Free tool

The complete wedding checklist

Everything you need to arrange for your wedding, laid out clearly by period. Check off what's already sorted — you can save your progress at the bottom of the page to continue later, no account needed.

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Just engaged 12+ months before the wedding

Budget

Determine the total budget together with your partner

Agree on who contributes financially (yourselves, parents, family)

Split the budget by category (venue/catering, DJ & entertainment, photo/video, decoration, attire, ...)

Set up a spreadsheet, app or separate savings account to track everything

Guest list

Make a rough estimate of the number of guests

Decide: children welcome or not

Decide on a "plus one" policy

Venue

Determine the style of the party (formal, casual, intimate, destination wedding)

Choose 2-3 possible dates or seasons

Visit venues for both ceremony and reception

Ask about: noise regulations/curfew, whether an in-house caterer is mandatory, available power supply for DJ/sound, loading/unloading access, parking DJ

Book the venue, sign the contract and pay the deposit

Arrange a weather backup plan for an outdoor venue

Wedding party

Ask your witnesses and bridesmaids/groomsmen

Style & atmosphere

Create a moodboard (Pinterest, Canva, ...)

Choose a theme and colour palette

Decide whether to hire a wedding planner or day-of coordinator

DJ & entertainment DJ

Explore options: DJ, live band or a combination

Check reviews, demo videos and portfolios

Request initial quotes and check availability

Photography & video

Research photographers/videographers (documentary vs. posed style)

Request quotes and check availability

Legal procedure (Belgium)

Check nationality/residency requirements (at least 3 months of registration if not Belgian)

If previously married: locate the divorce decree

If of foreign nationality: check which extra documents are needed (apostille, sworn translation)

Setting the broad lines 9-12 months before

Catering

Book a caterer (if not included with the venue)

Schedule a menu tasting

Discuss allergies/dietary requirements

Choose a drinks package (open bar, limited, own drinks)

DJ & entertainment DJ · MC

Book the DJ or band: sign the contract and pay the deposit

Discuss sound needs for the ceremony (microphones for your vows/readings)

Discuss cocktail-hour music and the general timeline of the party

Ask whether MC/hosting duties are included

Photography & video

Book a photographer and/or videographer: contract + deposit

Consider an engagement shoot

Attire

Shop for a wedding dress: determine silhouette and budget

Order the wedding dress (often 6-9 months lead time + alterations)

Start researching groom/groomsmen attire

Ceremony

Determine ceremony type: civil (legally required), religious and/or symbolic

Book an officiant/celebrant if applicable

Discuss the ceremony structure, readings and vows

Legal procedure

Determine the municipality/city where the marriage will be registered (domicile of one of the two partners)

Start gathering documents: ID cards, proof of residence, birth certificates, divorce decree if applicable

Note: documents generally may not be older than 6 months when submitted

Honeymoon

Choose destination and budget

Check passport validity and renew if necessary

Start researching flights and accommodation

Other

Design save-the-dates

Create a wedding website

Start researching florists for inspiration

Planning in detail 6-9 months before

Invitations

Send save-the-dates

Start designing the invitations

Flowers

Book a florist: discuss bouquet, corsages, ceremony and table flowers

Sign the contract and pay the deposit

Decor & styling Decor

Book a decorator/stylist

Determine ceremony decor: aisle runner, altar/arch, aisle markers

Determine reception decor: table decor, linens, chair styling, signage, backdrop

Align the style concept between the decorator and the DJ/entertainment team for a coherent look DJ · Decor

Attire

Order bridesmaid dresses

Order groom/groomsmen suits

Schedule the first fitting

Transport

Book wedding transport (car, vintage car, party bus)

Arrange a shuttle for guests if the venue is remote or parking is limited

Hair & make-up

Book a hairdresser and make-up artist

Schedule a trial (ideally 2-4 months in advance)

Gifts

Set up a wish/gift list

Choose between: a gift list, honeymoon fund or cash gifts

Guests & RSVP

Finalise the guest list and collect addresses

Set up a tool/spreadsheet to track RSVPs, allergies and plus-ones

Cake & dessert

Book a baker/dessert supplier and schedule a tasting

Photobooth Photobooth

Research photobooth options (open-air, 360° video, guestbook with prints)

Book a photobooth supplier

Lighting Lighting

Discuss ambient lighting, dance floor lighting and uplighting with the decorator or DJ

Legal procedure

Check available dates/times at the town hall for the civil ceremony in advance

Honeymoon

Book flights and accommodation

Check visa requirements for the destination

Consider travel insurance

Making everything concrete 3-6 months before

Invitations

Finalise and order the wedding invitations

Plan menu cards, ceremony booklets and other print materials

DJ & MC DJ · MC

Fill in the music questionnaire: must-plays, do-not-plays, special songs (first dance, parent dances, cake cutting, bouquet/garter toss, last song)

Confirm MC/hosting duties and the flow of the party

Draw up a detailed reception timeline together with the DJ

Ceremony sound Ceremony sound

Confirm microphone/sound needs for the officiant and your vows

Decor Decor

Finalise the final decor design/moodboard

Order/reserve rental decor items (arch, backdrop, signage, candles, furniture)

Align set-up/breakdown times and access with the venue and decorator

Attire

First dress fitting

Buy shoes and accessories (veil, jewellery, garter)

Groom/groomsmen fitting

Buy underwear/shapewear

Legal procedure

Gather all documents for the marriage declaration: ID cards, proof of residence, birth certificates (foreign partners), divorce decree if applicable, apostille/translations if needed

Ceremony

Finalise the ceremony script, readings and order of the vows

Choose ceremony music (processional, signing, recessional)

