12 Month Wedding Planning Checklist: Month-by-Month

Start your 12-month wedding planning by setting your budget, booking your venue, and hiring a photographer within the first two months.¹ These three priorities must happen first because top venues book 12-18 months ahead, and popular photographers cap their annual weddings.² The average US engagement lasts 12-15 months, while UK couples typically plan for 15-20 months, giving you comfortable time to secure vendors and manage details without rushing.³

This month-by-month checklist breaks down every task across your planning journey, with regional considerations for couples in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Whether you're planning an intimate celebration or a large reception, this timeline ensures nothing falls through the cracks.

Timeline Overview

Vendor Booking Lead Times

Different vendors require different advance booking windows. This table shows recommended lead times based on industry standards and peak season availability.²

Months 12-11: Foundation Phase

The first weeks after your engagement set the foundation for everything else. Focus on the big decisions that impact all subsequent planning.

Set Your Budget

Determine your total wedding budget before researching anything else. The average US wedding costs $33,000, UK weddings average £23,420, and Australian weddings reach A$38,252.⁴ Your budget directly determines venue options, guest count, and vendor choices.

Budget allocation guidelines:

Discuss family contributions early. In the UK, 63% of couples receive family financial help, while Australian couples report similar rates of family support.⁴

Book Your Venue

Your venue determines your wedding date, guest capacity, and often your catering options. Visit 3-5 venues before deciding, and ask about:

• Available dates (Saturday peak season fills fastest)
• Capacity limits and ceremony space
• In-house catering requirements or outside vendor flexibility
• Parking and accessibility
• Backup plans for outdoor ceremonies
• What's included vs. additional rental fees

Learn more about choosing your venue

Hire Your Photographer

Book your photographer 9-12 months out. Photographers limit how many weddings they accept each year, and the best ones book quickly during peak season.² Review portfolios for consistent style, ask about second shooters, and understand what's included in packages.

Month 12-11 Checklist

• Celebrate your engagement
• Set overall wedding budget
• Discuss family contributions
• Create preliminary guest list (affects venue size)
• Decide on wedding style and priorities
• Research 5-10 potential venues
• Visit top venue choices
• Book your venue and lock in date
• Research photographers
• Book your photographer
• Consider hiring a wedding planner (27% of couples do)¹
• Announce engagement to family and friends

Months 10-9: Major Vendor Booking

With your venue and photographer secured, focus on booking remaining high-priority vendors before they fill up.

Book Caterer and Entertainment

If your venue doesn't include catering, book an outside caterer 9-12 months ahead. Schedule tastings to finalize menu direction. For entertainment, decide between a DJ ($1,200-$2,500 average) or live band ($3,000-$5,000) and book your choice.⁴

Start Dress Shopping

Wedding dresses require 6-9 months for ordering plus 2-3 months for alterations.⁵ Starting at month 10 gives you comfortable time without rushing. In the UK, many brides begin shopping earlier due to longer engagement periods.

Create Wedding Website

Set up your wedding website to share details with guests. Include your story, event information, accommodation suggestions, and registry links. This becomes your central communication hub.

Month 10-9 Checklist

• Book caterer (if not venue-included)
• Book officiant or celebrant
• Book DJ or band
• Start wedding dress shopping
• Choose wedding party members
• Create wedding website
• Begin gift registry
• Schedule engagement photos
• Research florists
• Research videographers (if using)

Months 8-7: Attire and Details

This phase focuses on securing your look and beginning detail planning.

Order Wedding Attire

By month 8, you should have selected and ordered your wedding dress. Allow 6-9 months for delivery plus 8-10 weeks for alterations.⁵ Also coordinate bridesmaid dresses to ensure everyone orders from the same dye lot for color consistency.

Book Remaining Vendors

Lock in your florist, videographer (if using), and transportation. These vendors book 9-12 months ahead for peak dates, so don't delay past this point.

Send Save-the-Dates

Send save-the-dates 6-8 months before your wedding. For destination weddings or international guests, send them earlier to give people time to arrange travel and accommodation.⁵

Read our guide on wedding invitations

Month 8-7 Checklist

• Order wedding dress
• Order bridesmaid dresses
• Book florist
• Book videographer (if using)
• Plan honeymoon destinations
• Research transportation options
• Send save-the-dates
• Book hair and makeup artist
• Schedule hair and makeup trial
• Research wedding bands/rings
• Book rehearsal dinner venue

Months 6-5: Invitations and Planning

Now you're moving into the detail phase. Invitations go out, and you begin finalizing specifics with vendors.

