 Attendants
- Bridal Party - Ushers etc. |
|
12-18 Months
 Choose Maid
of Honor and Bridesmaids
Choose Best
Man, Attendants and Ushers
6-12 Months
Choose Flower
girl and ring bearer.
3 Months
Arrange
lodging for out-of-town wedding attendants.
Choose
a guest book attendant.
2 Months
Meet
with ushers to
decide duties during
the ceremony.
1 Month
Check
wedding party apparel.
Confirm
date and time of rehearsal.
Notify
wedding party and family of rehearsal.
2 Weeks
Thank
your attendants by having a cocktail party or
going out for dinner and drinks.
1 Week
Gift-wrap
presents for attendants and
include personal thank you cards.
Give
gifts to attendants at rehearsal.
If
you're planning on candles, be sure to appoint
someone to light them.
Remind
the bridal
party of the rehearsal date,
time, and place.
Review wedding
day checklist with the maid
of honor and best
man.
You
should have the wedding rings and made sure they
fit.
| Attire |
|
6-12 Months
Discuss
all arrangements & choices with your wedding
party as soon as possible.
Choose
and order flowergirl(s) dresses, accessories
and dye shoes to match (if applicable).
Have
your first fitting for your gown ASAP.
Help
both mothers select their dresses.
If
your gown is an heirloom, allow time for cleaning,
dressing, and any alterations that may need
to be made.
Order
attendants gowns; buy shoes and have them dyed
to match (if applicable).
Purchase
desired attire accessories:
hosiery, garter, lingerie, corset, jewelry,
etc. ready for first fitting.
Review
your gown budget.
Select
wedding gown, headpiece/ veil.
Set
the date to order the dresses for the bridesmaids
and outfits for attendants.
4-6 Months
Begin
shopping for trousseau.
Discuss
and confirm attire with ushers and
refer them to local formal wear shop(s).
Discuss
and confirm attire for ring
bearer and refer to local formal wear shop.
Groom:
Visit retail shops to choose formal wear.
Have
your second gown fitting.
3 Months
Groom:
Have attire fitted.
Groom:
Buy or rent cufflinks and/or any other accessories
such as shoes, shirt stays, cufflinks, and a
pocket square.
Order
best man and usher's attire. Have attire fitted.
2 Months
Arrange
for final gown fitting (don't forget to take
undergarments and shoes worn with your gown to
the final fitting).
Choose
going-away outfit.
1 Month
Bride/Groom: Break
in your wedding shoes before the big day.
Make
sure that all bridal attire fits
perfectly and arrange for pickup or delivery.
1 Week
Groom:
Go for final attire fitting.
Pick
up gowns and shoes.
Select
a pretty handkerchief to tuck into your bouquet
for sentimental moments. Walk down the
aisle with your mother's or grandmother's
handkerchief as your something "old".
 View
more on attire
| Entertainment,
Music, Parties |
|
12-18 Months
Set
date for engagement party if you are having
one.
Review
a variety of music --
Classical, Traditional, contemporary, Alternative
-- Select your style.
Research
DJ's/musicians, listen to their tapes/cd's.
Select
and book DJ's/musicians of your choice.
3 Months
Ask for
a song
list from your DJ/Musician to make selections.
Select
wedding ceremony
music.
1 Month
Groom
be prepared for your bachelor party.
Arrange
for preparation/storage area for musicians
at ceremony venue.
Make
musical selections for your DJ's/musicians. Also
songs NOT to play!
2 Weeks
Thank
your attendants by having a cocktail party or
going out for dinner and drinks.
Finalize
details with your:
Ceremony
music.
Reception
entertainment.
Day of Wedding
Processional
guidelines.
Reception
proceedings.
Outline
of proceedings designed for the MC.
| Guests |
|
3 Months
Arrange
lodging for out-of-town wedding attendants.
Choose
a guest book attendant.
1 Month
Arrange
lodging for out-of-town guests.
It's
proper to send lodging information to your out-of-town guests,
most facilities will do so for you if provided
with your guest list.
| Honeymoon |
|
12-18 Months
Plan
excursions and entertainment for your honeymoon
location.
Research
destinations and contact travel agents for
brochures and information about
cruise packages, resort sites and/or action/adventure
honeymoon packages.
Research
travel guides and online travel sites for
excursion ideas.
6-12 Months
Book
airline, hotel/resort, and rental car reservations
ASAP.
Meet
with travel agency to discuss honeymoon trip.
Send
necessary deposits for honeymoon ASAP.
4-6 Months
Complete
honeymoon plans with travel agency.
Research,
Purchase and Insure personal cameras and/or video
cameras for your honeymoon.
Shop
for luggage for honeymoon (if needed) and have
luggage monogrammed with post-wedding initials.
