Wedding Time Line

12 Months before:

• Announce your engagement.
• Arrange for your parents to get together if they haven’t already met.
• Select a date.
• Choose the kind of wedding you want.
• Go over the budget. (Include both sets of parents if they will be paying for any portion of the event.)
• Work on guest list to get a rough guest count.
• Reserve the ceremony site and talk to the pastor.
• Reserve a reception site.

6-9 Months before:

• Purchase a wedding planner.
• Choose your wedding party.
• Decide on a caterer.
• Enroll in bridal gift registry.
• Shop for a gown.
• Shop for attendants’ dresses.
• Choose a photographer and, if desired, a videographer.
• Hire a florist.
• Book musicians and/or DJ.

4-6 Months before:

• Order wedding invitations, envelopes, and thank-you cards.
• Order your wedding gown.
• Order tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen.
• Shop for cake.
• Scout accommodations so you can send guests a list of nearby hotels in various priceranges. (Most hotels offer lower rates when you tell them a group is coming.)
• Meet with the caterer or banquet manager to discuss menus, service style, etc.
• Complete the guest list.
• Arrange the rehearsal dinner.

2-4 Months before:

• Call county clerk’s office to find out about requirements for the marriage license.
• Check state requirements for blood tests.
• Make honeymoon reservations, and compile all necessary travel documents.
• Pick ceremony and reception music. (Check with ceremony site about any restrictions.
• Order wedding cake.
• Complete honeymoon plans.
• Meet with party-rental companies if special supplies, such as candelabras, tables and chairs are being used for the ceremony or reception.

4-8 Weeks before:

• Mail invitations eight weeks ahead of the date.
• Have final dress fitting and select headpiece.
• Buy your fiancé’s wedding gift.
• Buy thank-you gifts for the attendants.
• Look over insurance papers with your fiancé (car, life, medical, home) – You may need to make changes in the policies when you go from single to married.

2-3 Weeks before:

• Arrange seating for the reception.
• Confirm details with caterer, florist, etc.
• Give caterer the final head count.
• Send an engagement photograph with a wedding announcement to the newspapers.

1 Week before:

• Place fees in envelopes to be given to the organist, soloist, minister, etc., on the big day.
• Appoint a reliable pal to bring a cake knife, toasting glasses or other heirlooms to the wedding site before hand (and to be responsible for getting them home again).
• Get a manicure, pedicure, facial, massage or other beauty treatment of your choice.
• Pack for the honeymoon. (Arrange for someone to bring your luggage and going-away clothes to the reception site if you are leaving from the reception.)

The day before:

• Greet out-of-town guests.
• Go to the gym, take a long walk, or do some other stress-reducing activity.
• Schedule time for a bubble bath, facial or a hair-styling appointment before the rehearsal dinner.
• Attend the wedding rehearsal and dinner.