Wedding planning checklist - step-by-step over 12 months

Wedding planning is a process with hundreds of small details, and it is easy to forget something. This checklist is built from EventPro’s 10 years of experience - follow it and nothing on the wedding day will surprise you.

12 months ahead

• Agree on the budget (with both sets of parents if they are involved)
• Align on the wedding vision - colours, style, scale
• Initial guest list (you will expand later)
• Date selection - 2-3 options in case the first one is taken
• Venue search and booking - for summer weddings this is critical at this stage

10-11 months ahead

• Photo and video team selection - good ones fill up very early
• Wedding planner or day-of coordinator (at least a coordinator)
• DJ or live band - top musicians book 8-10 months ahead
• Wedding dress - first fitting/buying round

8-9 months ahead

• Catering proposals - 2-3 partners, tastings
• Florist selection and initial concept
• Tuxedo/suit for the groom
• Save the Date - especially important for guests traveling

6-7 months ahead

• Final guest list and seating plan
• Wedding car - classic, premium, vintage
• Accommodation for out-of-town guests - block hotel rooms
• Ceremony officiant - civil or religious

4-5 months ahead

• Official invitations to send
• Ceremony content - vows, poems, music
• Wedding cake - tasting and design discussion
• Photo and video shot list preparation

2-3 months ahead

• Final alterations on the dress/suit
• Confirm all vendors
• Plan rehearsal dinner
• Hair and makeup trial

1 month ahead

• Final guest count and vendor communication
• First-dance song discussion with the band
• Rain plan if outdoor ceremony
• Final payments to most vendors

1 week ahead

• Final seating chart and printing
• Confirm all artistic and technical services
• Pack for honeymoon
• Meeting with day-of coordinator - full plan walkthrough

Wedding day

• Hair and makeup 4 hours before ceremony
• Family photo session 2 hours before ceremony
• Make sure someone is responsible for the rings
• Schedule 30 minutes of quiet before the ceremony
• Show up and let your team do their job

How not to do this alone

If the list looks stressful - you are not alone. 95% of couples EventPro works with start out planning to do it themselves, then 4 months before the wedding hire a day-of coordinator. Our experience: 4-6 months ahead is the sweet spot to get in touch - time to improve everything without rush stress.

Call +371 22 124 884 or info@eventpro.lv - in a no-commitment consult we work out which part you want to do yourself and where you want help.