Wedding Planning Checklist — 12 Month Countdown

12 Months Before — Laying the Foundation

A year out from your wedding is when you make the big decisions that shape everything else. This is about setting your budget, locking in a venue, and starting to dream about the kind of day you want. Take a deep breath, sit down with your partner, and begin:

Set your overall wedding budget — have an honest conversation with both families about contributions Decide on the style of wedding — ballroom, garden, beach, intimate dinner, or big party Pick 2-3 potential dates and check venue availability Book your venue — read the fine print on cancellation clauses Start building a preliminary guest list — roughly how many from each side? Book a photographer — the best ones get snapped up a year in advance Start looking for an officiant if you need one Create your event on Tov.events — manage invitations, RSVPs, and guests all in one place from day one

Don't try to do everything in one sitting. Spread these tasks over a few weeks — you have a whole year ahead of you, and pacing yourself is the key to staying sane.

9 Months Before — Vendors & Vibe

With your venue locked in, it's time to choose the vendors who will bring your vision to life. Nine months out is the sweet spot for securing your top choices before they're booked solid:

Book a DJ or band — listen to demos and check reviews Hire an event designer or decide on a DIY decor concept Book a videographer (if separate from photographer) Start shopping for the wedding dress or suit Finalize catering or the menu with your venue — schedule tastings! Send a digital save-the-date through Tov.events so guests mark their calendars early Book florist and finalize table decor direction Look into event insurance — especially for outdoor weddings

Keep all contracts and receipts organized in one folder. Use the budget tracker in Tov.events to monitor spending in real time — future you will be grateful.

6 Months Before — Invitations & Logistics

At the six-month mark, everything starts to come together. Your guest list is taking final shape, invitations go out, and the small details start to matter a lot:

Finalize your guest list — organize into categories (family, friends, work) Design your digital invitation on Tov.events — pick a template, colors, and wording Send invitations to all guests via WhatsApp, SMS, or email Arrange transportation if needed — check routes and pricing Book accommodations for out-of-town guests Choose wedding rings — leave time for engraving Book hair and makeup artist — schedule a trial run Plan your rehearsal dinner or pre-wedding party

With Tov.events, you can send invitations and track RSVPs in real time — who confirmed, who declined, and who still hasn't responded. Send automatic reminders to the non-responders with a single click.

3 Months Before — Fine-Tuning

Three months out is when you sharpen the details, follow up on RSVPs, and make sure every vendor is on the same page:

Track RSVP responses on Tov.events — send reminders to those who haven't replied Update the venue with an estimated head count Second fitting for dress or suit Draft a preliminary seating chart — think about table dynamics Plan the ceremony details — readings, music, vows Choose gifts for the wedding party and parents Confirm all vendor contracts — dates, times, payments Prepare your DJ playlist — must-plays, do-not-plays, and entrance song

This is also a great time to activate the gift tracking feature in Tov.events — so you know exactly who gave what, and can send personalized thank-you notes after the wedding.

1 Month Before — The Home Stretch

One month out and things are moving fast. Most decisions are made — now it's about confirming everything is in place:

Confirm final guest count with the venue Finalize seating chart — print or create a digital version Final fitting for dress or suit Create a detailed day-of timeline and share with all vendors Send a final reminder to guests who haven't responded — one click on Tov.events Set up the Tov.events check-in app so you know who's arrived in real time Make second payments to vendors per your contracts Prepare an emergency kit — safety pins, thread, aspirin, bandages, tissues

Make sure every vendor has the exact address, arrival time, and a point-of-contact. Export your guest report from Tov.events and share it with your venue coordinator.

1 Week Before — Final Countdown

The last week before your wedding — your heart is beating a little faster! Try to stay calm and check off these final tasks:

Confirm with every vendor — arrival times, special equipment, emergency contacts Prepare tip envelopes for vendors (DJ, photographer, servers) Put the rings in a safe place — hand them to your best man or maid of honor Write your speech or toast if you're planning one Check the weather forecast — especially for outdoor weddings Prepare signage and directions for guests — parking, entrance, table names Pack your honeymoon bag — clothes, charger, documents Do a test run of the Tov.events check-in app — make sure everything works smoothly

Pro tip: designate one person (best man, sibling, close friend) to be the day-of coordinator so that you can actually enjoy your wedding.

Wedding Day — Enjoy Every Moment!

The day is here! After months of planning, today is yours. Here are the last few things to take care of:

Eat a proper breakfast — it's going to be a long, wonderful day Arrive at hair and makeup on time — give yourself a buffer Confirm the rings are with the best man Launch the Tov.events check-in system at the entrance Hand over tip envelopes to your day-of coordinator Set up a neat gift/card station with a clear sign Stay hydrated! Always have a water bottle nearby Breathe, smile, and soak it all in — this is YOUR day

With the Tov.events check-in system, you can see in real time how many guests have arrived, spot who's missing, and get alerts for VIP guests. Relax and enjoy knowing everything is under control.

After the Wedding — Closing the Loop

Your wedding was perfect — but there are still a few important things to handle in the weeks that follow:

Send personalized thank-you messages to every guest — Tov.events lets you customize each one Update gift tracking — who gave what amount, who brought a physical gift Settle the final bill with the venue — verify the numbers match Pay remaining balances to vendors Get your photos and video — confirm the timeline with your photographer Close out your budget on Tov.events — compare planned vs. actual spending Handle name changes if applicable — government IDs, bank, insurance Save your digital invitation as a keepsake — on Tov.events it stays forever

The budget tool in Tov.events shows you exactly where you stand — how much you spent, how much you received in gifts, and your final balance. Time to close this beautiful chapter in style.