Develop a wedding budget
Decide who will pay for what and what expenses will be shared
Start a planning system and system of organization
Hire a wedding consultant if desired
Decide the type of wedding you would like to have (size, formality, setting)
Choose Wedding date and location
Meet with and choose Priest, Rabbi or Pastor or Minister
Set date for an engagement party if you choose to have one
Choose bridesmaids, groomsmen, maid or matron of honor and best man
Choose a color scheme
Investigate photographers and have engagement photos taken
Select all musicians for ceremony and reception
Hire a videographer
Retain a caterer and select a menu
Find out what bridal shows are in the area and plan on attending
Eleven Months Before Event
Shop for bridal gown and veil
Select china, crystal and silverware patterns and register at your favorite stores
Retain a band, musicians and/or disc jockey
Ten Months Before Event
Pick honeymoon destination/travel agent and verify if passport or inoculations are required
Create a guest list
Nine Months Before Event
Select bridesmaid's dresses and accessories
Hire a florist
Eight Months Before Event
Set date to order bridesmaids and attendant dresses
Seven Months Before Event
Choose wording and calligraphy style for invitations
Hire a calligrapher
Meet with your reception site coordinator, wedding planner and band leader if necessary to discuss the preliminary details of how you would like the reception to run
Shop for wedding rings
Six Months Before Event
Choose photographer, florist, baker, videographer, caterer, DJ/Band, calligrapher
Order invitations and thank you notes and seating cards and other stationery items; have envelopes delivered early to give to the calligrapher ahead of time
Make out of town guest accommodations
Bridal party dresses first fitting
Five Months Before Event
Select men's formal wear
Book transportation services to and from ceremony and reception
Select hotel accommodations for out-of town guests
Select and reserve wedding night suite
Identify your reception speakers
Four Months Before Event
Finalize honeymoon plans
Complete marriage license requirements
Finalize ceremony plans
Plan trousseau and apparel for honeymoon and bridal showers
Plan rehearsal dinner
Have invitation weighed at post office and select and purchase postage
Develop a timeline for the day of the wedding. Be sure to set a schedule of pictures with the photographer and create timeline around it
Reserve any rental equipment
Optional: Create a wedding newsletter for the wedding party informing them of details
Choose flower arrangements for ceremony and reception with florist
Help both mothers coordinate and find their wedding day clothes so that they find compatible colored dresses and hem lengths that go along with your color scheme
Three Months Before Event
Order wedding cake
Make valet parking arrangements
Order personalized yarmulkes (if Jewish wedding)
Make preliminary hairdresser/barber appointments for trial hairstyle
Make manicure appointment for day before wedding
Select site and arrange rehearsal dinner
Discuss modifying insurance coverage with your insurance agent
Two Months Before Event
Confirm all contracted services and reservations
Finalize plans with photographer, videographer, baker, florist, DJ/Band and caterer
Finalize music selections for ceremony and reception
Research and select readings for ceremony
Final bridal gown and attendants dress fittings
Prepare accommodations and gift for out of town guests
Send envelopes to the calligrapher
Six Weeks Before Event
Mail invitations
Select ceremony accessories: unity candle, ring pillow, guest book, bag for breaking glass
Select personal accessories: purse, garter, toasting goblets etc.
Confirm rehearsal plans and invite guests to rehearsal dinner
For overseas travel on honeymoon, get passports, visas and immunization shots
One Month Before Event
Get marriage license/all other legalities together
Plan transportation to and from the ceremony and reception
Purchase gifts for bridal party and each other
Arrange transportation for out of town guests
Final meeting with wedding coordinator
Make salon appointments for manicure, facial etc.
Arrange hospitality baskets for out of towners including a schedule of events and directions
Final dress fittings for bride and attendants
If you decide to exchange gifts, choose a present for your groom
Three Weeks Before Event
Finalize music choices and special songs such as first dance, dance with Dad, etc.
Finalize guest count and call guests who haven't responded to the invitations
Give seating cards to calligrapher
Two Weeks Before Event
Check accommodations for out of town guests
Confirm honeymoon arrangements
Confirm bachelor/ette party arrangements
Prepare post-wedding announcements
Plan with hairdresser wedding hairstyle: take headpiece and veil with you
Arrange name changes on license and other official documents
Order any necessary kosher meals
Assign tables and prepare seating cards
Begin packing for honeymoon
Pick up wedding rings (Check fit and engraving!)
Men pick up formal wear (Check for proper fit!)
One Week Before Event
Insure the wedding party picks up their attire
Attend rehearsal
Contact guests who haven't rsvp'd
Give caterer final count/finalize seating arrangements
Prepare payments for officiant, musicians florist and other vendors
Purchase traveler checks for the honeymoon
Pack an emergency kit with sewing materials, extra makeup, hairbrushes, pantyhose etc.
Five Days Before Event
Pack going away outfits if applicable
Pack for wedding night and honeymoon
Entrust vendor payments to best man and/or maid of honor
Two Days Before Event
Rehearsal Dinner
Day Before Event
Manicure Appointment
Day Of Event
Bride sees hairdresser and make-up artist
Review "don't forget checklist"
Be prepared for photo and video shoots two hours before ceremony
