Fillable Printable Wedding Checklist Timeline Planner
Fillable Printable Wedding Checklist Timeline Planner
Wedding Checklist Timeline Planner
martha stewart weddings
WEDDING WORKBOOK
In this eight-page section, you will find worksheets to help you plan and organize the many important details that will
make up your wedding, from the budget to the guest list to the music and flowers.
Start with the timeline
below, and set deadlines for yourselves. If you have fewer than six months to plan your wedding, don’t panic; just get
started as soon as possible. And never allow the details to overshadow the joy of the event.
six or more months ahead
Think about the type of wedding you want——formal or informal,
big or small——and the time of year you want it to take place.
Set budget.
Hire wedding coordinator, if desired.
Compile guest list, and organize addresses.
Finalize wedding date.
Reserve ceremony and reception sites.
Choose attendants.
Order dress and accessories, including veil and shoes.
Book officiant.
Book caterer.
Order wedding cake.
Book florist.
Book music for ceremony and reception.
Book photographer and videographer.
Plan and book honeymoon.
Send save-the-date cards, if using.
four to six months ahead
Reserve rental equipment, such as tables, chairs, and tents.
Arrange transportation for the wedding day.
Order stationery, including invitations and thank-you notes;
book calligrapher, if using.
Register for gifts.
Purchase wedding rings.
Purchase or reserve groom’s attire.
Choose attendants’ attire.
Buy stockings and any special lingerie your
dress requires.
Choose favors.
Book a room for wedding night.
Choose gifts for wedding party.
Reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests.
Sign up for dance lessons.
two to four months ahead
Discuss details of menu with caterer.
Discuss service with officiant.
Choose readings for ceremony.
Write your wedding vows, if you choose.
Schedule rehearsal time and rehearsal dinner.
Try out makeup and hairstyle.
Mail invitations.
Write thank-you notes as gifts arrive.
Continued on the next page
martha stewart weddings
one to two months ahead
Buy guest book.
Have programs printed.
If your state requires blood tests, make appointments.
Obtain marriage license, and request certified copies.
If you intend to change your name, prepare the
necessary documents.
Send change-of-address information to post office.
Contact local newspapers about publishing wedding
announcement.
Have final dress fitting with shoes, accessories, and lingerie.
Begin seating plan, and write place cards.
Notify caterer of guest count.
Write toasts for rehearsal dinner and wedding reception.
Address announcements.
Break in wedding shoes at home.
Designate someone to look after your home while you
are on your honeymoon.
Find out where your guests will be staying, if you plan to
deliver welcome notes or gifts to their rooms.
Finalize seating plan.
Assign specific responsibilities, such as handing out corsages
and boutonnieres, to members of your wedding party.
Pick up dress or have it delivered.
Confirm details with caterer.
Confirm honeymoon arrangements, and give your itinerary
to a friend or family member in case of emergency.
Pack for honeymoon.
Update caterer with final guest and vendor meal counts.
one week ahead
one day ahead
Confirm transportation arrangements for ceremony
and reception.
Give announcements to an attendant for mailing after
the wedding.
Have manicure and pedicure.
Rehearse ceremony.
Hold rehearsal dinner; give gifts to wedding party. If you
choose, give gifts to parents to thank them for their support.
Prepare tip and payment envelopes for officiant and vendors,
and make arrangements for someone to distribute them.
your wedding day
Relax, and enjoy yourselves!
notes
two weeks ahead
martha stewart weddings
BUDGET PLANNER
Before you plan your wedding, know how much you can spend and what you want to spend it on. As a general guide-
line, allot approximately 50 percent of your budget to the reception (location, food, and beverages). Then allot about
10 percent each to flowers, photography, attire, and music. The final 10 percent goes to stationery, favors, and other details.
ceremony and reception
Ceremony location fee
Officiant’s fee
Marriage license
Reception-site fee
Food
Cake
Bar
Rentals
Couple’s transportation
Guests’ transportation
and parking
Tips and coat check
flowers
Ceremony decorations
Bride’s bouquet
Maid of honor’s and
bridesmaids’ bouquets
Flower girl’s accessories
Corsages
Boutonnieres
Reception centerpieces
and decorations
subtotal
subtotal
Photographer’s fee
Engagement portrait
Wedding album
Parents’ albums
Additional prints
Videography
subtotal
Bride’s dress
Headpiece and veil
Bride’s shoes
Lingerie
Jewelry and accessories
Hair and makeup
Groom’s tuxedo or suit
Groom’s shoes
Groom’s accessories
Bride’s and groom’s rings
subtotal
attire
photographymusicstationery
Maid of honor’s gift
Bridesmaids’ gifts
Best man’s gift
Groomsmen’s gifts
Child attendants’ gifts
Bride’s parents’ gifts
Groom’s parents’ gifts
Guest-room gifts
Favors
Ring pillow
Guest book
subtotal
gifts, favors,and extras
Ceremony music
Cocktail-hour music
Reception music
subtotal
Save-the-date cards
Invitations and envelopes
Programs
Seating cards, place cards,
and menu cards
Thank-you notes
Postage
Calligraphy
Announcements
subtotal
total
martha stewart weddings
GUEST
-
LIST PLANNER
Once you’ve finalized the list for your wedding, use this planner to keep track of
pertinent information such as phone numbers, addresses, who has responded, and how
many thank-you notes you owe. Photocopy this page as many times as you need to.
