First Things First – As early as 12 Months before the Wedding

• Announce your engagement
• Decide on wedding consultant
• Get a datebook for appointments
• Choose a wedding style – casual, semi-formal, formal
• Choose a theme
• Together with your parents determine the budget
• Decide who will pay for what
• Work together with parents to determine a rough guest count
• Set your wedding date
• Reserve ceremony and reception locations
• Choose bride and groom attendants
• Begin shopping for the Wedding Gown

Next Select and Reserve –12 to 6 Months

• Photographer – time for engagement photo
• Videographer
• Cake
• Caterer
• Musicians
• Florist
• Officiant
• Limousine or other transportation
• Research Honeymoon ideas
• If needed start passport process, check immunization schedule

• Submit announcement to newspaper

More important stuff – 8 to 5 Months

• Order Wedding gown – confirm delivery date
• Choose and order attendant dresses
• Select tuxedos
• Select and order invitations, RSVP cards and thank you cards
• Determine invitation/guest list

• Photographer – discuss shot list and "photo journalism"
• Videographer – determine elements that must be included
• Cake – choose style and plan delivery
• Caterer—choose menu and any rentals they provide
• Musicians—song list and sound system
• Florist—choose arrangements and plan delivery
• Limousine or other transportation -- finalize
• Officiant—meet to individualize your ceremony

• Begin any required pre-marital counseling
• Discuss vows

• Research Honeymoon ideas

• Choose guest favors – order personalization

Closer to That Time – 5 to 2 Months

• Register for gifts
• Schedule first fittings for bride and bridal party
• Order any bride and bridal accessories

• Arrange for shoe dying, check accessories

• Reserve hotel room block for out of town guests
• Arrange discount travel options with airlines and car-rental agencies
• Check marriage-license requirements at County Clerk’s office
• Make honeymoon reservations
• Secure travel documents
• Choose and order wedding bands, select engraving
• Plan reception details
• Plan reception décor and begin gathering balloons to bubbles
• Pick up and proof read (again) invitations
• Finalize ceremony decisions – readings, vocals, unity candle, etc
• Choose guest book attendant
• Write your vows

Don’t Panic, it is coming together! 8 to 4 Weeks

• Order wedding programs—by now you know who to include
• Address invitations and mail to arrive 6 weeks before wedding
• Select attendants’ gifts
• Select gift for fiancé
• Final fittings for bride and bridal party
• Reserve rental items for ceremony and reception
• Make reservations for rehearsal dinner
• Make reservations for bridesmaids’ luncheon
• Confirm honeymoon reservations – get luggage
• Try out wedding day hairstyles and make up
• Get blood test within 30 days of wedding
• Pick music for the reception – determine "do not play list"
• Select ceremony music
• Purchase thank-you gifts for wedding party
• Pick up wedding bands
• Shop for lingerie
• Pick up wedding programs and proof read (again)
• Find a place to live – there is life after wedding!
• Write thank you notes as gifts arrive

Oh, we can hardly wait! 3 to 2 weeks

• Confirm ceremony details with officiant
• Call all vendors and confirm details
• Confirm that all vendors have received necessary payments
• Plan reception décor committee and clean up!
• Call guests who have not responded
• Give caterer the close guest count
• Get marriage license
• Double check attire and accessories for all wedding party
• Confirm time and date of rehearsal with all involved
• Review reception seating plans, make place cards, seating chart
• Schedule appointments for nails, hair, massage
• Instruct out of town guests regarding hotel block
• Confirm transportation and arrival time of wedding party
• Wear bridal footwear – be comfortable on your big day!
• Write thank you notes as gifts arrive

We are getting married next week!

• Go to your personal appointments
• Pack for the honeymoon – reconfirm reservations, locate tickets
• Determine gratuities for vendors and place in envelopes
• Give caterer final guest count (72 hours)
• Make your "Don’t forget to bring" list
• Make sure everyone has picked up all wedding attire
• Write thank you notes as gifts arrive
• Arrange for gifts brought to the reception to be taken to your new home
• Make sure you have your marriage license
• Create wedding day schedule

We will be husband and wife tomorrow!

• Attend rehearsal
• Go over seating arrangements with ushers

• Hand out wedding day schedule
• Determine receiving line order
• Enjoy rehearsal dinner
• Get some sleep!