WEDDING PLANNING TIMELINE

• Decide the type of wedding you would like to have (size, formality, and setting).
• Begin your guest list.
• Consider possible color schemes.Explore pre-marital counseling.
• Start health and fitness plan.
• Select your professional: photographer, caterer, consultant, music, etc.
• Shop together for your wedding rings.
• Decide upon your budget.
• Determine who will pay what expenses.
• Book your wedding location(s).
• Choose your attendants.
• Determine the sizes of your attendants.
• Select dress and headpiece, and set a date for fittings and delivery.
• Select your bridesmaids' dresses and accessories.
• Give thought to your honeymoon location.

 

5 to 8 Months

• Check the requirements for marriage license.
• Select and discuss your color schemes with the florist and/or balloonist of choice.
• Again consider pre-marital counseling.
• Reserve your wedding day rental equipment (tables, chairs, china, silverware, gazebo, etc.).
• Decide upon a gift registry and select your gift choices.
• Begin your record of gifts received.
• Send thank you notes as soon as possible.
• Order your invitations and related stationary needs.
• Start shopping for the mens’ wedding attire.

 

3 to 5 Months

• Finalize your guest list.
• Decide upon and order your favors.
• Select your baker, then choose your cake, groom’s cake, and mints.
• Help both mothers coordinate and find their wedding day clothing.
• Review your written agreements forms with all of your professionals (photographer, caterer, D.J., site coordinator, transportation, etc.).

 

2 to 3 Months

• Have engagement portraits taken.
• Place your engagement announcement in the newspaper.
• Mail out invitations and announcements.
• Decide on the mens’ wedding attire.
• Arrange and plan your rehearsal dinner.
• Purchase your wedding day accessories.
• Arrange attendants' parties.
• Book a beverage caterer for the reception and make selections.
• Prepare accommodations for out-of-town attendants and guests.
• Consider a hairdresser and/or makeup artist and book appointments.
• Finalize all honeymoon plans.

 

2 to 4 Weeks

• Final wedding dress fitting.
• Final fitting for your wedding attendants.
• Obtain marriage license.
• Have your attendants' parties.
• Purchase your going-away outfit.
• Draw a map to direct your guests to the site(s), if necessary.
• Create a calendar of events for the wedding day.
• Make sure your accessories are in order (rings, pillow, garter, etc.)

 

1 to 2 Weeks

• Finalize arrangements with the entertainer(s) and provide a list of music you would like played during special events such as first dance, garter removal and bouquet toss.
• Pick up your wedding rings and make sure that the engravings are correct and they fit properly.
• Contact the guests who have not responded to your invitations.

 

1 to 7 Days

• Make sure your marriage license is in order.
• Prepare seating arrangements, if necessary.
• Purchase travelers checks, confirm honeymoon reservations.
• Pack your baggage for your honeymoon.
• Have your wedding ceremony rehearsal.
• Instruct your wedding party on what you would like them to do on the day of the wedding.
• Have your rehearsal dinner.
• Make sure all wedding attire fits properly.
• Give the best man the amount the professionals are to be paid on the day of the wedding.
• Inform your caterer of the total guest count.
• Confirm out-of-town guests have transportation and sleeping accommodations.
• Check with your florist and/or balloonist to make sure they will arrive when scheduled.

 

Your Wedding Day

• Relax, enjoy yourself, and remain calm! Allow at least two hours for dressing.
• Allow plenty of time to apply your makeup and style your hair.
• If professionals are doing your hair and/or makeup, ask them in advance how much time they will need.
• If photographs are to be taken before the ceremony, allow at least one and one-half hours.
• Remember to bring the rings and marriage license.
• Seat guests as they arrive. The groom’s parents should be seated about 5 minutes before start time, the mother of the bride is normally seated last.