Get everything done for your wedding with time to spare.

12+ Months

• Announce your engagement
• Choose a wedding theme and style
• Work out a basic wedding budget; research reception venues
• Determine number of guests
• Look through bridal magazinesfor attire ideas
• Meet potential wedding consultants; obtain bids
• Research wedding pros (photographers, videographers, reception bands or DJs, ceremony musicians). Set up appointments and review portfolios and recordings.

11 Months

• Select a wedding consultant and meet to discuss wedding planning details
• Determine theme/decorationsfor your reception
• Meet with several caterers; arrange for tastings
• Select and book a caterer
• Reserve musicians/DJfor reception
• Determine wedding ceremony musicians and make musical selections
• 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
• Research and interview florists
• Select and reserve your ceremony venueand schedule a rehearsal time
• Choose reception venue; negotiate contract; leave a deposit
• Secure parking and/or transportationfor your guests at the reception location
• Visit local bridal storesto browse their selection of gowns
• Choose your wedding-party membersand ask them to participate in your celebration
• Meet with your officiantto discuss the wedding ceremony
• Mail save-the-datesfor a destination wedding

10 Months

• Select and order your wedding gown
• If your ceremony or reception will be held in a park or recreational area, obtain necessary permits
• Discuss attendants’ dutieswith your maid of honor and bridesmaids

9 Months

• Registerfor wedding gifts
• Coordinate with vendorsto incorporate your theme/style into all aspects of your wedding
• Decide on the foodand liquor to be served at your reception
• Prepare a playlist of wedding-reception musical selections
• Select and order your headpiece, veil, glovesand shoes
• Confirm orders of and delivery dates for your wedding attire
• Research airline, hotel and rental-car reservations for out-of-town guests

8 Months

• Go to first gown fitting; invite your maid of honor to attend
• Choose and order bridesmaid dresses and accessories
• Research a variety of wedding ring styles
• Select florist; discuss wedding ideas, theme and style

7 Months

• Review and finalize your wedding details with consultant
• Notify bridesmaids about dress fittings
• Discuss attire with groomsmenand make referrals to local formalwear store
• Select attire for flower girland/or ring bearer
• Determine the design, wording, font and paper stock for yourwedding invitations, stationery, table and escort cards and thank-you notes; finalize order
• Arrange a printer or hire a calligrapher for table cards
• Determine order of ceremony eventsand choose appropriate wording for your programs
• Negotiate rates and book a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests
• Select and order your wedding rings
• Purchase bridal accessories: jewelry, lingerie, etc.
• Choose and order something fun for guests to throw after your ceremony(rose petals, confetti or birdseed)

6 Months

• Review and approve proofs of wedding invitations and stationery
• Discuss the type of honeymoonyou want, start reading up on potential destinations and consult a travel agent for ideas and suggestions.

5 Months

• Order table and/or escort cards; place print order for programs
• Finalize choice of honeymoon destination
• Tastea variety of wedding cakes and select a baker; place cake order and arrange for delivery
• Secure reservations for rehearsal dinnerand select menu

4 Months

• Determine method of addressing wedding invitationsand hire a calligrapher, if applicable
• Hand-address — or have a calligrapher address — wedding invitations, or print labels.
• Writeor choose your wedding vows
• Have groom visit formalwear shops and try on tuxedos
• Purchase or rent groom’s wedding accessories, including tuxedo, cuff links, shoes, socks, etc.
• Make honeymoon reservationsand place all deposits

3 Months

• Review and approve wedding announcementand printed program proofs
• Book venue or secure reservations for post-wedding brunch
• Discussbachelorette partyplans with your attendants
• Plan your bridesmaids’ luncheon or dinner
• Make appointment with stylist and/or hairdresser to discuss your wedding hairstyle
• Take another look at your registry and update or add items
• Create hotel information cards and mapsto include with your wedding invitations

2 Months

• Secure a wedding-day dressing room for your bridesmaids
• Weigh, purchase postagefor and mail wedding invitations
• Go to final gown fitting; arrange for pickup or delivery
• Have groom’s formalwearfitted
• If you plan to have a prenuptial agreement, meet with your attorney to discuss it
• Purchase gifts for all wedding-party membersand your parents
• Arrange transportationfor bride and groom from the ceremony site to the reception
• Purchase ceremony accessories (Unity candle, wine glasses, etc.)

6 Weeks

• Purchase a new camera, if needed
• Send rehearsal dinner invitations
• Writethank-you notes as you receive gifts
• Confirm music selections(“playlist”) with musicians/DJ
• Select menu for post-wedding brunch
• Write newspaper announcementand gather photos
• Purchase a gift for your spouse-to-be
• Shop for wedding favors
• Purchase honeymoon clothing, luggageand accessories
• Go in for a practice hairstylingand make day-of-wedding hair appointment

4 Weeks

• Confirm floral orderand arrange for delivery times
• Meet with ushers and assign dutiesfor the ceremony and reception
• Discuss the details of your wedding ceremonywith your officiant
• Determine the placement or distribution of programsat the ceremony venue
• Arrange for preparation, storage and break areas for musicians/DJ at the reception venue
• Determine seating arrangements for guests
• If you color your hair, make appointment for a touch-up the week before your wedding
• Go in for a dry run with a professional makeup artistand make a day-of-wedding appointment
• Schedule an appointment for a manicureand/or pedicure the day before your wedding
• Finalize details with wedding photographer and videographer, determining arrival times at each nuptial venue
• Arrange for preparation/storage area for photographer and videographer at each nuptial venue
• Sign your prenuptial agreement, if applicable
• Finalize honeymoon plans/itineraryand confirm all travel and hotel reservations
• Arrange for transportation to and from the airport
• Make all necessary arrangements for care of pet(s), plants and mail while you’re away on honeymoon
• Post announcement and photo on your wedding website
• Arrange for table card setup at reception venue
• Schedule pickup/return of groom’s formalwear

3 Weeks

• Finalize list of reception guests
• Give the final headcount to the caterer and review details
• Arrange for delivery and placement of wedding flowers, candles and other decorations on the day of the ceremony
• Contact anyone who has not respondedto his or her wedding invitation

1 Week

• Confirm your honeymoon travel arrangements
• Start packing bagsfor your honeymoon
• Get traveler’s checks and/or a small amount of foreign cash
• Pick up your wedding dress

Wedding Day!

• Eat a good breakfast
• Attend hairstyle appointment
• Give yourself plenty of time to get ready
• Relax and enjoy yourself!

Post-Wedding: 3 Days

• Arrange for transport of gifts
• Have family or friends mail wedding announcements

After the Honeymoon

• Take wedding gown and veil to a dry cleaner who specializes in gown preservation
• Submit name-change formsfor driver’s license, passport, Social Security card, state and federal tax boards, banks, credit cards, etc.