Wedding Planning Timeline

 

8 TO 12 Months Before the Wedding

 

• Select a wedding date and time.

• Decide the type of wedding you would like to have (size, formality, and setting).

• Begin your guest list.

• Consider possible color schemes.  Explore pre-marital counseling.

• Start health and fitness plan.

• Select your professional: photographer, caterer, consultant, music, etc.

• Shop together for your wedding rings.

• Decide upon your budget.

• Determine who will pay what expenses.

• Book your wedding location(s).

• Choose your attendants.

• Determine the sizes of your attendants.

• Select dress and headpiece, and set a date for fittings and delivery.

• Select your bridesmaids' dresses and accessories.

• Give thought to your honeymoon location.

 

5 to 8 Months

 

• Check the requirements for marriage license.

• Select and discuss your color schemes with the florist and/or balloonist of choice.

• Again consider pre-marital counseling.

• Reserve your wedding day rental equipment (tables, chairs, china, silverware, gazebo, etc.).

• Decide upon a gift registry and select your gift choices.

• Begin your record of gifts received.

• Send thank you notes as soon as possible.

• Order your invitations and related stationary needs.

• Start shopping for the mens’ wedding attire.

 

3 to 5 Months

 

• Finalize your guest list.

• Decide upon and order your favors.

• Select your baker, then choose your cake, groom’s cake, and mints.

• Help both mothers coordinate and find their wedding day clothing.

• Review your written agreements forms with all of your professionals (photographer, caterer, D.J., site coordinator, transportation, etc.).

 

2 to 3 Months

 

• Have engagement portraits taken.

• Place your engagement announcement in the newspaper.

• Mail out invitations and announcements.

• Decide on the mens’ wedding attire.

• Arrange and plan your rehearsal dinner.

• Purchase your wedding day accessories.

• Arrange attendants' parties.

• Book a beverage caterer for the reception and make selections.

• Prepare accommodations for out-of-town attendants and guests.

• Consider a hairdresser and/or makeup artist and book appointments.

• Finalize all honeymoon plans.

 

2 to 4 Weeks

 

• Final wedding dress fitting.

• Final fitting for your wedding attendants.

• Obtain marriage license.

• Have your attendants' parties.

• Purchase your going-away outfit.

• Draw a map to direct your guests to the site(s), if necessary.

• Create a calendar of events for the wedding day.

• Make sure your accessories are in order (rings, pillow, garter, etc.)

 

1 to 2 Weeks

 

• Finalize arrangements with the entertainer(s) and provide a list of music you would like played during special events such as first dance, garter removal and bouquet toss.

• Pick up your wedding rings and make sure that the engravings are correct and they fit properly.

• Contact the guests who have not responded to your invitations.

 

1 to 7 Days

 

• Make sure your marriage license is in order.

• Prepare seating arrangements, if necessary.

• Purchase travelers checks, confirm honeymoon reservations.

• Pack your baggage for your honeymoon.

• Have your wedding ceremony rehearsal.

• Instruct your wedding party on what you would like them to do on the day of the wedding.

• Have your rehearsal dinner.

• Make sure all wedding attire fits properly.

• Give the best man the amount the professionals are to be paid on the day of the wedding.

• Inform your caterer of the total guest count.

• Confirm out-of-town guests have transportation and sleeping accommodations.

• Check with your florist and/or balloonist to make sure they will arrive when scheduled.

 

Your Wedding Day

 

• Relax, enjoy yourself, and remain calm! Allow at least two hours for dressing.

• Allow plenty of time to apply your makeup and style your hair.

• If professionals are doing your hair and/or makeup, ask them in advance how much time they will need.

• If photographs are to be taken before the ceremony, allow at least one and one-half hours.

• Remember to bring the rings and marriage license.

• Seat guests as they arrive. The groom’s parents should be seated about 5 minutes before start time, the

• mother of the bride is normally seated last.

• Take a deep breath, don't worry, and SMILE!