3 Months
Arrange
for wedding night accommodations.
2 Months
Check
online sites about your honeymoon destination.
Purchase
appropriate language phrase books or destination
guidebooks for your honeymoon.
1 Month
Finalize
honeymoon plans/itinerary.
2 Weeks
Arrange
for transportation to and from the airport.
Confirm
all honeymoon travel and hotel.
Have
appropriate items for honeymoon trousseau dry-cleaned.
Purchase
Traveler's Cheques and exchange money for currency
according to your destination.
1 Week
Leave
your honeymoon itinerary with a family member.
Make
sure luggage is in car or hotel room of wedding
night stay.
Pack
suitcases for honeymoon.
Reconfirm
honeymoon reservations/tickets.
View
more on honeymoons
| Paperwork |
|
12-18 Months
Begin
to compile a list of friends, family, and vendor
contact details.
Determine
guest List - consult with both families.
Determine how
much to spend.
Plan
your wedding budget.
Write
and prepare engagement announcement for the
newspaper. (Publish when appropriate)
6-12 Months
Arrange
for pickup and/or delivery
of announcements.
Choose
the wording for your pre-event invitations.
Divide
list into guests receiving invitations to the
ceremony and reception, and ones receiving
invitations to the ceremony only.
Determine
design, wording, stock, font and paper
stock for your invitations.
Finalize
Guest list. Compare with Fiancees list.
Order personal
Stationery, thank you notes, etc.
Place
print order for your wedding
announcements & invitations and envelopes.
Review
and approve proofs of your wedding announcements.
3 Months
Address
Invitations.
Determine
method of addressing
announcements.
(calligraphy
or labels)
Personal
Stationery and thank you notes should be ready.
Review
your beauty budget.
2 Months
Keep
wedding and shower gift
records.
Mail
invitations (6-8 weeks prior to wedding)
Review
Newspaper wedding announcement guidelines and
comply.
Send
thank you cards for gifts as they arrive.
1 Month
Create
or order place cards for the reception if
required.
Acquire
all forms and submit name-change form to legally change
your name
Driver's
License or State ID card
Passport
Social
Security
State
and Federal Tax Boards
Send
change-of-address/cancellation/renewal notices
to...
Animal
minders, vets, etc.
Banks
Cable
company
Computer
company/supplier/service co
Credit card
companies
Department
stores
Doctors,
dentists, accountants& other professionals
Electrical
appliance service agents, electricians, etc.
Friends,
relatives, associates!
Government
dept's / tax etc.
Home
maintenance, gardeners, windows, etc.
Insurance
companies
Laborer,
plumbers, service men, painters, etc.
Magazine subscriptions
Motor
vehicle - garages, mechanics, service, etc.
Music
clubs, garden clubs, societies, groups etc.
Non
profit organizations you may donate to
Religious
organizations and personal associations
Schools,
and all associated clubs, groups, tutors and organizations
your children belong to.
Utilities
and phone companies
Your
internet provider
Notify
Mortgage Company or landlord of name change for
mortgage, rent and lease purposes.
Write
and prepare wedding
announcement for the newspaper.
It
would be wise to be careful sending cancellations
to services such as phone power, cards etc.
if you need them until the wedding day. Many
though allow you to specify when the new change
is to take affect so you can send them now.
Some may choose to send forms after the wedding
day to be safe, but fill them out now ready
to send, as you won't have time later.
For
couples with older children it would be advisable
to give a copy of this list to your siblings as
they may have correspondence with ones you may
be unaware of.
2 Weeks
All
response cards should be in (follow up on all
response cards not yet received)
Update
your wills.
1 Week
File
change-of-address form with post office.
Put
marriage license in safe place until wedding
day.
After The Wedding
Make
sure all thank you notes have been sent.
If
you haven't already, as listed above, send change-of-address
notices to all credit card companies,
your internet provider, all magazine subscriptions,
have utilities and phone shut-off at old
address, arrange for utilities and phone hook-up at
new address, notify cable company of change of
address.
| Personal |
|
12-18 Months
Choose
a diet or exercise program.
Discuss
diet and exercise options with your physician or
a licensed nutritionist.
Join
a gym or register for classes (if applicable)
Make
your weekly exercise schedule (and plan to
stick to it)
Make
weekly menu plans.
Purchase
appropriate exercise equipment, attire and
shoes.
Research
health clubs and personal trainers in your
area or more information and rates.
4-6 Months
Begin
shopping for home furnishings.
Make
appointment with a stylist and/or hairdresser
to practice hairstyles (don't forget to bring
your veil)
Plan
your new home - meet with Realtor or visit
apartments.
Research
blood test requirements in your state.
3 Months
Get
necessary inoculations/vaccinations for your
honeymoon destination.
Make
day-of-wedding hair appointment.
