Discuss the style of the wedding and the
budget with your fiancée and ALL parents.
Interview wedding consultants, advisors and
coordinators.
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
By 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 9 MONTHS PRIOR
Select all of your attendants
Together, begin compiling your guest list.
Contact and visit clergy or justice of the
peace
Begin shopping for appropriate clothiers and
(ladies) accessorize, accessorize, accessorize, accessorize
Register with not 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.
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 PRIOR
Begin review of details with all of your
wedding professionals
Finalize honeymoon plans with fiancée and
book with travel agent.
By end of Month 6 shop for and order
invitations and announcements
Finalize music selection for wedding and
reception
By end of Month 5 book calligrapher
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 whatever
By end of Month 4 have the rehearsal dinner
plans in place (make sure you coordinate this with your fiancée).
2 TO 3 MONTHS PRIOR
Order the wedding rings!!
Finish guest list
Lingerie
Honeymoon Clothes
Attendants' gifts
Your gift for your fiancée
Pre- & post-wedding party clothes you
might need
Finalize catering, bakery, floral
arrangements (be a little flexible)
Reserve a block of rooms for your
out-of-town guests (good work for your fiancée)
Finalize arrangements for any rental items
you may need
Candelabra & other silver pieces
Special decorative screens & archways
Special lighting (particularly if part of
the event will be outside or in an unique area where normal lighting may
not be possible)
Make appointment with your hairdresser (a
trial run for next month - also good for your bridal portrait)
Make appointment with your hairdresser
(final)
Make appointment for your nails (hands and
feet)
Make appointment with a makeup artist for
the day of your bridal portrait
4 TO 8 WEEKS PRIOR
Mail your wedding invitations and send
either your preplanned special itinerary for early arriving out-of-town
guests or an activity sheet from area chambers-of-commerce
Final fittings (you and the attendants)
Plan the bridesmaids' party & confirm
the location & instructions
By Week 6 have bridal portrait taken
Send local paper and wedding publications
your announcement and photograph
Notes! Notes! Notes! Write Thank You Notes
as you receive bridal and wedding gifts
Reconfirm rehearsal events and rehearsal
dinner reservations
For your own peace of mind personally touch
base with every key professional you and/or your coordinator have working
on all your upcoming events
By Week 4 Pick Up Wedding Rings
Get marriage license with fiancée
Reconfirm honeymoon reservations and (if
leaving the country got o bank and exchange at least $100 into foreign
currency)
Submit request lists to your musicians,
photographer and videographer
Formally invite wedding party and guests to
the rehearsal dinner
Confirm all transportation for all events
(including honeymoon)
Address announcements to mail on your
wedding day
Prepare all the necessary forms for name
address changes on social security card, credit cards, bank accounts, post
office, driver's license, etc.
Arrange to move belongings to new home
By the last day of Week 2 plan a day to be
alone with your family
1 WEEK PRIOR
On the very first day of the very last week
begin packing for your honeymoon
Check final details with all your wedding
professionals - early in the week
Give (or attend) the Bridesmaids' party
Give final guest count to the caterer
Create a wedding day schedule with your
fiancée
Remind wedding party men to pick up tuxedos
Remind attendants of rehearsal dinner agenda
Remind fiancée to double check rehearsal
dinner plans
Finish packing for your honeymoon
Rehearsal Dinner (give wedding day schedule
to all)
Schedule the day prior to the wedding as a
free day - and a day to visit with a few close friends
