12-month wedding checklist
A year is the classic engagement, and plenty of time if the big bookings happen in the first two months. After that the year settles into a rhythm: one or two decisions a month, then a busy last eight weeks.
- Start planning
- 12 months ahead
- Guests
- Any size
- Planner length
- 12 months, starting now
Free to preview. Opens with the wedding pages, title and a 12-month calendar already set — change anything.
12-month wedding timeline
Month by month, from now to the wedding. The filled-in wedding checklist in your planner follows the same order, with tick boxes.
12 months
Set the budget and guest count, book the venue and officiant.
10–11 months
Book photographer, caterer and band or DJ; start the wedding website.
8–9 months
Shop for the dress and suits, book the florist, send save-the-dates.
6–7 months
Book hair and make-up, cake, transport and accommodation blocks.
4–5 months
Order invitations and rings, plan the ceremony, book the honeymoon.
2–3 months
Send invitations, menu tasting, fittings, marriage licence.
Last month
Final numbers, seating plan, payments, vows and the day-of timeline.
Making 12 months work
Pick one and build the plan around it. There are blank ideas pages in the planner for screenshots and sketches.
Two big months, then a rhythm
Book venue, photographer and caterer in months one and two. Then one task a week.
Monthly money date
Check the budget page together on the same day each month.
Delegate a list
Give your wedding party one page each — transport, favours, playlist.
Weekday tours
Visit venues on weekdays; you'll get more of the coordinator's time.
A no-wedding-talk night
One evening a week with no planning. It helps.
What's in the planner
Every page is linked from a tab, so you tap once to reach the guest list or the budget.
- Wedding Checklist
- Wedding Budget
- Guest List
- Vendors
- Day-Of Timeline
- Monthly and weekly calendar
- Notes
Tips for a 12-month engagement
- Invitations usually go out 8–12 weeks before; put the date on your monthly page now.
- Write every vendor's balance due date on the calendar the day you book.
- Use the Paid column on the budget so deposits aren't paid twice.
- Plan the day-of timeline backwards from the ceremony time.
12-month wedding plan questions
Is a year enough to plan a wedding?
Yes. Book the venue, photographer and caterer in the first couple of months and the rest falls into place.
When should invitations go out?
Usually 8–12 weeks before the wedding, with RSVPs due about 4 weeks before. Destination weddings go earlier.
Can the planner start in any month?
Yes. The builder link starts it this month; you can change the start month and length.
Other wedding timelines
Also: birthday planners by number, anniversary planners by year, or the wedding planner.
Plan the whole wedding in one place
Filled-in checklist, budget, guest list with RSVPs and meals, vendors and day-of timeline — hyperlinked for GoodNotes, Notability or print.