The Ultimate Planned Wedding Checklist Every Bride Should Know

Why You Actually Need a Wedding Checklist

You just got engaged. Amazing! Now comes the part where you realize you have to plan an entire event for 100+ people.

Here's the thing—weddings involve a ridiculous number of moving parts. Venues, photographers, flowers, food, music, dresses, suits, invitations. And that's just scratching the surface.

A planned wedding in Los Angeles (or anywhere, really) needs serious organization. Without a system, you'll forget things. Important things. Like ordering invitations on time or actually eating on your wedding day.

This checklist keeps you sane. It's used at weddings, engagement parties, and all kinds of events because it works. You'll know what to tackle each month, so you're not scrambling at the last minute.

12+ Months Before Your Wedding Day

Book Your Venue & Set Your Date

Start here. Everything else depends on this decision.

Your venue dictates your guest count, catering options, and even your overall vibe. Popular spots in Los Angeles book up 12–18 months out, sometimes longer for summer weekends.

Pro tip: Visit on weekdays when staff actually have time to talk. And read the cancellation policy before you sign anything.

Figure Out Your Budget

Be real about what you can spend. Break it down:

• Venue & food (40–50% of budget)

• Photos & video (10–15%)

• Your outfits & beauty (8–10%)

• Flowers & decorations (8–10%)

• Entertainment & fun stuff (8–10%)

• Invitations (2–3%)

• Random stuff that comes up (10%)

If photography matters most to you, put more money there. This is your wedding—spend on what you care about.

Decide If You Want a Planner

A wedding planner handles vendor calls, timeline management, and day-of chaos. If you're planning a big wedding or you're swamped with work, it's worth it.

But if you like being hands-on and have the time, you can totally do it yourself.

Pick Your Wedding Party

Choose your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Then have honest conversations about what you expect. Will they throw your bachelor/bachelorette party? Buy their own outfits?

Clear expectations now = no drama later.

9–11 Months Before Your Wedding Day

Lock Down Your Major Vendors

Book these people now:

• Photographer & videographer — look at their work, meet them in person

• Caterer — do a tasting, finalize your menu

• Florist — show them photos of what you like

• DJ or band — ask for playlists from past weddings

• Officiant — whether it's religious or not, book early

Pro tip: Get itemized quotes from everyone. Read every contract before you sign.

Start Your Guest List

Draft a rough list with your partner and families. This tells you how big a venue you need and how many invitations to order.

The list will change. That's normal.

Order Save the Dates

If you're having a destination wedding or getting married during the holidays, send these 8–10 months ahead.

Include your names, the date, the location, and your wedding website.

6–8 Months Before Your Wedding Day

Find Your Dress

Ordering and altering a wedding dress takes 6–9 months. Bring one or two people whose opinions you trust—not a crowd.

Wear the right underwear. Keep an open mind. You might love something you never expected.

Shop for Everyone Else's Outfits

The groom, wedding party, and parents need to start shopping now. Make sure everyone's on the same page about colors and formality.

Set Up Gift Registries

Register at 2–3 stores with different price ranges. Include basics like sheets and pans, plus a few nicer items.

Put the registry link on your wedding website. Never on the actual invitation—that's tacky.

Book Your Honeymoon

Look at destinations, compare prices, book flights and hotels. If you're going international, check that your passport isn't about to expire.

Plan the Rehearsal Dinner

Usually the groom's family hosts this the night before the wedding. Book a restaurant or venue, figure out who's invited (wedding party, immediate family, out-of-towners), and check on dietary needs.

4–5 Months Before Your Wedding Day

Order Your Invitations

Design and order everything—invitations, RSVP cards, envelopes. Send them 8–10 weeks before the wedding (6–8 weeks for casual weddings).

What to include:

• Main invitation with ceremony details

• Reception card if it's a different location

• RSVP card with a deadline

• Hotel info for out-of-town guests

• Info about other weekend events

Lock In Your Menu

Confirm everything with your caterer—apps, main courses, dessert, bar service. Give them a rough guest count.

Book Hair & Makeup

Schedule trial runs to test your wedding day look. Bring inspiration photos. Note how long each service takes—you'll need this for timing out your wedding day.

Arrange Transportation

Book cars for the wedding party. If parking is limited at your venue, consider shuttles for guests between the hotel and venue.

2–3 Months Before Your Wedding Day

Plan Ceremony Details

Meet with your officiant to finalize the script, your vows, readings, and any traditions you're including. Decide who walks in when and where everyone stands.

Send Your Invitations

Mail these 8–10 weeks before the wedding day. Weigh a fully assembled invitation at the post office—wedding invites usually need extra postage.

Confirm Everything with Vendors

Call or email every single vendor—venue, caterer, photographer, florist, DJ, transportation. Reconfirm dates, times, and what they're delivering.

Make a master contact list with everyone's phone number and email.

Break In Your Shoes

Wear your wedding shoes around the house. You'll be on your feet for hours. Comfort matters more than you think.

Get Your Marriage License

Look up your county's requirements—waiting periods, expiration dates, fees. Bring your IDs and any other required documents.

4–6 Weeks Before Your Wedding Day

Finalize Your Guest Count

Track RSVPs as they come in. Chase down people who don't respond by two weeks before your deadline.

Give your caterer and venue the final headcount.

Make a Seating Chart

Group people thoughtfully. Mix different friend groups. Don't seat exes together. Put older guests away from speakers.

Use an app or online tool—it makes this so much easier.

Write Your Vows

If you're writing personal vows, start now. Aim for 1–2 minutes each (200–300 words).

Some couples share vows beforehand, others want it to be a surprise. Do what feels right for you.

Order Your Cake

Finalize flavor, design, and delivery. Give the baker your venue contact info and setup instructions.

