Having a successful wedding requires careful planning. We have created a timeline for some of the most important elements of your wedding planning process.
1 year before your wedding day (or anytime after your engagement)
* Announce your engagement
* Determine the wedding date
* The bride and groom should introduce the parents, if they haven't already met
* Set your budget
* Hire the wedding planner
* Research possible reception sites
* Make a rough draft of the guest list
* Join a fitness club if you aren't already a member at one. Planning and going through your wedding is going to be a lot of fun, but you will need to be in good shape to handle the demands of the wedding planning process.
6-9 months before
* Decide on your caterer
* Hunt for your wedding gown
* Select your wedding party
* Book a DJ or a band
* Sign up with a bridal gift registry
* Shop for the bridal attendants' dresses
* Choose a florist
* Hire a photographer and a videographer
4-6 months before
* Finalize your wedding guest list
* Search for a hotel for your out of town guests
* Order your wedding invitations
* Purchase your wedding gown
* Call the bakeries or cake decorators in your area to check for date availability.
* Make travel arrangements for your honeymoon
2-4 months before
* Order your wedding favors
* Shop for your wedding bands
* Find out about your state's marriage license procedures
* Reserve or purchase the tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen
* If required by your state, get a blood test
* Finalize your wedding reception menu with your caterer
* Order you wedding cake
* Contact your ceremony site about your ceremony music
* Make arrangements about your reception music (DJ or band)
* Organize the rehearsal dinner
* Reserve tables and other necessary items with a party rental company
1-2 months before
* Run a complete test of your wedding makeup and hairdo
* Mail or deliver the wedding invitations
1-3 weeks before
* Complete the final seating chart for the wedding reception
* Contact photographer with the details of the ceremony and reception sites
* Provide your reception venue with a final head count based on the RSVPs received
* Make final adjustments to your wedding gown
* Facials should be booked for the bride, groom and bridesmaids
* Get your luggage ready for the honeymoon
* Your bridesmaid or a reliable friend should make sure the following items are promptly delivered: Toasting glasses, Band-Aids, Nail clippers, Cake knife, Emergency sewing kit
Last minute
* Most importantly, relax.You are about to experience one of the best days of your life.
* Welcome your out-of-town guests
* To help you relax, do some light physical exercise
* Have your hairstylist and makeup artist do their magic on you
* Keep smiling, it's your special day!
