Quick planning tool · the order that works
The wedding planning checklist
Phase 1
Right after the engagement
Set the budget before anything else
Agree on a total number first — every later decision gets easier. Split it across venue, food, photo, attire and the rest, then adjust as real quotes come in.
Try the budget calculatorDraft the guest list
A rough headcount decides your venue size, catering cost and stationery count. Start with everyone, then trim to a number the budget can carry.
Pick a date range, not a single day
Being open minded and flexible with dates gives you leverage when venues quote availability and price.
Phase 2
12–9 months out
Book the venue
The venue locks the date, the capacity and often the catering. Tour a shortlist, compare what each price actually includes, and get the contract in writing.
Browse venues near youBook the big vendors
Photographer, caterer, band or DJ, and florist book up first. Message a few in each category, compare packages, and keep every quote and contract in one place.
Browse wedding vendorsStart a planning timeline
Work backwards from the date: when invitations go out, when the menu is finalized, when final numbers are due. A shared timeline keeps both of you on the same page.
Phase 3
9–4 months out
Send invitations and track RSVPs
Send invites 8–12 weeks before the day. Track who's coming, meal choices and plus-ones in the guest list instead of a spreadsheet.
Order attire and plan fittings
Dresses and suits need months for ordering and alterations. Schedule the first fitting early so there's time for a second.
Keep documents together
Contracts, invoices and receipts pile up fast. File them against the budget line they belong to so nothing gets lost or double-paid.
Phase 4
The final months
Build the seating chart
Once RSVPs are in, group guests by how they know you. A drag-and-drop seating chart beats redrawing tables on paper.
Confirm every vendor
Two weeks out, confirm arrival times, final counts and balances due with each vendor. Keep the thread of messages so nothing rests on memory.
Pay final balances and breathe
Check each budget line is marked paid, hand day-of duties to someone you trust, and go get married.
The free planner
One planner for all of it
The Wed Thread's free planner covers every step above, with an AI assistant to help at each step.
Budget
Track booked, paid and remaining per category.
Guest list
RSVPs, meal choices and plus-ones in one list.
Seating
Drag guests onto tables once RSVPs are in.
Planning timeline
Tasks with due dates, working back from the day.
Documents
Contracts and invoices filed against budget lines.
Vendor discovery
Browse and message vendors, keep quotes together.
Start your checklist today
Free to start — set your budget, build the guest list and let the timeline fill itself in from your date.