CALENDAR
The days to your wedding…
6 TO 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING4 TO 6 WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING
□Announce your engagement and set the date□Mail your invitations
□Orchestrate a meeting of your parents and future in-laws□Write thank-you notes as wedding gifts arrive
□Discuss the budget with your groom and both families□Design a wedding program that describes the ceremony
□Choose the ceremony and reception sites□Discuss life insurance, as will and other legal documents
with your fiancé
□Select members of the wedding party
□Create a “welcome” basket or other special gift to be Consider hiring a professional wedding consultant delivered to your out-of-town guests’ hotel rooms
□Interview and sign a contract with vendors such as □Select a gift for the groom
photographer, baker, florist and caterer
□Select a gift for the bride
□Select the bridesmaids’ attire
□Submit wedding announcements to local newspapers
□Develop a record-keeping system for responses and gifts
Either on your computer or in a card file□Work with your baker to design a special groom’s cake to surprise your new husband at the rehearsal dinner or reception
3 TO 6 MONTHS BEFORE THE WIDDING
□With the reception in mind, enjoy dance lessons together
□Review the wedding budget with everyone involved
□Schedule appointments for you and your bridesmaids at □Meet with the minister or rabbi to discuss your ceremony the local spa or beauty salon
□Meet with the musicians to select music for the ceremony7 DAYS BEFORE THE WEDDING
□Compile the guest list, along with the groom’s mother□Notify caterer of the final number of guests and confirm
Reception plans
□Order the wedding cake and groom’s cake
□Review final details with the florist, photographer and
□Order invitations, announcements and personal ceremony and reception musicians
stationery
□ Have your gown delivered
□Make honeymoon plans and reservations
□ Go over details with attendants such as accommodations,
□ Assist groom’s family with rehearsal dinner planstransportation and the complete schedule of wedding
events
□Create a registry wish-list for easy gift-giving
□ Confirm final rehearsal dinner arrangements
□Check marriage license requirements in your area
□ Along with the groom, write as many thank-you notes
□Choose and order wedding bands and have the engraved before the wedding as possible
2 TO 3 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING□Put together a “survival kit” for the ceremony with extra
hosiery, nail polish, scissors, needle and thread
□Address the invitations and announcements. Arrange for
a friend to mail announcements the day of the wedding□See your hairstylist for a last-minute trim
□Schedule a formal wedding portrait if you plan to have □Secure the marriage license with your fiancé
one
□Visit a formalwear specialist with your fiancé 1 DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING
□Purchase your attendants’ gifts□Greet out-of-town guests as they arrive or have someone
meet them at the airport
□Ask friends and family who are not in the wedding party to
register guests or pass out favors at the reception□Finalize reception seating
□Plan the bridesmaids’ luncheon and bachelor’s dinner□Pack everything you need for the church
□Determine the need for babysitting services during the □Pamper yourself with a massage, manicure and pedicure
Wedding weekend
□Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
□Discuss menu details with the caterer
□Exchange wedding gifts with your fiancé
□Send your guests information on local accommodations
□Schedule a time for the rehearsal
□Select wedding extras: the guest book, ring pillow, favors
and of course, something old, something new, something
borrowed and something blue
□Arrange transportation for the two of you, your immediate
families and wedding party from the ceremony to
reception
YOUR WEDDING DAY
□ Send a note of heartfelt thanks to both parents
□ Relax and enjoy the day you’ve worked so hard to plan