Timeline of Events 6 to 12 Months
- Select date along with backup dates
- Decide budget, discuss sharing of expenses
- Decide type of wedding (Formal, Semi-Formal, Informal)
- Compile guest list (This will help with the decision of where to have your ceremony & reception)
- Choose location of ceremony
- Choose location of reception
- Choose officiant
- Decide size of wedding party, choose attendants
- Select and order gown style
- Select and order veil style
- Select and order attendants' apparel
- Plan details of reception
- Buy wedding rings
- Hire wedding consultant, if desired
- Select photographer
- Select wedding cake and cake top
- Select and register bridal registry items
- Have engagement photos taken
- Announce engagement in local newspaper
- Select music for ceremony
- Select music for reception
- Discuss honeymoon plans
- Plan details for reception
- Select videographer
- Select florist/hall decorator
- Hire limo service
- If wedding is at home, make arrangements for household repairs and maintenance
- Discuss gown colors & styles with mothers of bride and groom
- Arrange for families to meet (if not already)
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4 to 6 Months
- Select and order men's formal wear
- Select ceremony musician & music
- Make honeymoon plans
- Decide on new living arrangements: buying, leasing, renting?
- Inquire about dance instruction
- Register with one or more bridal registries
- Select and order invitations, announcements, thank you cards, personal stationery, programs, napkins, etc.
- Professional prepare & print map to include with invitations
- Set aside hotel rooms for out-of-town guests
- Have physical examinations & update immunizations
- Buy wedding rings and order engraving
- Reserve transportation for the bridal party
- Reserve or arrange transportation to and from the ceremony and reception for out-of-town guests
- Reserve rental equipment, tables, chairs, and tents
- Reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests
- Reserve room for wedding night
- Choose and order favors
- Hire stylists for wedding hair and makeup
- Make appointments with your wedding professionals, compare them and make deposits to reserve
them for your date
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2 to 4 Months
- Reserve rental items, arches, canopy, linens, etc.
- Arrange rehearsal dinner
- Shop for trousseau and apparel for honeymoon & prenuptial parties
- If you are going to honeymoon outside the country, arrange to get necessary passports, visas and vaccinations
- Reserve limousine, carriage, trolley or coach transportation
- Address wedding invitations
- Confirm delivery dates of all dresses
- Discuss details of menu with caterer
- Discuss ceremony with officiant
- Choose readings and confirm vows for ceremony
- Schedule rehearsal
- Confirm rehearsal dinner arrangements
- Review florist arrangements, finalize order
- Buy attendants' gifts and gifts for each other
- Experiment with hairstyles and make-up changes
- Buy bride's and attendant's shoes—send to dyer
- Order wedding and groom's cakes
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1 to 2 Months
- Complete shopping for trousseau
- Buy stockings and any remaining accessories
- Mail invitations four to six weeks before the wedding
- Organize seating arrangements and make place cards (including parents table)
- Final bridal fitting
- Pick up wedding rings; check engravings and sizes
- Final attendant's fittings
- Confirm honeymoon reservations; begin packing
- Select reception decorations & accessories: cake knife & server, balloons, candles, flowers, table favors
- Select ceremony accessories: unity candle, ring pillow, flower girl's basket, guest book, pen, etc.
- Select personal accessories: handbag, garter, engraved toasting glasses, guest mementos
- Finalize details for photographer, videographer, florist, entertainment, bakery and minister
- Practice hairstyles with veil if doing your own hair for wedding
- Write thank you notes for gifts received
- Assign friends or family to assist with guest book and gift table
- Arrange bridesmaids' brunch or luncheon details
- Plan bouquet preservation
- Buy marriage license
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2 Weeks
- Schedule appointments for hair stylist, facial, manicure, massage
- Invite wedding party & guests to rehearsal dinner
- Move belongings to new home
- Review reception seating and order place cards from calligrapher
- Confirm out-of-town guests' lodging with reserved hotels
- Confirm wedding party transportation and arrival times
- Record gifts as you receive them; write thank you notes and mail
- Arrange for gown cleaning and bouquet preservation after the ceremony
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1 to 2 Weeks
- Confirm time and date of wedding rehearsal with wedding party
- Review reception seating plans and prepare place cards, if necessary
- Schedule appointment for manicure, pedicure and massage (massage is highly recommended to
help relax)
- Finalize rehearsal dinner arrangements
- Contact people who haven't responded
- Final consultations: florist, hall decorator, musicians, photographer, videographer (make sure that
everything is in order)
- Give final guest count to reception facility and caterer
- Remind men to pick up formal wear and shoes. Check for fit.
- Make wedding day schedule and give everyone copies at rehearsal dinner
- Relax the day before; keep personal appointments
- Finish honeymoon packing; prepare going away outfit
- Confirm responsibilities assigned to family and friends
- Finalize seating chart
- Confirm honeymoon arrangements
- Break in your wedding shoes
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1 Day
- RELAX!
- Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
- Give attendant gifts to wedding party at rehearsal dinner
- Your planning is complete and your special day will be wonderful!
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