From the moment you say “yes”, to the morning of your wedding, planning the big day can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Whether you’re dreaming of a traditional wedding close to home or a romantic destination wedding, having a clear game plan is one of the top tips we can offer. That’s where this comprehensive guide comes in: a thoughtfully curated the ultimate wedding day checklist designed to keep you on track and ensure every detail — big or small — is beautifully accounted for.

Planning a wedding is a beautiful journey — but with so many moving parts, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. From booking your wedding venue to choosing the perfect wedding dress, there are countless decisions to make before you walk down the aisle.

That’s why we’ve created this ultimate wedding day checklist — a detailed, practical tool to guide you through every stage of your planning process. Whether you’re hosting a destination wedding or a cozy celebration close to home, this list will help ensure nothing important slips through the cracks. It will keep you focused on the important details, while making space for you to enjoy the magic of planning your special day.

BIG-PICTURE PLANNING

Before you dive into the finer details, start with the essentials:

Set your wedding date: Choose a season and time frame that reflects your wedding style and gives you plenty of time to plan.

Create your wedding budget: This will guide almost every other decision.

Draft your guest list: Knowing your guest count helps narrow down the perfect wedding venue and set the tone.

Consider hiring a wedding planner or a day-of coordinator — both are a great idea to keep things running smoothly.

Begin researching and booking major vendors like your wedding photographer, makeup artist, and caterer. Lock in a time slot for your engagement photo session too!

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8-12 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

This is the ideal time to make some of the most important decisions:

Finalize your wedding theme, colour scheme, and wedding style.

Shop for your wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses. Bring along your closest friends or family member for extra support.

Choose your bridal party, including your maid of honor, best man, flower girl, and ring bearer.

Send save the date cards to your wedding guest list.

Book your wedding venue, and don’t forget to book hotel room blocks for out-of-town guests.

Begin building your own wedding website — this is great way to keep guests informed.

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6-8 MONTHS OUT: IT’S all in the details

This part of the planning process is where your vision truly comes to life:

Start designing your wedding invitation suite and consider a cohesive colour palette.

Plan pre-wedding events like the bridal shower and engagement party.

Register for gifts at your favourite stores, or add gift cards to your gift registry.

Schedule fittings for your gown and bridesmaid dresses.

Think about personal touches like wedding favours, guest book ideas, or photo booths.

2-4 MONTHS BEFORE: PUTTING ON THE FINAL TOUCHES

As the day of your wedding approaches, you’ll want to:

Apply for your marriage license — don't leave this until the last minute!

Confirm your day-of shot list with your photographer.

Plan your rehearsal dinner — a good time to gather your wedding party and close friends.

Order place cards, menus, and finalize your seating chart.

Double check all vendor contracts and consider getting wedding insurance.

1 month wedding checklist

One top tip as your wedding date is fast approaching: it's a good idea to give yourself ample time to complete those final wedding tasks. From confirming your vendors to organizing your seating chart, the last few weeks are all about tying up loose ends. It’s also a wonderful time to revisit your favourite wedding ideas and ensure they’ve been thoughtfully woven into your celebration.

Have a final dress fitting and check on any tailoring.

Build an emergency kit for the wedding morning: include bobby pins, extra deodorant, safety pins, breath mints — and if needed, a snack.

Check in with your makeup artist and hair stylist for a trial.

Confirm your wedding rings are sized and engraved, if desired.

Touch base with your day-of coordinator or wedding planner with a finalized to-do list and timeline.

the morning of: time to soak it all in

When the morning of your wedding arrives, take another deep breath — you’ve done it! You’ve planned your dream wedding down to the important details, and now it's time to enjoy every moment.

Surround yourself with your bridal party and closest friends.

Have a great time getting ready, sipping champagne, and sharing sweet moments with your maid of honour and family members.

Most importantly: savor it all.

Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration — and a well-prepared checklist is your secret weapon to a stress-free, joy-filled special day. Use this as your great place to start, and remember: it's not just about checking off boxes; it's about creating meaningful memories with the people you love.