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 10 to 12 months to go...*Buy your wedding planner or good organizer.
*Discuss the style of the wedding and the budget with your fiancée and ALL parents.
*Interview wedding consultants, advisors and coordinators. Look at decorations.
*Speak with all your friends - pick their brains - learn who knows what and who knows who.
*Speak to your clergy - speak with other family members' clergy - ask questions.
*Begin looking for locations - ceremony - rehearsal dinner - reception - other planned events.
*Begin interviewing Caterers, Bakers, Photographers, Florists, Videographers, Musicians. *Create a fun information packed wedding website, update it regularly to keep your bridal party informed and give your guest a glimpse of what is coming.
By the end of Month 12 select three of your key players: advisor/consultant - caterer and photographer
By end of Month 11 select site for the ceremony
By end of Month 10 select site for the reception and rehearsal dinner
By end of Month 10 select the remaining key players; baker, florist, musicians, videographer
 7 to 11 months to go... *Select all of your attendants and ask them to share in yor wedding
*Together, begin compiling your guest list included all parents
*Contact and visit clergy or officiant to discuss styles and ceremony structure and any religious requirements (such as counseling).
*Book reception band or DJ, sign the contract, and send a deposit.
*Begin shopping for your wedding gown and appropriate clothiers for your attendants (ladies) accessorize, accessorize, accessorize, accessorize
*Register with no less than three well known Bridal Registries for gifts
*Begin looking at honeymoon options with your fiancée - visit a travel agency or professional specializing in leisure travel - if you plan to leave the country check on your passports.
*Contact newspapers to announce your engagement (you may need to have an engagement photo taken as well).
*Choose a color scheme, if you so desire, taking into account the decor of the rooms/areas you have reserved for your ceremony and reception *Interview and get price lists from several photographers and videographers.
*If you've chosen an outdoor ceremony or reception site, look into tent and lighting rentals.
*Set up appointments with various florists to discuss options.
*Book reception band or DJ, sign the contract, and send a deposit. By the end of Month 9 choose clergy
By the end of Month 8 decide on a menu.
By the end of Month 7 schedule engagement photo session
By the end of Month 7 select and order attendant's apparel
 4 to 6 months to go *Begin review of details with all of your wedding professionals.
*Finalize honeymoon plans with fiancée and book with travel agent.
*Shop for and order invitations/announcements, Finalize all wording.
*Request demo music selection for wedding and reception. *Think about how you might want to wear your hair.
*Begin looking for a baker to make your big-day cake. Your caterer is the best source for leads.
*Choose your florist and send a deposit to reserve their services.
*Make sure your maid of honor and best man are aware of what you expect of them -- providing a list of their duties will help.
*Finalize your invitation wording.
*Finalize menu and service details with caterer.
*Order your invitations and announcements (don't forget plenty of extra envelopes).
*Research and purchase wedding insurance, if necessary. *Purchase and send guests save-the-dates if your celebration is over a holiday weekend or a destination wedding. *Set aside blocks of hotel rooms for out-of-town guestsm begin to think about activities you can suggest for out of town guest.
By end of Month 6 book calligrapher & send save the date cards.
By end of Month 5 shop and order the men's formal wear ,
Book wedding transportation - limousines, horse-drawn carriages, hot air balloons, boat, or your special transportation.
By end of Month 4 have the rehearsal dinner plans in place (make sure you coordinate this with your fiancée).
 2 to 3 months to go *Decide on a floral scheme, choose flowers, and negotiate prices with florist. Be sure to sign a contract outlining what you agreed upon.
*Start thinking about flower arrangement styles you like, and figure out what flowers will be in season on your wedding day.
*Reserve tables, chairs, and/or other rental equipment you'll need (unless caterer or site is taking care of it).
*Compile packages for out-of-town guests with hotel reservation and city information, and mail them out.
*Pick out or design a ketubah or other marriage contract required by your religion.
*Brides: Choose your bridesmaids' accessories (shoes, gloves, etc.) and either purchase or pass along purchasing information.
