Photo by Shelby Rose Photography

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re newly engaged. First, congratulations! You’re taking a huge step in your relationship and we understand just how exciting, exhilarating, and slightly terrifying that can be as a couple. We’re so glad that you found yourself here at Junebug Weddings because we care so deeply about providing all of our couples with the most thoughtful wedding planning advice available. Here, you’ll find expert advice to turn to when you need help deciding on things like where to buy your bridesmaids dresses or how to create your wedding website, but more importantly, our website will be the place where you find solid, yet flexible, recommendations for every kind of situation. No two weddings are alike, and because of that, we encourage you to color outside the lines, do things differently, and follow your hearts while planning your wedding. We want to be a resource that doesn’t tell you how to plan a wedding, but instead shows you all of the possibilities that exist for your big day.

As you start planning your wedding, you might find that having a checklist to follow is handy. Below, you’ll find an interactive wedding planning checklist as well as a PDF download that you can print out and add to your wedding binder or stick up on your fridge. Whatever works best for you! This timeline is meant to be flexible, so don’t feel bad if you miss a few to-dos along the way. Try and think of this checklist as a general outline for a standard 12-month wedding planning timeline, and feel free to adjust if you’re timeline is different. We also offer a 10-month timeline, if that better suits your schedule.

1 Year

Get inspired! Visit our wedding blog to get inspiration from real couples and top experts from around the world!

Choose a color scheme! Browse through our favorite color-related blog posts here!

Work out your budget. Download our free wedding budget tool here!

Finalize your wedding party

Start your wedding guest list

Hire a planner from our vendor directory

Reserve your date at your dream venue, and be sure to check out our Best of the Best Venues Hotlist

Research photographers, bands, caterers, florists, rentals, officiants, etc.

Start a wedding binder to keep all of your quotes, brochures, and notes in one place

8 Months 

After researching our Vendor directory, hire your wedding photographer & videographer

Take your engagement photos! Don't know what to wear? Check out our 8 Tips for Nailing Your Engagement Photos

Buy your dress! Check out some of our favorite designers here for inspiration

Create a wedding website! Check out our wedding website checklist

Meet with caterers

Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests

Register at your favorite brands -- a few of our favorites include Zola, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Amazon

Book the officiant

If you're having a destination wedding, be sure to read out Top Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding

7-6 Months

Purchase your invitations - we are the biggest fans of Etsy invites or Minted invites

Finalize your guest list and request addresses

Start planning your honeymoon! You can check out our Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations 2014 for inspiration!

Choose the bridesmaids' dresses - be sure to check out our favorite places to buy bridesmaids dresses online!

If required by the venue, reserve lighting components, portable toilets, generators, etc.

Reserve any rentals you may need (chairs, tents, linens, etc.)

Book a florist

Arrange Transportation

Send out save-the-dates!

4-5 Months 

Time to order your cake. Go cake tasting!

Send your bridal shower guest list to your host

Check on the status of your wedding invitations

Book the rehearsal and rehearsal-dinner venues

Schedule hair and makeup artists

Choose your processional music and reception playlist. Check out our 56 Unique Wedding Songs to Really Set the Mood

Go to your first dress fitting, and pick up some accessories while you're at it!

Purchase/rent groom's attire

Book accommodations for your wedding night

Provide guest lists to maid of honor and best man for bachelor and bachelorette parties and bridal shower

3 Months 

Work with your caterer to finalize the menu for the reception

Print menu cards - here are some of our favorite wedding menu templates from Etsy

Meet with your florist to finalize the florals for the event

Purchase the rings

Finalize the event schedule and start creating the day-of-timeline

Print programs

Order your wedding favors and be sure to check out our Adorable Party Favor Ideas

Meet with officiant and coordinate readings from friends and family as well as anything else to include in the ceremony

2 Months 

Meet with your photographer to discuss day-of plans and specific shots you are wanting

Review the playlist with the band and DJ, and provide them with "don't play" and "must play" lists

Send out invitations

Submit your announcement to the local newspaper (totally optional)

Let loose at your bachelor/bachelorette parties

Send out as many final payments as you can

Touch base with all vendors

Make sure groomsmen attire has been purchased/rented

1 Month 

Get your marriage license

Attend your last dress fitting

Send out rehearsal-dinner invitations

Purchase alcohol and finalize your signature cocktails if needed

Confirm times for all of the vendors, and send out your day-of timeline again

For the reception, create your seating chart. Here are some tips on creating the best seating chart for your wedding.

Purchase wedding party gifts

Write vows

Enter all RSVPs you have received into your guest list

Check on hotel room blocks

Call guests who have not yet RSVP'd for final head count

Make sure members of the wedding party know their roles and duties come the wedding day

1 Week 

Touch base with all vendors and ensure they have the day-of timelines. Here's our best advice on creating a wedding day timeline with your vendors in mind!

Outsource any small day-of tasks you can to family and friends

Ensure everyone in your wedding party has your wedding day timeline

Do something fun with your partner to de-stress (go on a cute date, get massages, take a weekend trip somewhere nearby, etc.)

Send the final guest list to the caterer

Have extra checks ready for day-of payments

Dance around in your shoes!

Pack for your honeymoon!!

Relax!!!

After the Wedding & Honeymoon

Pay all remaining balances to vendors

Clean and preserve your wedding gown

Write "thank you" cards. These are some of our favorite thank you cards from Etsy.

Look into purchasing life insurance!

Officially change your name (if that's what you want to do!)

If you’d like to download a printable version of our wedding planning checklist, click here!

Looking for more wedding planning advice? Check out some of our favorite resources!

For the newly engaged

7 Super Helpful Tips for Newly-Engaged Couples

Finding vendors

At Junebug, we work with the world’s best wedding vendors. In our vendor directory, you can trust that each vendor you discover has been completely vetted by our team and comes with years of experience in the business and tons of happy past clients! Browse our lists of recommended vendors here!

Red Flags to Keep an Eye Out for When Hiring Your Wedding Vendors

Our go-tos for keeping folks in the loop!

The Best Etsy Save the Dates to Announce Your Wedding

The Best Places to Buy Your Wedding Invitations Online

If you need advice on budget

The Best Wedding Budget Tips from Top Wedding Planners Around the World

Decor and inspiration 

Use This Wedding Décor Checklist to Help You Nail Every Detail

Affordable Wedding Decor You Wouldn’t Believe Came from Amazon