Photography

Engagement shoot

Discuss the shot list and day schedule with the photographer/videographer

Wedding party

Finalise bridesmaid/groomsmen attire orders

Plan bachelorette/bachelor parties and bridal shower

Transport & cake

Confirm the transport contract, routes and pick-up points

Finalise cake design and flavours

Other

Book a venue for the rehearsal dinner

Dotting the i's 1-3 months before

Legal procedure (time-sensitive)

File the official marriage declaration at the municipality -- at the earliest 6 months, at the latest 14 days before the wedding date, in person by both partners

Confirm the date/time of the civil ceremony at the town hall (possible at the earliest 14 days after the declaration, and must take place within 6 months after that)

Arrange two adult witnesses, with a valid ID card

Order the wedding rings (and have them engraved if desired)

Invitations

Send out invitations (6-8 weeks in advance)

Set the RSVP deadline (3-4 weeks before the party)

Follow up on responses as they come in

Catering & guests

Pass on final menu choices per guest and the full allergy list

Finalise the drinks package

Draw up the seating plan once RSVPs are in

Order place cards/table numbers

DJ & entertainment DJ · MC

Pass on the final music list: ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, first dance, parent dances, last song

Confirm the do-not-play list

Confirm the final timeline, set-up time, power supply and hosting script

Decor, lighting & photobooth Decor · Lighting · Photobooth

Confirm the decor order and delivery/pick-up logistics

Site visit with the decorator for the final plan

Confirm the photobooth package, backdrop, props and placement

Confirm the number/colours of uplighting and dance floor lighting

Confirm who operates the ceremony microphone Ceremony sound

Beauty & attire

Hair and make-up trial

Set the wedding-day beauty schedule

Final dress and suit fitting

Have attire dry-cleaned/pressed

Buy the going-away outfit

Ceremony & speeches

Write personal vows if applicable

Ask a witness or parents to prepare a speech

Honeymoon

Confirm all bookings

Final passport/visa check (valid 6+ months after the travel date)

Arrange travel insurance

Notify the bank of the trip

Wedding party

Hold the bachelorette/bachelor parties and bridal shower

Buy gifts for the wedding party and parents

Final preparations 1-4 weeks before

Numbers & payments

Give the final guest count to the venue/caterer

Pay outstanding balances to suppliers in full

Prepare tip envelopes, clearly labelled per supplier

Timeline & suppliers DJ

Draw up a detailed day schedule and send it to all suppliers (DJ, photographer, videographer, caterer, decorator, photobooth) and the wedding party

Reconfirm arrival/set-up times and delivery windows with everyone

Legal procedure

Reconfirm the civil ceremony appointment at the town hall

Reconfirm witnesses and their ID cards

Rehearsal

Schedule and hold the ceremony rehearsal

Hold the rehearsal dinner

Guests

Print the final seating plan, table numbers and place cards

Attire & beauty

Pick up the dress/suit

Final fitting/last alterations

Pack an emergency kit (sewing kit, stain remover, safety pins, painkillers)

Confirm the final schedule and hair/make-up arrival times

Book manicure/pedicure

Weather & logistics

Check the weather forecast

Confirm the indoor backup for an outdoor element

Music DJ

Finalise the must-play and do-not-play list with the DJ

Confirm special dances and their exact timing

Honeymoon & name change

Pack suitcases

Print/download travel documents and boarding passes

Arrange pet/house sitting

Gather documents for a possible name change after the wedding

Wedding week

The big day

Morning

Eat breakfast and drink enough water

Hair and make-up according to schedule; "getting ready" photos

Final check: rings, vows, ID cards/marriage documents

Suppliers DJ · Decor · Photobooth

Have a coordinator/point of contact handle the arrival of the DJ, photographer/videographer, decorator and photobooth operator

Have the tip envelopes handed out via a witness/coordinator

Ceremony

Arrive on time, walk down the aisle

Exchange vows and rings

Sign the marriage certificate/official documents together with the witnesses

Cocktail hour & reception DJ · Photobooth

Background music/entertainment during the cocktail hour

Photobooth open for guests

Festive entrance announced by the MC/DJ

First dance and parent dances

Speeches

Cake cutting

Bouquet/garter toss

Party and dance into the late hours

Closing

Festive send-off (sparklers, bubbles, confetti)

Assign someone to take gifts/cards, cake topper and decor home

Settle any remaining balances/tips if not already done

After the wedding

Administration

Receive the official marriage certificate from the municipality

Request extra certified copies if needed (name change, bank, insurance, employer)

Have your name changed on your ID card, passport, bank accounts, insurance, with your employer

Returns & storage

Return rented attire and decor/linens

Have the wedding dress cleaned/preserved

Have the bridal bouquet dried/pressed

Thank-yous

Send thank-you cards within 2-3 months, referencing the specific gift

Suppliers DJ · Decor · Photobooth

Pay any outstanding invoices

Leave reviews (photographer, DJ, decorator, photobooth, caterer, florist)

Follow up on when photos/videos will be delivered

Keepsakes

Order a photo album/canvas

Back up all photos and videos

Pick up the photobooth guestbook if applicable Photobooth

Wrapping up

Close out the final budget

Close the shared wedding account if applicable

What's still open on your end?

Check off where you stand for each item. Is there something you haven't arranged yet? Feel free to leave your details below — we're happy to think along with you, with no obligation.

Save your progress

Enter your details and we'll email you a personal link so you can simply continue later — no password, no account needed. You'll also get the occasional free tip from us.

Can't see the wood for the trees? 💫

Planning a wedding comes with an enormous number of choices and details. Not sure anymore where to start, or wondering if you've thought of everything?

Don't worry, we're happy to help.
From a first bit of advice to the complete organisation and styling of your party: Studio Marjé thinks along with you and helps keep the overview.

Got a question or could you use a hand? Feel free to get in touch.
hello@studiomarje.be