Wedding Checklist: The Complete Guide So You Don't Forget Anything

Organising a wedding is a bit like managing a large-scale project: there are dozens of vendors to coordinate, hundreds of small decisions to make, and a non-negotiable deadline. Without a solid wedding checklist, it's easy to feel overwhelmed or, worse, forget a crucial element on the big day.

This comprehensive guide takes you through month by month, from 12 months before your wedding to the day after the celebration. Whether you're at the very start of your preparations or already well underway, this list will help you stay on track and fully enjoy this unique time.

12 to 9 Months Before: Laying the Foundations

The first months are dedicated to the big structural decisions. This is the time to define the framework of your wedding and book the most sought-after vendors.

Define Your Overall Budget

Before anything else, sit down together to set a realistic budget. Take into account your savings, potential family contributions and what you're willing to invest. The average wedding budget in France ranges between 10,000 and 30,000 euros, but every couple is different.

Allocate your budget by expense category: reception venue (about 30%), catering (25%), photography and video (10%), outfits and beauty (10%), decorations and flowers (8%), music and entertainment (7%), miscellaneous and contingencies (10%). Always keep a 5 to 10% margin for last-minute surprises.

Choose the Date and Venue

This is often the hardest pair to pin down. The most popular venues are booked 12 to 18 months in advance, sometimes more. Visit at least three to five venues before deciding, and ask the right questions: capacity, imposed or free-choice caterer, on-site accommodation, latest allowed finish time, rain backup plan.

Also think about logistics for your guests: distance, accessibility, parking, transport options.

Draft the Guest List

This is one of the most sensitive steps. Start with a broad list, then adjust based on the venue's capacity and your budget. A tip: classify your guests into three categories (essential, important, if-budget-allows) to make trade-offs easier.

Think now about how you'll share information with your guests. Creating a wedding website is the simplest way to centralise all practical information: schedule, directions, nearby accommodation, dress code details. On wondr wedding, you can create your website for free in just a few minutes and customise it to match your wedding colours.

Choose the Theme and Atmosphere

Rustic, bohemian, classic, industrial, seaside... The theme guides all your aesthetic decisions going forward. Create a moodboard (on Pinterest or in a notebook) to gather your inspiration: colour palette, decoration styles, flower types, lighting ambiance.

First Bookings

• Officiant: town hall and/or place of worship
• Caterer: if the venue doesn't impose one
• Photographer and videographer: the best ones are often booked a year in advance
• Wedding planner: if you're using a coordinator, now is the time

9 to 6 Months Before: Getting Into the Details

The foundations are laid, it's time to get into the specifics. This period is the busiest in terms of decisions to make.

Send Save the Dates

Let your guests know as soon as your date and venue are confirmed. A simple save-the-date by email or post is enough. The goal: allow them to block the date in their calendar, especially if you're getting married in peak season (May to September) or if some guests are travelling from afar.

Choose the Outfits

Wedding dress, suit, outfits for witnesses and bridesmaids: fittings take time and so do alterations. Allow a minimum of four to six months for the dress (ordering, fittings, alterations) and two to three months for the suit.

Don't forget accessories: shoes, veil, jewellery, cufflinks, tie or bow tie.

Book the Remaining Vendors

This is the time to secure all key vendors:

• DJ or band for the evening
• Florist for arrangements, the bridal bouquet and boutonnieres
• Pastry chef for the wedding cake
• Hair stylist and makeup artist for the big day
• Equipment rental: furniture, tableware, sound system, lighting if needed
• Transport: car for the couple, shuttle for guests

Prepare the Invitations

Choose the design, paper, format. Have your invitations printed early enough to send them at least three months before the wedding. Include essential information: date, venue, time, and a link to your wedding website for practical details and online RSVP.

6 to 3 Months Before: Refining the Details

You're entering the personalisation phase. The framework is set, now it's time to bring it to life.

Send the Invitations

Send your invitations at least three months before the date to give your guests time to organise. Set a response deadline about six weeks before the wedding.

To simplify response management, opt for an online RSVP. It's faster for your guests and infinitely simpler for you to track. With wondr wedding, your guests can confirm their attendance directly from your wedding website, and you follow the responses in real time from your dashboard. No more back-and-forth by text message and endless Excel spreadsheets.

Finalise the Decorations

• Seating plan: start thinking about it, even though it won't be finalised until the last moment
• Centrepieces and floral arrangements: confirm quotes with your florist
• Signage: large seating chart, directional signs, table numbers
• Photo booth: props, frame, backdrop

Organise the Entertainment

Think about the highlights that will punctuate your evening beyond the classics (first dance, bouquet toss): quiz about the couple, creative guest book, children's games, fireworks, cocktail bar or candy bar.

Music and Playlist

Whether it's a DJ, a band or a homemade playlist, prepare a list of must-play and must-avoid tracks. Think about the different moments: ceremony, cocktail hour, entrance into the reception room, first dance, party.

