Nine to Twelve Months Before
Determine the type of wedding you want, size, degree of formaility, setting.
Select a wedding date and time.
Notify your clergymember and reserve date and time for wedding and rehearsal.
Set a tentative budget. (Meet with parents if they are paying wedding expenses.)
Decide how expenses will be shared.
Shop together for wedding rings.
Determine the size of the guest list.
Plan reception and book reception location.
Select and book caterer.
Select and book photographer.
Select and book videographer.
Select and book entertainer.
Select and book transportation for wedding day.
Compile names and addresses of your guests.
Decide on your color scheme.
Select wedding attendants, yours and his.
Determine sizes for all attendants. (Keep in mind, children can grow rapidly!)
Choose your dress and headpiece.
Schedule fittings and delivery date.
Choose bridesmaids' dresses and accessories.
Start planning your honeymoon.
Discuss where you will live after the wedding.
Choose music and musicians/soloists for the ceremony and reception.
Six to Nine Months Before
Announce your engagement in the newspaper.
Register your preferences at the bridal registries of your choice.
Maintain records of all gifts received and send thank you notes immediately upon receipt of your gifts.
Select florist and discuss color schemes and any special requests.
Begin shopping for men's wedding attire.
Four to Six Months Before
Start health and fitness program.
Order invitations and other related stationary needs.
Complete your guest list.
Help both mothers coordinate and select their dresses.
Ensure that all bridal attire has been ordered.
Begin shopping for trousseau.
Check blood test and marriage license requirements.
Experiment with hair style and cut. (DO NOT wait until days before the wedding to try a new style or cut-you might get stuck with something you don't like.)
Select baker and order wedding cake, groom's cake, and mints.
Two to Three Months Before
Choose the men's wedding attire and reserve the right sizes.
Start addressing invitations and announcements.
Purchase accessories such as toasting goblets, ring pillow, garter, candles, etc.
Confirm all details with your hired professionals.
Confirm ceremony details with your officiant.
Arrange rehearsal details.
Plan rehearsal dinner.
Plan attendants' parties.
Choose responsible person to attend your guest book.
Make appointment with your hairdresser.
Arrange accomodations for out-of-towm attendants and guests.
Finalize honeymoon plans.
One Month Before
Finish addressing invitations and mail them four weeks before the wedding.
Get blood test (if required) and marriage license.
Have your final dress fitting.
Have formal bridal portrait done.
Have final fitting for wedding attendants.
Purchase gifts for wedding participants.
Purchase gift for fiance.
Complete shopping for your trousseau.
Have attendants' parties.
Purchase going-away outfit.
Ensure that your accessories are in order-toasting goblets, garter, candles, ring pillow, etc.
Finalize rehearsal dinner details.
Make a calendar of events for wedding day.
Draw a map to direct guests to the ceremony and reception sites, if necessary.
Two Weeks Before
Finish addressing announcements to be mailed on your wedding day.
Contact guests who have not responded.
Pick up the wedding rings and make sure they fit properly and that engraved inscriptions are correct.
Meet with your photographer and give him/her a list of special pictures you want taken.
Meet with the videographer and give him/her a list of special events or people you want in the videotape.
Meet with the entertainer and give him/her a list of the music to be played during special events such as bouquet tossing, garter tossing, dollar dance, first dance, etc.
Continue writing thank-you notes for gifts received.
One Week Before
Provide the caterer with the total guest count and confirm all details.
Provide your wedding party and out-of-town guests with timetables and maps if necessary for the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception.
Review details on last minute arrangements and timetables with all service companies.
Plan seating arrangements, if used.
Confirm all honeymoon reservations and accommodations, pick up tickets and travelers checks.
Discuss the details of the reception with your host and hostess.
Assign tasks to be done on the wedding day to your wedding party.
Practice applying makeup and styling your hair and determine the amount of time needed to do this on your wedding day.
Make sure you have your marriage license.
Pick up wedding attire and make sure everthing fits properly.
Keep writing thank you notes for gifts received.
Pack your suitcase for your honeymoon.
Rehearse wedding ceremony with all participants in attendance.
Attend rehearsal dinner.
Give the best man the officiator's fee and instruct him to deliver it on the day of the wedding.
Get a good night's sleep the night before your wedding day.
On the Wedding Day
Remain calm and try to relax.
Don't forget to bring the wedding rings and your marriage license.
Check with florist to ensure that flowers will be delivered on time.
Apply makeup and style your hair slowly.
Start dressing 1 1/2 hours before the ceremony.
If pictures will be taken before the ceremony, the entire wedding party should be dressed and ready about two hours before the ceremony.
Mail the wedding announcements.
Have music start thirty minutes before the ceremony begins.
Have guests seated as they arrive.
Groom's parents should be seated five minutes before the ceremony begins.
The bride's mother should be seated immediately before the processional, and before the aisle runner is rolled out.
After the Wedding
Write and mail all thank-you notes as soon as possible.
Take care of business and legal affairs (change name if necessary on records and legal documents) as soon as possible.
|