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Twelve-Month Bridal Planner
Twelve Months Before
You won’t be sorry later if you set a budget now and determine how expenses will be shared. Wedding bills can add up quickly!
Conduct interviews and hire a wedding coordinator, if you choose.
Get dolled up, have an engagement photo taken with your honey, and send it to the local paper.
On your big day, you’ll want to look good and feel good. Start (or maintain) a health and fitness plan.
Look through magazines, search the Internet, and attend local bridal shows for further inspiration on themes and possible color schemes.
Who will share your special day? Start compiling your guest list and guest addresses. Decide if you want to include children among your guests.
Visit and book your ceremony location. Include rehearsal time. Find out if this location requires liability insurance.
Visit and book your reception site and arrange for parking.
Choose an officiant and discuss ceremony ideas.
Will it be a tropical cruise? A romantic stay at a cabin in the woods? Give thought to your honeymoon.
Search for menu ideas. You might include some of your favorite dishes and some of his. Meet with and hire a caterer.
Book any musicians you’ll need for the ceremony and a band or DJ for the reception.
Hire your photographer and videographer.
Whether you choose roses or daisies, hire your florist to create arrangements, bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages. Include specifics for each floral arrangement in your contract.
Ten to Twelve Months Before
Buy a calendar and note all important activities. Planning a wedding is sure to keep you busy!
Select the wedding gown and headpiece of your dreams. Set dates for fittings and delivery.
Reserve rental equipment such as tents, chairs, tables and linens.
Select bridal party attire for the wedding day.
Order and send Save-the-Date cards or send free Save-the-Date emails.
Book a honeymoon, including plane tickets, ground transportation, lodging and tickets for special events.
Plan the details of your reception, including decorations.
Eight to Ten Months Before
Indulge your sweet tooth. It’s cake-testing time! Select your baker and order your wedding cake.
Pick music for the ceremony and reception.
Shop together for your wedding rings and order engraving.
Six to Eight Months Before
Order your invitations. Allow six weeks for invitations to be completed and two weeks for envelope calligraphy. If you aren’t feeling particularly artistic, hire a professional calligrapher and be sure to book her to address place cards two weeks before the wedding.
Select shower and wedding registry items and register at your preferred stores. Add your registry information to your wedding Web site, if applicable.
Do you plan to arrive in a limousine or a horse–drawn carriage? Reserve any special wedding day transportation for your wedding party and guests.
Solidify honeymoon plans with your fiancé (arrangements, passports/visas, notifying your employers of time off).
Four to Six Months Before
Help your husband-to-be select and order men’s formalwear.
Select stylist(s) for bridal party hair and make-up and book appointments.
Consider whitening your teeth for all the parties and photos headed your way.
Reserve your suite for the wedding night as well as blocks of hotel rooms for out-of-towners.
Research your state’s marriage requirements. (Maryland brides can check on the Web at www.state.md.us.)
If you’ll be traveling abroad, apply for or renew your passport under your maiden name (so that it matches your other identification). Otherwise, overseas travel could become difficult. Passport delivery can take six weeks.
Confirm that your bridesmaids have ordered their gowns and chosen accessories.
Meet with your florist to plan details.
Finalize honeymoon plans and get prepared now. Do you have everything you need?
Help both mothers coordinate and find dresses that make them feel beautiful.
Two to Four Months Before
Confirm delivery dates for all gowns.
Confirm attire has been ordered for all groomsmen.
Meet with your officiant to discuss the ceremony. Have a favorite love poem? Select appropriate readings and vows.
Notify any family or friends whom you would like to give readings, sing solos, serve as guest book attendant, etc.
Schedule the ceremony rehearsal and inform participants.
Schedule and choose a location for the rehearsal dinner.
Buy attendant gifts, gifts for each other and gifts for your parents to show your appreciation.
Fine-tune your menu with the caterer. Review all contracts and inquire about any extra charges or overtime pay.
Finalize your guest list and mail invitations.
Finalize plans for the rehearsal dinner. Make sure you have all of the menus, favors, etc.