Write Your Vows (If Secular Ceremony)

If you're planning a secular ceremony, start writing your vows now. Take your time, re-read, adjust. It's an intimate moment that deserves careful preparation.

3 Months to 1 Month Before: The Final Stretch

Everything is coming together. It's time to confirm, adjust and finalise.

Follow Up with Guests Who Haven't Responded

There are always some. A friendly message by phone or text usually does the trick. You need the exact guest count for the caterer, seating plan and equipment orders.

Final Fittings

Schedule final fittings for the dress and suit, ideally one month before the wedding. Plan for one to two alterations if needed.

Confirm All Vendors

Get back in touch with each vendor to confirm:

• Exact arrival and setup times
• The precise schedule for the day
• Any logistical needs (power access, changing room, vendor meals)
• Payment balance terms

Prepare the Day-of Schedule

This is an essential document that should be shared with all your vendors, your witnesses and your coordinator. Detail every moment of the day with times: preparations, ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, party.

On your wondr wedding website, you can create a day-of timeline visible to your guests. It's handy so everyone knows what time to be where, without you having to answer each question individually.

Organise the Stag/Hen Party

If it hasn't already been done, coordinate with your witnesses. These events usually take place one to two months before the wedding.

Prepare the Wedding Rings

Order or have your rings engraved at least six weeks before the wedding. Try them on to check the size.

Administrative Documents

• Gather the documents for the marriage file at the town hall (birth certificates, proof of address, list of witnesses)
• Submit the file at least one month before the date
• If having a religious ceremony: prepare the parish file

The Last Week Before the Big Day

This is the most intense week. Breathe, delegate, and tick off these final items.

Logistics

• Confirm delivery and setup times with all vendors
• Prepare payment envelopes for vendors being paid on the day
• Print the seating chart, menus, ceremony booklets
• Prepare a list of phone numbers for all vendors and participants

Personal Details

• Do a hair and makeup rehearsal if not already done
• Pack a bag with everything you'll need on the day: outfit, shoes, accessories, emergency kit (sewing kit, painkillers, plasters, stain-remover spray)
• Entrust the rings to your designated trustworthy person
• Prepare your vows or speech (final version)
• Check the weather and activate plan B if necessary

Delegate

Designate a point person (witness, wedding planner, trusted friend) to handle contingencies on the day. This person should have the complete schedule, all vendor phone numbers, and the authority to make decisions on your behalf.

The Big Day: Enjoy

You've prepared everything. Now the goal is simple: enjoy every moment.

The Morning

• Hearty breakfast (you won't have time to eat for a while)
• Getting ready with your close ones (hair, makeup, dressing)
• Preparation photo session (first look if you wish)
• Keep your phone away: hand coordination over to your point person

The Day

• Let yourself be carried by the programme you meticulously prepared
• Take micro-moments as a couple, away from guests, to savour
• Eat and stay hydrated: it's a marathon, not a sprint
• Dance, laugh, cry (tears of joy): it's your day

After the Wedding: The Final Steps

The wedding is over, but a few tasks remain to close this beautiful chapter in style.

During the Following Week

• Thank-yous: send a thank-you message to your vendors, especially those you clicked with. A Google review is always appreciated.
• Outfit: have your dress or suit cleaned and stored within the days following.
• Gifts: start listing the gifts received for thank-you cards.

During the Following Month

• Thank-you cards: send them within two months of the wedding, ideally with a photo from the day.
• Photos and video: your photographer will deliver the images in the coming weeks. Share the best ones with your guests.
• Administrative steps: name change if desired (ID card, passport, bank, employer, taxes, social security).
• Final budget: review your actual expenses against the planned budget. It's useful for recommendations to friends who are getting married soon.

And Most Importantly...

Take the time to savour. Re-read your guest book, look at your photos together, think back on those magical moments. The wedding is one day, but the memories last a lifetime.

Wedding Checklist Summary

To keep this list always at hand, here is a chronological recap:

12-9 months: budget, date, venue, guest list, theme, first vendors, wedding website

9-6 months: save the dates, outfits, secondary vendors, invitations

6-3 months: send invitations, online RSVP, decorations, entertainment, music, vows

3-1 month: RSVP follow-ups, fittings, vendor confirmations, day-of schedule, rings, town hall paperwork

Last week: logistics, day-of bag, delegation, rehearsals

The big day: enjoy, delegate, savour

After: thank-yous, photos, administrative steps

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Organising a wedding takes time, energy and a good dose of organisation. But with a clear checklist and the right tools, each step becomes simpler and more enjoyable. If you're looking for an easy way to centralise your wedding information, manage RSVPs and share the programme with your guests, wondr wedding is made for you. Free, simple and designed for today's couples.

Best of luck with your preparations, and above all, congratulations!