So, you’re getting married in a month. It might be that you’re eloping and just decided to make it official or maybe you’ve just let things get on top of you and your big day has crept up quicker then you expected.
Whatever it is, here you are, four weeks out and wondering how on earth you’re going to pull it all off. Or not sure what the right order is to get everything that’s left done.
There’s some good news though: you can still plan a beautiful wedding in 30 days.
If you’re starting from scratch then it won’t be as Pinterest perfect as some couples do who have been planning for 18 months. And that’s totally fine.
What matters is celebrating your love with the people who matter most and you’ve got enough time to do that.
So this one month wedding planning checklist breaks everything down week by week. It will help you to avoid staring at a terrifying to do list wondering where to start.
The list works in reverse order starting with week four (the furthest out) and working through to your wedding day.
Week 4: Final Confirmations and Legal Requirements
Okay, you’re four weeks out. This is when you need to get the big stuff sorted out.
So things like the vendors who are going to make your day happen and the paperwork that makes it legal. No pressure, right? But seriously this week is all about getting these major issues in order so the rest of your month you can switch to more fun details.
Confirm All Vendor Details
First things first: reach out to every one of the vendors you’ve booked. And I mean every one – the photographer, caterer, florist, DJ, officiant, venue coordinator, cake baker and so on. You want to confirm the dates, times, locations and exactly what they’re providing.
Send them a quick email or give them a call. Ask when they’ll arrive, where they should set up and if they need anything from you (like a final headcount or a playlist).
This also gives you a chance to make sure they have the right date. That probably sounds a little paranoid but mix ups happen more than you might think and you’d rather get them now than the night before your wedding.
If you haven’t paid deposits yet then get those sorted this week too. Most vendors will want their final payments a week or two before the wedding but if you confirm now then it gives you time to budget and not run in to any last minute rushes.
And if you’re working with a wedding planner or coordinator keep them in all these conversations. The more they know now the smoother everything will go on the day.
Get Your Marriage License
This is something you can miss. You can have the most gorgeous ceremony in the world but without a marriage license then it’s just a really nice party!
Marriage license requirements will vary depending on where you live so get in touch with your local county clerk’s office website to find out exactly what you need. Most places will need both of you to show up in person with valid IDs – something like your driver’s licenses or passports. Some states also ask for your Social Security numbers, birth certificates, or proof of divorce if either of you was married before.
The timing is important for this too. Some states have periods of waiting between when you apply and when the license is valid whereas others are happy to issue l it then and there. And don’t forget: licenses expire. Most are good for 30 to 90 days so you’re cutting it close with just a month to go. Get this done as soon as you can.
Bring cash or a card as it costs (usually somewhere between $30 and $100). You can even have a little celebration after. You just took care of one of the most important boxes on your list.
Week 3: Guest Management and Ceremony Details
Week three is when things will probably start to feel a lot more real. You’ve got your vendors confirmed and your paperwork sorted so now it’s time to move on to the people who’ll be there and what is going to happen during the ceremony.
Finalize Your Guest List and Seating Chart
If you haven’t already it’s now that you’ll want to confirm the guest list. With only a month to go you need to know exactly who’s coming so you can give your caterer, venue and other vendors accurate headcounts.
Send out invitations if you haven’t yet. A month is tight for using traditional paper invites so you might want to look at digital invitations through sites like Paperless Post. You could even go with a simple email or text message if you don’t mind it feeling very casual. People will understand the short notice, especially if you explain the situation.
Set an RSVP deadline for about two weeks before the wedding (so the end of this week or early next week). Follow up with anyone who hasn’t responded. Don’t be shy about texting or calling as you really need those numbers.
Once you know who’s coming get working on the seating chart. This can be a bit of a puzzle but do everything you can to keep it simple.
Group people by how they know you (family, college friends, work colleagues etc.), and try to seat people together who will get along. If you’re having a small wedding you don’t need to be with assigning seats and can just let people sit where they want.
Make a master list with names, contact info and any dietary or special needs they have. Give all this to your caterer, venue and anyone else who needs it.
Complete Your Ceremony Planning
Now let’s talk about the actual ceremony. What’s going to happen when you’re standing up there in front of everyone?
First, get in touch with your officiant. You need to go over the ceremony structure with whoever is going to be officiating.
Are you going to write your own vows or use traditional ones? Are you including any readings, songs or cultural traditions? Do you want a unity ceremony, like lighting a candle or pouring sand?
If you’re writing your own vows this is the week to start doing so. It doesn’t have to be Shakespeare. Just get down on paper or type on your computer what you love about your partner, what you’re promising them and what your marriage means to you. Read them out loud to yourself (or to a friend you trust) to make sure they flow well.
Choose your ceremony music too. You’ll need something for the processional (when you walk down the aisle), something for the recessional (when you walk back as a married couple) and maybe a song during the ceremony itself.
If you’re having live musicians tell them what you want them to play. If it’s a playlist make sure someone’s in charge of getting it going at the right time.
And lastly decide on the order of the ceremony. Who’s walking down the aisle and in what order? When do readings happen? When do you exchange rings?
Your officiant can help you work this out and having a written timeline will make rehearsal a whole lot easier.
Week 2: Beauty, Attire, and Reception Finalization
Halfway there now. Week two is about looking good, feeling confident and getting the details of the reception sorted.
Schedule Hair and Makeup Trials
You want to look and feel amazing on your wedding day, right? That means figuring out your hair and makeup before the big day.
If you’re hiring a professional it’s a good idea to schedule a trial this week. Bring sone photos for inspiration (nows the time to fire up Pinterest and Instagram), but also be open to what the artist suggests based on your face shape, hair type and wedding style. Try out a few different looks if you have time and make sure you’re happy with the results.
