Wedding Planner Checklist: 8 to 12 months

Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming experience for everyone involved, especially the bride and the groom. Use this yearlong wedding checklist as a guide to help you remember what needs to be done and when.

12 months before wedding:

• Choose wedding date
• Hire a planner, if desired. A planner will have relationships with—and insights about—vendors.
• Figure budget and sharing of expenses
• Choose ceremony and reception sites. Your most time sensitive decision. Choosing to have them at the same location makes things easier. Determine type of wedding, location, theme, guests, formality, time of day. 
• Secure dates.
• Choose color scheme
• Make preliminary guest list
• Select attendants & wedding party
• Shop for wedding dress

8 to 10 months before wedding:

• Select caterer
• Select photographer / videographer
• Book entertainment for the reception
• Reserve hotel rooms for out-of-town guests
• Give wedding party a list of their responsibilities
• Order wedding dress
• Send save-the-date notices
• Visit stores and set up gift registry
• Obtain birth certificates and any documents need for marriage license