Planning a wedding can be as challenging as it is
exciting!
Here is a rough outline of what you need to do to
prepare for your big day…
Preliminary decisions
• Decide
on theme/style of wedding
• Decide
wedding date and time of day
• Create
a budget with all involved
• Select
bridal party and other special participants
• Plan
color scheme
• Determine
the size of the guest list
Six to twelve months before the wedding…
Order/Purchase…
• Engagement and wedding
rings
• Bridal gown, headpiece,
shoes, and accessories
• Attendants'
gowns
Reserve…
• Ceremony
location
• Reception
location
Select…
• Wedding consultant,
if applicable
• Ceremony
officiant
• Ceremony
musicians, soloists, organists, etc.
• Florist
• Caterer
• Photographer
• Videographer
• Band or DJ
• Baker for
cake
• Honeymoon
destination
At this time…
• Announce
your engagement and wedding date
• Plan to attend
pre-marriage counseling at your church,
if applicable
• Register
with bridal registries
• Begin planning ceremony and reception
details/timelines as
much as possible
Three to Five Months Before the Wedding
Order/Purchase…
• Invitations,
matches, napkins, favors, pew cards, thank-you
notes,
programs,
etc.
• Rental items
(everything from tents and tables to linens and
silverware)
• Flowers,
bouquets, boutonnières, decorations for the wedding
ceremony & reception
• Attire for groom,
groomsmen, and fathers
• Correct postage
for invitations and thank you notes
Reserve…
• Rehearsal dinner
location
• Block of rooms
for out-of-town guests
• Honeymoon tickets
and accommodations
Select…
• Limousine service
and/or other transportation
Confirm…
• Dress delivery
dates for bride and attendants, if applicable
At this time…
• Plan to have
mothers select attire
• Complete the
guest list and begin addressing the invitations
and thank
you notes as
printed
• Prepare maps
and directions for invitations
• Begin to finalize
ceremony and reception details/timelines
• Make doctor’s
appointments for physicals and update your
immunization
shots and records
Two months before the wedding
Mail all invitations to
allow
time
for
RSVP’s
Order/Purchase…
• Wedding
cake and arrange for delivery
Select…
• Hairdresser
and make-up artists: schedule practice and real
appointments
• Select
seamstress/tailor to make dress alterations
Confirm…
• Honeymoon arrangements
• Rehearsal and
rehearsal dinner arrangements
At this time…
• Arrange to get
marriage license
• Schedule first
fittings for bride and attendants including all
shoes
and accessories
• Finalize all
details with the caterer, photographer, florist,
reception
hall,
musicians,
etc.
• Finalize all ceremony
details with the officiant
• Plan the bridesmaids’ luncheon
One month before the wedding
Order/Purchase…
• Gifts for bridal party and special participants
• Gift for fiancé, if gifts
are being exchanged
• Wedding props: pillow for ring bearer,
candles, guest book
etc.
Select…
• Attendant for and placement of the guest
book
• Music to be played during the ceremony
and reception
Confirm…
• Accommodations for out-of-town guests
• Men’s attire order and delivery
date
• Transportation arrangements for wedding
day
• Time and date with florist, caterer,
photographer,
musicians/DJ, etc.
• Time and date with church and reception
locations
At this time…
• Have formal bridal portrait done
• Begin to record gifts received and send
thank you notes
• Plan rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Schedule final fittings for bride
and attendants including
accessories and shoes
• Pick up wedding rings
and make sure they fit
• Complete all physical
and dental appointments
• Get blood tests and marriage
license
• Prepare wedding
announcements to be sent to the
newspaper
Two weeks before the wedding
• Mail bridal portrait or alternate picture
with announcement
to newspaper
• Arrange to change
name on license, Social Security card,
etc.
• Turn
in change of address card to the post office, if
necessary
• Prepare wedding
announcements to be mailed on or after
the
wedding day
• The groom should
have his hair cut
• The bride
should have her hair colored, if necessary
• Continue
to record gifts and send thank you notes as they
are
received
One week before the wedding
• Start packing for honeymoon and
reconfirm all reservations
• Finalize number of guests with
caterer and review the
details
• Plan seating
arrangements
• Review and finalized
details with all wedding professionals
• Confirm desired
pictures and shots with photographer and
videographer
• Style your hair
with headpiece and practice applying
cosmetics
• Make
sure that all wedding attire is picked up and fits,
including
rings
• Confirm receipt
of marriage license
A day or two before the wedding
• Have
the bridesmaid’s
luncheon, if you haven’t
already
• Have the rehearsal
and rehearsal dinner
• Instruct
the attendants and special participants on their roles in
the wedding and reception
• Go over special
seating or pew cards with the ushers
• Make
sure everyone knows what time they need to be at
the
church/ceremony location
• Review
important information with everyone such as what
type
of transportation
is provided,
where
the
reception is,
etc.
Your wedding day
• Try to relax and pamper yourself-take
a long bath, have a
manicure, etc.
• Eat at least one
small meal
• Have your hair
and make-up done a few hours before the
ceremony
• Start dressing
one to two hours before the ceremony
• Have photographer
and attendants arrive two hours before
the
ceremony, if there are to be pre wedding
pictures
• Arrange for music
to start one-half hour prior to ceremony
• Have mother of
the groom seated five minutes before
ceremony
• Have mother of
the bride seated immediately before the
processional
• Arrange for the
aisle runner to be rolled out by the ushers
immediately
before the processional
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Wedding
Calendar: Timeline & Checklist
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