- Reception Venues
- Photographers
- Wedding Dresses
- Bridesmaid Dresses
- Caterers
- Flowers
- Cakes
- Wedding Planners
- Bands & DJs
- Event Rentals
- Wedding Invitations
- Ceremony Venues
- Tuxedos
- Wedding Rings
- Videographers
- Accommodations
- Transportation
- Select or design an engagement ring.
- Create your guest list.
- Subscribe to wedding magazines.
- Arrange for families to meet.
- Set a wedding date.
- Start a wedding file.
- Announce engagement in newspapers.
- Determine a wedding budget.
- Decide who is paying for what.
- Begin repairs and maintenance if wedding is at home.
- Hire a wedding consultant.
- Decide if you want a religious, non-denominational or civil ceremony.
- If you decide to have a prenuptial agreement, start the process now.
- Plan engagement party.
- Select wedding ceremony location.
- Select wedding reception location.
- Check with local government about permits for use of public space.
- Start working out. A healthy goal is to shed 2-3 pounds a week.
- Take engagement photos.
- Throw engagement party.
- Select the style and formality of the wedding.
- Select and design save-the-date stationery.
- Send save-the-date announcements.
- Start skin care treatments that necessitate healing time.
- Select bridal party.
- Purchase a bridal gown.
- Designate responsibilities to the maid of honor.
- Designate responsibilities to the best man.
- Designate responsibilities to the mother of the bride.
- Designate responsibilities to the mother of the groom.
Step 2
(6 - 9 Months before)- Create registries.
- Select and design wedding invitations.
- Write and edit your wedding invitations.
- Select and design thank-you cards.
- Select ribbon color you want to accent your wedding dress and theme.
- Research officiants in your area.
- Select and order bridesmaids' dresses.
- Select and order flower girl dress.
- Discuss colors and styles of gowns with mothers.
- Select and order mother-of-the-bride dress.
- Select and order a wedding cake.
- Select florist.
- Select a caterer.
- Select music for the ceremony.
- Provide access to beverages during ceremony to keep guests comfortable.
- Provide shade, heating or cooling for your guests depending on the time of year.
- Select music for the reception.
- Arrange parking.
- Arrange to have recycle and compost stations at your wedding.
- Decide on reception beverage service (i.e. open bar, wine/beer only, etc.).
- Select photographer and videographer.
- Plan honeymoon.
- Arrange accommodations for out-of-towners.
- Research marriage licenses for destination weddings.
Step 3
(4 - 6 Months before)- Purchase wedding bands.
- Select and order groomsmen's attire.
- Start dance lessons.
- Schedule physical exams (for marriage license in some states).
- Reserve room for wedding night.
- Reserve lodging for guests.
- Reserve transportation for out-of-town guests.
- Purchase transportation fares.
- Hire makeup and hair stylist.
- Experiment with hairstyles.
- Discuss weather-appropriate hairstyles with your stylist.
- Order disposable cameras for reception.
- Design and order altar arrangements.
- Discuss seasonal options with your florist.
- Select and order ceremony decorations.
- Design and order ceremony flowers.
- Design and order reception flowers.
- Design and order any non-floral centerpieces.
- Design and select bridal and bridesmaids' bouquet.
- Design and select groomsmen's and father-of-the-bride boutonnieres.
- Order wedding favors and decorations.
- If personalizing decorations, order them now.
- Make sure your decorations are weather and venue appropriate.
- Order candles for reception.
- Reserve rental equipment (i.e. tables, chairs, tents, etc.).
- Make sure your vendors can deliver to your location.
- Schedule activities for the wedding weekend.
Step 4
(2 - 4 Months)- Order and print maps and directions for ceremony and reception.
- Address and send wedding invitations.
- Tell guests where you are registered.
- Select and order father-of-the-bride tuxedo.
- Select and order ring bearer attire.
- Purchase bride's and attendants' shoes.
- Purchase attendants' gifts.
- Purchase spousal gifts.
- Arrange rehearsal dinner.
- Plan bridesmaids' luncheon.
- Plan bridal shower or relay your wishes to the hostess.
- Hire a car service.
- Finalize honeymoon plans.
- Book your travel.
- Get vaccinations needed for traveling abroad.
- Gather travel documents (passports, visas, etc.).
- Begin counseling sessions with officiant.
- Purchase guest book.
- Plan bachelorette party or put a friend in charge.
- Plan bachelor party.
- Select or write vows.
- Choose readings for ceremony.
- Confirm details with caterer, baker, musicians and photographer.
- Finalize menu options with caterer and provide final head count.
Step 5
(1 - 2 Months before)- Purchase marriage license.
- Select and purchase makeup and other beauty supplies for the wedding.
- Design the program for the ceremony.
- Print the program for the ceremony.
- Create seating chart for the reception.
- Purchase place cards for the reception and ceremony.
- Schedule final bridal gown fitting.
- Have bridesmaids', flower girl's and mother of the bride's dress fitted.
- Have groomsmen, father of the bride's and ring bearer's attire fitted.
- Confirm that the bridal party's attire has been fitted.
- Schedule formal bridal portrait.
- Prepare a portrait for newspapers.
- Purchase a going away outfit.
- Purchase garter to toss at the reception.
- Order address labels with your new name and address.
- Purchase cake knife, server, unity candle, toasting glasses and ring pillow.
- Write thank-you notes for gifts received.
- Assign friends or family to assist with guest book and gift table.
- Plan bouquet preservation.
- Select and purchase materials for the bouquet toss.
- Select your wedding night lingerie.
- Schedule beauty appointments.
Step 6
(2 Weeks before)- Call guests who haven't sent back their response cards.
- Schedule beauty appointments.
- Break in wedding shoes.
- Confirm wedding rehearsal plans.
- Arrange for gown cleaning for after the wedding.
- Confirm all delivery times.
- Give DJ or band a list of songs to play and not play.
- Move belongings to new home, if needed.
Step 7
(1 Week before)- Throw bridal shower.
- Confirm honeymoon reservations.
- Throw bachelorette party.
- Throw bachelor party.
- Organize wedding-day attire.
- Get a massage.
Step 8
(The Day of)- Check the reception site the day of the wedding.
- Decorate and set up the reception venue.
- Take photos with the family.
- Eat to help with jitters.
- Have the best man and maid of honor (or witnesses) sign the wedding license.
- Pick up altar arrangements and ceremony and reception flowers, or have them sent to the ceremony facilities.
- Pick up printed programs or have them delivered to the ceremony facilities.
- Pick up bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages from florist.
- Pick up the wedding cake or have it delivered to reception facilities.
Step 9
(Married Life)- Send thank-you notes.
- Change name on voter registration and billing addresses.
- File change of name and address with post office.
- Change name and address on credit cards, student loans, etc.
- Change name and address on driver license's, vehicle documents, social security card and passport.
- Change name and address on employment records and bank accounts.
- Change name and address on subscriptions.
- Change name and address on insurance policies and investment accounts.
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