Wedding Planning Guide

One year before Wedding

• Buy a wedding planner and memory album.
• Decide who will pay for what.
• Discuss all aspects of the wedding with your families.
• Send engagement announcements to newspapers.
• Make lists of various ceremony and reception sites. Go to view them as soon as possible.
• Begin looking at caterers and ask for estimates from those your are considering.
• Begin looking at bakers for your wedding cake and ask for estimates.
• Discuss honeymoon plans. Make a final decision as soon as possible. Booking months in advance will save you money.
• Plan your post-wedding living arrangements.

At Least 6 Months Before Wedding

• Select and order a wedding gown.
• Reserve hotel rooms for your guests traveling from out of town.
• Choose bridesmaids and groomsmen and order their gowns and tuxedos.
• Order wedding invitations and "thank you" cards.
• Make you final catering and reception choices and book them as soon as possible.
• Make your honeymoon plans. Contact a travel agent to make reservations.

At Least 4 Months Before Wedding

• Finalize your post-wedding living arrangements.
• If traveling outside the country for your honeymoon, apply for your passports.
• Book a limousine for transportation.
• Get estimates for floral arrangements for the ceremony and reception.
• Plan your rehearsal dinner.
• Reserve a Disc Jockey/ M.C. for your reception.

At Least 3 Months Before Wedding

• Mail your wedding invitations.
• Make sure all pertinent documents are completed and sent in.
• Complete your guest list.
• Book florist.
• Choose and purchase decorations and favors for your reception.
• Choose wedding rings and select engravings.

At Least 2 Months Before Wedding

• Consult with all companies who are providing services for your wedding. Make arrangements to purchase these.
• Buy a gift for your spouse and gifts for your members of the wedding party.
• Make an appointment with a hairdresser for the bride and bridesmaids.
• Send out shower gift "thank you" cards.

At Least 1 Month Before Wedding

• Finalize choices for all bridal gown accessories.
• Have final fitting for bridal gown & headpiece, as well as the bridesmaids dresses.
• Schedule bridesmaid's lunch and give them their gifts.
• Confirm hotel reservations for all guests and for you and your spouse.
• Get marriage license.
• Finalize plans for your rehearsal dinner.
• Stay current with "thank you" cards for shower gifts and some early wedding presents.
• Finalize seating arrangements for the reception.
• Send invitations to those who will be attending the rehearsal dinner.

At Least 2 Weeks Before

• Confirm all honeymoon arrangements.
• Wear your wedding shoes around the house.
• Confirm all plans and details with all vendors providing services for your wedding.

At Least 1 Week Before

• Review wedding ceremony details and procedures with your wedding party.
• Pick out the clothes you'll wear after you leave the reception.
• Assign a trusted person to solve all last minute problems and details. Rely on this person to help you as you get closer to the final day.
• Plan a fun day shared with family or friends.
• Give a final head count, seating arrangements, and place cards to the caterer.
• Pack for your honeymoon.

The Day Before

• Mail the wedding announcements.
• Place the fees for the limousine driver and the officiant into sealed envelopes. Give these to the Best Man to be handed out by him on the wedding day.
• Give wedding rings to the Best Man.
• Attend your rehearsal and dinner.
• Rest properly and sleep well.

Your Wedding Day

• Relax and enjoy your special day with your family and friends.