Wedding Timeline
| 12 months before the wedding… | |
| Announce your engagement | |
| Select a wedding date & time | |
| Discuss & set your budget | |
| Agree on the size & formality of the wedding | |
| Select an officiant (also schedule a date to discuss the ceremony) | |
| Book the wedding & reception sites | |
| Hire a caterer | |
| Choose a photographer | |
| Book a dj / music | |
| Hire a wedding consultant | |
| Decide on a florist & choose floral arrangements | |
| Select your bridal party, best man, ushers | |
| Start your guest list | |
| Send engagement announcement to newspaper | |
| Attend bridal shows | |
| Start Honeymoon plans! | |
| 6-9 months before the wedding… | |
| Bride should find gown | |
| Find a tux for the Groom | |
| Order wedding party gowns & tuxedos, accessories | |
| Determine the Guest list | |
| Reserve a wedding night suite / hotel room | |
| Schedule rehearsal (& rehearsal dinner), bachlor & bachlorette parties | |
| Reserve additional items needed for the ceremony (ex. tents, tables, chairs, linens, dishes, glasses, arch, balloons, | |
| decorations) | |
| Make vacation arrangements from work | |
| Take dancing lessons | |
| 3 – 6 months before the wedding… | |
| Order invitations, announcements, thank yous & ceremony programs (or create your own) | |
| Order personal stationary & favors for the reception | |
| Purchase wedding bands | |
| Plan the reception menu | |
| Get engagement pictures taken | |
| Confirm delivery date of dresses & schedule alterations | |
| Choose gifts & register | |
| Purchase items needed for ceremony (toasting glasses, cake knife, server, cake topper, guest book & pen, | |
| ring pillow, flower girl basket, candelabras, bubbles, confetti, wedding bells, unity candles, candle holder…) | |
| Finalize honeymoon reservations & plans | |
| Start addressing invitations & announcements | |
| Hire a limo / transportation (for bride, groom, and wedding party) & make arrangements for out of town guests | |
| Book a hair stylist (for you & or bridal party) | |
| Purchase bridal accessories (shoes, garter, jewelry) | |
| Help mothers shop for dresses | |
| Bride buys a wedding gift for the Groom | |
| Groom buys a wedding gift for the Bride | |
| Buy gifts for bridal party & parents | |
| Select song list for reception (pick first dance song, parents dances, cake cutting…) | |
| Order wedding cake | |
| 2 months before the wedding… | |
| Begin shopping for clothes needed for pre-wedding parties and your honeymoon | |
| Make appointment for wedding certificate, blood test, make-up | |
| Check into health insurance for after the wedding | |
| Buy necessary items for honeymoon | |
| Make a gift record book & begin writing thank you notes as soon as you receive gifts | |
| Make a list of RSVP’s | |
| Mail invitations 4 – 6 weeks before the ceremony | |
| Write your vows | |
| Plan & book restaurant for the rehearsal dinner | |
| Get final fittings for gowns & tuxes | |
| Send copies of ceremony readings to wedding participants | |
| 1 month before the wedding… | |
| Complete arrangements (payments, final details, times, locations) with all of the hired help for | |
| your wedding (photographer, caterer, flower…) | |
| Arrange for name & address change (bank account / loans, drivers license, credit cards, insurance, | |
| social security, passport, other important documents) | |
| Obtain marriage license | |
| Contact guests who haven’t responded | |
| Prepare reception place cards | |
| Make seating plans for ceremony | |
| Make arrangements to have wedding gown cleaned & preserved | |
| 1 – 2 weeks before the wedding… | |
| Organize all necessary papers for your honeymoon (tickets, passport, traveler’s checks…) | |
| Pack for the honeymoon | |
| Discuss any last minute details with hired help | |
| Get everything ready for rehearsal & wedding day | |
| Prepare emergency kit (asprin, gum, pantyhose, safety pins, makeup, brush, tissues, sewing kit…) | |
| Discuss any last minute details with bridal party | |
| Finalize guest count for caterer / reception site | |
| Relax & unwind | |
| Enjoy the rehearsal dinner | |
| Day before wedding… | |
| Relax & get plenty of rest | |
| Your Wedding Day… | |
| Be sure to eat something in the morning, it may be a while before you get to eat again | |
| Have your hair & makeup done 3 hours before the ceremony | |
| Dress one hour before the ceremony | |
| Give the best man the bride’s wedding ring | |
| Put the officiant’s fee in an envelope and give it to the best man to deliver after the ceremony | |
| Bring the marriage license | |
| Seat the groom’s parents five minutes before the ceremony | |
| Seat the bride’s mother immediately before the processional march | |
| The groom should dance first with the bride, then with your mother, your new mother-in-law and the bridesmaids | |
| After the Wedding… | |
| Send the announcements & wedding photo to the local newspaper | |
| Preserve wedding dress / flowers | |
| Write & mail thank you cards | |
| Go on your honeymoon | |
| Live happily ever after… | |
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