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 you 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
