Nine to Twelve Months Before 

• Select a wedding date and time.
• Determine the type of wedding you want, size, degree of formality, and setting.
• Notify your clergy and reserve date and time for wedding and rehearsal.
• Set a tentative budget.
• Decide how expenses will be shared.
• Shop together for wedding rings.
• Determine the size of the guest list.
• Plan reception and book reception location.(Note: This should be booked as soon as the wedding date is set to assure availability.)
• Select and book caterer.
• Select and book photographer.
• Select and book videographer.
• Select and book reception entertainment.
• Select and book transportation for wedding day.
• Compile names and addresses of your guests.
• Decide on your color scheme.
• Select wedding attendants, yours and his.
• Determine sizes for all attendants.
• Choose your dress and headpiece.
• Schedule fitting and delivery date.
• Choose bridesmaids' dresses and accessories.
• Start planning for your honeymoon.
• Discuss where you will live after the wedding.
• Choose music for the ceremony.

Six to Nine Month s Before

• Announce your engagement in the newspaper.
• Register your preferences at the bridal registries of your choice.
• Maintain records of all gifts received and send thank you notes immediately upon receipt of your gifts.
• Select florist and/or balloonist and discuss color schemes.
• Begin shopping for men's wedding attire.

Four to Six Months Before

• Start health and fitness program.
• Order invitations and other related stationery needs.
• Complete your guest list.
• Help both mothers coordinate and select their dresses.
• Ensure that all bridal attire has been ordered.
• Begin shopping for trousseau.
• Check blood test and marriage license requirements.
• Experiment with hairstyle and cut.
• Select baker and order wedding cake, groom's cake, and mints.

Two to Three Months Before
• Choose the men's wedding attire and reserve the right sizes.
• Start addressing invitations and announcements.
• Purchase accessories such as goblets, ring pillow, garter, candles, etc.
• Confirm all details with your hired professionals.
• Confirm ceremony details with your officiant.
• Arrange rehearsal details.
• Plan rehearsal dinner.
• Plan attendants' parties.
• Choose responsible person to attend your guest book.
• Make appointment with your hairdresser.
• Arrange accommodations for out-of-town attendants and guests.
• Finalize honeymoon plans.

One Month Before

• Finish addressing invitations and mail them four weeks before the wedding.
• Get blood test and marriage license.
• Have your final dress fitting.
• Have formal bridal portrait done.
• Have final fitting for wedding attendants.
• Purchase gifts for wedding participants.
• Purchase gift for fiancé.
• Complete shopping for your trousseau.
• Have attendants' parties.
• Purchase going-away outfit.
• Ensure that your accessories are in order toasting goblets, garter, candles, ring pillow, etc.
• Finalize rehearsal dinner details.
• Make a calendar of events for your wedding day.
• Draw a map to direct guests to the ceremony and reception sites if necessary.

Two Weeks Before

• Finish addressing announcements to be mailed on your wedding day.
• Contact guests who have not responded.
• Pick up the wedding rings and make sure they fit properly and that engraver's inscriptions are correct.
• Meet with your photographer and give him a list of special pictures you want taken.
• Meet with videographers and give him a list of special events or people you want in the videotape.
• Meet with disc jockey and give him a list of special music to be played that night.
• Continue writing thank-you notes for gifts received.

One Week Before

• Provide the caterer with the total guest count and confirm all details.
• Provide your wedding party and out-of-town guests with timetables, if necessary, for the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception.
• Review details of last-minute arrangements and timetables with all service
• Plan seating arrangements, if used.
• Confirm all honeymoon reservations and accommodations; pick up tickets and traveler's checks.
• Discuss the details of the reception with your host and hostess.
• Assign tasks to be done on the wedding day to your wedding party.
• Practice applying makeup and styling your hair and determine the amount of time needed to do this on your wedding day.
• Make sure you have your marriage license.
• Pick up wedding attire and make sure everything fits properly.
• Keep writing thank-you notes for gifts received.
• Pack your suitcase for your honeymoon.
• Rehearse wedding ceremony with all participants in attendance.
• Attend rehearsal dinner.
• Give the best man the officiants's fee and instruct him to deliver it on the day of the wedding.
• Get a good night's sleep the night before your wedding day.

On the Wedding Day

• Remain calm and try to relax.
• Don't forget to bring your wedding rings and marriage license.
• Check with florist to ensure flowers will arrive on time.
• Apply makeup and style your hair slowly.
• Start dressing 1½ hours before the ceremony; the entire wedding party should be dressed and ready about two hours before the ceremony unless you have a Special schedule with your photographer for pre-ceremony photos. If this is the case, be sure to communicate as to what needs to get done and when.
• Have music start thirty minutes before the ceremony begins.
• Have guests seated as they arrive.
• Groom's parents should be seated five minutes before the ceremony begins.
• The bride's mother should be seated immediately before the processional and before the aisle runner is rolled out.

After the Wedding

• Write and mail all thank-you notes as soon as possible.
• Take care of business and legal affairs.
• Change name if necessary on records and legal documents.

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