Wedding Checklist

12 MONTHS BEFORE:

• Announce your engagement
• Set the date for your wedding
• Consult fiancé and all parents about style of wedding, budget, traditions
• Select attendants
• Book a wedding consultant
• Pick a color scheme for your wedding
• Visit reception sites and caterers
• Select and book:
• wedding site
• clergy
• reception site
• caterer
• photographer
• videographer
• florist
• musicians
• Register with your favorite stores' bridal registries
• Begin shopping for wedding dress, headpiece and accessories

6 TO 10 MONTHS BEFORE:

• Establish a guest list
• Select and order attendants' gowns
• Get fabric samples to match shoes
• Select and order groomsmen's attire. The general rule is one usher to every 30 guests
• Select a bakery for your wedding cake
• If you plan a home wedding, book outdoor furniture or tent as needed
• Order wedding invitations and stationery
• Plan honeymoon and make reservations
• Help the mother of the bride and of the groom select their dresses
• Call your local newspaper for information on how to submit your engagement announcement
• Schedule a photo for your engagement announcement
• Mail your engagement information and photo to your local newspaper
• Develop a record-keeping system for gifts and thank you notes

3 TO 6 MONTHS BEFORE:

• Call your local County Courthouse for regulations on obtaining your marriage license.
• Order your wedding cake
• Book limos and transportation for wedding party
• Book calligrapher
• Begin dance lessons
• Make accommodations/arrangements for out-of-town guests
• If you haven't been exercising, better start now to get in shape, especially if you want to lose weight
• Make an appointment with your gynecologist
• Schedule a consultation with your hair and makeup stylist
• Discuss rehearsal dinner with your fiancé. Groom's family to make arrangements for the rehearsal dinner
• Decide on and order wedding rings
• Plan your honeymoon
• Obtain a passport for your honeymoon, if necessary
• Decide on and shop for your trousseau
• If you're planning to move, start looking

2 TO 3 MONTHS BEFORE:

• Address and mail wedding invitations and announcements
• Choose attendants' gifts
• Plan bridesmaids' party
• Ask relatives to assist at the wedding and reception
• Arrange final music selections
• Confirm reception menu and decorations with your caterer
• Buy wedding shoes
• Schedule appointment with your hair and makeup stylist for your wedding day
• Open joint checking and savings accounts

1 TO 2 MONTHS BEFORE:

• Have final gown and headpiece fitting
• Buy groom's wedding gift
• Meet with clergy on ceremony details
• Arrange final fitting of bridesmaids' dresses
• Check with photographer, musicians, florist, caterer and reception facility to make sure all details are in place
• Pick up rings. Check the engraving
• Review ceremony seating with fiancé and ushers
• Write out place cards for reception
• Name your fiancé as a beneficiary to your insurance policy and will
• Check honeymoon reservations
• Choose wedding favors
• Schedule an appointment for a formal wedding portrait to send to your local newspaper
• Purchase guest book
• Obtain marriage license

7 DAYS BEFORE:

• Notify caterer of final number of guests
• Arrange head table seating
• Pick up wedding gown
• Pick up attendants' dresses
• Make a final check with clergy, florist, caterer and reception facility
• Reconfirm your honeymoon arrangements
• Give and attend bridesmaids' party
• Remind attendants of rehearsal dinner details; give them gifts that night
• Arrange to move all belongings to your new home
• Pack for your honeymoon

3 DAYS BEFORE:

• Body waxing services
• Indulge yourself in a relaxing massage to relieve stress and tension

ONE DAY BEFORE:

• Have a manicure
• Attend wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Greet out-of-town guests
• Pack everything you will need at the church or wedding site, including emergency items

YOUR WEDDING DAY:

• Appointment with your hair and makeup stylist
• Allow three hours to dress and relax
• Give groom's ring to best man
• Make sure that the designated family member has the envelopes with the fees for church organist, soloist, helpers, band and DJ