Make
appointment with a make-up artist.
Make
appointment for groom's haircut, if needed.
Make
appointment for physical exam or check up.
Make
appointments for pedicure, manicure, waxing,
teeth clean/bleach.
Renew
or obtain your passport or visa if traveling
abroad.
2 Months
Complete
your blood tests and obtain the results.
If
you have any skin irritations or blemishes, see
a dermatologist.
Meet
with hairstylists. If you color or lighten your
hair, make appointment for touchup.
Organize
moving arrangements.
Start
tanning sessions.
1 Month
Here's
a wonderful idea - Book in for a full body massage
the morning of your wedding to relax yourself.
You can even have them come to your house or
hotel. You'll be thankful you did!
If
you have sensitive skin, make sure to select
and apply only hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic
cosmetics.
Meet
your health and exercise goal.
Groom
be prepared for your bachelor party.
Visit
hairstylist for your appointment for touchup
if you have colored or highlighted
your hair.
2 Weeks
Arrange
to move items to new home.
Keep
your dental appointment.
Make
sure to view make-up application in a variety
of lighting conditions to assure you look your
best in every setting.
Practice
various techniques for applying cosmetics
-- using magazines as a guideline.
Schedule
appointments for manicure and/or pedicure.
Schedule
appointment for waxing at a professional salon.
1 Week
Bride -
Pack a small emergency bag for your dressing
area: iron, needle and thread, hairspray, aspirin,
nail polish, safety pins, extra panty hose, etc.
Gift
wrap gift for bride / groom.
Get
manicure and pedicure done.
Make
all necessary arrangements for care of pet(s),
house or apartment, plants and mail while you're
away.
| Reception |
|
12-18 Months
View
possible reception venues. As many venues can
be booked up to 2 years in advance, it may
be advantageous to confirm the venue you like
as soon as possible.
Day of Wedding
Click
Here
| Rehearsals |
|
1-2 Months
Decide
rehearsal budget
Decide
size of rehearsal
Decide
type of rehearsal
Reserve
a bartender for rehearsal
Start
your rehearsal guest list
Decide
on wording for invitations for the rehearsal
Order
or make invitations for rehearsal
Reserve
rehearsal location
Reserve
rehearsal catering
Decide
if you need babysitters for the rehearsal
Create
map and directions to rehearsal
Mail
rehearsal invitations
Hire
photographer for rehearsal if being used
Hire
videographer for rehearsal if being used
Purchase
flowers for rehearsal if being used
| Shopping |
|
12-18 Months
Select
and order a ring for
the bride.
6-12 Months
An
idea would be to find out what bridal shows are
on in your area.
Order wedding
rings and arrange for engraving.
Insure
your wedding rings.
Purchase
desired attire accessories:
hosiery, garter, lingerie, corset, jewelry,
etc.
Registry
- Register at bridal
registry - Enter into Vendor Details.
Registry
- Select stores and begin browsing
now, as you can add and modify your registry
as need be.
Shop/Arrange
for decorations for
the reception.
4-6 Months
Order
rental items for the ceremony and reception (i.e.
chairs for outdoor ceremony.)
Order
wedding cake.
Registry
- For bridal
showers, consider adding lower priced items
to your register.
Registry
- Remember to check seasonal items
for availability.
3 Months
Choose
a guest book and pen.
For
Jewish weddings: obtain a light bulb or glass
to wrap in a handkerchief and step on.
If
you will choose something to be thrown at your
Wedding, (rose petals, confetti, bird
seed or butterflies) Choose and
order what will be.
Purchase "Love" Postage
stamps
Purchase
or gather toasting
goblets.
Purchase
a ring
bearers pillow.
Purchase
a garter.
Purchase
candles, or arrange for candles with wedding
coordinator.
2 Months
Arrange
for gift-wrap of all gifts.
Choose gifts that
your attendants will
treasure.
Purchase
gifts for attendants and ushers.
(Have
gifts for attendants personalized/engraved, if
appropriate)
Purchase
special gift for flower
girl and ring
bearer.
Purchase
gifts for mother and father of both bride
and groom.
Purchase
gifts for out-of-town attendees. (Hint: a welcome
gift basket of fruit and champagne in their
hotel room is a great idea)
Registry
- Update registry.
Majority of people will now consider buying
gifts, so be sure to have a wide range of items
and price brackets.
Select
party favors for
reception.
1 Month
Buy
plenty of film and/or videotape for your honeymoon.
Planning
an outdoor wedding? Arrange a supply of umbrellas
to have on hand to help ward away the rain.
Recharge
or buy batteries.
Select
a special gift for your parents as a gesture
of thanks. Present it to them the morning of
the wedding.
