Bridal Guide: Wedding Planning Timeline
12 Months Before
Wedding
o
Announce your engagement.
o
Set a tentative date for your wedding. This may
change according to availability of the venue in which you are interested.
o
Choose a wedding theme and style.
o
Work out a basic wedding budget.
o
Research reception venues.
o
Determine the number of guests.
o
Look through bridal magazines for attire ideas.
o
Meet potential wedding consultants if planning
on using one. Obtain bids.
o
Research wedding pros (photographers,
videographers, reception bands or DJ, ceremony musicians). Set up appointments
and review portfolios and recordings.
o
Start shopping for engagement and wedding rings.
11 Months Before
Wedding
o
Select your wedding consultant and meet to
discuss wedding planning details.
o
Determine theme/decorations for your reception.
o
Meet with several caterers; arrange for
tastings.
o
Reserve musicians/DJ for reception.
o
Determine wedding ceremony musicians and make
musical selections.
o
Book wedding videographer and photographer; make
a list of photos, such as must-have photos of the bride and groom, fun bridal
party ideas and traditional bridal, ceremony and reception shots.
o
Select and book a caterer.
o
Research and interview florists.
o
Select and reserve your ceremony venue and
schedule a rehearsal time.
o
Choose a reception venue; negotiate contract;
leave a deposit.
o
Secure parking and/or transportation for your
guests at the reception location.
o
Visit local bridal stores to browse their
selection of gowns.
o
Choose your wedding party members and ask them
to participate in your celebration.
o
Meet with your officiant to discuss the wedding
ceremony.
o
Speak to a travel agent about honeymoon
destinations and update your passports and vaccinations if necessary.
o
Decide where to book your rehearsal dinner
location. This can take place at a banquet facility, restaurant or at home.
10 Months Before
Wedding
o
Select and order your wedding gown.
o
If your ceremony or reception will be held in a
park or recreational area, obtain necessary permits.
o
Discuss attendants’ duties with your maid of
honor and bridesmaids.
9 Months Before
Wedding
o
Register for wedding gifts.
o
Start finalizing the guest list and gathering
addresses.
o
Select and order groom’s, attendants’, and ring
bearer attire. Decide whether to purchase or rent. Schedule fittings and
pick-up or delivery date.
o
Finalize all wedding vendors and secure your
date by putting down deposits. Coordinate with vendors to incorporate your
theme/style into all aspects of your wedding.
o
Once you’ve chosen your wedding photographer,
schedule your engagement photos to be taken and submit your announcement to the
newspaper.
o
Decide on the food and liquor to be served at
your reception.
o
Prepare a playlist of wedding reception musical
selections.
o
Select and order your headpiece, veil, gloves and
shoes.
o
Confirm orders of and delivery dates for your
wedding attire.
o
Research airline, hotel and rental car
reservations for out-of-town guests.
o
Finalize the plans for your honeymoon.
o
Consider wedding insurance.
8 Months Before
Wedding
o
Go to the first gown fitting; invite your maid
of honor to attend.
o
Choose and order bridesmaid and flower girl
dresses and accessories.
o
Select florist; discuss wedding ideas, theme and
style. Choose floral arrangements for the ceremony and reception, as well as
bouquets for you and your bridesmaids.
7 Months Before
Wedding
o
Review and finalize your wedding details with
consultant.
o
Notify bridesmaids about dress fittings.
o
Determine the design, wording, font and paper
stock for your wedding invitations, stationary, table and escort cards and
thank-you notes; finalize order.
o
Determine order of ceremony events and choose
appropriate wording for your programs.
o
Negotiate rates and book a block of hotel rooms
for out-of-town guests.
o
Select and order your wedding rings.
o
Purchase bridal accessories: jewelry, lingerie,
etc.
o
Choose and order something fun for guests to
use/throw after your ceremony (rose petals, confetti, birdseed, bubbles).
6 Months Before
Wedding
o
Review and approve proofs of wedding invitations
and stationery.
o
Prepare all maps and directions for the ceremony
and reception.
o
Meet with all of your wedding vendors to
finalize any orders and reservations.
o
Plan your bridesmaids’ luncheon and any other
parties.
o
Order your wedding cake if your caterer doesn’t
provide one.
o
Begin doing your research for your marriage
license.
o
Meet with both sets of parents to coordinate
their attire.
5 Months Before
Wedding
o
Order table and /or escort cards; place print
order for programs.
o
Finalize choice of honeymoon destination.
o
Secure reservations for rehearsal dinner and
select menu.
