Maximize your wedding planning with our detailed checklist, covering everything from engagement to post-wedding tasks, tailored for a seamless and unforgettable celebration.
Purity Weddings is a modern wedding photography and videography husband+wife duo.
Based in Los Angeles - available Nationwide.
Featured on: Style Me Pretty, Bridal Musings, Brides, The Knot, Black Bride, Southern California Bride and more.
Congratulations on your engagement! Planning your wedding is an exciting journey, filled with moments of joy, creativity, and love. To help you navigate through this memorable phase, we've crafted a comprehensive Wedding Planning Checklist. This guide is designed to ensure you don't miss any important details as you prepare for one of the most significant days of your life. From setting your budget to walking down the aisle, each step is laid out to make the planning process as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Remember, every wedding is unique, so feel free to adjust this checklist to suit your individual needs and dreams. Let's make your big day unforgettable!
PRE-PLANNING
Discuss Vision and Priorities: Have a conversation about what you both envision for your wedding day, including what important to each of you.
Create a Mood Board: Collect images, colors, and themes that inspire you for your wedding to visualize your ideas.
Decide on a Wedding Style: Formal, semi-formal, casual, themed, etc.
Set a Budget: Determine your overall budget.
Research Wedding Insurance: Consider getting insurance to cover unforeseen events.
12+ MONTHS BEFORE
Research Venues: Start looking at venues for both the ceremony and reception.
Decide on the Date: Finalize your wedding date based on venue availability and personal preferences.
Draft a Guest List: Create an initial list of guests.
Start a Wedding Folder/Binder: Organize your ideas, contracts, and other details in one place.
Book Your Photographer: Secure a photographer whose style matches your vision.
Book Your Planner: If you haven't already, finalize your decision on a wedding planner.
Research Vendors: Start looking at caterers, florists, bands/DJs, etc.
Engagement Party: Decide if you want to have one.
9-12 MONTHS BEFORE
Look into Marriage License Requirements: Different locations have different requirements and timelines.
Begin a Fitness/Wellness Routine: If you wish to get in shape or just destress before the wedding.
Plan Engagement Photos: Consider locations, outfits, and makeup artists
Wedding Dress Shopping: Begin trying on wedding dresses.
Select and Order Bridesmaids' Dresses: Coordinate styles and order in advance.
Choose and Book Officiant: Ensure they are available on your wedding date and discuss ceremony plans.
Create a Wedding Website: Share your love story, photos, and event details.
Start Planning Honeymoon: Begin researching destinations and making travel arrangements.
Check Passport Validity: If you're planning a honeymoon abroad, make sure your passports are up to date.
Consider Wedding Bands: Start looking at options for your wedding rings.
6-9 MONTHS BEFORE
Order Wedding Dress: And schedule fittings closer to the date.
Save the Dates: Send these out, especially if planning a destination wedding.
Book Accommodations: Arrange hotels for out-of-town guests.
Register for Gifts: Choose your registries.
Plan Honeymoon: Continue planning and finalize bookings.
Choose and Order Invitations: Start the design process for your invites.
Hire Ceremony Musicians: Select and book musicians or a DJ for your ceremony.
Plan Transportation: Arrange transportation for yourselves and guests, if needed.
Order Cake: Have tastings and finalize your wedding cake order.
Buy Groomsmen Attire: Coordinate fittings and orders.
Begin Dance Lessons: If you're planning a special first dance, now is a good time to start lessons
Finalize Menu: Work with your caterer to finalize the menu.
Book Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Choose and secure a location.
2-6 MONTHS BEFORE
Send Invitations: Mail your wedding invitations 3-4 months before the big day.
Purchase Wedding Rings: Choose and order your wedding bands, allowing time for any customizations.
Finalize Floral Arrangements: Confirm your flower orders for bouquets, centerpieces, and other decorations.
Book Hair and Makeup Artists: Confirm your bookings.
Plan Ceremony Details: Work on the order of the ceremony, readings, and any special traditions.
Organize Vows: Write or choose your vows and decide on vow exchange logistics.
