in your emergency kit the day before your wedding.

Get Excited – Soak It In – You Are About To Marry The Love Of Your Life!

Day of The Wedding

One of the most important aspects of planning a wedding is the timeline for both the ceremony and the reception. So to avoid convoluting this month-by-month checklist, we’ve created separate timelines specifically for the wedding ceremony here and a timeline for the reception here.

After The Wedding

Have Your Wedding Dress Cleaned And Preserved

Whatever you end up doing with your wedding dress, having it cleaned and preserved is essential.

Send Thank You Cards

Give Your In-Laws And Parents A Gift

Gather Photos From Friends & Family

Consider Selling Your Wedding Dress

If you’re not interested in keeping it as a memento, you may want to consider selling your wedding dress. There are a number of reasons why selling your dress can be a good idea. Here’s how to do it and the best platforms to do it.

Freeze The Wedding Cake

Choose What To Do With The Leftover Food, Flowers And Decor

While it can be tempting to throw it all away, there are actually a lot of things you can do with it.

Reuse Leftover Wedding Favors

Ensure You’ve Paid And Tipped All Your Vendors

Leave Vendor Reviews

Here are some helpful points to consider when leaving a vendor review.

Change Names

It isn’t as easy as it should be! Here’s a helpful guide.

Day of The Wedding

One of the most important aspects of planning a wedding is the timeline for both the ceremony and the reception. So to avoid convoluting this month-by-month checklist, we’ve created separate timelines specifically for the wedding ceremony here and a timeline for the reception here.