Create Your Day-Of Timeline

Build an hour-by-hour schedule with your planner or venue coordinator.

Include:

• When hair and makeup start

• When the photographer arrives

• Ceremony start time

• Cocktail hour

• Reception entrance, first dance, toasts

• Cake cutting

• Last dance and exit

Send this to all vendors and your wedding party.

1–2 Weeks Before Your Wedding Day

Confirm Everything One More Time

Call or email every vendor. Confirm arrival times, contact names, any last-minute changes.

This is your final safety check.

Prep Vendor Payments & Tips

Put cash tips in labeled envelopes (photographer, DJ, hair stylist, servers). Ask a trusted friend or family member to hand these out on the wedding day.

Pack for Your Honeymoon

Check the weather, make packing lists, print confirmations. Set up an auto-reply for work email.

Do Your Rehearsal

Walk through the ceremony. Practice the processional, where everyone stands, and the recessional.

Make sure the officiant, musicians, and readers know their cues. Keep it relaxed.

Go to the Rehearsal Dinner

Enjoy time with your closest people. Thank your parents and wedding party.

Wedding Day Book: The Final 24 Hours

The Night Before

• Try to sleep (chamomile tea helps)

• Lay out everything: dress, shoes, jewelry, underwear, marriage license

• Charge your phone completely

• Drink water and eat a decent dinner

Morning Of

• Eat a real breakfast—you need energy

• Stick to your beauty timeline

• Keep drinking water and snack throughout getting ready

• Let someone else handle vendor questions

During the Ceremony & Reception

• Take mental pictures—it goes fast

• Actually eat and drink (assign someone to bring you food)

• Spend time with each other, not just saying hi to every guest

• Trust your vendors to do their jobs

Pro tip: Assign one person (planner, maid of honor, or family member) to handle problems so you can stay in the moment.

Wedding Daily Essentials: Day-Of Emergency Kit

Pack a bag with these:

• Safety pins & mini sewing kit

• Stain remover pen

• Clear nail polish (stops stocking runs)

• Band-Aids & blister pads

• Pain reliever & antacids

• Breath mints & lip balm

• Bobby pins & hair spray

• Tissues & makeup for touch-ups

• Phone charger

• Copy of vendor contacts and timeline

After Their Wedding: Post-Wedding Tasks

Week 1

• Return rentals (tuxes, decorations, linens)

• Get your dress professionally cleaned and preserved

• Back up wedding photos from guests' phones

• Post a photo thanking everyone

Month 1

• Write thank-you notes (finish within three months)

• Go through final photos with your photographer

• Change your name on legal stuff (Social Security, license, passport, bank accounts)

• Submit your marriage license if needed

Month 2–3

• Order wedding albums or prints

• Frame your favorites

• Leave reviews for vendors

• Take your honeymoon if you didn't go right away

Common Wedding Planning Mistakes

Even with a checklist, people mess these up:

• Not budgeting enough — add 10–15% for stuff you didn't expect

• Inviting too many people — more guests = way more money

• Skipping tastings and trials — always test the food, makeup, and cake

• Not eating on your wedding day — you need food to enjoy the party

• No backup plan for outdoor weddings — rent a tent or have an indoor option

Should You DIY or Hire Help?

DIY pros:

• More control over your budget

• Personal touches everywhere

• Satisfaction of making it yourself

DIY cons:

• Takes a ton of time and energy

• No professional backup if something goes wrong

• Quality might suffer if you're learning as you go

Professional help pros:

• Experts who know how to solve problems

• Access to vendor networks and sometimes discounts

• You actually get to enjoy your wedding

Professional help cons:

• Costs more upfront

• Less hands-on control

Most couples do a mix—DIY some things like invitations and decorations, but hire pros for catering, photos, and coordination.

For entertainment, a professional photo booth rental gives you themed backdrops, instant photo sharing via QR code, and options like roaming 360 booths. "Our guests loved it — instant fun!" — Bride, L.A.

If you'd rather skip the stress, [contact Boss Brides for professional wedding planning and photo booth rentals]—you get free backdrops, instant sharing, and on-site support.

Final Thoughts: Your Wedding, Your Way

Planning a wedding is a marathon. But with this checklist, you'll handle every step—from booking your venue to your last dance—without losing your mind.

Here's the thing: your wedding day is about celebrating with the people you love. Don't let perfectionism ruin it. Things will go slightly wrong. That's okay. The best weddings are the ones where couples stay present and focused on what matters.

Whether you're planning something small and intimate or a big celebration, this checklist keeps you organized and ready to say "I do."

Need help making it happen? [Contact Boss Brides for full-service wedding planning, coordination, and photo booth rentals]—we handle the details so you can focus on getting married.

FAQs About Planned Weddings

How far ahead should I start planning?

Start 12–18 months before your wedding date if you can. This gives you time to book popular venues and vendors, especially for busy season (May–October). For smaller or off-season weddings, 9–12 months works.

What should I book first?

Your venue. Once you have the location and date locked down, everything else falls into place. Venues for planned weddings in Los Angeles book a year or more ahead.

How do I stay organized?

Use a mix of digital tools (Google Sheets, apps like The Knot or WeddingWire) and physical binders. Create sections for budget, vendors, guest list, timeline, and inspiration. Check your checklist weekly.

What if a vendor cancels last-minute?

Stay calm. Call your wedding planner (if you have one) or your venue coordinator for backup referrals. Many vendors keep emergency contact lists. This is why reading cancellation policies matters.

Do I need wedding insurance?

Yes, especially for big or destination weddings. Wedding insurance covers vendor no-shows, bad weather, illness, venue closures, and damaged outfits. Policies run $150–$600.