16 - 9 Months before the Wedding

1. Start a wedding folder/binder.  Go thru magazines and collect ideas for your ceremony/reception.
2. Work out the budget. Determine how much money you have to spend, based on your families’ contributions and your own.
3. Pick out your wedding party.
4. Start the guest list. Make a spreadsheet of your guests with their names, addresses and phone numbers; make columns to show RSVP status, gifts, and any other related information.
5. Reserve your date & venue(s). Decide on the date and then whether or not you want the ceremony & reception in 1 place or more.  Keep in mind travel distance between if you choose a separate location for the reception.
6. Book the officiant/minister.
7. Research photographers, caterers, florists, DJs/bands, videographers.  Keep detailed notes on who you’ve talked to and what you like.

12 – 8 Months before the Wedding

1. Hire the photographer and/or videographer. Make sure you see portfolio/samples of their work and that they are the style you want for the big day.  Hire someone you like and enjoy being around, not just someone that takes good pictures/footage.
2. Hire the entertainment. Since weddings are private, make sure the DJ or band has video of events, so that you can get an idea of how they would be.
3. Meet caterers. If the venue you’ve selected doesn’t offer catering on-site, be sure to hire the caterer you want as soon as you can.
4. Buy the dress. If going with a traditional wedding dress keep in mind that most dresses require at least 2-3 fittings after they order it.
5. Register. Sign up at a minimum of 2 stores.  Think about different price points and store availability for guests.
6. Create a wedding website. Many bridal websites help you create free sites for your wedding.  This can allow guests to see when and where the wedding is, what’s going on with the registry, and where they can stay if they are from out of town.
7. Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-towners.
   

7 – 6 Months before the wedding

1. Purchase invitations. Whether do-it-yourself or special ordered, it’s a good idea to get them during this time because they can be very time consuming.
2. Plan the honeymoon. If you need a passport or any shots, get them taken care of.  Book the flights 2-3 months before for better rates.
3. Shop for attendants. If you are having a wedding party, it’s a good idea to get the dresses ordered sooner than later, so that there is time for them to be ordered and sized.
4. Meet with the officiant. Design the ceremony you are looking for; if getting married in a church, there are often sessions to go through and readings to choose.
5. Send out save-the-date cards.
6. Book the florist. Keep the budget and color scheme in mind; ordering flowers that are in-season and/or local can really save you money.
7. Arrange transportation. Consider limos, trolleys, minibuses, etc. Keep in mind that a more form-fitting wedding dress will make getting in and out of a traditional limo a little tricky.
8. Start the timeline. Put together the day-of timeline of how you’d like things to go.
9. Extras. If you are doing an outdoor event, think of any rentals you’ll need. (Tables, chairs, electricity, portable toilets, etc.)

5 – 4 months before the wedding

1. Book the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner venue. If you are doing a day-after brunch, book that at this time as well.
2. Check the invitations.  If you’ve ordered your invitations, check to make sure they are what you ordered and make any changes necessary.
3. Order the cake or cupcakes. It’s a good idea to do a tasting so that you know what you like and what you want.
4. Buy your wedding shoes and start the dress fittings.  It’s important to know what shoes you will be wearing when you start the fittings for the dress, so they can hem it accordingly.
5. Schedule hair & makeup. Do trial runs to make sure you like what they are going to do.
6. Choose your music. Start thinking and selecting the music for ceremony and reception.  The more time you have, the better: it’s far less overwhelming!

3 Months before the wedding

1. Finalize food and flowers. Keep the budget in mind!
2. Order favors. If you are going to give out favors, now is the time to order them.
3. Figure out toasts. Start thinking who you’d like to toast you at the wedding.
4. Finalize ceremony. Determine readings and music.
5. Purchase your lingerie.
6. Print programs and/or menus.
7. Purchase the rings.
   

2 Months before the wedding

1. Touch bases with vendors. Make sure you are all on the same page about yoru big day.
2. Send out the invitations.  6—8 weeks before the wedding, send them out, with RSVP’s being due 3 weeks prior to the event date.

1 Month before the wedding

1. Track your RSVP’s.
2. Get the marriage license. Depending on your state/county, this can take up to a month.
3. Mail invites for the rehearsal dinner.
4. Do the final fitting.
5. Figure out your bar. Once you have a firm grasp of your guest count.
6. Final payments. Start paying the vendors off.  Refer to contracts for individual dates.
7. Confirm appointment with hair and makeup.
8. Purchase attendant gifts.
9. Write vows, or not.
10. Get hair cut or colored.  Do not cut or color your hair any closer to the wedding just in case it’s not what you wanted.
11. Assign seating. Making a diagram is very helpful.

Week of the wedding

1. Reconfirm arrival times with vendors.
2. Break in your shoes.
3. Pick up your dress.
4. Send timeline to bridal party.
5. Delegate wedding day tasks. If you have a bustle, choose who will do that.  Designate someone to be in charge of the guest book, your personal items, etc.
6. Pack for the honeymoon.
7. Assemble welcome baskets for out-of-towners.