12-18 months

• Announce engagement to family and friends
• Discuss “who is paying for what”
• Set your wedding budget
• Consider purchasing wedding insurance (before laying down non-refundable deposits)
• § Research vendors for ideas, services and pricing
• Create a wedding website
• Choose your wedding attendants
• Begin compiling guest list
• Mail Save the Dates (6-12 months ahead of wedding date)
• Research wedding dress and veil styles
• Research and decide on wedding planner

8-10 months

• Choose bridal party attire
• § Book vendors
• Purchase wedding dress 
• Establish a fitness routine

6-8 months

• § Research and order Invitations
• § Begin planning wedding programs
• § Begin planning honeymoon
• Register at three national retailers
• § Choose cake style and baker (schedule tastings)
• § Reserve any rental equipment
• § Research and book transportation to and from venues
• Mail Save the Dates (if you haven’t already)
• Order wedding bands
• § Research three different nearby hotels at different price points for OOT guests

4-6 months

• § Choose and order flowers for wedding party, venues, cake, and attendants.
• § Make honeymoon reservations
• Research wedding day hairstyle
• Choose groomsmen attire
• § Finalize Favors and Reception Items
• § Plan welcome baskets for OOT guests
• § Make and book rehearsal dinner plans

3 months

• Plan ceremony and reception seating arrangements
• Experiment with hair and veil with stylist
• Purchase guestbook (or DIY), toasting flutes, serving pieces, flower basket and ring-bearer pillow

2 months

• Begin writing vows
• § Mail Invitations
• Book spa and beauty treatments for you and your wedding party
• Review and confirm ceremony details with officiate
• Purchase gifts for attendants
• First dress fitting
• § Submit wedding announcement to newspaper
• § Finalize transportation arrangements
• Finalize seating arrangements
• Finalize playlists with musicians
• § Create, copy, and send wedding day schedules to vendors, wedding party, parents and officiate
• Create contact info sheet for your loved ones while you’re on honeymoon
• § Confirm reservations for OOT guests
• Confirm that wedding party and parents have their fittings and attire complete

1 month

• § Call vendors and confirm dates, times, and locations
• Final dress fitting
• § Confirm honeymoon reservations
• Pick up wedding rings
• Pack for honeymoon
• Write Thank You notes as gifts are received
• Apply for marriage license
• Pick up your marriage license and order 2-3 extra copies
• § Order wedding programs

2 weeks

• § Give final count to caterer
• Update registries
• Begin breaking in wedding shoes
• Make necessary arrangements for when on honeymoon: pets, mail…
• Final haircut and color
• § Get your playlists to DJ/Musicians
• Delegate wedding day duties: gift table, guestbook attendant, etc.
• § Delegate someone to return tuxes and other rental items
• § Send directions to wedding day transportation drivers

1 week

• Prepare final payments to vendors
• Lay out wedding clothes to make sure you have everything
• § Prepare wedding day emergency kit
• Give your readers their scripts
• Spa treatments
• § Give photographer and videographer request(s) for shots and moments you want captured

The Day Before

• Mani/Pedi
• Massage
• Wedding Rehearsal
• Rehearsal dinner
• Get to bed at a decent hour!

Day of the Wedding

• Eat a good breakfast!
• Mail wedding announcements to extended friends, family, and colleagues (optional)
• Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready
• Congratulations! ENJOY the Day!

After the Honeymoon

• Send Thank You Cards as soon as possible
• Enjoy your Marriage!

 § = Tasks that your wedding planner or designer may be contracted to take care of.