The 2027 Wedding Planning Checklist for Laid-Back Couples
When you’re planning your wedding, you’ll come across the fact that the nitty-gritty details are actually what make your day flow so smoothly. And as a type A Boston wedding photographer, I see how a good plan changes your whole experience of the day. You may have seen my ultimate Boston wedding planning guide for 2027, but if you want a more detailed wedding planning checklist to know exactly what you’re supposed to be doing every step of the way (hint: it’s not stressing out about what color napkins to choose), I’ve got you covered!
Your Go-To Wedding Planning Checklist for 2027 Weddings
Before we get started, here’s a nifty little table of contents for you, so that you can reference this post to go to exactly the stage of wedding planning you’re in:
The Wedding Planning Checklist for 12+ Months Out
The early stages of being engaged are honestly some of my favorites. If you’re planning an engagement that’s longer than a year, the first few months will be a whole lotta excitement and not too many logistics. And isn’t that the fun part?
If this is the step you’re at in your wedding planning process, here’s what you should be doing:
Nail Down Your Venue and Date
First things first, you’ll need to have a date set for this blog post to actually work for you. And your date relies on your venue. Wedding venues in Boston book up pretty quickly, so I always recommend doing this as soon as you can. If you need some help in the venue search area of things, check out my guides to Glen Magna Farms, Willowdale Estate, and Waverly Oaks!
Determine Your Budget
Your budget will be your guiding light throughout the entire wedding planning checklist. Setting a realistic budget that feels attainable for your wedding goals is key.
Plan Your Overall Vibe + Find Inspo
This is kind of the fun part, because it’s where you get to be creative with it. You can start talking about any themes, color palettes, and styles you want, and spend a good chunk of time browsing Pinterest for inspo. Bonus points if you have a glass of champagne in hand.
Start Creating Your Guest List
A longer engagement gives you more time to start on a guest list, because, trust me… This is one of those tasks that sneaks up on you. The sooner you can start deciding on the size of your wedding and who all you want to invite, the better, because then you can get ahead of the next step, which is getting their addresses and contact info.
Start Booking Vendors
If there are any vendors you know you definitely want to hire, it’s usually never too early to get on their books. As a Boston wedding photographer, I’m currently booking 2027 weddings myself!
This early in the game, I typically recommend at least reaching out to (and scheduling calls with) wedding planners and photographers (hi). These are the vendors that book up the quickest, and if you’re anything like me, you can never be too prepared.
Take Engagement Photos
Depending on what season we’re in, this can be a great time to take your engagement photos. This gives you plenty of time to get them back to use for your save the dates and wedding websites, plus it acts as a trial run for a photographer!
If you’re planning your session, see my fave locations in Massachusetts.
The Wedding Planning Checklist for 10-12 Months Out
First stage done! That’s something worth celebrating.
10-12 months out from your wedding is where the logistics really start, but taking this wedding planning checklist piece by piece will make it feel a lot less stressful, I swear. Here’s what you need to be looking into:
Finalize Your Guest List
Having your guest list finished means having names, plus ones, addresses, contact info, and anything else you may need to know written down. These few months should give you plenty of time to get all the info you need, since our next block will include sending out save the dates.
Finish Booking Your Vendors
At this point, your main vendors should be booked. Believe me, nothing feels better than contracts being signed and your endless hours of Google searches being done with.
I recommend having each of these nailed down for your wedding date:
Venue
Planner
Photographer
Videographer
Content Creator
Florist
Hair and Makeup Artist
Live Band
DJ
Officiant
Caterer
Baker
Bartender
Hotel Blocks
Transportation
Propose to Your Wedding Party
Sometime during this time, you should ask your favorite people to be a part of your wedding. Not only does this make wedding planning all the more fun, but it also gives everyone time to prepare!
Start Wedding Dress Shopping (And in Some Cases, Buy Your Dress)
Since wedding dresses take a while to make, you should start shopping and maybe even order the dress 10-12 months out from your wedding. This gives you plenty of time to get the dress in, add any customizations, and then have it altered.
