12 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY:

Be organized! Get yourself a planner to keep track of all your wedding details.

Decide on style of your wedding (formal, informal, traditional, contemporary, theme) 

Decide on the approximate number of guests.

Decide on approximate budget and who pays for what. 
Traditionally, wedding expenses are taken care of by the bride’s family while the groom’s takes care of the rings, the rehearsal dinner and the honeymoon. But remember, this is the new millennium, so anything goes.

Decide on what ceremony location and religion (if any).
Remember, this is your wedding – Don’t be afraid of changing to a different venue if your first choice is overly restrictive. This is especially true of photography and videography… Restriction to the back of the church may have adverse effects, and compromise the quality of these memorable keepsakes. Hiring the right professionals will prevent your wedding day becoming a three-ring circus. 

Meet with the Officiate. Make future appointments to plan music and discuss ceremony.

Choose reception site

Now select a wedding date. 

Decide on a color scheme.

Secure a Caterer for your reception if your site does not come with one. 

Select Photographer
Select Videographer
Do not wait until the last minute to do these very important things. Your day will go by in a blur. You’ll never see half of what happens and forget half of what you do. Your photographer and (especially) your videographer capture the events of the day for you to be able to relive time and again. The best are in high demand, and will book dates quickly. You may even want to adjust the date of your wedding in order to get the professionals that you want, rather than settling for something less.

9-12 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY:

Select wedding attendants, best man, maid of honor etc. 

Select Florist

Select Musicians 

Discuss Honeymoon locations. Visit your travel agent and peruse the brochure rack.

Begin shopping for wedding dress and bridesmaid’s dresses.

6-9 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY

Select wedding dress. Set alteration dates. 

Select Bridesmaids’ dresses.

Start working on guest lists

4-6 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY

Book your Honeymoon.

Order your invitations, thank you cards, napkins and guest book.

Order gifts & favors.

Choose your music selections for your ceremony.

Order wedding rings.

Register with Bridal Gift Registry at your favorite stores.

Plan your new home. Shop for furnishings.

Select and reserve your Limousine service.

Shop for Men’s attire.

Confirm dates and arrangements:

• Select bakery and order wedding cake
• Reception site
• Caterers (off site)
• Florists
• Honeymoon
• Transportation arrangements
• Musicians for ceremony & reception
• Delivery date of wedding dress
• Photographer
• Videographer
• Ceremony site arrangements

2 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY

Mail invitations.

Arrange for blood test.

Marriage License

Plan date for rehearsal dinner. Select restaurant.

Confirm date for wedding cake.

If possible make an appointment with a beauty professional for you and your bridesmaids on your wedding day.

ONE MONTH BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY

Pick up wedding rings.

Final fittings for men’s attire.

Plan Bachelor and Bachelorette party.

Make Hotel reservations for out-of-town guests. 

Select wedding day accessories, (pillow, rings, garter)

Plan on getting documents i.e, legal, religious, medical in order.

Make appointment for ceremony rehearsal.

Assign attendant responsibilities i.e, tips and balance payments on day of wedding for musicians, limousines, photographer/videographer, DJ, musicians, Maitre D, bridal attendant, caterers etc.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY

Finalize arrangements with EVERYONE. Review details of your contracts.

Finalize and review music selections for ceremony and reception.

Start planning what to wear on your honeymoon. Review with travel agents all necessary documents.

THE WEEK BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY

Present gifts to bridesmaids and ushers at the bachelor and bachelorette parties, or at Rehearsal Dinner

Remind attendants about ceremony rehearsal day and time.

Pack your bags. Don’t wait until the last minute. 

Wedding ceremony rehearsal

Rehearsal dinner

YOUR WEDDING DAY

Breathe. Relax and Enjoy.

Give yourself plenty of time to get ready - at least 3 hours ahead of time.

Rule of thumb is to allow at least 3 hours for all things at the church, (photos, etc.) an hour between church and reception.

Don’t forget the marriage license.

Don’t forget the Rings!

Remember, it’s called a reception for a reason. If you are planning on a dismissal or receiving line at the church, keep it moving! Your guests will thank you for it.

Best man should have payment for officiate.

Breathe. Relax and Enjoy.

Have a Blast!