Wedding planning checklist: a month-by-month timeline
Most wedding stress comes from tasks noticed too late. This timeline works back from the wedding day, so each decision is made while there are still options.
9–12 months before
- Fix the date with both families. If it depends on a muhurat, get two or three possible dates from your pandit.
- Agree an overall budget and who pays for which function.
- Make a first guest list with a rough count for each function.
- Book the venue. In peak season, good venues on auspicious dates are taken first. See when to book a wedding venue.
6–8 months before
- Book the photographer and videographer. Good ones fill their calendar as early as venues do.
- Book the decorator, and agree the theme for each function.
- Fix the caterer, or confirm the venue's in-house menu and do a tasting.
- Hold rooms for outstation guests. For guests coming from far away, read our destination wedding guide.
4–5 months before
- Order the bridal outfit and jewellery. Alterations take longer than expected.
- Book the mehendi artist, makeup artist, DJ or band, and the baraat ghodi or car.
- Finalise the guest list and collect addresses.
2–3 months before
- Print and send the invitations. Send WhatsApp e-invites to outstation guests early.
- Confirm the menu, plate count and timing for each function with the caterer.
- Plan guest transport from Roorkee railway station and the Dehradun airport.
- Book the pandit and list the puja items for each ritual.
1 month before
- Do a final venue visit with the decorator, and agree the layout in writing.
- Confirm every vendor's arrival time and contact person.
- Collect RSVPs and update the plate count.
- Prepare return gifts and shagun envelopes.
The final week
- Give the venue and caterer the final guest numbers.
- Make a one-page day plan with times, people and phone numbers, and share it with one coordinator from each family.
- Pay remaining advances on time, and keep cash for tips and last-minute costs.
- Pack an emergency kit: safety pins, a sewing kit, medicines, chargers, snacks.
Print this checklist
| When | Must be done |
|---|---|
| 9–12 months | Date, budget, guest estimate, venue |
| 6–8 months | Photographer, decorator, caterer, guest rooms |
| 4–5 months | Outfits, makeup, mehendi, music, guest list |
| 2–3 months | Invitations, menu, transport, pandit |
| 1 month | Venue walkthrough, vendor times, RSVPs |
| Final week | Final numbers, day plan, payments, emergency kit |
Not sure which venue fits your guest list? Start with how to choose a banquet hall in Roorkee.
Planning a wedding or event in Roorkee?
Hotel GSP Pacific on Delhi Road hosts weddings, receptions, engagements and corporate events. Get in touch to check available dates or see photos of past events.