*Grooms: Give all of the groomsmen the information they need to buy and/or reserve their attire.
*Shop for and purchase wedding bands.
*If you haven't registered yet, be sure to do so before any upcoming prewedding parties.
*Brides: Experiment with your beauty routine, self-tanners, and facials.
*Consider specific ceremony and reception decoration needs like a huppah, aisle runner, etc.
*Schedule portrait session if you need one for a newspaper wedding announcement.
*Make or buy favors. Allow extra time for custom-made favors (i.e., chocolates in a preprinted box).
*Brides: Make sure your attendants have purchased their dresses and accessories.
*Pick up your invitations.
*Talk to your maid of honor and best man about party plans (such as the shower and bachelor party).
*Get anything you need for an international honeymoon (passport, birth certificate, visas, vaccinations, etc.).
*Brides: Buy any special lingerie your gown requires in time for first fittings.
*Grooms: If you are renting a tux, visit the formalwear shop to get measured.
*Start taking better care of yourself (eat right, exercise) so you look and feel great on your wedding day. *Start addressing invitations or drop them off with the calligrapher (you'll need to send them out at the two-month mark).
*Talk to people you’d want to do special performances or readings as part of the ceremony.
*If you are handling the bridesmaid dress order, confirm the delivery date.
*Brides: Confirm delivery date for your gown and schedule fittings.
*Arrange for all insurance policies to include you and your future spouse: health, auto, homeowner's, and life insurance.
*Send wedding bands out to be engraved (make sure they'll be back in time for the wedding).
*Grooms: Choose and buy any accessories you will need: shoes, shirt stays, cuff links, and a pocket square.
*Brides: Provide guest list to bridesmaids for your shower.
*Brides: Begin your fittings.
*Arrange wedding-day transportation for you, your wedding party, and guests (as needed).
*Send out invitations (be sure to add extra postage for overseas guests).
 6 weeks to 2 months to go...*By Week 4 Pick Up Wedding Rings.
*Get marriage license with fiancée.
*As you receive presents, be sure to update and/or add items to your registry list and record the gifts you get.
*Confirm reservations for out-of-town guests.
*Arrange parking for the reception.
*Order liquor, wine and/or champagne if they're not included in the catering contract.
*Brides: Decide on and purchase major accessories (veil and shoes) prior to final fittings.
*Begin working on vows, particularly if you're writing your own.
*Begin writing the ceremony program if you are having one.
*Arrange for a babysitter for the reception, if necessary.
*Submit your wedding announcement to newspapers (if you so desire).
*Research local marriage license requirements.
*Buy a guest book (and nice pen).
*Set aside some time to write thank-you notes for gifts received at the bridal shower.
*Make an appointment to take the veil to your hairstylist and make sure your current do and veil work together.
*Brides/Grooms: Attend your bachelorette/bachelor party (and be sure to thank the best man afterwards).
*Grooms: Buy gifts for your best man, groomsmen, and ushers.
*Brides: Buy gifts for your maid of honor and bridesmaids.
*Finalize vows.
*Brides: Attend final wedding-gown fitting.  3 to 5 weeks to go... *Send rehearsal-dinner invitations.
*Do trial runs of hair and makeup; schedule wedding-day beauty appointments.
*Finish and print ceremony programs.
*Get marriage license and make appointments for blood tests (if necessary). Check when the license expires.
*Work on a list of "must-play" (and "must-not play") songs for your DJ or band.
*Discuss music with ceremony musicians and agree on final choices.
*Confirm wedding-night and honeymoon reservations.
*Wrap all gifts for the wedding party and write each attendant a nice note.
*Brides: Shop for all additional accessories like stockings, earrings, evening bag, etc.
*Have a follow-up meeting or phone call with the officiant to go over ceremony timing and details.
*Pick up wedding rings and check the inscriptions before you leave the store.
*Make sure your homeowner's or renter's insurance covers your rings and gifts.
*Sit for your bridal portrait, if you decide to get one.