Name(s)
Address
Telephone number
E-mail address
Gift
Save-the-date
card sent
Invitation sent
R. S.V. P. received
Thank-you sent
Number attending
Name(s)
Address
Telephone number
E-mail address
Gift
Save-the-date
card sent
Invitation sent
R. S.V. P. received
Thank-you sent
Number attending
Name(s)
Address
Telephone number
E-mail address
Gift
Save-the-date
card sent
Invitation sent
R. S.V. P. received
Thank-you sent
Number attending
Name(s)
Address
Telephone number
E-mail address
Gift
Save-the-date
card sent
Invitation sent
R. S.V. P. received
Thank-you sent
Number attending
Name(s)
Address
Telephone number
E-mail address
Gift
Save-the-date
card sent
Invitation sent
R. S.V. P. received
Thank-you sent
Number attending
total guests this page
martha stewart weddings
PHOTOGRAPHY PLANNER
To ensure that your photographer captures all the most important moments of your
wedding on film, provide him or her with a list of specific events and names of important guests
to photograph. Then designate a close friend or relative to help the photographer locate the
people on it. Discuss which shots should be in color and which in black and white.
portraits
Bride
Groom
Bride and groom
Bride, with detail of back of dress
Groom with best man
Groom with groomsmen
Bride with maid of honor
Bride with bridesmaids
Ring bearer with flower girl
Entire wedding party
Bride with parents
Groom with parents
Bride and groom with bride’s parents
Bride and groom with bride’s family
Bride and groom with groom’s parents
Bride and groom with groom’s family
Bride and groom with both sets of parents
Bride and attendants getting ready
Groom and attendants getting ready
Mother or maid of honor helping
bride get ready
Reception site being set up
Bride leaving for ceremony
Groom leaving for ceremony
prewedding
Signs directing guests to wedding
Wedding programs
Ceremony site, with guests arriving
Ushers escorting special guests to their seats
Both sets of parents entering
Groom walking down the aisle or awaiting bride
Bridal party at ceremony spot, awaiting bride
Child attendants walking down the aisle
Bride walking down the aisle
Special guests watching ceremony
Wedding kiss
Bride and groom leading recessional
Guests throwing rice or flower petals
Signing of wedding certificate
Bride’s and groom’s hands displaying rings
Friends signing guest book
Guests at cocktail hour
Reception site, set for dinner
Seating-cards display
Centerpieces
Place settings
People giving toasts
Bride and groom listening to toasts
Group pictures of guests at each table
Bride and groom’s first dance
Bride dancing with her father
Groom dancing with his mother
Guests dancing
Favors
Wedding cake
Bride and groom cutting the cake
Bride and groom departing
ceremonyreception
martha stewart weddings
MUSIC PLANNER
Fill in this page with your song choices, and give a copy to musicians and deejays so they know what to play
and when. It’s a good idea to make a note of specific songs you don’t want to hear as well. Will your bandleader
also act as master of ceremonies at the reception? If so, be sure to discuss what you would like him or her to say.
song performed by start time
Prelude
Processional
Ceremony
Recessional
song performed by start time
Cocktail hour
Couple’s first dance
Dinner
Bride & father’s dance
Groom & mother’s dance
Guests’ first dance
Dancing
Cake cutting
Other special requests
Last dance
“Don’t play” list
song performed by start time
Announcements,
dedications, and
toasts
ceremonyreceptionother
martha stewart weddings
FLOWER PLANNER
It’s easier to talk with your florist
——
and stay within your budget for flowers
——
if you begin with a
complete list of the arrangements you want. We’ve included a list of flowers by season to get you started.
description
Bride’s bouquet
Bride’s headpiece
Maid of honor’s bouquet
Bridesmaids’ bouquets
Flower girl’s headpiece and basket
Groom’s boutonniere
Best man’s and groomsmen’s boutonnieres
Ring bearer’s boutonniere
Mothers’ corsages
Other special guests’ corsages
Fathers’ boutonnieres
Other special guests’ boutonnieres
Other
description
Aisle runner
Pew or chair decorations
Altar or huppa arrangements
Candles and holders
Other
description
Entryway arrangements
Bar decorations
Dining-table centerpieces
Bride’s and groom’s chair decorations
Buffet-table decorations
Cake and cake-table decorations
Powder-room arrangements
Other
year-round spring summer fall winter
Calla lily
Carnation
Freesia
Gardenia
Lily
Orchid
Ranunculus
Rose
Stephanotis
Cherry blossom
Daffodil
Dogwood
Forsythia
Hellebore
Hyacinth
Lilac
Lily-of-the-valley
Muscari
Peony
Quince
Sweet pea
Tulip
Viburnum
Astilbe
Cosmos
Dahlia
Daisy
Delphinium
Garden rose
Gladiolus
Hollyhock
Lady’s mantle
Larkspur
Marigold
Scabiosa
Snapdragon
Violet
Zinnia
Autumn leaves
Chrysanthemum
Dahlia
Hydrangea
Seasonal berries
Sunflower
Amaryllis
Anemone
Evergreen
Forced bulbs
Paper-white
Poinsettia
wedding partyceremonyreceptionflowers by season
martha stewart weddings
RECEPTION SEATING PLANNER
Use this worksheet along with your guest list to decide who will sit with whom at the recep-
tion. Give it to your calligrapher, or whoever is creating your seating cards, and to your caterer.
If you will assign places at each table, sketch out the shapes and configuration of the tables, and
transfer the names to your drawing. Photocopy this page as many times as you need to.
table no.
table no.
table no.
table no.
table no.
table no.