Confirm Transportation: Finalize details for any hired cars, buses, or other transport for guests.
Arrange Favors: Decide on and start ordering your wedding favors.
Prepare Playlists: Work with your DJ or band to finalize music for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception.
Plan Seating Chart: Start organizing your seating arrangements once RSVPs are in.
Schedule Dress Fittings: Ensure your dress and any bridal party attire fit perfectly.
Prepare Toasts and Speeches: Encourage those giving toasts to start preparing.
Review Contracts: Double-check details with all vendors to confirm times, locations, and specific requests.
Plan Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties: If not already done, finalize plans for these events.
1-2 MONTHS BEFORE
Apply for Marriage License: Check the local requirements and apply within the designated timeframe.
Final Dress Fitting: Ensure your dress and any bridal party attire are perfect.
Confirm Day-Of Timeline: Coordinate with your wedding planner or venue to finalize the schedule for the day.
Prepare Wedding Party Gifts: Purchase and prepare any gifts for your wedding party as a token of appreciation.
Create a Wedding Day Emergency Kit: Assemble a kit with items like safety pins, tape, a sewing kit, and any other last-minute essentials.
Confirm Vendors: Double-check arrangements with all vendors, including catering, photography, music, and florals.
Write Vows: Finalize your vows, if you're writing your own.
Confirm Honeymoon Plans: Ensure all travel arrangements, accommodations, and itineraries are confirmed.
Finalize Seating Arrangements: Complete the seating plan.
Pick Up Wedding Rings: Ensure any last-minute adjustments have been made and collect your rings.
Schedule Final Meetings with Vendors: Have final consultations with your photographer, videographer, DJ/band, and officiant to go over the details.
WEEK OF THE WEDDING
Pack for the Wedding Day: Prepare a bag with all the essentials you'll need for the day, including your outfit, accessories, and emergency kit.
Relax with Pre-Wedding Pampering: Consider scheduling relaxing activities like a spa day, massage, or gentle yoga session to de-stress.
Pack for Your Honeymoon: If you're leaving shortly after the wedding, get your luggage ready.
Charge Electronics: Make sure cameras, phones, and any other devices are charged and ready for the big day.
Wedding Rehearsal and Dinner: Walk through the ceremony with your wedding party and enjoy the rehearsal dinner with close friends and family.
Get a Good Night's Sleep: Try to rest up as much as possible the night before your wedding.
Plan Post-Wedding Brunch: A casual get-together the morning after the wedding is a nice way to say goodbye to guests.
POST WEDDING
Preserve the Wedding Dress: Have your wedding dress professionally cleaned and preserved.
Receive Wedding Sneak Peeks: Look forward to receiving sneak peek photos and video highlights from your photographer and videographer a few days after the event.
Manage Registry and Gifts: Make a record of gifts received for thank-you notes, and return/exchange items as needed.
Send Thank-You Notes: Aim to send these out within three months after the wedding to all guests and vendors who contributed to your day.
Review Your Vendors: Share your experience with future couples by leaving reviews for your vendors online.
Change Your Name: If you're choosing to change your name, start the process with all necessary legal documents and accounts.
Relax and Reflect: Take some time to relax with your spouse, reflect on your wedding day, and enjoy the start of your married life together.
THE REAL FACES BEHIND THE BRAND
We’re Anna and Vitaly Podoliak, born and raised in the cold climate of Siberia. Our love for capturing beautiful, touching, and powerful love stories is what brought us to LA. We prioritize real emotions and unrepeatable moments while also paying careful attention to the finer details of wedding visuals. We draw inspiration from classic fine art wedding visuals, edgy fashion editorials, journalism, 50'60'70's vintage romantic pictures, and modern cinematography. Besides this, the love stories of our couples never fail to inspire us.
We'll be out of the office from May 12 until May 16, shooting beautiful celebrations. We won't be able to check our emails during this time, but we promise to get back to you as soon as we return.
Thank you for your patience, and we can't wait to catch up with you when we get back!
