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Wedding
Planning Timeline
by Erin Mahoney
Stay on track by following this wedding
planning timeline and you'll never have reason to be stressed out.
10 to 12 Months Before
-Announce your engagement to friends, family
and coworkers.
-Pick a wedding date.
-Determine your wedding budget and who will pay for what.
-Start thinking about your guest list so that you have an approximate head
count.
-Find and reserve a ceremony site and officiant.
-Find and reserve a reception site.
6 to 9 Months Before
-Choose the members of the wedding party and
make sure they'll be available on your wedding date.
-Choose a caterer, if not included with your reception site.
-Set up wedding gift registries.
-Find your bridal gown.
-Choose bridal attendants' gowns.
-Book a photographer and/or videographer.
-Book a florist.
-Book a band and/or DJ.
4 to 6 Months Before
-Order wedding invitations (and matching thank
you note stationary, if you so choose)
-Order your bridal gown, shoes and veil.
-Hire a pastry chef to make your wedding cake, if it isn't included in the
catering.
-Scout out accommodations for out-of-town guests, if needed. Most hotels offer a
discounted rate if you reserve a block of rooms for a large group.
-Complete your guest list.
2 to 4 Months Before
-Call your county clerk to get requirements for
obtaining a marriage license.
-Get a blood test, if required for your license.
-Order tuxedos or suits for the groom and groomsmen.
-Make honeymoon travel arrangements and obtain any documents needed for
international travel.
-Arrange a tasting with the caterer and finalize the menus, wine lists and
service.
-Order your cake.
-Order wedding bands for bride and grooms.
-Hire a party rental company for tables, chairs, etc. if it isn't included with
your reception site or catering service.
-Have your dress fitting and order any necessary alterations.
4 to 8 Weeks Before
-Mail out invitations 8 weeks before wedding
date.
-Arrange a consultation with your hair stylist and/or make-up artist to
determine "your look." Bring whatever headpiece you'll wear at the wedding.
-Book appointments for yourself (and your attendants, if needed) with the
hairdresser and/or make-up artist.
-Go through insurance policies with your fiance/fiancee to see what changes
you'll need to make to reflect your married status.
-Book a restaurant or catering hall for the rehearsal dinner, if needed.
2 to 3 Weeks Before
-Ask a friend or family member to contact
invitees who haven't yet RSVPed so that you can get a final head count.
-Make seating arrangements for the reception, if you so choose, and have name
cards printed or written by a calligrapher.
-Confirm the wedding schedule and details with photographer, videographer,
officiant, caterer and florist. The caterer will need a final head count at this
time.
-Have a final dress fitting to make sure all alterations were done correctly.
-Write your wedding vows.
1 Week Before
-Have bachelor and bachelorette parties.
-Purchase a guest book and fancy pen.
-Delegate last-minute tasks to trusted friends or family members, e.g. appoint
someone to bring the guest book, toasting glasses, etc.
-If you haven't hired a wedding coordinator or DJ, make sure someone will take
on the responsibility of announcing the first dance, cake cutting time, etc. at
the reception.
-Pamper yourself with a massage, wrap, facial, or other relaxing beauty
treatment.
-Pack for your honeymoon.
The Day Before
-Do some form of low-impact exercise to work
off nervous energy, but allow plenty of time to make yourself look fabulous for
the rehearsal dinner.
-Attend wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
The Big Day
-Relax and have fun knowing that all the
details have been taken care of!
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