When should we start planning our wedding?

As soon as you know roughly when you'd like to get married. The first steps, budget, guest count and venue, take the longest and decide everything after them.

What should we book first?

The venue and date, then the vendors who fill up first, usually the photographer and the band or DJ. Most other vendors can follow in the months after.

When should wedding invitations go out?

Four to six weeks before the wedding works for most weddings in Israel. Guests coming from abroad should hear earlier, with a save-the-date.

When should we do the seating chart?

In the last one to two weeks, once most guests have answered. Earlier than that, you'll redo tables with every new answer.

Wedding checklist

Wedding planning checklist: what to do, and when

By the Everlly team · Published October 8, 2026 · 6 min read

Start with the decisions everything else depends on: your budget, a rough guest count and a date window, then the venue. Book the vendors who fill up first, such as the photographer and the band or DJ. Send invitations four to six weeks before the wedding, close the head count with your venue, then do the seating. Leave the last week for confirmations, not new decisions.

The checklist at a glance

Use it as a guide, not a rulebook. Shorter engagements compress the same steps; what matters is the order.

When	What to do
As early as you can	Agree on a budget and a rough guest count, and choose a date window
Next	Visit venues, compare quotes and book the venue and date
Right after the venue	Book the vendors who fill up first: photographer, band or DJ, and catering if the venue doesn't include it
3–6 months before	Book the rest: florist or designer, videographer, hair and makeup, rabbi or officiant; plan the ceremony
2–3 months before	Finalize the guest list and collect contact details; send save-the-dates to guests who need to travel
4–6 weeks before	Send the invitations and start collecting RSVPs
2–3 weeks before	Follow up with guests who haven't answered; plan the wedding-day timeline with your vendors
1–2 weeks before	Give the venue your final head count and finish the seating chart
The last week	Confirm arrival times with every vendor, pack an emergency kit, and share the day's plan with your helpers
After the wedding	Pay the remaining balances and send thank-you messages

What to decide first

Budget: a total you're both comfortable with, and what matters most to spend on.
Guest count: a rough number is enough to start; it decides which venues fit.
Date window: a few possible dates give you more venues to choose from.
Style: a few words that describe the day you want, to guide every later choice.

Things couples often forget

Contact details for every guest, including an email for guests abroad.
Vendor payment dates, not just totals, so deposits don't surprise you.
Dietary needs and accessibility for older guests.
Someone other than the two of you to answer vendors' calls on the day.