9-12 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
- Officially announce your engagement
- Set a budget
- Decide on the date and time for the wedding
- Choose location of ceremony and reception
- Begin looking for your wedding dress
- Select the wedding party
- Start first draft of your guest list
- Start planning your honeymoon
6-9 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
- Purchase wedding dress and accessories
- Decide on bridesmaids dresses
- Hire a florist and discuss decorations
- Hire catering service
- Hire wedding photographer/videographer
- Hire DJ /band
- Choose officiant and discuss ceremony
- Start thinking about gift registry options
- Reserve hotel rooms for out-of-town guests
- Finalize guest list
- Have an engagement party if you wish
- Book honeymoon
4-6 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
- Select and order wedding invitations and stationery
- Choose wedding cake
- Discuss menu ideas with catering service
- Arrange for rental items (arches, candelabras, china, crystal, flatware…)
- Buy wedding rings
- Organize groom’s tux and decide what groomsmen will wear
- Make sure bridesmaids ordered their gowns and decide on accessories
- Look for wedding favors
- Confirm dates for bridal shower and bachelorette parties
- Start registry (before sending bridal shower invitations)
- Get ideas for wedding hair and makeup
- Organize helpers (readers, musicians, guest book attendant etc.)
2-4 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
- Finalize guest list and send invitations
- Select place for rehearsal dinner
- Finalize rehearsal dinner plans
- Finalize menu
- Select music for ceremony, reception etc.
- Book makeup artist and hairstylist
- Check tuxes for groom and groomsmen have been ordered
- Organize wedding transportation (for you and your guests)
- Order wedding favors
- Find gifts for each other, your attendants, shower hostess, parents etc.
- Purchase bridal party gifts
- Purchase wedding accessories (candles, baskets, ring pillow etc.)
- Check registry regularly (there always have to be enough options left)
- Start preparations for honeymoon
- Send invitations 8 weeks before wedding date
1-2 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
- Have first bridal gown fitting
- Finalize ceremony readings, songs, etc.
- Design wedding programs
- Meet with officiant to finalize ceremony
- Write vows
- Prepare photo and video shot list
3-4 WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING
- Get marriage license (normally no earlier than 30 days before wedding)
- Arrange name change
- Mail rehearsal-dinner invitations
- Meet with stylist to discuss makeup and hair
- Confirm hotel arrangements for out-of-town guests
1-2 WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING
- Have final wedding gown fitting
- Finalize wedding-day schedule and share with attendants, parents and all vendors
- Pick up wedding dress and make sure all accessories are together
- Give caterer/reception site final head count
- Provide wedding party and out-of-town guests with itinerary and maps
- Finalize seating arrangements
- Prepare place cards
- Prepare wedding favors for transportation
- Complete seating plan for reception
- Confirm all rental and floral delivery dates and times
- Confirm arrival times for attendants
- Pack for wedding night and honeymoon
THE DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING
- Prepare payment envelopes, choosing who is responsible for each one
- Give rings to best man
- Gather wedding dress and all accessories
- Get a manicure, pedicure, massage
- Rehearse ceremony with officiant and wedding party
- Confirm flight arrangements for honeymoon
THE WEDDING DAY
- Try to eat breakfast
- See hairdresser
- Have makeup applied
- Don’t forget rings (if you haven’t given them to best man) and wedding license
- Take a relaxing bath
AFTER WEDDING
- Get wedding gown cleaned and preserved
- Write and send thank-you notes
- Complete process of name change
- Finalize gift registry
- Meet with photographer/videographer to finalize albums/video