Download a Printable Copy of this Planning Schedule at the Bottom of this Page
9 - 12 Months
Announce engagement to family & friends
Arrange for formal engagement photograph
Shop for engagement ring
Set wedding date & time
Set up wedding budget you can live with
Decide who is contributing what financially
Hire wedding consultant if you plan to use one
Select your wedding attendants
Decide style and color scheme of wedding
Reserve wedding and reception sites
Meet with officient to discuss pre-marital counseling and the wedding service
Determine size of wedding guest list
Start compiling guest list addresses
Select photographer, videographer, DJ or band, florist, caterer, emcee and schedule planning meetings
Choose your gown, veil & accessaries
Select your bridesmaids outfits
Begin researching your honeymoon
Buy a memory album & start your personal journal
6 - 8 Months
Begin any required pre-marital counseling
Discuss wedding vows
Order your bridal gown & confirm delivery date
Order headpiece & other accessories
Order bridesmaids dresses & accessories
Research invitation styles
Finalize invitation wording
Decide on necessary invitation inserts
Order invitations, inserts, announcements, thank you notes, napkins, reception place cards, etc (proof read !!)
Reserve all rental equipment (tents, chairs, etc)
Decide on reception decorations
Begin researching wedding cake designers
Discuss & reserve wedding transportation
Register for wedding gifts
Keep a careful record of all gifts received
Write thank you notes immediately
Finalize honeymoon plans & make any deposits
4-5 Months
Shop for wedding rings
Complete guest list
Plan ceremony decorations
Make final arrangements for ceremony including readings
Meet with organist/soloist to select music for ceremony
Have mothers coordinate and select their dresses
Reserve mens formal wear
Pick up printed invitations (proof read again !!)
Address invitations & announcements
Make or buy favors for guests
Arrange for guest parking at ceremony & reception site
Finalize menu & confirm all details with caterer
Order cake & cake topper
Select flowers for bridal party
Select flowers for ceremony & reception
Check requirements for getting a marriage license in your state
Finalize living arrangements for your new life
Discuss whether or not to have a prenuptial agreement
Plan rehearsal dinner
Research passport & visa requirements
Write thank you notes immediately
3 Months
Coordinate accommodations for out of town guests
Review ceremony with officiant
Select ceremony music
If using personalized wedding vows, begin writing them now
Schedule first bridal gown fitting
Schedule first bridesmaids gown fitting
Shop for bridal lingerie
Experiment with makeup & hair styles
Make all hair, nail & makeup appointments
Make sure all attire for flower girl & ring bearer has been ordered
Discuss reception traditions you plan on using
Order table numbers & menu cards for reception
Have all accessories...toasting glasses, garter, ring pillow, candles, guestbook/Pen, etc
Consider taking dance lessons if desired
Finalize plans for wedding rehearsal & rehearsal dinner
Shop for honeymoon clothes
Obtain all passport & visa requirements
Write thank you notes immediately
2 Months
Pick up wedding rings
Finalize ceremony specifics with officiant including music
Select responsible person to handle guestbook
Schedule dress fittings
Assemble directions & accommodation cards for out of town guests
Mail invitations
Design & print wedding programs if using
Confirm all reception details
Have all accessories...toasting glasses, garter, ring pillow, candles, guestbook/Pen, etc
Give invited head count to caterer & review details
Finalize all details with florist & entertainment
Finalize music selections
Confirm details with photographer & videographer
Write thank you notes immediately
Plan bridesmaid's party
Draw up any prenuptial agreement
Make rehearsal arrangements
1 Month
Buy gifts for attendants
Arrange for final gown fittings
Begin breaking in bridal footwear
Mail announcements
Give all musicians list of music to be played
Have your formal bridal portrait taken
Give photographer list of photographs you woule like taken
Finalize wedding transporation arrangements
Write thank you notes immediately
Host bridesmaids party
Complete all physical & dental appointments
Get blood test & marriage license
Get necessary forms for your name change
Buy gift for your fiance, if you are exchanging gifts
2 Weeks
Contact invited guests who have not responded
Confirm that all vendors received necessary payments
Prepare any wedding toasts
Plan seating arrangements for reception
Designate reliable person to be in charge of gifts brought to reception
Give final counts to caterer and review all details
Confirm delivery arrangements with baker
Write thank you notes immediately
Attend bachelor/bachlorette party
Confirm honeymoon arrangements and start packing
Get traveler's checks for your honeymoon
Confirm hotel reservations for the night of your wedding. Guarantee late arrivals
Mail wedding announcements to the newspapers
1 Week
Go over special seating arrangements with ushers
Pick up wedding gown
Pick up bridesmaids dresses
Pick up grooms attire
Make sure you have all wedding attire & it fits
Provide transportation company with written wedding day itinerary including addresses
Provide entire wedding party with written wedding day itinerary including addresses
Write thank you notes immediately
Arrange for gifts brought to your reception to be delivered to your new home
Make sure you have your marriage license
Have wedding rehearsal & rehearsal dinner
On Your Wedding Day
Be sure you eat something before everything starts
Do hair and nails at least 3 hours before ceremony
Allow plenty of time to apply your makeup
Give your honor attendants your wedding rings
Have programs delivered to the church
Assign someone to transport flower arrangements from the church to the reception
Be sure best man has the soloist's fee, tips for the officiant's assistants, as well as payment for the organist and DJ or band
Have all accessories together
Girls begin dressing about 1-1/2 - 2 hours before ceremony...especially if you are having a photographer arrive before ceremony. If bridesmaids getting ready elsewhere, have them arrive a minimum of 1 hour before leaving for ceremony
Don't forget to bring marriage license to ceremony
Have A GREAT time
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