Wedding Planning Checklist

Here’s a basic comprehensive wedding planning checklist to guide you step-by-step through the entire wedding planning process. Keep in mind that you can customize this checklist based on their specific needs and preferences. Palafox Wharf Waterfront has in-house wedding managers (used to be called coordination) and full planner services available for our couples.

As a Venue Manager, Owner and Planner who has had 100+ weddings at Palafox Wharf Waterfront, I know the best vendors across the city and throughout the area along with the best method for planning. I believe that your wedding should express the feelings of your wedding day and feel genuinely like you. Choosing a great wedding venue is the first step to bringing your wedding vision to life.

12-18 Months Before for your What To-Do List:

1. Set a Budget:
   • Determine how much you can spend on the wedding.
2. Create a Guest List for your Wedding Planning Checklist:
   • Draft a preliminary guest list to estimate the size of the wedding.
3. Choose a Date and Time:
   • Decide on a wedding date and time.
4. Select the Venue:
   • Research and book the ceremony and reception venues.
5. Hire Key Vendors and insert into your Wedding Planning Checklist.
   • Secure essential vendors such as a photographer, videographer, and wedding planner.

9-12 Months Before:

6. Choose Wedding Party:
   • Invite friends and family to be part of the wedding party.
7. Shop for Wedding Attire:
   • Start looking for wedding dresses, suits, and attire for the wedding party.
8. Finalize Guest List and amend as you go in your Wedding Planning Checklist.
   • Confirm the guest list and gather addresses.
9. Send Save-the-Dates:
   • Send save-the-date cards to guests. If you are on a budget (and who isn’t?), we can help you before you send Save-the-Date cards out to your friends and family.
10. Plan Ceremony and Reception Details:
    • Decide on ceremony details, reception layout, and any additional events.

6-9 Months Before:

11. Book Remaining Vendors and note in your Wedding Planning Checklist.
12. Create a Wedding Website:
    • Build a wedding website to share details with guests.
13. Order Invitations:
    • Design and order wedding invitations.
14. Register for Gifts:
    • Create a wedding registry.
15. Book caterers, florists, entertainment, and any other remaining vendors.

4-6 Months Before:

15. Plan Honeymoon:
    • Research and book honeymoon travel.
16. Schedule Dress Fittings:
    • Schedule fittings for wedding attire.
17. Purchase Wedding Rings:
    • Select and purchase wedding rings.
18. Arrange Transportation and make a note of who and contact information in your Wedding Planning Checklist.
    • Arrange transportation for the wedding day.

2-4 Months Before:

19. Send Invitations:
    • Mail wedding invitations.
20. Plan Rehearsal Dinner:
    • Organize details for the rehearsal dinner.
21. Purchase Wedding Accessories:
    • Buy accessories like shoes, jewelry, and any additional items.
22. Create Seating Chart and make it a part of your Wedding Planning Checklist.
    • Develop a seating chart for the reception.

1 Month Before:

23. Finalize Details:
    • Confirm final details with vendors and the venue.
24. Obtain Marriage License:
    • Obtain the necessary marriage license.
25. Finalize Seating Arrangements:
    • Confirm seating arrangements and provide the venue with the final headcount.

1-2 Weeks Before:

26. Pack for Honeymoon:
    • Pack for the honeymoon.
27. Delegate Responsibilities:
    • Delegate tasks to trusted friends or family for the wedding day.
28. Confirm Details:
    • Confirm all details with vendors and the wedding party.

Wedding Day:

29. Enjoy the Moment:
    • Relax, enjoy the day, and celebrate with loved ones.

After the Wedding:

30. Send Thank-You Notes:
    • Send thank-you notes to guests and vendors.

This checklist is a general guide, and you can adjust it based on your unique preferences and timeline. This is basic however pretty detailed to your wedding countdown. It will help you get organized. You can put this on a wedding planning spreadsheet and check off as you. If you are booking Palafox Wharf Waterfront in Pensacola, Florida, you will receive a more detailed Wedding Planning Guide. It’s important to stay organized, communicate openly, and enjoy the wedding planning process.

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Thank you for stopping by our blog! We hope you will consider referring your out-of-town friends and family to look at these locally-owned wedding venues for their big celebration. Locally owned wedding venues provide the best wedding experience, tend to have little to no turnover, support the local economy, and are part of the community. Choosing a locally-owned wedding venue means the world to our small family-owned wedding venues. To support locally-owned wedding venues, we will feature five small business wedding venues in each of our blogs.  Find locally owned wedding venues in the wedding venue map on WeddingVenue.

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