12 Month Wedding Checklist for Toronto Brides

12 Months Out

• Set a budget
• First draft of guest list
• Set your priorities
• Assign planning tasks
• Create an email account
• Create a hashtag
• Decide formality
• Start a Pinterest board
• Select an overall theme
• Pick possible dates
• Research venues and caterers
• Research photographers
• Create a question list for vendors
• Book venue tours
• Book calls with photographers

 

10 Months Out

• Book venue and caterer
• Have a "rain" plan
• Purchase wedding insurance
• Research alcohol permits
• Menu tastings
• Book your photographer
• Engagement photoshoot
• Second draft of guest list
• Finalize colour palette
• Choose wedding party
• Start dress shopping
• Begin your wedding website
• Research guest accommodations
• Research florists and DJs

 

8 Months Out

• Order your dress
• Start dance lessons
• Design Save the Dates
• Finalize guest list
• Finalize style and colours
• Plan bridesmaid attire
• Plan groomsmen attire
• Research rentals and officiants
• Find guest accommodations
• Book florist and DJ

 

6 Months Out

• Gift registry
• Finalize menu selections
• Complete wedding website
• Dress fitting
• Order bridal party attire
• Meet with florist
• Research cake, and hair + makeup
• Book officiant and bartenders
• Reserve rental items
• Start planning your honeymoon

 

4 Months Out

• Finalize drink selection
• Finalize linen selection
• Thrift shop for decor
• Book transportation for guests
• Book hair and makeup
• Book dessert
• Book honeymoon
• Book time off work for wedding day and honeymoon
• Purchase wedding bands
• Hair and makeup trial
• Groomsmen attire fittings
• Start organizing seating chart
• Plan guest book, welcome table etc.

 

2 Months Out

• Bridal shower
• Send invitations
• Plan or order wedding favours
• Meet with most vendors
• Send song selections to DJ
• Send photo requests to photographer
• Floral mock-up with florist
• Final dress fitting
• Research marriage license
• Final details list
• Create a list of everything you need to bring on the day
• Buy wedding party gifts
• Purchase small items (cake topper, guest book etc.)
• Practice first dance and parent dances

 

1 Month Out

• Bachelorette Party
• Call guests who haven't RSVP'ed
• Finalize seating chart
• Order reception stationary (menus, table numbers, seating chart)
• Finalize guest count
• Write out a final timeline
• Communicate wth caterer about food selections
• Finalize ceremony flow
• Pick up marriage license
• Write vows
• Wedding dress undergarments

 

2 Weeks Out

• Beauty treatments
• Send out contact lists and timeline to wedding party and vendors
• Pack for honeymoon
• Message any vendors that haven't reached out
• Delegate responsibilities for wedding day
• Pack emergency kit
• Wrap gifts for bridal party, spouse, and parents
• Finalize rehearsal dinner
• Practice first dance with partner

 

3 Days Out

• Prepare vendor payment envelopes (with tips)
• Hair treatment
• Mani + pedi
• Edible DIYs!
• Confirm transportation accommodations
• Practice walking in shoes
• Confirm timeline with important people
• Print out hard-copy of timeline, contact list, shot list, and vows
• Prepare dress
• Communicate with venue if you're doing an outdoor or indoor ceremony

 

1 Day Out

• Ceremony rehearsal
• Rehearsal dinner
• Decorate reception area (if you have access to venue)
• Decorate ceremony space
• Give tips to Day of Coordinator
• Give marriage license to officiant
• Hand off rings to trusted party
• Go over timeline with bridal party
• Put bags in car
• Charge electronics and phones
• Sleep and drink water!

 

Wedding Day!

• Eat breakfast
• Drink water
• Double check all bags
• Meet bridal party at getting-ready location
• Hair and makeup
• Steam dress if needed
• Lay out items for photographer (rings, invitations, dress)
• Exchange notes with your partner
• Get married!

 

After Wedding

• Honeymoon!
• Leave reviews for vendors and send thank you notes
• Preserve flowers
• Get dress cleaned
• Request a name change
• Start on thank you notes for gifts