When should I start planning my wedding?
Most couples start planning 12–18 months before the wedding date. The first tasks — setting a budget, choosing a date, and booking a venue — should happen 12+ months out since popular venues book up quickly.
What is the most important thing to do first?
Set your budget first. Everything else — venue, guest count, vendors — flows from what you can afford. Use our
free budget template to split your total across all categories before booking anything.
How many tasks are involved in planning a wedding?
A typical wedding involves 50–80 planning tasks spread across 12+ months. This checklist organizes them into 6 phases so nothing falls through the cracks — from booking the venue to sending thank-you notes.
What should I do the week of my wedding?
The week of your wedding, confirm all vendor arrival times and setup details, break in your shoes, prepare tips and final payments in labeled envelopes, finalize your seating chart, and delegate day-of responsibilities to your wedding party or coordinator.