When should we start planning a wedding?

Twelve months out is comfortable for a weekend wedding at a popular venue; six months is possible if you are flexible on date or venue. The scarce things — venue, photographer, celebrant — are what set the clock.

How do couples split wedding planning fairly?

Write every task down, give each one an owner, and let the genuinely joint decisions be shared. Visible ownership matters more than a 50/50 count — the imbalance usually comes from one person holding the list.

Is there a free app for this checklist?

Simpleban's Wedding planning template is free for two people, with a countdown, due dates, an owner on every card, and handoffs. It doesn't do budgets or guest lists.

What do most couples forget?

The marriage licence timing, vendor meals, a timeline for the day, who holds the rings, and a contact person for vendors who is not the couple.

Weddings

Wedding planning checklist: 12 months to the day, for two people

Updated 20 October 2026 · by the Simpleban team

In short

A wedding planning checklist works in reverse from the date: lock the big, scarce things first (date, venue, photographer, celebrant), then the things with long lead times (dress, suits, invitations), then the details, then the week-of logistics. The part most checklists skip is ownership — writing down who is on each item — which is what actually stops one person becoming the planner. Below is the timeline, with a suggested split, and a one-click way to turn it into a shared board.

Simpleban, a kanban board for two people: a shared “Our home” board with This week, Doing, Waiting and Done columns, cards marked Mine or assigned to a partner, due dates, repeating chores and a moving-day countdown.

12 months out: the scarce things

Agree the budget and who contributes what (both of you).
Draft the guest count — it decides the venue (both of you).
Pick a date, or two or three candidates (both of you).
Book the venue and the celebrant or officiant (one of you owns the calls).
Book the photographer and, if you want one, videographer — good ones go a year out.
Decide on a planner or coordinator, or decide you are the planners.

9 months out: long lead times

Dress, suits or outfits — fittings take months.
Caterer and tasting date. Band or DJ.
Wedding party: ask them.
Save-the-dates out, especially for a destination or holiday-weekend date.
Hotel room block for guests travelling in.

6 months out: the big decisions

Florist, cake, hair and make-up trials.
Invitations designed and ordered. Registry or gift plan.
Honeymoon booked (passports valid?).
Ceremony details: readings, music, vows plan.
Rings.

3 months out: details

Invitations sent, with an RSVP date about six weeks out.
Menu finalised. Seating plan started (the card everyone dreads — make it a joint one).
Transport for the day. Marriage licence rules checked for your country or state.
Final outfit fittings. Gifts for the wedding party.
Playlist and do-not-play list to the band or DJ.

1 month and the final week

Chase RSVPs; final headcount to the caterer.
Timeline for the day written and sent to vendors and the wedding party.
Seating plan finished. Place cards, signage, favours.
Payments and tips in envelopes. Vendor contact sheet to one responsible person who is not either of you.
Week of: pick up outfits, rings, licence; rehearsal; pack for the honeymoon; sleep.

Turn this into a board the two of you share

Every bullet above is a card. The Wedding planning template gives you the columns (Ideas · In motion · Booked · Done) and the starter cards; add the countdown, put due dates on the deadline cards, give each card an owner, and hand a card over when it needs the other person. That turns the checklist into something you both carry, instead of a document one of you maintains.

Templates to start from

Questions, answered

When should we start planning a wedding?: Twelve months out is comfortable for a weekend wedding at a popular venue; six months is possible if you are flexible on date or venue. The scarce things — venue, photographer, celebrant — are what set the clock.
How do couples split wedding planning fairly?: Write every task down, give each one an owner, and let the genuinely joint decisions be shared. Visible ownership matters more than a 50/50 count — the imbalance usually comes from one person holding the list.
Is there a free app for this checklist?: Simpleban's Wedding planning template is free for two people, with a countdown, due dates, an owner on every card, and handoffs. It doesn't do budgets or guest lists.
What do most couples forget?: The marriage licence timing, vendor meals, a timeline for the day, who holds the rings, and a contact person for vendors who is not the couple.