Twelfth Month  

 

Eleventh Month

 

Tenth Month

• Book the photographer and videographe
• Decide your color scheme and theme
• Choose your bridesmaids' and flower girls dresses
• Choose the brides shoes and accessories

 

Ninth Month 

• Select a caterer
• Select clergy or officiate and determine any pre-marital counseling requirements
• Finalize wedding budget with all contributing people and wedding coordinator
• Book the florist and decorator

Eighth Month 

• Select musicians/entertainment for ceremony and reception
• Plan food-tasting session with catere
• Confirm all booking in writing and review contracts with the wedding professionals
• Start collecting wedding accessories as your find the perfect ones (ring pillow, toasting goblets, cake knife, guest book, cake top, candles)

 

Seventh Month 

• Select designs of wedding stationary and place orders for invitations, announcements and accessories
• Plan cake tasting and select and place deposit
• Choose and order wedding day transportation

 

Sixth Month

• Shop together for your wedding rings (if you haven't already bought them)
• Complete your wedding registry at a retail store
• Select accommodations and transportation for out-of-town guests
• Finalize your guest list
• Send out "Save this date" letters and travel information to guests that will need to make travel plans
• Finalize your reception menu
• Order any additional rental items (linens, china, furniture, decor)
• Order grooms, groomsmen and ring bearer attire – tuxedos
• Book the honeymoon and apply for a new passport (i.e.  the bride may wish to travel under her married name, but be prepared to be unable to travel until your wedding date, as your old passport will be invalid)
• Have engagement or bridal portraits taken and ready two weeks before the wedding date

 

Fifth Month 

• Select calligrapher
• Select liquor caterer, selections and delivery (if necessary)
• If giving a wedding souvenir to guests, choose favor and order
• Arrange to see your hairdresser or barber about what hairstyle you want on your big day.  Brides should take along a picture of the dress and veil or headdress and other accessories to help the hairdresser create a hairstyle that will compliment and finish off the look
• Go to a beauty salon and have a makeover
• Book a beautician for your wedding day if required

 

Fourth Month

• Write any personal vows to be included in your ceremony
• Plan and arrange your rehearsal dinner
• Inform your employer that you will be requesting time-off for the wedding and honeymoon
• Schedule wedding dress fitting
• Consider preservation of bridal bouquet and wedding gown and select preservation specialist
• Finalize your theme and decorations with decorator and florist
• Collect addresses and address invitation envelopes

 

Third Month 

• Meet with your officiant to discuss wedding ceremony and vows
• Select attendants to be in charge of the guest book, gifts and programs
• Select and purchase gifts for your wedding party and each other
• Choose your music for ceremony and reception and inform musicians/D.j.
• Purchase postage stamps and prepare invitations for mailing
• Confirm honeymoon plans
• Make appointments for wedding day (massage, manicure, pedicure, hair and makeup)

 

Second Month 

• Get your marriage license and make sure it is in order
• Send invitations to guests and wedding party (6 weeks in advance)
• Record gifts as received and send thank-you notes as gifts arrive
• Organize gathering for wedding party (bridesmaid luncheon, groomsmen night, etc.)
• Purchase any other wedding accessories (ring pillow, toasting goblets, cake knife, cake top, guest book and pen, candles, garter, under garments, jewelry)
• Have your final gown fitting and "break in" your wedding shoes
• Arrange for your wedding party to have final fittings
• Pick up wedding rings from jeweler and ensure correct size and inscriptions
• Prepare list for photographer/videographer of specific special pictures, events or people you would like featured
• Prepare your wedding announcement

Last Month

• Organize seating plan for ceremony (front rows) and reception
• Make place cards
• Contact your guests who have yet to respond to your invitation
• Have your bachelor (stag night) or bridal shower if you are game
• Create program, wedding schedule, and movement chart for the wedding day
• Notify your bank, MVA, Social Security Building, and Insurance Companies and relevant authorities that you intend on changing your name and as of what date if will take affect

Two weeks

• Place your wedding announcement in the newspaper
• Contact all service providers and confirm date, time, locations and expectations
• Pick up wedding gown and bridesmaid’s dresses
• Present wedding party with gifts at gathering (bridesmaid's luncheon)
• Inform caterer/reception venue of final guest count and confirm rehearsal
• Finalize rehearsal dinner
• Confirm tuxedo rental
• Assign someone to transport wedding gift from reception to home
• Pack for the honeymoon - confirm hotels and flights
• Purchase traveler’s checks and ensure you have all the proper travel documents needed
• Make sure all wedding attire fits properly
• Pack all items to be taken to ceremony and reception site (Two separate marked boxes -reception/ceremony)
• Prepare emergency kit for the wedding day (aspirin, nylons, tape, safety pins, etc.)

The Day Before

•  Send announcements
• Get massage, manicure and pedicure
• Attend your wedding ceremony rehearsal and dinner
• Remind wedding party of time and location of pre-wedding photography (if you are planning to take pictures early)
• Give any final payments to responsible person for delivery on the wedding day (wedding coordinator)

The Wedding Day

• Give yourself plenty of time
• Have hair and makeup done
• Eat regular meals
• Make sure marriage license, wedding rings, and accessories go to ceremony and reception locations