Wedding Day Timeline

One Year Before Your Wedding Day

[___] Announce your wedding engagement to your family and friends and start to plan an engagement party

[___] In your local newspaper place an engagement announcement

[___] To inform your guests regarding wedding day details, area information, etc sign up for a wedding website

[___] Create a wedding day budget to keep your finances under control

[___] Hire a wedding planner or purchase wedding day planning software to organize your wedding

[___] Select a wedding date; you may want to choose several different days to be flexible when booking

[___] Select your ceremony and reception sites and place your reservations

[___] Start a guest list and create an address list

[___] Select your attendants, including your maid of honor and the best man

[___] Start to shop for your wedding dress

[___] Go to a local bridal show and take note of the vendors that you would like to work with

[___] Create a wedding planning organizer to keep track of all your important dates and appointments to attend.

Six to Nine Months Before Your Wedding Day

[___] Select a bridal gift registry

[___] Order your wedding dress

[___] Order all bridal accessories: veil, shoes and gloves

[___] Shop for your bridesmaids dresses

[___] Contact who you would like to perform your wedding ceremony

[___] Book: ceremony musicians, band for the reception or DJ, photographer, videographer, caterer and florist

Four to Six Months Before Your Wedding Day

[___] Order your wedding invitations and thank you cards

[___] Purchase your wedding favors, boxes, labels, etc.

[___] Purchase your ceremony and reception decorations: unity candle, vases, aisle runner, etc.

Four to Six Months Before Your Wedding Day Continued…

[___] Begin to research your wedding cake with local bakeries

[___] Book your honeymoon and check that you have all the proper travel documents including passports and visas

[___] Book a hotel room for your wedding night

[___] Arrange hotel accommodations for out of town guests

[___] Create a final guest list and send out save the date cards

[___] Create a list of local area information and things to do for your out of town guests

[___] Print out directions to the ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner and hotels for guests to use

[___] Place your transportation reservations for you and your wedding party

Two to Four Months Before Your Wedding Day

[___] Research what your state’s marriage license requirements are and get your blood tests completed if needed

[___] Place your tuxedos orders for both the groom and groomsmen

[___] Meet with your caterer to begin to discuss your reception menu and liquor needs

[___] Meet with who will be leading your wedding ceremony to finalize details, wording and wedding vows

[___] Select your wedding passages

[___] Place your wedding cake order

[___] Purchase your wedding thank you gifts for your attendants

[___] Purchase a gift for your new spouse

[___] Purchase your wedding rings and have them engraved

[___] Select a location for your rehearsal dinner

[___] If needed select a party rental company for: tents, tables, arch, etc.

[___] Place reservations for any other special wedding day services: ice sculpture, photo booth, etc.

[___] Purchase any luggage and travel items for your honeymoon

[___] Place your passport order if necessary

[___] Schedule a dentist appointment for the week before your wedding day to have your teeth cleaned

One to Two Months Before Your Wedding Day

[___] Mail your wedding invitations eight weeks before your wedding day along with accommodation information

[___] Purchase a bridal name change kit online

[___] Complete a change of address form at the post office if necessary

[___] Print your ceremony programs

[___] Purchase a guest book and any additional wedding accessories that are needed: cake knife, ring pillow, etc.

[___] Schedule your hair, makeup and nail appointments

[___] Review all of your insurance information: car, home, medical. Check to see what needs to be updated.

Two weeks to One Month Before Your Wedding Day

[___] Create a seating chart for your reception and make place cards and table numbers

[___] Give your caterer a final guest count

[___] Create a timeline for your wedding party and vendors with contact information

[___] Set up a meeting with your photographer to discuss your wedding photo list

[___] Meet with your florist to confirm your final flower orders and review any details for your wedding day

[___] Meet with ceremony musicians and your DJ or reception band to go over play lists

[___] Confirm your lodging accommodations for your out of town guests

[___] Contact your local paper and place a wedding announcement

[___] Plan a bridal luncheon with all of your bridesmaids

[___] Pick up your wedding rings and ensure they fit properly

[___] Set an appointment for a final wedding dress fitting

[___] Place your application for a marriage license

[___] Write your rehearsal dinner toasts

One Week Before Your Wedding Day

[___] Write your final checks to all of your wedding vendors and give them to your wedding coordinator

[___] Pick up your wedding dress

[___] Pick up your marriage license

[___] Double check your transportation reservations including your limo

[___] Pack for your honeymoon and confirm all of your travel arrangements

[___] Have a spa day and relax

The Day Before Your Wedding Day

[___] Welcome your out of town guests as they arrive

[___] Get some exercise and relax

[___] Attend the rehearsal dinner

The Wedding Day

[___] Wake up early and take in the day with a meditation session

[___] Share gifts with your bridesmaids and close family members

[___] Eat a healthy breakfast

[___] You have planned well…now enjoy your wedding day