Keep an eye on how everything holds up throughout the day. If your trial is in the morning see how your makeup looks by the evening. Is your lipstick still there? Did your hair stay put?
If you’re doing your own hair and makeup this is the week to do some practicing. Do a full run through with the dress (or outfit) you’ll wear and take photos in different lighting. What looks good in the bathroom mirror might look a lot different in photographs so it’s best to test it out.
Don’t forget about skincare. If you’re planning any facials, peels or new products start using them now, not the week of the wedding. You don’t want to risk a reaction or breakout when it’s too late to fix it.
And while we’re talking beauty: if you’re getting a spray tan, waxing or any other treatments schedule those for a few days before the wedding, not the day before. You’ll want to have time in case something goes wrong.
Finalize Reception Details and Timeline
Now let’s talk about the party. Your reception is where you’ll spend most of your wedding day so getting the details right is a big deal.
Start by creating a timeline for the reception. When will cocktail hour start? When are you doing your first dance, toasts, cake cutting and bouquet toss (if you’re doing those)? When will dinner be served? Have a plan for it all hour by hour and give this timeline to your vendors and wedding party.
Confirm all the reception details with your venue and caterer. Double check the menu, the bar setup and any things you’re renting like tables, chairs or linens. If you’re doing a buffet, appetizers or a plated dinner make sure everyone’s on the same page.
Decide on your music and entertainment. If you have a DJ or band give them a list of song a they have to play and songs to avoid. Let them know what sort of feel you’re after – classy, elegant, a dance party etc.
Think about any speeches or toasts. Who’s speaking and when? They’re going to need some time to prepare (and maybe rehearse so they’re not rambling after a few drinks) so let them know.
If you’re having favors get them sorted this week and make sure they’ll be ready in time. Same goes for any signage, place cards, table numbers or other pieces of décor.
And finally you’ll want to confirm your cake or dessert. When will it be delivered? Where will it be set up? Does someone need to cut and serve it or is that going to be done by your caterer?
Week 1: Final Touches and Day Of Preparation
This the final countdown. You’re one week away from becoming a married. Well done for getting this far!
This week is all about tying up any loose ends, preparing the day itself and trying not to lose your mind!
Create Your Wedding Day Emergency Kit
Murphy’s Law says that if something can go wrong, it probably will. But you know what? Having A well thought out emergency kit can save the day.
So pack a bag (or get someone to pack it for you) with all the little things that might come in handy. Stuff like:
- Safety pins and fashion tape (for wardrobe malfunctions)
- Stain remover pen or wipes
- Band-aids and blister pads (because new shoes can be awful)
- Pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin
- Antacids (nerves can mess with your stomach)
- Tissues and blotting papers
- Bobby pins and hair ties
- Touch up makeup (lipstick, powder, mascara)
- Deodorant and breath mints
- Sewing kit
- Phone charger and portable battery
- Snacks (you will forget to eat, trust me)
You can also chuck in anything specific that you might need like an inhaler if you have asthma, allergy meds, contact solution etc. Give this kit to your maid of honor, best man or day of coordinator so it’s on hand if you need it.
Prepare Payments and Tips for Vendors
Most of your vendors will expect the final payments before or on the day of the wedding. You definitely don’t want to be struggling with Venmo between the ceremony and cocktail hour.
Make a list of everyone who needs to be paid or tipped: photographer, videographer, DJ, band members, hair and makeup artists, caterers, bartenders, officiant, transportation drivers, venue staff and anyone else who’s working your wedding.
Put cash in labeled envelopes with each person’s name and the amount. Standard tips are usually 15 to 20% for most vendors, though some (like your photographer) might not expect a tip if you’re paying them directly. For vendors you’ve hired through a company (like catering staff), ask the manager how tips should be dealt with.
Get a responsible person (maybe your best man, maid of honor, or a parent) to hand out these envelopes at the right times. Give them a list so they know who gets what and when.
If you’re doing any final payments via check or card get them done a few days before the wedding so it’s not something extra you have to remember and do.
Rehearse and Relax
The night before your wedding (or two nights before if you’re superstitious about seeing each other) do a rehearsal. Walk through the ceremony with your officiant, wedding party and anyone else who is playing a role in it. Practice walking down the aisle, standing in the right spots and moving through the ceremony beats.
This doesn’t have to be formal or stressful. It’s really just about making sure everyone knows where to go and what to do so you’re not winging it on the day.
After the rehearsal you might want to have a pretty low key dinner with close family or friends. It’s a nice way to relax, thank everyone who has helped you and spend time together before the big day.
For the rest of the week – just try to relax. I know, that’s a lot easier said than done. But you’ve done the work. Everything is set and ready to go.
Take a bath, watch a favorite movie, go for a walk, get a massage, do something that makes you feel good and calm.
Get a decent night’s sleep the night before (or try to, at least). Eat a real breakfast on your wedding day. Make sure you’re drinking water and staying hydrated. Take a few deep breaths. You’re about to marry the person you love and that’s pretty amazing.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve made it through this far then you’re done. You’ve confirmed the vendors, dealt with the legal stuff, sorted out your guest list, got ceremony and reception details sorted, prepped your beauty routine and packed an emergency kit. That’s impressive.
But remember – your wedding doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.
What matters the most is that you’re committing to a life with someone you love. The flowers might not end up perfect and maybe the cake gets delivered late, but those small issues won’t be what you remember about the day. Its the laughter, the tears, the joy, that’s what you’ll remember.
So feel confident that you’ve done everything you can and let yourself enjoy everything when the day comes. Soak it all in.
Try to laugh when things don’t work out like you envisioned. Cry if you need to. Eat the cake. This is your day and it’s going to be amazing.