Meet with your stylist(s) to discuss and test the perfect hair and make-up for your bridal style. Also book a manicure, pedicure and a pampering massage for the day before the wedding.
Set a date with your fiancé to get your marriage license.
Review contracts with all of your vendors and service providers.
One to Two Months Before
Get creative! Design, then order wedding programs and reception menus.
Prepare a list of music you would like played (or not played). Be sure to include your favorites and specific songs for special events: the first dance, your dance with Dad, the bouquet toss, etc.
Schedule your final dress-fitting and fittings for bridesmaids.
Finalize your accessories. Do you have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue?
Confirm details for the ceremony (including attendant formations) and the reception.
Assign wedding day tasks to friends, family and the wedding party. Appoint someone to collect and transport any gifts you receive at the wedding.
Confirm request lists with your photographer, videographer, musicians and DJ.
Pick up your wedding rings — Make sure they fit! — and check the engravings.
Obtain your marriage license (typically no earlier than 30 days before the wedding).
If necessary, give the post office your change of address and order name-change forms for after the honeymoon.
Organize welcome baskets with maps and tourist information for out-of-town guests.
Cut a rug. Practice dancing while wearing your bridal shoes.
Create a calendar of events for the wedding day.
Two to Four Weeks Before
Ask family members or bridesmaids to call guests who have yet to RSVP so you can get a final head count.
Give your caterer the final count. Put it in writing to avoid disputes over charges for uneaten meals, and don’t forget vendor meals.
Is everyone suited up? Double check attire and accessories for all members of the wedding party.
Finalize reception seating plans. Prepare place cards yourself or obtain them from your calligrapher.
Have final consultations with the caterer, florist, musicians and photographers.
Get your hair colored and trimmed. (Don’t wait until 2 days before the ceremony!)
Plot it out. Choreograph the event, determine a point person for vendors, type up the plan and give it to everyone in the wedding party.
Confirm your honeymoon trip reservations, make sure your luggage is in order and start packing!
One Week Before
Have your final gown fitting and pick up your dress. Make sure all of your accessories are in order.
Pick up the groom’s outfit. Make sure it fits, and gather all of his accessories together.
Confirm arrangements for the attire and accessories of all wedding party members. Be sure to appoint someone to return any rented wardrobe.
Finalize your seating arrangements (making sure you involve both sets of parents) and submit them to the caterer.
Hold your rehearsal ceremony and enjoy the company of your friends and family at the rehearsal dinner.
Thank your loved ones for all of their help by giving presents! Gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen are usually given at or just after the rehearsal dinner.
If necessary, arrange for name and address changes for your bank account, credit cards, driver’s license, Social Security card, utilities and employer’s records. Make your official name change after the honeymoon to avoid difficulty with travel arrangements, passports or visas held under your maiden name.
Confirm all of your beauty appointments.
Confirm pick-up times, schedules and addresses with your wedding day transportation.
Confirm out-of-town guests have sleeping accommodations.
One Day Before
Prepare payment envelopes, including tips, for the officiant, waiters, limo drivers, bathroom attendants, etc. and give the envelopes to the best man, maid of honor, or a parent to distribute.
Have welcome baskets delivered to the hotel rooms of out-of-town guests.
Hand out assignment lists and checklists to ensure everyone knows their tasks.
Get a manicure, pedicure and massage — You’ve earned it!
Try to get to bed early. It will be easier to relax if you feel well–rested tomorrow.
It's Finally Here! — Your Wedding Day
Relax, remain calm and enjoy yourself. Keep up your strength by eating a good breakfast and drinking plenty of fluids.
Attend your hair and make-up appointments. Remember to wear a button-down shirt.
Have your overnight bag and luggage delivered to your hotel.
Have someone — usually the best man or maid of honor — bring your rings to the wedding. Switch your engagement ring to your right hand before the ceremony.
Prepare to enjoy your wedding. By this point, you have capable people handling all of the logistics.
Surrounded by the people who care about you most, remember why you’re here with your chosen partner on this day. Celebrate every moment of it! |
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