12 months · 80 items
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Wedding Planning Checklist 2026.

A 12-month countdown. A comprehensive checklist that tells you what to do each month. From venue to invitations, photographer to guest coordination — nothing forgotten.

01Foreword

Wedding planning is a project management task.

The most common complaint from couples planning a wedding: "We left everything to the last week." In reality, a wedding is a set of parallel tasks spread across 6-12 months. This list was compiled from interviews with couples who've planned real weddings; it captures the critical steps for each month. Even if you miss one item, the wedding won't fall apart — but with this list, you won't panic in the last week.

Tip

Don't skip this step for wedding photo sharing

The most often forgotten thing in the planning phase is where the hundreds of photos your guests will take are going to land. That's why this list recommends setting up LiveAlbum in month 3 — your QR code should be ready before your invitations go to print.

0212-month countdown

What to do, month by month.

5-10 items per month. Each with a small note: why it matters, how long to allocate.

12-10 months out

Core decisions

  • Lock in your wedding budget — total, who pays, what shares to which line
  • Define date and venue framing (summer/winter, outdoor/hall)
  • Estimate guest count — at least ±20 accuracy
  • Talk about the wedding style (classic, modern, boho, minimalist)
  • Tell your potential witnesses and best man/maid of honour
9-7 months out

Vendor bookings

  • Book the venue (popular venues are taken 12 months ahead)
  • Interview photographers, sign with one
  • Tasting sessions for catering / menu
  • Book the music (DJ or orchestra)
  • Start bridal dress fittings
  • Choose colour and accessories for the groom's suit
6-4 months out

Detail planning

  • Invitation design — digital free, or printed
  • Send Save-the-Date cards (critical for seasonal weddings)
  • Pick a florist — bouquet, table centrepieces, hall decor
  • Wedding cake design and order
  • Honeymoon plan — flight + hotel reservation (30-40% savings with early tickets)
  • Set up a honeymoon wish list (if applicable)
  • Capture witness speech ideas
3 months out

QR and invitation printing

  • Open a LiveAlbum account and set up your wedding album (3 minutes)
  • Include your album QR on the invitation printout
  • Send invitations to print (must be delivered 3 weeks ahead)
  • Finalise the guest list
  • Prepare a hotel recommendation list (for out-of-town guests)
  • Publish your wedding registry (if applicable)
  • Start hair and makeup trials
2 months out

Guest coordination

  • Finish distributing the invitations
  • Start tracking RSVPs — who's coming, dietary needs
  • Final hair and makeup trial
  • Final alterations on the bridal dress
  • Reserve the wedding car
  • Plan transport to the marriage office on the day
  • Coordinate with families: who arrives where, when
1 month out

Final rehearsals

  • Final venue visit — table layout, contrast check
  • Final shot list with the photographer
  • Approve the playlist with the musician/DJ
  • Plan the ceremony rehearsal
  • Share the schedule with witnesses / best man / maid of honour
  • Prepare wedding favours
  • Print the LiveAlbum QR on table cards (extra QR cards via the Business plan)
1 week to go

Final preparations

  • Finalise the guest list — remove no-shows, update seating
  • Prepare envelopes for all payments (catering, music, photographer)
  • Wedding emergency kit: needle and thread, stain remover, painkillers
  • Phone chargers, backup power bank
  • Final test of the LiveAlbum QR — upload a photo to the album
Wedding day

Forget the rules, enjoy

  • Morning breakfast — last calm moment with the family
  • Hair and makeup — make sure they communicate with your photographer
  • Mark on the phone all the cars driving to the wedding address
  • Place the QR cards on the tables — everyone should see them
  • Spend 5 minutes alone with your love, deep breath
  • When the ceremony begins — stay away from the phone, live the moment
  • The guests will already upload to LiveAlbum; you just get married
03Next step

You'll meet us at month three of this list.

Start your wedding planning with LiveAlbum. Your QR on your invitation, your album ready in a minute, your photos safe for 1 year.

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