*Prepare all the necessary forms for name address changes on social security card, credit cards, bank accounts, post office, driver's license, etc.
*Work out wedding day timing and details (who will get the bride there, where the wedding party will dress, etc) and draw up a schedule.
*Brides: Get final prewedding haircut, if necessary.
*Brides: Make sure you have your garter and "something old, new, borrowed, and blue" if you want to include these customs in your wedding.
*Call or email wedding party to relay critical info related to rehearsal and wedding (dates, times, directions, duties).
*Brides: Pick up your gown.
*Get a head start on those thank-you notes (it will feel great to get a batch out before the wedding).
*Finalize any special preferences, readings, or other ceremony details (in writing) with your officiant.  1 to 2 weeks to go...*Give final head count to the caterer. Confirm set-up instructions and menu items.
*Brides: Pick up the veil and/or headpiece.
*Call location manager and make sure your vendors all have access to the site when they need it.
*Confirm head count, delivery time, and location with the cakemaker.
*Plan a party or go out for cocktails to thank your attendants for all their help.
*Brides: Practice walking in your wedding shoes.
*Call guests who haven't RSVP'd for the wedding and rehearsal dinner. It’s okay to do this, you need a final head count!
*If you're having a receiving line, determine the order you want everyone to stand in.
*Determine any wedding day assignments for members of the wedding party, and make lists/info sheets as needed.
*Start putting together the seating plan if you're having a seated reception meal.
*Finalize seating chart. Buy materials for and make place cards (give typed names to the calligrapher if you're using one).
*Confirm delivery locations, times, and final arrangement count with florist.
*Touch base with your officiant and give him/her rehearsal details and wedding day schedule.
*Grooms: Pick up your tux and try it on. (Don't wait until the day of to do this!)
*Prepare your toasts or thanks to friends and family. (Grooms: Need a hand?)
*Give seating chart to caterer, location manager, or host.
*Fax transportation providers a schedule and addresses for pickups on wedding day.
*Plan any additional night-before activities with friends and/or attendants.
*Grooms: Get your final haircut.
*Confirm all final payment amounts with your vendors.
*Shop and pack for honeymoon.
*Confirm location, date, and time with videographer.
*Confirm location, date, and time with photographer; create your "must-take" photo list.  Day Before...*Rehearse the ceremony with officiant and wedding party.
*Confirm all specific honeymoon travel plans (including transportation to airport, etc.).
*Give wedding announcements to your honor attendant to be mailed on the wedding day.
*Brides: Pull together wedding gown, veil, shoes, stockings, and a last-minute emergency kit (aspirin, makeup, safety pins, mints, etc.).
*Have fun and relax at your rehearsal dinner.
*If your wedding is in the a.m., set your alarm and arrange for a backup.
*Get some much-needed sleep -- if you can!
*Drop off favors, guest book, and pen at the reception site.  Day of wedding... *Kiss your Mom *Kiss your Husband *Kiss your Dad *Kiss your Husband *Kiss Your Wedding Planner for doing 90% of the above checklist *Kiss your Husband *Smile your married... *Kiss your Husband  After the wedding...*Arrange for a bridesmaid or mom to pick up your wedding dress and other personal belongings at the hotel after you depart.
*Freeze the top layer of the wedding cake to be eaten at your first anniversary celebration (save some cocktail napkins, too!).
*Take the bridal bouquet and other wedding mementos to be preserved, if you're a true sentimentalist. *Arrange for gown and veil to be cleaned and preserved. Make sure the provider is experienced in preserving wedding gowns.
*Take any personal film to be developed. These will probably be the first photos available since professional proofs can take weeks.
*Mail gifts to your parents to thank them for their help and support, if you didn’t give them out at the rehearsal dinner.
*Make sure all vendor bills have been paid in full.
*Find out when you can expect your edited wedding video (if you used a videographer).
*Within two months of your wedding, set aside some romantic evenings to write that stack of thank-you notes. *Kiss your Husband |
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