Wedding Planning Checklist

Your step-by-step guide to planning a wedding without losing your mind, your relationship, or your will to actually plan the wedding!

Not every wedding needs every tradition, every sign, or every TikTok trend.

Use this checklist as a guide, not a rulebook.
Take what feels like YOU and leave the rest in the bin

  • The “OMG We’re Engaged” Era

    This stage is exciting, chaotic and heavily fuelled by screenshots.

    Right now your only job is securing your big-ticket vendors and setting the foundation for your wedding.

    Priority Tasks:

    ✔ Set a rough wedding budget (using Sarah’s budget tracker)
    ✔ Choose your wedding date
    ✔ Lock in your venue
    ✔ Book your celebrant 👀
    ✔ Start drafting your guest list
    ✔ Decide on your overall vibe/style
    ✔ Book photographer/videographer
    ✔ Start wedding dress shopping
    ✔ Create a wedding email address or folder within your current email
    ✔ Begin collecting inspiration without becoming consumed

    Sarah’s Hot Tip:
    Do not try to plan your entire wedding in the first 2 weeks after getting engaged.

    You are allowed to simply enjoy being engaged for a minute before opening 37 tabs and stress-buying signage.

  • The “Okay This Is Actually Happening” Phase

    Now we start building the details that bring your wedding to life.

    Checklist:

    ✔ Book entertainment/DJ/band
    ✔ Lock in florist/stylist
    ✔ Lock in rings
    ✔ Start thinking about ceremony structure
    ✔ Choose your wedding party
    ✔ Send save the dates
    ✔ Book hair + makeup
    ✔ Organise engagement photos if wanted
    ✔ Start planning honeymoon
    ✔ Begin thinking about ceremony music
    ✔ Decide what traditions actually matter to you if any

    Sarah’s Hot Tip:
    You do not need to include traditions just because weddings on the internet told you to.
    If it doesn’t feel like you, leave it out.

  • The Productive Chaos Era

    This is where things start feeling real.

    Checklist:

    ✔ Order wedding attire
    ✔ Organise suits
    ✔ Start planning vows
    ✔ Book accommodation if needed
    ✔ Organise transport
    ✔ Lock in cake
    ✔ Finalise styling direction
    ✔ Consider signage/stationery
    ✔ Confirm ceremony inclusions prior to catchup with Sarah

    Sarah’s Hot Tip:
    Please wear your wedding shoes BEFORE the wedding day unless you enjoy recreational foot pain.

  • The “Why Is Time Moving So Fast?” Stage

    Checklist:

    ✔ Finalise guest list
    ✔ Send invitations
    ✔ Confirm vendor details
    ✔ Create seating plan draft (using Sarah’s seating planner)
    ✔ Choose music
    ✔ Begin writing vows properly
    ✔ Have ceremony planning session with Sarah and sign NOIM
    ✔ Plan reception run sheet with venue and/or Sarah

    Sarah’s Hot Tip:
    Your guests will not remember whether your napkins were ivory or eggshell beige.

    They WILL remember how your wedding felt.

  • Crunch Time, Lovers

    Checklist:

    ✔ Final vendor confirmations
    ✔ Send vows to Sarah
    ✔ Finalise seating chart
    ✔ Confirm final numbers (again using Sarah’s RSVP tracker)
    ✔ Wedding dress/suit final fittings
    ✔ Pack wedding emergency kit
    ✔ Final payments
    ✔ Confirm weather backup plans
    ✔ Practice first dance if doing one

    Sarah’s Hot Tip:
    This is the month where random family members suddenly develop very strong opinions.

    Protect your peace ✨

  • 1 WEEK TO GO

    The Calm Before The Beautiful Chaos

    Checklist:

    ✔ Steam outfits
    ✔ Pack vows/rings/details
    ✔ Confirm vendor arrival times
    ✔ Final beauty appointments
    ✔ Final catch up with Sarah
    ✔ Delegate jobs to other people
    ✔ Stop checking weather apps every 7 minutes
    ✔ Enjoy the lead-up

    Sarah’s Hot Tip:
    Nobody notices tiny imperfections on a wedding day.
    Love, energy and good vibes always win.

    If you decide this week you forgot something important.
    Remember, it wasn’t important in the planning stage so it isn’t important now!!

  • HOLY SHIT YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED

    Checklist:

    ✔ Eat breakfast
    ✔ Stay hydrated
    ✔ Put your phone down
    ✔ Soak in the moments
    ✔ Trust your vendors
    ✔ Laugh if things go slightly off-plan
    ✔ Kiss your person A LOT
    ✔ Party hard

    Final Sarah Reminder:
    Your wedding is not a performance. It is a celebration.

    The best weddings are the ones that actually feel like the couple standing in front of everyone.