The Brides Wedding Planning Timetable:

12 Months Before the wedding:

Select a wedding consultant to help you avoid wasting time or money.

Confirm ceremony date, time, and site with officiates.

Set a preliminary budget.

Select attendants.

Reserve the reception site.

Select and book caterers, photographers, videographers, florists, musicians, and other service providers.

Begin compiling guest list.

Select wedding dress, headpiece, and bridesmaid’s dresses.

Start thinking about your honeymoon.

9 Months Before

Attend premarital classes.

Choose and order your dress accessories.

Register for china, gifts, etc.

Shop for a new home.

6 Months Before

Place deposits and sign contracts for wedding services.

Choose bridesmaid’s dresses and accessories.

Choose flower girl’s dress.

Make sure your visas and passports are up to date, if you’re traveling.

Complete honeymoon plans with groom.

Discuss rehearsal dinner with groom.

4 Months Before

Verify that the wedding gown, bridesmaid’s dresses, and flower girl dress have been ordered.

Make sure addresses for guest list are up to date.

Order invitations, announcements, and any other personal stationary.

Choose and order formal wear for groom and attendants.

Make sure all out-of-town male attendants have submitted their measurements to your formal wear provider.

Verify that both mothers have selected and ordered either dresses.

Investigate requirements for medical test and other records for your marriage license.

Design a map to direct guests to the ceremony and reception sites.

Complete registering.

Shop for trousseau.

2 Months before

Schedule final fitting.

Finalize bridal registry.

Confirm ceremony details with your officiant.

Finish addressing invitations and announcements.

Finalize wardrobe for showers, pre-wedding parties, and honeymoon.

Shop for gifts for bridal party.

Shop for accessories, such as shoes, stockings, garter, purse, cake knife, candles, and guest registration book.

Choose wedding rings, and arrange for engraving.

Plan your bridesmaid’s party.

Schedule and appointment with your hairdresser and make-up consultant.

Finalize and verify all details with service providers.

Order wedding cake.

6 Weeks before

Mail invitations.

Confirm all male and female attendants have been fitted for formalwear.

Set rehearsal and inform all who needed to be there.

Make final menu decisions.

Discuss wedding photo shots with photographer and videographer.

Send announcement to newspaper.

Write thank you notes for gifts.

2 Weeks Before

Wedding gown final fitting, and confirm that it fits properly.

Take care of blood and medical tests, and marriage license.

Finalize musical selections for the ceremony and reception.

Finalize seating chart for reception.

Finish addressing announcements to mail on wedding day.

Check all final details with caterer, florist, musicians, etc.

Print and mail itinerary for rehearsal and wedding and distribute to all active participants.

1 Week Before

Pick up wedding rings.

Give final guest count for the reception to your caterer.

Practice applying make-up for the wedding day, if you’re doing it on your own.

Confirm details with all service providers.

Verify all bridesmaids and groomsman have picked up their formalwear.

Confirm that all attendants know when to arrive at the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and wedding ceremony.

Confirm honeymoon plans.

Make a list of names and pronunciation for the Best Man to mention in his introduction, if appropriate.

Cancel newspaper, and mail for while you’re away.

Pay up coming bills that will be due while you are away.

Pack for honeymoon and purchase traveler’s checks.

Arrange to move belongings to new home.

1-2 Days Before

Review any special seating arrangements with ushers.

Groom to pick up formalwear.

Pick up bridal gown.

Make sure to have marriage license.