Free 12-Month Guide
Wedding Planning
Checklist
67 tasks, organized month by month. From setting your budget to waving goodbye at the send-off, with the exact timing for each step.
Key Takeaways
- 1.Book your venue first. It determines the date, guest capacity, and catering options.
- 2.Set the budget before anything else. Allocate 40-50% to venue and catering, 10-15% to photography, and keep a 5-10% buffer.
- 3.The guest list is your biggest cost lever. Every additional guest adds to venue, catering, stationery, and favors.
- 4.Photographers and caterers book 9-12 months out. Dresses take up to 11 months (9 to make + 2 for alterations).
- 5.Plan your guest photography early. Your photographer covers the ceremony, but candid guest moments need a separate solution.
Bookmark this page or print it (Ctrl/Cmd + P) to reference as you plan.
Plan Once, Stress Less
Stay on Budget
Know what you're spending before deposits are due.
Never Miss a Deadline
Save-the-dates, invitations, vendor payments. Every task has a timeline.
Skip the Panic
Every task is written down. Nothing slips through.
Delegate With Confidence
Hand this checklist to your coordinator, partner, or wedding party. Everyone knows what's next.
Getting Started
12-10 Months Before
- Set your total budget and how it's split (allocate ~40-50% venue/catering, 10-15% photography, rest across attire, flowers, entertainment, decor)
- Draft the guest list (it drives everything else: venue size, catering cost, invitation count)
- Research wedding styles (Pinterest boards, blogs, magazines for mood/aesthetic direction)
- Research and book the venue (popular venues book 12+ months out, especially spring/fall)
- Lock in the date
- Consider hiring a wedding planner or day-of coordinator
- Start shopping for wedding dress/suit (dresses take up to 9 months to design + 2 months for alterations)
- Research photographers and videographers
- Look into wedding insurance
- Create wedding website and hashtag
Building the Team
9-7 Months Before
- Book caterer (or finalize menu direction if venue-included)
- Book DJ, band, or playlist plan
- Book florist
- Send save-the-dates (6-8 months before the wedding)
- Choose your wedding party
- Select bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen attire
- Book photographer + plan guest photography
- Set up gift registries (3-4 locations including online)
- Reserve hotel room blocks for out-of-town guests
- Schedule engagement photos
- Start honeymoon planning
Your photographer captures the ceremony. But who captures your college roommate's dance moves, or grandma's face during the toast? A disposable camera app like Scene lets every guest snap film-style photos from their phone, all collected in one gallery you reveal together after the wedding.
Locking In Details
6-4 Months Before
- Order invitations and stationery (programs, menus, place cards, thank-you cards)
- Book officiant
- Plan ceremony details (readings, music, vows)
- Order wedding cake or schedule dessert tasting
- Book transportation (getaway car, guest shuttles)
- Begin dress fittings with wedding-day shoes and accessories
- Plan rehearsal dinner and book venue
- Confirm bridal party attire orders
- Arrange hair and makeup trial
- Finalize honeymoon plans and get travel documents
Final Stretch
3-1 Months Before
- Mail invitations (8-10 weeks out)
- Purchase wedding bands
- Finalize menu and catering details
- Meet with officiant about ceremony flow
- Order rentals if needed (linens, chairs, lighting)
- Plan reception decor
- Create DJ/band playlist (must-plays, do-not-plays)
- Follow up on RSVPs and finalize guest count
- Create seating chart
- Write your vows
- Obtain marriage license (check local requirements for timing)
- Final dress/suit fittings
- Set up your guest photo camera
- Create a detailed day-of timeline and distribute to vendors
Add it to your checklist: create your event camera in Scene, choose a film style, and print QR codes for table cards. Guests scan and shoot instantly. No download, no sign-up.
Almost There
The Final Week
Week Before
- Final venue walk-through
- Confirm final headcount with caterer
- Complete final vendor payments
- Prepare tip envelopes (labeled by vendor)
- Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
- Distribute wedding party gifts
- Pack wedding day essentials and honeymoon bags
- Assemble emergency kit (stain pen, sewing kit, pain reliever, phone charger, safety pins, breath mints)
- Place QR code cards on tables
- Check weather forecast and review backup plans
- Get adequate rest
Wedding Day
- Eat breakfast and hydrate
- Begin hair and makeup on schedule
- Delegate someone to pack up gifts and cake top after reception
- Take a breath. You planned this. Enjoy it.
Wrapping Up
After the Wedding
- Send thank-you cards (within 3 months)
- Open your guest photo gallery and download favorites
- Have wedding dress cleaned and preserved
- Change your name (if applicable) and update documents
- Leave vendor reviews (helps other couples)
- Complete gift registry exchanges
- Follow up with photographer/videographer on album timeline
- Order prints and albums
Budget Guide
Wedding Budget at a Glance
Build in a 5-10% buffer for surprises. The guest list is the single biggest lever on total cost.
Etiquette
Who to Tip and How Much
| Vendor | Suggested Tip |
|---|---|
| Wedding planner | 10-20% of fee |
| Catering/banquet manager | $100+ |
| Serving staff | $20-30 each |
| Bartenders | $20-50 each |
| Photographer/Videographer | $50-100 each |
| DJ | $50-100 |
| Hair & Makeup | 15-25% |
| Officiant | $100-300 (or donation) |
| Transportation driver | 15% of cost |
| Delivery/setup staff | $10-20 each |
Prepare labeled envelopes the night before and hand them to your coordinator or best man/maid of honor.
Photography Planning
The Wedding Photography Checklist
Professional Photographer
Book 9-12 months out. Do an engagement shoot. Create a shot list of must-have moments.
Guest Photography
Give guests a way to contribute their perspective. Scene creates a shared camera with one film style for a cohesive look.
Videography
Decide on highlight reel vs. full ceremony coverage. Book early as top videographers fill up fast.
Photo Booth or Alternative
Compare costs. A disposable camera app replaces the $500+ rental and captures far more moments.
FAQ
Wedding Planning Checklist FAQ
How far in advance should I start planning a wedding?
What is the most important thing on a wedding planning checklist?
How do I collect photos from wedding guests?
What is a realistic wedding budget for 100 guests?
Can I plan a wedding in 6 months?
You Have the Checklist. Now Start Checking.
Wedding planning is a marathon, not a sprint. The couples who enjoy it most are the ones who break it into steps and tackle them on schedule. You now have every step.
Most Commonly Forgotten Tasks
- •Wedding insurance (protect your deposits)
- •Marriage license (check local timing requirements, some expire in 30-90 days)
- •Vendor tip envelopes (prepare and label the night before)
- •Guest photography plan (your photographer misses the candid guest moments)
- •Emergency kit (stain pen, sewing kit, pain reliever, phone charger)
Related
More Wedding Guides
Disposable Camera App for Weddings
Digital disposable cameras vs physical ones, side by side.
QR Code for Wedding Pictures
One QR code collects every wedding photo from every guest.
Wedding Photo App for Guests
Turn every guest's phone into a film camera.
Wedding Disposable Cameras Guide
Real costs, logistics, and why couples are going digital.
Photo Booth Alternative
Skip the $500+ rental. Every guest's phone becomes a camera.
Pricing
Free for up to 5 guests. One-time upgrades from $1.99.
You've Got the Plan. Now Get the Photos.
Create your wedding camera in Scene. Share a QR code, pick a film style, and wake up to candid moments from every guest.