The Wedding Planning Checklist for 8-9 Months Out
Once you’ve finished these things and you’ve moved into the 8-9 months out stage, your wedding planning checklist load gets slightly lighter.
Send Save-the-Dates
Your save-the-dates should be sent out about 8-9 months before your wedding to give all of your guests ample time to plan travel if need be, and keep your date on their radar.
Buy Your Wedding Attire
Having your wedding attire bought covers everything in this situation. A dress, a suit, wedding bands, etc. You have a little bit more time for things like shoes and accessories, but again, it never hurts to get ahead!
Choose Wedding Party Attire
Speaking of attire, here’s where you get to pick out what the people standing next to you will be wearing and let them know. Typically, these don’t need to be ordered until about 4 months before the wedding, though.
Make Your Registry
Okay, but what if I said this is one of the most fun parts?
Seriously, though, building a registry is basically like online shopping. You can do this in a store or through a wedding website, whichever is most convenient for you!
Start Planning Your Honeymoon
While you don’t have to finalize decisions quite yet, it’s good to start thinking about a honeymoon, especially if it’ll be out of the country and you need to get a passport or any vaccinations.
The Wedding Planning Checklist for 6-7 Months Out
Halfway there! Your first step here is to celebrate. You’ve done a LOT already, and I know that wedding planning isn’t easy. Take a breather, feel your feelings, plan a date night, and then come back to this section when you’re ready.
Book a Rehearsal Dinner Venue
In some cases, your rehearsal dinner is included in your wedding venue, which is obviously the best-case scenario. If not, though, you’ll want to make sure to reserve this in advance! Even if this is a restaurant nearby, it’s good to have a set plan for it.
Plan Anything for Bachelorette Trips, Bridal Showers, Etc.
I know, I know, the bride isn’t really supposed to do anything for this. If your maid of honor needs an extra hand with anything, though (think guest lists, contact info, etc.), it can never hurt to just touch base. Also, I love seeing the growing trend where brides get their party members a gift for these events! It’s such a great way to thank them for being by your side, and who doesn’t love supportive bestie vibes?
The Wedding Planning Checklist for 4-5 Months Out
4-5 months is kind of the calm before the storm, if you will. It’s a pretty slow time block overall (but with super important steps), but since it’s getting so close, know that there’s more coming up. If you’re on schedule now, though, there’s nothing to stress about.
Send Invitations
Invites are sent, RSVPs will (hopefully) start coming in, and we’re basically in go-mode now.
Start Wedding Dress Alterations
Your wedding dress has most likely arrived at this point, and you can start having it altered. My top tip is to read tons of seamstress reviews beforehand, to make sure that you can 100% trust the person you’re taking it to to do it well.
Finalize Honeymoon Plans
Travel planning is one of the best parts of this, because can’t you just see yourself on a beach somewhere, sipping a drink calmly after all the wedding planning chaos is over?? Yeah. Thought so.
The Wedding Planning Checklist for 3 Months Out
Okay, but can we just take a minute here to realize how close it’s getting to your wedding day?
Have Your Hair and Makeup Trial
Pro tip: Schedule this after your dress is done in alterations so that you get to see the whole look together, and you can even take bridal portraits on the same day if that’s something you’re doing. It’s basically a win-win-win situation.
Plan Your Menu
It’s time to finalize your food selection at this point, and if you need to go to any tastings, now’s the time! Luckily, sitting around eating good food isn’t that hard a task.
Start Thinking About a Song List
Think three months into the future when you’re dancing the night away with all your fave people… What songs are on? Start thinking about that and throw it on a list so your DJ has some guidance.
Start Thinking About a Photo List
Similarly, this is a good time to start working on a photo list to give to your photographer. As a Boston wedding photographer, I always appreciate a list that has any specific photos you want, plus names of anyone in those photos! It makes things run super smoothly, and as a type A gal, you already know I love that.
