Complete Guide For Indian Couples To Create A Perfect Wedding Planning Checklist

Wedding planning is one hectic affair for sure. It can take away your good night's sleep and can give you dark circles before your D-day. Simply planning an arrangement is not enough. You have to ensure that it remains on the right track throughout. And, to make this possible, creating a checklist is a great idea.

So, take a look at the checklist below, which will help you determine whether everything is progressing as per your plan or not.

Recommended Read: Best Tips For Brides To Choose The Right Jewellery According To Their Height

12 to 9 months’ checklist

If you have at least a year in hand, planning a wedding is comparatively easy. You can decide on every minute detail at your own pace. But, if you do not have that much time, follow the same sequence (but, in a little more speed).

• Have you decided on the wedding date? This is the most important point to consider before you start the planning procedure. Which season do you prefer? Are you planning to consult an almanac (panchang) for deciding the date? Just keep these points in mind before taking a final decision.
• What is your wedding budget going to be? It is so easy to go overboard with your finances; therefore, making strict decisions from the start really helps. From haldi and mehendi to sangeet and cocktail, plan out all the events you want to organise. Decide your budget as per each ceremony.
• Once the events are finalised, allocate the responsibilities to your family members and friends accordingly.

Also check these 8 Planning Tips To Make Sure You Have A Smooth And Perfect Wedding Day

9 to 6 months' checklist

This phase is all about deciding on the guest list and the wedding shopping. It is also a great time to get your stuff customised.

• Now that you have planned all the events, it is time to prepare a guest list exclusive to each event. It will help you manage your catering budget easily. Also, the number count will benefit you while deciding on a venue.
• Create an excel sheet involving columns, such as event, date, guest names, invitations, etc. Make sure that the invitation column is filled in the last phase, as it is too early to send out an invite at this stage. But, you can start informing your guests over the phone, so that they can start preparing for it.
• Once you are done with the excel sheet, finalising the venue is the next big step. This list will help you in deciding on the size and space of the venue. You would definitely not want your wedding to be a suffocated affair for your guests!

Recommended Read: 7 Interesting Substitutes To Indian Wedding Sweets

6 to 3 months' checklist

This phase is all about turning your plans into action. From booking the venue to the vendors, everything is done in this phase.

• At this stage, you can begin with your shopping now. Shopping done in a tight schedule will not allow you to explore much. You can get the gifts (for guests), your clothes, shoes and other accessories customised during this time period.  
• It is also the right time to book a videographer and photographer for your wedding. Caterers, pundit, florists, tentwalas, dholwalas, DJ and all other vendors, should also be finalised during this very phase of wedding planning. Make sure you do not delay these arrangements beyond this period, otherwise you will face a tough time looking for them at the last moment. Along with all these arrangements, do not forget to research about your bridal dress.

• Use this phase for your grooming. Salons these days provide pre-bridal packages starting as early as six months.
• This is the time to apply for your leaves. Also, inform your bosses about your leaves that you would be taking during your wedding. A prior notice will help them to look for an ad hoc replacement.

Don't Miss: Top 6 Fashion Trends Indian Brides Must Try This Wedding Season

3 months to Wedding day's checklist

This is the most hectic of all phases. From sending wedding invitations and checking booking arrangements to your final grooming, anything and everything done during these three months give a finishing touch to your wedding planning.

• We hope that your trousseau research is over by now, because you cannot delay it any further. You should get your bridal dress at least a fortnight early. This will help in making any last-minute alterations.
• Start selecting the designs for the cards and get them printed as soon as possible. Once they are done, dispatch them at least a month prior to your wedding. Also, remember to call the guests to check whether they are coming or not. Here your excel sheet (in the 9 to 6 months' phase) comes into play again. Use it to keep a tab on how many guests are coming to your wedding.

Image Courtesy: Design Dimensions

• Now, cross-check with all your bookings and vendors that the arrangements are in place or not. Also, repeat this drill a week prior to the wedding.
• The last week should be focussed on your pre-bridal parlour sittings, so that you look your best on your wedding day.

Recommeded Read: 7 Things You Must Do On The Morning Of Your Wedding Day

With all the arrangements in place, there is nothing else to do on the wedding day except going with the flow and thoroughly enjoying the celebrations. So, use these tips and make your wedding an affair to remember!