1 Week
Registry
- Update your registry. It
can be frustrating for guests when odd items
are left, unreasonably expensive ones or even
worse cheap gifts embarrassing to purchase
on there own. Keep in mind the registry may
now even be empty!
After The Wedding
Registry
- As missing pieces of sets can
often be purchased for a discounted price,
now is the time to complete your registry.
Registry
- Return all gifts such as double
ups, or ones you may have changed your mind
on. Do this now as some businesses may not
accept returns if an unreasonable amount of
time has passed.
Registry
- Friends that were not invited
or could not make the wedding may still wish
to send you a gift, so keep your registry open
for one year. This is generally the time allowed
for a gift to be sent and not considered to
be late. (According to some views)
| Vendors |
|
12-18 Months
You need to keep track of all contracts.
Select
Bridal Consultant
Florist
Research florists and
select one that fits within your budget and style,
and color scheme.
Meet
with florist to browse selection and order
your floral arrangements -
Enter into Vendor Details
Outdoor
Reserve
tent if you will be renting one for an outdoor
wedding.
Photography - Video
Have
engagement photo taken.
Select
Photographer.
Meet
with several candidates and review their samples/portfolios
determine photos to include. (ceremony shots,
reception shots, formal bridal portrait and
wedding party portrait)
Research
videographers and review tapes.
Select
a videographer and book for the events you
choose to include in your wedding video - Enter
into Vendor Details.
6-12 Months
Get
estimates from florist.
Hire
a driving service for bridal
party, family and/or guests - Enter into
Vendor Details.
Meet
with caterer to
discuss menu and beverages.
Reserve
transportation between ceremony and reception
sites.
Select
a baker and plan wedding cake, be sure you
both taste several favors.
- Enter into Vendor Details.
4-6 Months
Choose
calligrapher if using one - Enter into Vendor Details.
3 Months
Confirm
floral order and arrange for delivery times
at each location.
Meet
with caterer for
final food and beverage decisions.
2 Months
Not
really a vendor, but have you considered a
baby-sitter if it is necessary for your wedding
day?
Vendors
Meet
with insurance representative to update policies.
1 Month
Arrange
for preparation/storage area for photographer at
each venue.
Meet
with photographer for bridal portrait sitting.
Determine
when photographer should arrive at ceremony
venue - Enter into Vendor Details.
Determine
time for videographer to arrive at various
venues - Enter into Vendor Details.
2 Weeks
Finalize
details with your:
-Caterer
-Give
the final head count to your caterer and review
details
-Ceremony
music
-Florist
-Hairstylist
-Officiant.
Special preferences, readings, or other ceremony
details.
-Photographer
-Reception
site
-Reception
decorations and place cards
-Reception
entertainment
-Rental
items
-Transportation
-Transportation
- Fax Limousine (transport)
company a schedule of addresses for pickup and
deliveries.
-Travel
agent
-Videographer
-Wedding attire
-Wedding
cake
1 Week
Select
tables to display and collect your wedding
gifts.
| Wedding
Details |
|
12-18 Months
Choose
Your Wedding site - Enter into Vendor Details.
Determine
color scheme - Enter into Vendor Details.
Inform
mother and fiancees mother of color scheme.
Meet
with officiant.
Meet
with priest.
Select
date & time of your wedding - Enter into
Vendor Details.
Select style
and size of wedding.
(i.e.
formal, semiformal, informal)
6-12 Months
Your
religion may require you to complete a premarital
course before the wedding day, so inquire as
to the necessary arrangements.
4-6 Months
Plan rehearsal dinner
site.
3 Months
Apply
for marriage license (depending on where you
live, more time for filing may be necessary)
Fulfill
your marriage license requirements and obtain
your license.
2 Months
Meet
with financial planner if you have one.
Review
details of wedding ceremony.
Write
a ceremony program.
Write
wedding vows if writing your own.
1 Month
Provide
directions to venues, church, accommodations
etc.
2 Weeks
Arrange
for delivery and placement of accessories on
the day of the wedding.
Gather
and verify all of your ceremonial accessories.
1 Week
Arrange
for a close friend or relative to transport
gifts that are delivered to the reception to
a designated place.
Determine
drivers, if needed, for transportation between
ceremony location and reception location.
Night
Before
Be
sure to get a good nights sleep before the wedding.
You'll be glad you did!
Some
brides choose to sleep at the hotel (if using
one) the night before for peace of mind. You
could even have your maid of honor there.
Day
of the Wedding
 See
Also: What the bride can expect today, a
specialized time table for the wedding day.
Brides -
Have a light snack before leaving for the ceremony.
Many brides never taste the food at their reception.
Not eating well has caused some brides to faint.
Check
weather report in case changes need to be made.
Did
you take our advice to have a full body massage
this morning? If not, why not have a relaxing
bath at least to prepare for the day ahead.
| 
MY
FAVORITES