4 Months Before
Wedding
o
Determine method of addressing wedding
invitations and hire a calligrapher, if applicable.
o
Hand address - or have a calligrapher address -
wedding invitations, or print labels. Create hotel information cards and maps
to include with your wedding invitations.
o
Write or choose your wedding vows.
o
Reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests.
Research things to do during their stay.
o
Arrange for final dress fittings.
o
Purchase wedding guest book.
o
Order your wedding favors, bridal party gifts
and other wedding accessories (champagne glasses, ring bearer pillow, cake
knife, etc.).
3 Months Before
Wedding
o Review and approve printed program proofs.
o
Book venue or secure reservations for
post-wedding brunch.
o
Discuss bachelor/ette party plans with
attendants.
o
Make appointment with stylist and/or hairdresser
to discuss your wedding hairstyle.
o
Take another look at your registry and update or
add items.
o
Weigh, purchase postage for and mail out
invitations.
2 Months Before
Wedding
o
Secure a wedding day dressing room for your
bridesmaids.
o
Go to final gown fitting; arrange for pickup or
delivery.
o
Have groom’s formalwear fitted.
o
If you plan to have a prenuptial agreement, meet
with your attorney to discuss it.
o
Purchase gifts for all wedding party members and
parents.
o
Arrange transportation for bride and groom from
the ceremony site to the reception.
o
Purchase ceremony accessories (unity candle,
wine glasses, etc.).
o
Make appointments for you and your bridal party
to get manicures, pedicures, massages, spa treatments, etc.
o
Choose a make-up artist and schedule a trial.
o
Start gathering your RSVPs.
o
Assign a friend or family member, not in the
wedding party, to be your “wedding assistant” for the day of your wedding. Or,
research and choose a “Day of” wedding consultant.
6 Weeks Before
Wedding
o
Purchase a new camera, if needed.
o
Send rehearsal dinner invitations.
o
Write thank you notes as you receive gifts.
o
Confirm music selections with musicians/DJ.
o
Select menu for post-wedding brunch.
o
Write newspaper announcement and gather photos.
o
Purchase gift for your spouse-to-be.
o
Purchase honeymoon clothing, luggage and
accessories.
o
Go in for a practice hairstyling and make
day-of-wedding hair appointment.
4 Weeks Before Wedding
o
Confirm floral order and arrange for delivery
times.
o
Discuss the details of your wedding ceremony
with your officiant.
o
Determine the placement or distribution of
programs at the ceremony venue.
o
Determine seating arrangements for guests.
o
If you color your hair, make appointment for a
touch-up the week before your wedding.
o
Go in for a dry run with a professional makeup
artist and make a day-of-wedding appointment.
o
Finalize details with wedding photographer and
videographer, determining arrival times at each nuptial venue.
o
Sign your prenuptial agreement if applicable.
o
Finalize honeymoon itinerary and confirm all
travel and hotel reservations.
o
Arrange for transportation to and from the
airport.
o
Make all arrangements for care of pet(s), plants
and mail while you’re away on honeymoon.
o
Post announcement and photo on your wedding
website, if applicable.
o
Finalize and confirm all ceremony and reception
plans.
o
Give your photographer a “must-have list” – a
list of posed photographs you want taken.
o
Confirm when final payments need to be made to
vendors.
o Call guests who have not responded.
3 Weeks Before
Wedding
o
Pick-up wedding rings.
o
Confirm all arrival times with vendors.
o
Have your final dress fitting.
o
Finalize list of reception guests and give final
headcount to the caterer. Review details with caterer.
o
Arrange for delivery and placement of wedding
flowers, candles and other decorations on the day of the ceremony.
1 Week Before Wedding
o
Start packing your bags for your honeymoon.
o
Get traveler’s checks and/or a small amount of
foreign cash for honeymoon.
o
Pick up your wedding dress.
o
Give gifts to your wedding party, family and
fiancé privately or at the rehearsal dinner.
1 – 2 Days Before
Wedding
o
Get a manicure/pedicure.
o
Make payment envelopes for each vendor and give
them to your wedding day assistant.
o
Put together a bridal emergency kit for your
wedding day including stockings, sewing kit, safety pins, etc.
o
Compile a list of all your wedding vendors with
phone numbers.
o
Attend your rehearsal and dinner.
o
Get plenty of rest before the big day.
Wedding Day!
o
Get your hair and makeup done early.
o
Make sure you eat and drink plenty of water. You
don’t want to faint.
o
Give yourself plenty of time to get ready.
o
Relax and enjoy yourself.
Post-Wedding
o
Take wedding gown and veil to a dry-cleaner who
specializes in gown preservation.
o
Submit name change forms for driver’s license,
passport, Social Security card, state and federal tax boards, banks, credit
cards, etc.
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