Everywhere you turn—whether online or in a bookstore—there are countless wedding checklists that can feel overwhelming. Whether you came to this blog looking for a checklist or seeking an alternative way to plan your wedding, I’m here to offer a different approach.

Instead of relying on a traditional wedding checklist, I view weddings through the lens of project planning. Just like projects, weddings have specific milestones, and I believe this methodology can streamline your planning process. Rather than getting lost in a never-ending checklist, I focus on establishing key milestones and setting realistic timelines to achieve them.

Milestones for a project are driven by a specific end date, known as the Go Live date—in this case, your wedding date. Once you establish your wedding date, you can begin to backward plan the specific dates by which you must complete your milestones. It’s important to note that your milestones may differ significantly from those of another couple. Factors such as your personality, needs, budget, guest count, and whether you want a destination wedding will shape your unique milestones. Above all, your priorities will drive these milestones. Is custom attire most important to you? Perhaps the venue, the food, or the entertainment? Identifying and ranking these priorities is crucial for effective budget planning and helps in navigating any checklist or milestone creation.

Start by identifying what matters most to you, then prioritize all aspects of wedding planning. If a live band is a must-have for you, book that first once your wedding date is set. Some planners insist that your wedding date hinges on your venue selection. However, if the location is less critical than the quality of the food or your attire, you should choose a venue that aligns with your priorities instead of letting it dictate your date or budget.

In my opinion, you could have a wedding checklist, but it’s not strictly necessary. As long as you have a time, a place, an invitation for your guests, food, and entertainment, you have the core elements of a wedding. The finer details will fall into place once you clarify your priorities and rank the remaining categories. 

If you’d like to explore this approach further, I have even more insights on how I help my clients rebel against traditional wedding checklists. Just schedule a chat with me, and we can discuss the details!