Congratulations
on your engagement! It's a time where your will, wit,
organizational skills, and humor will be put to the
test. Weddings take a lot of planning and you will
likely spend over 90 hours on the phone, visiting
with vendors, planning, and chasing after details.
To help you get off to a good start, we've put together
a complete outline of the things you'll need to do
for your wedding and the approximate timeline for
getting those things done!
6
- 12 Months Before Your Wedding
____ Visit TheBridalShow.org regularly for great ideas
& some fun
____ Select a wedding date and time & possibly
a backup date
____ Announce your engagement in the paper
____ Plan an engagement party with family and friends
____ Talk with a bridal consultant or wedding coordinator
____ Find out what bridal shows are in the area and
plan on attending
____ Agree on a preliminary budget
____ Decide who will pay for what and how expenses
will be shared
____ Call your church or synagogue for an appointment
with the Officiant
____ Consider and ask friends and family to serve
as wedding attendants
____ Start a "planning system" and system
of organization
____ Start your wedding guest list
____ Start thinking about ideas/themes for your reception
and catering plans
____ Determine what type of entertainment you want
to have for your reception
____ Decide the type of wedding you would like to
have (size, formality, and setting)
____ Think about your color schemes
____ Explore pre-marital counseling
____ Start health and fitness plan if you're not already
in one!
____ Select your reception location
____ Select your professional photographer
____ Select your videographer
____ Select professional caterer (if necessary)
____ Select Musician or Disc Jockey
____ Select your florist
____ Shop together for your wedding rings
____ Select wedding dress and headpiece, and set a
date for fittings and delivery
____ Select your bridesmaids' dresses and accessories
____ It's time to choose a honeymoon and location
4
Months Prior to the Wedding
____ O.K., now it's time to spend some real time at
TheBridalShow.org; details, details...
____ Check the requirements for marriage license
____ Select and discuss your color schemes with the
florist/decorator of choice
____ Again consider pre-marital counseling
____ Reserve your wedding day rental equipment
____ Decide upon a gift registry and select your gift
choices
____ Order your invitations and related stationery
needs
____ Start shopping for the men's’ wedding attire
____ Reserve your wedding day transportation
____ Research and select readings for ceremony
____ Make music selections for ceremony and reception
____ Decide upon and order favors
____ Select your baker, then choose your cake, and
groom’s cake
____ Help both mothers coordinate and find their wedding
day clothing
____ Review your contracts with all of your vendors
and service providers DETAILS!
2
Months Before Your Wedding
____ Well, at this point you could be writing for
TheBridalShow.org
____ Have engagement portraits taken
____ Place your engagement announcement in the newspaper
____ Mail out invitations and announcements
____ Decide on the men's wedding attire
____ Arrange and plan your rehearsal dinner
____ Purchase your wedding day accessories
____ Arrange attendant's parties
____ Prepare accommodations for out-of-town attendants
and guests
____ Consider a hairdresser and/or makeup artist and
book appointments
____ Finalize all honeymoon plans
1
Month Left!
____ Final wedding dress fitting
____ Final fitting for your wedding attendants
____ Obtain marriage license
____ Have your attendant's parties
____ Purchase your going-away outfit
____ Create a calendar of events for the wedding day
____ Make sure your accessories are in order (rings,
pillow, garter, etc.)
2
Weeks Remaining!
____ Finalize arrangements with the entertainer(s)
____ Provide a list of music you would like played
(or not played)
____ Make sure they fit!
____ Contact the guests who have not responded to
your invitations.
1
Week to Go!
____ If you can, take the week, or part of the week
off from work!
____ Make sure your marriage license is in order
____ Prepare seating arrangements, if necessary
____ Purchase travelers checks, confirm honeymoon
reservations
____ Pack your baggage for your honeymoon
____ Have your wedding ceremony rehearsal
____ Instruct your wedding party on what they will
be doing on the day of the wedding
____ Have your rehearsal dinner
____ Make sure all wedding attire fits properly
____ Give the best man the amounts your vendors are
to be paid on the wedding day
____ Inform your caterer of the total guest count
____ Confirm out-of-town guests have transportation
and sleeping accommodations
____ Check with your florist and/or balloonist to
make sure they will arrive as scheduled
Your
Wedding Day
____
Your primary goal today is to get married! Have fun!
____ Relax, enjoy yourself, and remain calm!
____ Allow at least two hours for dressing
____ Allow plenty of time to apply your makeup and
style your hair
____ If professionals are doing your hair and/or makeup,
determine the time they need
____ If photographs are to be taken before the ceremony,
allow plenty of time for that!
____ Remember to bring the rings and marriage license
____ Seat guests as they arrive
____ The groom’s parents should be seated about
5 minutes before start time
____ Mother of the bride is normally seated last
____ Take a deep breath, don't worry, be happy and
smile!
