Wedding Planning Checklist: 12 Months to the Day

A wedding is easier to plan in stages. This checklist shows what to handle each month, from 12 months out to the day itself.

Planning a wedding in Maputo means dozens of decisions and suppliers. The best way to avoid a last-minute rush is to split the work into stages. This checklist assumes a 12-month runway, which is comfortable for most weddings. Working with less time? Compress the early stages and prioritise the venue and the most in-demand suppliers. The timings below are common guidelines, not fixed rules.

12 months out: the foundations

• Agree on the vision: intimate or large, civil, religious, traditional or a mix.
• Set the budget and who is contributing. Keep a contingency; many couples aim for around 10%.
• Draft a guest list, even a rough one. The number drives everything else.
• Pick a date or a date window, keeping in mind the rainy season (November to March in the south) and public holidays.
• Decide whether to hire a wedding planner. The earlier you do, the more they can help with foundational choices.

11 to 10 months out: venue and date

• Visit and book the ceremony and reception venues. See our guide on choosing an event venue in Maputo.
• Confirm availability at the church, mosque or registry office if relevant.
• Tell close family the date so they can plan travel.

9 months out: key suppliers

Popular suppliers often book up well in advance, especially in peak months.

• Photography and video
• Catering
• DJ or band
• Décor and flowers
• Bar and cocktail management, if you want a dedicated drinks service

Get written proposals and compare what is included, not just the price.

8 to 7 months out: style and guests

• Choose your colour palette and overall style.
• Start shopping for the dress and suit.
• Send save-the-dates to guests outside Maputo or abroad.
• Reserve hotel room blocks if needed.

6 months out: celebration details

• Agree the menu with your caterer and book a tasting.
• Choose your wedding party and their outfits.
• Book waiting staff if they are not included in catering.
• Plan the honeymoon and check passports and visas.

5 to 4 months out: invitations and logistics

• Finalise the guest list.
• Order invitations and decide how guests will RSVP.
• Arrange transport for the couple and, if needed, guests.
• Order the cake and book a tasting.
• Prepare civil or religious paperwork within the required lead time.

3 months out: designing the day

• Send invitations.
• Build the run of show with your coordinator: timings, entrances, speeches, first dance, cake cutting.
• Choose rings.
• Book hair and make-up trials.
• Confirm the rain plan B for any outdoor element.

2 months out: confirm everything

• Dress and suit fittings.
• Confirm in writing with every supplier: times, quantities, contacts on the day.
• Choose music for each moment.
• Prepare guest favours.

1 month out: final numbers

• Close RSVPs and lock in the final headcount.
• Create the seating plan.
• Send final numbers to catering, bar and waiting staff.
• Make outstanding payments per your contracts.
• Hand the final run of show to your ceremony coordinator.

2 weeks out

• Final dress fitting.
• Final meeting with your coordinator and a walk-through at the venue.
• Prepare envelopes for on-the-day payments or tips.
• Confirm which family members handle which tasks.

Wedding week

• Reconfirm times with every supplier.
• Hold the ceremony rehearsal, if any.
• Pack an emergency kit: needle and thread, painkillers, charger, comfortable shoes.
• Hand personal items (rings, guest book, favours) to whoever is coordinating the day.
• Rest, and delegate.

On the day

Your job is to be present. Your coordinator handles timings, suppliers and surprises. Agree in advance on one family contact for quick decisions, so the couple never has to answer the phone.

Quick checklist

• Budget and first guest list (12 months)
• Venue booked (10 to 11 months)
• Photo, catering, music and décor booked (9 months)
• Menu and waiting staff sorted (6 months)
• Invitations ordered, paperwork started (4 to 5 months)
• Invitations sent, run of show drafted (3 months)
• Suppliers confirmed in writing (2 months)
• Final numbers sent (1 month)
• Rehearsal and emergency kit (wedding week)

Planning with a wedding planner in Maputo

Sonare's story started right here: our founder, Hellen, created the company after needing a wedding planner for her own wedding. Today we offer wedding planning, on-the-day ceremony coordination, bar management and waiting staff, tailored to each couple. Explore our services or request a quote.