The Complete Inventory
The Master Wedding Checklist
Every task from engagement to after the honeymoon, organized by phase, so nothing quietly slips through the cracks.
If the timeline guide tells you when and why to do things, this is the complete list of what. It is the full inventory of tasks, organized by phase, that you can check off with confidence as the months pass. Nothing here is meant to overwhelm; most items take minutes, and the point is simply that none of them get forgotten in the blur. Work through each phase in order, and by the time you reach the final weeks the only things left will be the ones that genuinely must wait. Print it, share it, and let it carry the mental load so you do not have to.
How to use this checklist
This list pairs with the planning timeline rather than replacing it. The timeline explains the sequence and reasoning; this page is the tactical inventory you actually tick off. Work top to bottom through the phases, and do not jump ahead to later phases before the foundations are set, because early tasks unlock the later ones. Assign each item an owner, whether that is one of you, a parent, or your coordinator, so nothing lives in the gap between two people. Revisit it every few weeks rather than all at once, and the whole process stays calm and current.
Just engaged
- Share the news with closest family and friends in person or by call
- Insure the engagement ring
- Set a realistic total budget and confirm family contributions
- Draft a tiered guest list to establish your true headcount
- Choose a season and a few candidate dates
- Start a shared vision folder of colors, styles, and images
Foundation, roughly 12 to 9 months out
- Book the venue and lock the date
- Reserve your photographer
- Open a conversation with your florist and reserve your date
- Book ceremony and reception entertainment
- Choose your wedding party and ask them
- Begin dress and attire shopping
Big pieces, roughly 9 to 6 months out
- Confirm catering and book the cake
- Order the wedding dress and start attire for the party
- Book hair and makeup artists
- Send save-the-dates
- Hold a working floral consultation on palette and vision
- Reserve transportation and lodging blocks for guests
Details, roughly 6 to 3 months out
- Order and address invitations
- Book the officiant and plan the ceremony structure
- Finalize rentals for chairs, linens, and lighting
- Draft the day-of timeline and order of events
- Refine centerpiece and personal-flower counts with your florist
- Purchase wedding bands
Locking it down, roughly 3 to 1 months out
- Mail invitations and track RSVPs
- Finalize the guest count and build the seating chart
- Give catering the final headcount
- Confirm every vendor's day-of timeline in writing
- Obtain the marriage license within its validity window
- Confirm floral delivery, setup, and breakdown windows
- Pay remaining vendor balances as they come due
Wedding week and day
- Reconfirm arrival times with every vendor
- Assemble and drop off any items vendors need
- Give personal-flower recipients their arrival instructions
- Attend the rehearsal and hand off day-of logistics to a point person
- Get real sleep the night before
- On the day, be present and let your team execute the plan
After the honeymoon
- Send thank-you notes promptly while gratitude is fresh
- Arrange bouquet preservation if you plan to keep it
- Return any rented attire or items on time
- Leave reviews for the vendors who served you well
- Order prints or an album once photos arrive
- Handle any name-change paperwork you have chosen to do
Keep This Handy
Free Download
The Complete Wedding Planning Checklist
Every To-Do From Engagement Through the Honeymoon, Organized by Phase
Free Download
The Complete Wedding Floral Checklist
Every Flower You Might Need, Organized and Ready
Free Download
The Wedding Day Emergency Kit Checklist
Everything to Pack So Any Small Crisis Is Solved in Seconds
From the Knowledge Center
What personal flowers do I need to order for the wedding party?
From the Knowledge Center
What should I confirm with my florist the final week?
From the Knowledge Center
When should I finalize and order the wedding party's personal flowers?
Bentley Florist · Burton, Michigan · Since 1963
Let's Start Planning Your Wedding Flowers
When your checklist reaches the floral line, we make it the easy part. Bentley Florist has kept Burton-area couples organized and cared for since 1963, from first consultation to day-of delivery. Call 810-742-3174 to check flowers off with confidence.
Flowers before the big day
Browse Fresh Flowers
Rehearsal dinners, showers, thank-yous — for the flower moments before the wedding, Bentley Florist delivers same-day.