Announce your engagement to family and friends!
Determine the kind of wedding you will have
(formal/informal, indoor/outdoor, time of year, time of day, number of guests, etc...)
Choose the wedding date (be sure to consider holidays, etc...)
Decide on a budget
Get a folder or binder for organizing important papers, contracts, receipts, forms, etc...
Attend local bridal shows
Find a wedding coordinator or consultant (if desired)
Reserve the ceremony and reception location
Reserve the officiant or person performing the ceremony
Order the bridal gown
Reserve the photographer
Book the DJ or band
Choose your bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, guestbook attendant, etc…
Send engagement announcement to local newspaper
Begin guest list
Nine to Twelve Months
Choose a theme for your wedding/reception (colors, etc..)
Select your flower girl and ring bearer
Select and order bridesmaids dresses, shoes and accessories
Schedule fittings for yourself and wedding party
Interview and reserve caterer (if needed)
Select and reserve florist
Reserve videographer
Book ceremony musicians
Six to Nine Months
Finalize the guest list
Select and order wedding invitations, announcements, thank you notes, etc...
Begin planning your honeymoon
Reserve any rental items or decorations needed for the ceremony and reception
Purchase shoes and accessories
Set date, time and location of rehearsal dinner
Register for gifts
Four to Six Months
Reserve hotel room for wedding night
Order wedding cake
Order flowers for ceremony, reception, etc...
Complete honeymoon plans
Reserve transportation for the day of the wedding (limousine, carriage, etc..)
Purchase wedding rings
Select and order decorations
Purchase gifts for bridal party
Check requirements for marriage license
Two to Four Months
Address and mail invitations
Create a record-keeping system for RSVPs, gifts received and thank-you notes to be sent
Determine hair style and makeup
Finalize shopping for accessories (toasting glasses, guest book, etc...)
Check with your local newspaper(s) for wedding announcement requirements
Arrange for name and address change
Plan for ceremony, reception, music and timetables.
One to Two Months
Pick up marriage license
Create a reception seating plan (if needed)
Send wedding announcements to local newspaper(s)
Mail wedding announcements
Begin working on your vows (if writing your own)
One to Four Weeks
Pick up wedding attire (make sure everything fits!)
Go over final details (take time off work if needed)
Contact all service providers and review any last minute details
Review the schedule of events and make any last minute arrangements
Provide caterer and reception location with final guest count
Give reception seating plan to caterer or person in charge of seating
Confirm reservations for honeymoon
Pick up tickets and travelers checks
Place all rehearsal and wedding day items in one location (don't want to forget anything)
Shop and pack for honeymoon
Day Before
Give Best Man the officiant's fee
Give remaining checks for any other service providers to the designated person
Arrange for someone to bring accessories to ceremony and reception
(ring pillow, guest book and pen, toasting glasses, cake cutting knife, etc...)
Designate someone to return rental items after the ceremony and reception
Attend ceremony rehearsal
Provide schedule of tomorrow's events to each member of the wedding party
Give accessories to wedding party
Have fun at the rehearsal dinner
Get plenty of rest
Your Wedding Day!
Enjoy a good breakfast
Have wedding clothes ready several hours before it's time to get dressed
Have hair and makeup done
Give the groom's ring to the maid of honor
Confirm that the Best Man has offician's fee and marriage license
Confirm that the groom has money and tickets for the honeymoon Relax and enjoy the day!
