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Wedding planning checklist.

Track 37 destination wedding tasks across eight suggested planning phases. Your progress saves in this browser. Copy, download or print your list, or email a summary.

Revised 19 April 2026

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37 items across eight phases, from eighteen months out to the day of. Tick as you go; your progress persists in your browser.

Keep your result. No email needed to copy, download or print.

Phase I

Eighteen to twelve months out.

0/5
Set the overall budget, including a contingency line.
◼ Aisle noteThe contingency is what absorbs the quotes that land above your estimate, and the costs you have not thought of yet.
Shortlist three destinations; pick one.
◼ Aisle noteUse the three-filter framework: guest geography, budget tier, weekend format.
Book venue and planner (in the same week).
Lock the date.
◼ Aisle noteAsk each venue what it still has open. Peak Saturdays go first.
Draft the first-pass guest list (oversize by 15%).
Phase II

Inside twelve months.

0/5
Send save-the-dates.
◼ Aisle noteGive guests as much notice as you can. They are booking flights and time off work.
Book photography, florals, and music together.
◼ Aisle noteAsk each supplier how far ahead it is taking bookings for your date.
Open the hotel room block, two price tiers.
Start legal paperwork, or commit to a symbolic ceremony.
◼ Aisle noteMany couples marry legally at home and hold a symbolic ceremony abroad. Confirm what your destination requires of foreign nationals before you choose.
Launch the wedding website.
Phase III

Nine to six months out.

0/5
Send formal invitations (8 months ahead).
◼ Aisle 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).
◼ Aisle noteKeep them simple. A handwritten card and something local does the job.
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.
◼ Aisle noteYour catering contract sets the deadline for this number and what you pay for after it. Check it early.
Run the menu tasting in person.
Finalise the seating chart.
Legal paperwork complete and filed.
Phase VI

Two months · last details.

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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.
◼ Aisle noteTipping customs differ by country, and service may already be in the contract. Ask your planner what is expected locally.
Pack, wedding-day outfit in carry-on.
◼ Aisle noteA delayed bag is the one problem with no fix on the day. Keep the outfit with you.
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.
Planning note

A booked supplier may have several separate deadlines: deposit, final balance, guest count and design approval. Record each confirmed date and who is responsible for it.

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Assign across both of you.

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12-minute editorial version of this list, with the reasoning behind each of the 37 items.

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Common questions

What does the destination wedding checklist include?

The checklist covers your budget, venue, suppliers, ceremony paperwork, guest rooms, travel information and wedding week details. Tasks are grouped into eight suggested phases, which you can adapt to your plans.

When should we start planning?

Start when you are ready to make plans. The timeline begins eighteen months out, but you can combine phases for a shorter engagement. Confirm availability and deadlines with your venue and suppliers.

How is a destination wedding checklist different?

Guests may need accommodation, transport and travel information earlier. A legal ceremony abroad can also require documents or translations. Check the requirements for your location and use your supplier deadlines to set the schedule.

Does my progress save if I close the tab?

Yes. Checked tasks save in this browser without an account. They do not sync across devices and can be lost if you clear browser data. Use Reset in the controls to start again.

Can I send the checklist to my partner or planner?

Email a summary to share your current list and progress. A copied share link opens the checklist settings on another device, but checked tasks stay in each browser and are not shared.

For agentsThe same numbers are callable as get_wedding_checklist over the Aisle MCP server, in ChatGPT, Claude, or Cursor.

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