The Wedding Planning Checklist for 2 Months Out
Enjoy Your Bach and Showers
Since you’re getting so close to the big day, this is the time to really let go and let yourself enjoy this era!
Start Any Beauty Prep
If you had your makeup trial, your stylist may have given you some tips, but if not, I recommend drinking a ton of water and treating yourself to some facial treatments. And I mean you’re welcome.
Start Writing Your Vows
This is one of the easiest but somehow also one of the hardest parts of all of wedding planning: writing your vows. How can you put together everything you feel about your partner into one speech?! I like to tell my couples to start them around this point, and let the inspiration come to you naturally over time.
The Wedding Planning Checklist for 1 Month Out
Okay, now it’s really crunch time.
This is a super, super exciting era, but it definitely comes with some important tasks, and this is the perfect time to do these things:
Get your Marriage License
In Boston, you can get your marriage license up to 60 days before your wedding. Check with your local laws to see the right timeframe for yours and the rules for getting yours, if you aren’t located right here in Boston.
Touch Base With Your Vendors
There’s nothing like a little nudge to just touch base with your dream team. See if they need anything from you, make a list of final payments that need to be made, get timelines, etc. If you have a planner, they’ll usually do this for you, but this is around when it should be done!
Create a Seating Chart
RSVPs will (hopefully) be pouring in around this time, so you can start creating your seating chart for the reception.
The Wedding Planning Checklist for 2 Weeks Out
Pack For Your Honeymoon
If you’re leaving for some tropical destination straight from your wedding, one, know that I’m so jealous, and two, start prepping for that now. Even if you’re a last-minute packer usually, that’s not the person you want to be for two weeks before your wedding!
Give a Final Headcount to Necessary Vendors
Vendors like your venue, your caterer, and your planner will need a final guest count number to know exactly how much of what things to bring, and this is the best time to get them that info.
Check the Weather Report
Don’t fret, but just check the weather to see if it’s looking like rain. Even if it is, don’t panic! There’s always a backup plan; it’s just best if we get ahead of it as much as we possibly can.
The Wedding Planning Checklist for the Day Before
OMG… It’s the day before. Congratulations, you made it through the season of wedding planning!
Just a few more things before you get to have the party of your life:
Get Your Nails Done
Super hard task, right?
Seriously, though, last-minute beauty prep happens now, and I always tell couples to save any nail appointments for the day before.
Drink Tons of Water
Hydration is key, and when you drink a ton of water in the days leading up to the wedding, you’ll feel it. Thank me later.
Pack Last Minute Items
Anything that isn’t packed for your wedding, your honeymoon, or just for your day-of emergency kit should happen now.
Get Some Rest!
It’s finally here, and trust me, you won’t want to be tired all day. Get some beauty sleep so that you’re fully prepared for all of the excitement that tomorrow will bring!
Questions My Couples Ask Me All the Time About Wedding Planning
How Long Should My Engagement Be?
This is totally up to you! Typically, people suggest 12-14 months, but say you get engaged in January, and you’re dreaming of a fall wedding. In that case, you have two options: to plan a 9-10 month engagement or to wait until the following year and have a very long engagement. I see people choose both options, and it’s fully personal preference.
What Should My Wedding Planning Timeline Look Like for a Shorter Engagement?
If you’re planning a wedding in less time than the wedding planning timeline we used above, do all the things from the first step to the step you’re at in the first month. For example, if you’re planning a wedding in 8 months, do everything from months 12+ through 8 in the first month of planning!
What if I’m Eloping?
You know I’ve got you covered. See my full Boston elopement guide with everything you need to know about planning an elopement or a micro-wedding.
Ashley Olafsson | Boston Wedding Photographer
If you’re planning a wedding in Boston (or, really, anywhere in the world), I’d love to be there to support you not only on your wedding day, but through the entire wedding planning timeline. I’m the photographer who will help you find your whole vendor team, then laugh with you on the dance floor all night long.
Ready to get started with a type A Boston wedding photographer on your side? Inquire here today.
Xoxo,
Ashley
