Envision your wedding (formal, informal, classic or
contemporary).
Pick
preferences for your wedding date and time.
Select
several options for wedding date and time and then
review with your venues, officiant and important guests
before finalizing.
Determine your budget and division of expenses.
Determine size of your guest list.
Consider hiring a wedding consultant.
Book
your ceremony and reception site.
Ask
friends and relatives to be in the wedding party.
Visit
the clergy and review synagogue or church requirements.
Research, interview and book a caterer, if required.
Optional: Friends and / or family may host an
engagement party to celebrate your joyous occasion.
Eight
to Ten Months Prior
Bride: The fun begins. Think about, shop and order
your bridal gown.
Start
to plan your reception menu.
Think
about what type of entertainment you want. A band or DJ
at the reception or both? A pianist or jazz trio at the
cocktail hour.
Think
about floral décor for the ceremony and reception.
Research and book wedding vendors. Schedule interviews
with photographer, videographer, band and/or DJ and
florist.
Research a wedding insurance policy to protect your
investment.
Research local hotels and reserve accommodations for
out-of-town guests.
More
shopping: Register for shower and wedding gifts.
Contact rental companies for any of your ceremony /
reception needs that will not be provided by the
reception site or caterer, such as tables, chairs,
china, linens, etc.
Six to
Eight Months Prior
Contract ceremony musicians.
Shop
for bridesmaid dresses and accessories.
Begin
planning your honeymoon.
Drop
save-the-date cards in the mail. This is especially
important if you are marrying during a holiday season or
having a destination wedding.
Four
to Six Months Prior
Visit
your officiant and attend pre-wedding counseling, if
required.
Order
wedding invitations.
Order
wedding rings.
Shop
for formalwear for the groom and his attendants.
Make
sure your passports up-to-date, if required.
Research, interview and book a wedding cake designer.
Make sure you conduct a tasting.
Three
Months Prior
Make
plans and reservations for wedding rehearsal and dinner.
Order
reception favors.
Research and book a calligrapher, if you want your
wedding invitations to be professionally addressed.
Groom: Finalize men’s formalwear selection and make
appropriate deposits.
Research, interview and book wedding-day
transportation, such as limousines, streetcars, antique
automobiles, etc.
Two
Months Prior
Drop
wedding invitations in the mail.
Write
personal wedding vows.
Purchase gifts for your attendants and parents.
Buy
cake knife, toasting glasses, and guest book.
Begin
to shop for your trousseau.
Make
an appointment with your hair stylist for wedding-day
hair. Try out several styles prior to the big day.
Book
an appointment with a makeup artist for your wedding
day. Schedule a trial run prior to the big day.
One
Month Prior
Verify
the marriage requirements with the county / town clerk’s
office. Apply for your marriage license. Get blood
tests, if required.
Bride: Schedule your final gown fitting. Make sure you
bring along your maid / matron of honor to learn how to
bustle your gown. And, don’t forget to check your veil.
Contact all of your bridal attendants and confirm that
their gowns have been altered and are ready to go for
the wedding.
Review
and finalize all wedding details with all vendors.
Create
a wedding program to hand out to all guests.
Create
a menu card for the reception, if appropriate.
Research and order in-room welcome baskets for
out-of-town guests. Get creative or showcase the
wedding locale.
Two
Weeks Prior
Contact any guests who have not RSVP.
Confirm honeymoon reservations.
Deliver a list of must-have shots to the photographer
and videographer.
Ask
friend or relative to take charge of guest book at the
reception.
Pick
up wedding rings.
Purchase gift for fiancé (optional).
Complete your trousseau.
Prepare seating chart.
One
Week Prior
Pack
for honeymoon.
Pick
up your marriage license.
Prepare wedding announcement to send to the newspaper.
Pick
up gown, attendant's dresses and accessories.
Confirm details with all participants and inform them of
any changes.
Make
sure you have all wedding attire, rings and marriage
license.
Give
final guest count to reception site or caterer.
Get a
massage.
Two or
Three Days Before the Wedding
Have
rehearsal and dinner for all members of the wedding
party, family, friends and any out-of-town guests you
may want to include.
Bring
unity candle, aisle runner, yarmulkes or any other
ceremony accessories to the site.
Give
your marriage license to your officiant.
Present your attendants with gifts at the rehearsal
dinner.
Get
manicure and pedicure and confirm wedding day
appointments.
Day
Before the Wedding
Pull
together: wedding gown, veil, shoes, and last minute
emergency kit (aspirin, make-up, safety-pins, etc).
Drop
off favors, guest book and pen at the reception site.
Relax
and get a good night's sleep.
Wedding Day
Have
hair and make-up done.
Present parents with gifts.
Give
wedding bands to the best man and maid of honor to hold
during the ceremony.
Give
the best man the envelope with the officiant’s fee.
Best man to present to officiant following the ceremony.
Confirm with people you expect to give toasts at the
reception.
Begin
dressing two hours before ceremony is to begin.
Post
Wedding
Prearrange for someone to return any rentals.
Preplan for your attendants to take your gown for
cleaning and return the groom’s tux.
Write
and send thank-you notes to wedding guests and vendors
who were especially helpful.
