A Step-by-Step Wedding Planning Checklist for 2025 Brides

Confessions of a bride-to-be by Erin Muehsler

2025 is finally here, and for us brides-to-be, it’s officially our year! With the big day fast approaching, planning can feel overwhelming, but trust me—it’s also one of the most exciting times in your life. As a fellow 2025 bride, I know firsthand how stressful it can be to stay on top of everything. From saying ‘yes’ to the dress, booking your dream vendors, and organizing those last-minute details, there’s so much to juggle. That’s why having a reliable wedding planning checklist is a game changer. 

This step-by-step guide has been a lifesaver for my fiancé and me. It’s kept us organized, on track, and—most importantly—stress-free. Having this checklist handy has turned what could have been chaos into an enjoyable, memorable process! Keep scrolling to explore the 2025 wedding planning checklist and savor every moment of this special journey with the one you love.  

12+ Months Before:

• Decide Your Theme: Start envisioning your wedding theme and design. 
• Announce Engagement: Share your exciting news with family and friends. 
• Set a Budget: Discuss and finalize the overall budget. 
• Choose a Date: Decide on a date and check for significant events or holidays. 
• Create a Guest List: Draft an initial guest list to estimate size. 
• Hire a Wedding Planner: If desired, engage a planner to coordinate. 
• Book Your Venue: Secure your ceremony and reception venues. 
• Research Vendors: Start looking for caterers, photographers, florists and more. 

11-10 Months Before: 

• Engagement Photos: Schedule an engagement photo session. 
• Select Your Bridal Party: Ask friends and family to join your wedding party. 
• Dress Shopping: Begin shopping for your wedding dress. 
• Book Key Vendors: Hire your photographer, videographer, and caterer. 
• Create a Wedding Website: Set up a website for information and RSVPs. 
• Book Florist: Select and book your florist for arrangements and bouquets. 
• Research Attire: Look into bridesmaid dresses, groom’s attire, and groomsment outfits.
• Book Entertainment: Hire a DJ or band for your reception.
• Reserve Accommodations: Book a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests. 
• Start Registry: Set up your wedding gift registry.

9-7 Months Before:

• Say Yes To The Dress: Place your wedding dress order. 
• Choose Bridesmaid Dresses: Decide on and order dresses for your bridesmaids. 
• Book Officiant: Hire the person who will conduct your ceremony.
• Plan Your Honeymoon: Start planning and book your honeymoon. 
• Finalize Guest List: Confirm your guest list and collect addresses. 
• Invitations: Order invitations and send out save-the-dates. 
• Select a Cake: Arrange cake tastings and choose your wedding cake. 
• Rehearsal Dinner: Book a rehearsal dinner venue. 
• Plan Transportation: Arrange transportation for the wedding day. 
• Book Hair and Makeup: Reserve stylists for hair and makeup. 
• Create a Playlist: Start planning music for your ceremony and reception.

6-4 Months Before:

• Order Wedding Rings: Choose and order your wedding bands. 
• Arrange Rentals: Book any necessary rentals, like tents, chairs, and tableware. 
• Plan Ceremony: Decide on the order of events for your ceremony. 
• Finalize Menu: Meet with your caterer to finalize the menu. 
• Purchase Attire: Buy or rent attire for the groom and groomsmen. 
• Select Readings: Choose readings and confirm with those who will present them. 
• Plan Wedding Favors: Decide and order wedding favors for guests. 
• Confirm Details with Vendors: Review and finalize details with all vendors. 
• Perfect Your Look: Hair and makeup trial. 
• Schedule Bridal Shower: Coordinate with friends and family about the bridal shower. 
• Prepare for Marriage License: Research requirements and plan to apply. 

3-1 Months Before: 

• Final Dress Fitting: Attend your final wedding dress fitting. 
• Order Stationery: Order ceremony programs and place cards. 
• Finalize Seating Chart: Plan the seating arrangements for your reception. 
• Send Invitations: Confirm the correct mailing costs with the post office. 
• Review Vows: Write or review your vows. 
• Confirm with Vendors: Reconfirm all bookings and details with vendors. 
• Apply for a Marriage License: Obtain your marriage license. 
• Attend Bridal Shower: Enjoy your bridal shower. 
• Final Walkthrough: Do a final walkthrough at the venue with your planner. 

2 Weeks Before:

• Confirm RSVPs: Follow up with any guests who haven’t responded. 
• Create a Day-of-Timeline: Plan or review the schedule for your wedding day with your wedding planner. 
• Final Payments: Make any final payments to vendors. 

Week of Wedding: 

• Pack for Your Honeymoon: Prepare and pack for your honeymoon. 
• Rehearsal Dinner: Confirm details and enjoy your rehearsal dinner. 
• Double-check Wedding Attire: Press the gown and pick up formal wear. Make sure bridesmaids and groomsmen have attire ready. 
• Guest Transportation: Arrange for guests to be picked up from the airport and brought to the hotel. 
• Marriage License: Pick up the marriage license and give it to the officiant. 
• Relax and Enjoy: Take time to relax and enjoy the anticipation. 

Wedding Day:

• Give Gifts: Present gifts to parents, bridal party, and each other. 
• Wedding Bands: Give wedding bands to the maid of honor and best man or the ring bearers. 
• Pay Officiant: Give the best man the check to the officiant after the ceremony. 
• Point Out Family: Make sure the photographer knows who are family members and members of bridal party. 
• Say “I Do”: Enjoy your wedding day!

“A Step-by-Step Wedding Planning Checklist for 2025 Brides” Spotlight WiH Parteners- Venue: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa | The Bell Tower on 34th | Hotel ICON | The Laura Hotel, Autograph Collection | The Astorian | Petroleum Club of Houston | Florals & Decor: Plants N’ Petals | Cake: Susie’s Cakes | For Heaven’s Cake | Stationery: Bering’s | Bridal Hair & Makeup: Polished Makeup & Hair | Bridal Gown: Belle Âme Bridal | Jewelry: Tenenbaum Jewelers | Live Painter: Rendered Moments | Table & Chairs: Houston Tents & Events | Guest Accommodations: Grand Galvez | CVB: Visit Galveston 

Contributing Photographers- Bottega 53 / Brit Floyd Weddings / Ama by Aisha / Ivan Garcia Studio / Amy Maddox Photography / Leslie Margarita / Erika Geier Photography / Ama by Aisha – Claudia Diaz / Courtney Leigh Photography