Wedding Planning Calendar

To have a successful and memorable wedding, it's important to be organized and stay on top of things. The following wedding planning calendar will help you do just that.

9-12 months before Announce your engagement to both sets of parents and arrange for them to get together. Send engagement announcements to local newspapers. Select a date and time. Consider time of day, as this affects formality and catering choices. Send engagement announcements or save-the-date notices to family and friends. Modern brides sometimes opt to send email notices. Have an engagement party. Determine the type of wedding you want, setting, size and degree of formality. Choose your colors; they will affect your flowers, invitations, attire, linens and cake. Set an initial budget and decide how expenses will be shared. Start your guest list. Select and book a location for the ceremony, taking into consideration season and weather. Select and book your reception location, or arrange tent rental for an outdoor wedding. Hire a wedding consultant if you'll be using one. Choose and book an officiant for the ceremony. Select the attendants for your wedding party. Arrange meetings with florists, photographers, and musicians/DJ's. Arrange for a tasting with caterers. Shop for your gown, headpiece, and other bridal accessories (gloves, shoes, jewelry). Shop together for wedding rings. 6-9 months before Order your gown and other bridal accessories. Sign a contract with your selected caterer. Book photographer and/or videographer. Book florist and select arrangements, bouquets, etc. Book the musicians/vocalists, and/or DJ for both the ceremony and reception. Depending on the expected cost of your wedding, decide if wedding insurance is a good idea. Start compiling names and addresses of guests (ask your families to do the same). Enroll in a wedding gift registry. Arrange for a tasting with wedding cake bakers or designers. Start planning for honeymoon; research destinations. Arrange for time off work, if necessary. Start planning the rehearsal dinner. Reserve a restaurant or make other arrangements. Shop for and order bridal attendants’ attire. Arrange for the groom and groomsmen to be measured and reserve the tuxedos. TIP: If your groomsmen do not live close to the formal wear shop you choose, tell them to go to a local shop - most shops will measure them as a courtesy. 4-6 months before Select a wedding cake designer and order your wedding cake. If caterer isn't providing for you, reserve any rental equipment you'll need (dishes, linens, tables, chairs, tents) Help mothers select and coordinate their dresses. Check requirements for blood test and marriage license in your state. Discuss where you will live after the wedding. Experiment with hair styles and makeup. Arrange wedding day transportation (limousines, horse and carriage, vans). Book hair and makeup professionals for the wedding. Book wedding night accommodations and accommodations for out-of-town guests. Finalize the guest list. Select and order wedding stationery ( invitations, envelopes, place cards, escort cards, thank-you cards, etc.) Select a calligrapher if you're using one. Finalize honeymoon plans and make the necessary reservations. Compile necessary travel documents. Purchase wedding rings. 2-4 months before Obtain marriage license, schedule blood tests if necessary. Give a list to your photographer/videographer of special events or people you want photographed/videotaped. Give musician/DJ a list of music to be played during special events (i.e., garter/bouquet toss, cutting of cake, first dance, parents' dance, etc.) Schedule your wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Confirm the menu and catering details with the caterer. Start addressing invitations. Invitations should be mailed six weeks prior to the ceremony. Prepare all maps and directions for the ceremony and reception for an insertion with the invitations. Write your wedding vows. Attend any bridal showers. Confirm ceremony details with your officiant. Purchase decorations and accessories such as ring pillow, toasting goblets, guest book, garter, candles, favors. Purchase gifts for attendants, parents and each other. Send wedding announcements to local newspapers. 4-8 weeks before Mail your wedding invitations. Do a hair and makeup run-through. Write thank-you notes as gifts arrive. Decide on insurance policy changes needed for after the wedding. Schedule your final gown fitting. Schedule attendants' final fitting. Start planning the seating for the reception as well as other details for the ceremony and reception. 2-3 weeks before Contact guests who have not responded. Give the caterer a final head count. Finalize the seating plan for the reception. Start writing place cards. Pick up your wedding gown. Contact all vendors (caterer, officiant, cake designer, photographer, videographer, florist, musicians, transportation, hotels) to confirm arrival and delivery times. Write your rehearsal dinner and reception toasts. Handle business and legal details such as name changes, address changes, etc. Continue writing thank-you notes as more gifts arrive. Make arrangements to have your wedding gifts moved to your new home. Make sure all attendants have their attire and that everything fits. Write and print your wedding program. 1 week before Place fees for officiant, organist, etc. in individually marked envelopes and give to the best man for distribution on the wedding day. Appoint a reliable friend to transport the cake serving set, toasting glasses and other items to and from the reception site. Get last-minute beauty treatments (facial, waxing, brow-shaping, etc.). Pack for the honeymoon. (Ask someone to bring your luggage to the reception if you plan to leave from there.) Review any seating details with the ushers. Reconfirm your honeymoon reservations. Ensure you have any necessary plane tickets. Attend bachelor/bachelorette parties. Finish all the place cards for the reception. Review final details with all wedding vendors (caterer, officiant, cake designer, photographer, videographer, florist, musicians, transportation, hotels). Delegate wedding day responsibilities to your wedding party (handing out corsages and boutonnieres, greeting and seating guests, etc.). Finalize your rehearsal dinner arrangements. One Day Before Get a manicure or massage to help you relax. Confirm wedding day transportation. Rehearse wedding ceremony. Hold rehearsal dinner. Present the wedding party gifts. Arrange your wedding day attire. Wedding Day Remain calm and relaxed. Be sure to eat properly. Prepare for your hair and makeup appointments. Give gifts to your parents. Don't forget the rings and marriage license. Start dressing 1 1 / 2 hours before the ceremony. If pictures are taken prior to the ceremony, the entire wedding party needs to be dressed and ready 2 hours before the ceremony. Have music start 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Have ushers seat guests upon arrival. Have groom's parents seated 5 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Have bride's mother seated immediately before processional. Cherish every moment of this wonderful day!