Order and Send Invitations

Order invitations at month 6, then mail them 6-8 weeks before your wedding (around month 2-3). Set your RSVP deadline for 3-4 weeks before the wedding to give yourself time to finalize numbers.

Regional invitation timing:

Book Hotel Room Blocks

Secure discounted room blocks at nearby hotels for out-of-town guests. Most hotels require booking 6 months ahead and will release unsold rooms 30 days before your event.

Month 6-5 Checklist

• Order wedding invitations
• Finalize guest list completely
• Book transportation
• Book hotel room blocks
• Schedule dress fittings
• Order wedding cake
• Plan ceremony details with officiant
• Finalize honeymoon bookings
• Purchase wedding rings
• Plan rehearsal dinner menu
• Begin writing vows (if personal vows)

Months 4-3: Final Planning

Three to four months out, you're refining details and making final decisions.

Mail Invitations

Send invitations at the 6-8 week mark (around month 2). Follow up with anyone who hasn't responded by your RSVP deadline. Expect 10-20% of guests to need reminders.

Finalize Vendor Details

Meet with your caterer to finalize menu selections and confirm guest count estimates. Review timeline with your DJ or band, confirm shot lists with your photographer, and finalize flower arrangements with your florist.

Marriage License Requirements

Requirements vary significantly by region:

United States: Requirements vary by state. Some require blood tests, waiting periods range from 0-5 days, and licenses are valid 30-90 days. Apply 4-6 weeks before your wedding.⁶

United Kingdom: Give notice at your local register office at least 29 days before your ceremony. Non-UK citizens may need to give notice earlier.⁶

Australia: Submit your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) at least one month before your wedding date. Your celebrant will guide you through the process.⁶

Month 4-3 Checklist

• Mail wedding invitations
• Finalize menu with caterer
• Finalize flower arrangements
• Plan reception details and timeline
• Research marriage license requirements
• Purchase wedding party gifts
• Finalize ceremony music
• Create seating chart draft
• Schedule final dress fitting
• Break in wedding shoes

Months 2-1: Final Preparations

The final weeks focus on confirmations, follow-ups, and tying up loose ends.

Track RSVPs

Follow up on missing RSVPs by phone or email. You need accurate numbers for catering, seating, and place cards. Create your final seating chart once numbers are confirmed.

Confirm Everything

Contact every vendor to confirm arrival times, locations, setup requirements, and final payments. Create a master contact list with phone numbers for your wedding day.

Final Fittings

Schedule your final dress fitting 4-6 weeks before the wedding. This allows time for last-minute adjustments while ensuring the dress fits perfectly.

Month 2-1 Checklist

• Follow up on outstanding RSVPs
• Provide final guest count to caterer
• Create final seating chart
• Confirm all vendor details and timing
• Final dress fitting
• Final suit/tux fitting
• Create detailed day-of timeline
• Prepare final vendor payments and tips
• Apply for marriage license
• Pack for honeymoon
• Prepare wedding night bag
• Assign day-of responsibilities to wedding party

Wedding Week

The final days should be as stress-free as possible. Most preparations are complete—now you confirm and relax.

Final Confirmations

Call each vendor to confirm arrival times and review the timeline. Ensure everyone has the venue address and your coordinator's contact information.

Rehearsal and Dinner

Schedule your rehearsal 1-2 days before the wedding. This is especially important for wedding party members who need to practice the processional and understand their roles. The rehearsal dinner follows, typically hosted by the groom's parents in the US.

Regional note: Rehearsal dinners are standard in the US but less common in the UK and Australia, where couples may opt for a casual pre-wedding gathering instead.

Wedding Week Checklist

• Final vendor confirmations
• Pick up marriage license
• Confirm honeymoon reservations
• Prepare vendor tips and final payments
• Deliver final payments to vendors
• Wedding rehearsal
• Rehearsal dinner
• Get proper rest
• Enjoy your wedding day

Budget-Saving Tips for 12-Month Planning

Planning within a year gives you enough time to be strategic without rushing:

Choose off-peak timing: January-March and November weekday weddings offer 25-35% savings on venues and vendors.⁴

Book early for discounts: Some vendors offer early-bird pricing for 12+ month bookings. Ask about payment plans that spread costs over your engagement.

Prioritize ruthlessly: Decide what matters most to you as a couple and allocate budget accordingly. Photography and venue typically impact guest experience most.

Consider day-of coordination: If a full planner isn't in your budget, day-of coordinators ($500-$1,500) manage logistics so you can enjoy your wedding.

Explore our complete budget planning guide

Sources and References