How many items does the list carry?

37 items across eight planning phases, from eighteen months out to the day of. Each phase covers a distinct chunk of the work — legal, logistics, vendor briefs, guest communications, and the week-of choreography.

When should we start?

Eighteen months out, or as soon as the engagement settles. For destination stays, early moves matter most: premium venues and signature photographers are frequently held twelve to eighteen months ahead for peak-season Saturdays.

How is this different from a home-wedding checklist?

Destination checklists carry items a home list does not: the legal paperwork abroad (certificate of no impediment, apostille, certified translations), the guest room block, the welcome-event logistics, the passport-expiry window, and the time-zone cadence with the venue.

Does my progress save if I close the tab?

Yes. The checklist persists in your browser via localStorage — no account, no sign-in, no server copy. Clear it with the Reset button in the controls when you want to start fresh.

Can I send the checklist to my partner or planner?

Yes. Use the Email export in the strip above the list; we send an unbranded HTML summary with every item, your current progress, and a link back to the live tool. Or copy the share link for a version anyone can open and tick through on their own device.

Wedding Planning Checklist — Free, 37 Items

Phase I

Eighteen to twelve months out.

0/5

Set overall budget with a 15% contingency.

◼ Atelier noteCouples who budget without contingency go 5–10% over and feel stressed. The ones who budget with it come in at 100% and feel relaxed.

Shortlist three destinations; pick one.

◼ Atelier noteUse the three-filter framework: guest geography, budget tier, weekend format.

Book venue and planner (in the same week).

Lock the date.

◼ Atelier notePeak Saturday dates at premium venues are gone 18–24 months out.

Draft the first-pass guest list (oversize by 15%).

Phase II

Inside twelve months.

0/5

Send save-the-dates.

◼ Atelier noteFourteen months is right for destination weddings. Earlier is fine.

Book photography, florals, and music together.

◼ Atelier noteThese three vendors book out 12–15 months ahead for peak dates.

Open the hotel room block, two price tiers.

Start legal paperwork — or commit to a symbolic ceremony.

◼ Atelier noteMost international couples marry legally at home and hold a symbolic ceremony abroad. It removes 6–12 weeks of foreign paperwork.

Launch the wedding website.

Phase III

Nine to six months out.

0/5

Send formal invitations (8 months ahead).

◼ Atelier noteFront-load the travel information. Assume each guest reads the invitation once and returns to the website for detail.

Finalise the catering menu and wine list.

Finalise floral design and styling.

Book the welcome-event venue and menu.

Plan wedding-weekend activities.

Phase IV

Six to three months.

0/5

Book ground transportation (shuttles, transfers, vans).

Order wedding-day attire with alteration lead time.

Book the rehearsal-dinner venue.

Decide on welcome bags (keep them modest).

◼ Atelier noteWelcome bags are the most-regretted wedding spend. A handwritten card and a local snack is enough.

Finalise music set lists and ceremony audio plan.

Phase V

Three months · finalising.

0/5

RSVPs close. Chase late responses once, then treat silence as a no.

Final head count to caterer and venue.

◼ Atelier noteMost caterers need 60 days of runway on the final count — not 30.

Run the menu tasting in person.

Finalise the seating chart.

Legal paperwork complete and filed.

Phase VI

Two months · last details.

0/4

Pay final vendor balances.

Print menus, place cards, ceremony programmes.

Confirm wedding-party travel and accommodations.

Final dress and suit fitting.

Phase VII

One month · final week prep.

0/4

Final vendor walkthrough with planner.

Write vows.

Pull local cash for vendor tips.

◼ Atelier noteVendor tips at destination weddings run 10–15% of the fee. Your planner has the distribution plan.

Pack — wedding-day outfit in carry-on.

◼ Atelier noteEvery couple who checked the wedding outfit regretted it. Always carry-on.

Phase VIII

Week of · arrival and the day.

0/4

Arrive at destination 3–4 days ahead.

Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, two nights out.

Hand day-of coordination to the planner.

Enjoy. You have done the work.

Wedding planning
checklist.