Wedding checklist: what to do, month by month
Updated 6 October 2026 · Written by Lysela
Start with the budget, the guest list, the ceremony and the venue about a year before. Those decisions shape everything else, and popular venues and officiants book up early. Next come the photographer, the toastmaster and the music, and the last three months are mostly the invitation, replies and details. Here is the whole list in the order it usually needs doing.
Try it yourself, no account neededA month-by-month checklist
Times count back from the wedding day. With less time, you can do several steps at once, as long as the venue and the ceremony are booked first.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 12 months before | Set a budget, write a first guest list, book the ceremony and officiant, and book a venue for the reception. |
| 9 to 11 months before | Book a photographer, ask someone to be your toastmaster, and book a band or DJ. |
| 8 months before | Send a save the date once the date and town are set. |
| 4 to 6 months before | Find your outfits, book the catering and choose a menu, buy the rings, order flowers and the cake. |
| 3 months before | Send the invitation with an RSVP deadline. In Sweden, apply to Skatteverket for the marriage impediment check (hindersprövning). |
| 2 months before | Go through the schedule for the day with the toastmaster. |
| 1 month before | Remind guests who have not replied, and do the seating plan. |
| 2 weeks before | Send the final headcount and allergies to the kitchen, and the song requests to the DJ. |
| After the wedding | Thank your guests, for example with thank-you cards. |
What is easy to forget?
The impediment check
In Sweden you need it to marry, and you apply to Skatteverket. The certificate is valid for four months, so do not apply too early.
Allergies
Ask about them in the RSVP, not afterwards. The kitchen needs the list a couple of weeks before.
Who does what on the day
Decide in advance who looks after the gifts, who the venue should talk to and who keeps time, so it is not left to you.
Thanking people afterwards
Note who gave what at the party itself, or ask someone to. It makes the thank-yous much easier.
Split the list between you
A list only one of you keeps track of gets heavy. Put a name on every line, even the things you will do together, and a date it should be done by. Go through the list once a week in the last few months.
When you need to ask someone for help, a specific question gets a faster answer. Three examples to send:
Hi [name], we are getting married on [date] and would love it if you would be our toastmaster. Could you think it over and let us know by [date]?
Hi [name], could you look after the gifts during the party and make sure they get home with us? Tell us if it does not suit you and we will ask someone else.
Hi, we have booked [venue] for [date]. When do you need the final headcount and allergies, and when can we come in to set the tables?
The checklist is already in Lysela
At Lysela, Planning and budget is included in every tier. The list starts with the suggestions above, with dates counted from your wedding day. You tick things off, delete what does not apply and set who does what, and for every line you can note what it may cost and what you have paid.
You pay once, SEK 795, SEK 1,795 or SEK 4,990 including VAT, and the site stays up for 12 to 18 months depending on the tier.
Common questions
How far ahead should you start planning a wedding?
A year is enough for most couples. The most important things to book early are the venue and the ceremony, then the photographer and the music.
Can you plan a wedding in a few months?
Yes, especially a smaller one. Book the venue and the ceremony first and do the rest in parallel. Make sure the impediment check is done in time.
What needs doing in the last week?
Send the final headcount and allergies if the kitchen does not have them, confirm times with the venue, photographer and musicians, and give the toastmaster the final schedule.
What do you do after the wedding?
Thank your guests, return anything you hired and gather up the guests' photos.