Wedding Timeline
You're engaged! Now what do you do? Planning a wedding might seem like a challenging task, but it doesn’t have to be a scary one. Below is a guideline that can help you plan your wedding.


9-12 Months

* Announce your engagement to family and friends
* Set wedding date and time
* Schedule engagement photo session
* Determine wedding budget, set parameters about who will be paying for what aspects of wedding
* Choose wedding attendants, discuss their duties with your maid of honor and bridesmaids
* Begin a wedding file to help organize all contracts and other documents pertaining to the wedding 
* Select who will be in your wedding party
* Determine wedding guest list
* Select the wedding's theme and style
* Hire a wedding consultant if you plan to use one
* Book caterer, florist, videographer, photographer, musicians or DJ; pay deposits if necessary
* Discuss incorporating your wedding's theme into all aspects of wedding with venders
* Reserve location for ceremony, schedule a rehearsal time
* Book reception venue
* Consult with wedding officiant to discuss premarital requirements and wedding ceremony
* Research transportation and accommodation
* Start shopping for wedding gown
* Ensure that there is sufficient parking and/or transportation for guests at the reception venue

6-8 Months

* Register for wedding gifts
* Order wedding gown and accessories
* Choose attire for wedding attendants
* Order wedding invitations, table cards, stationery and thank you notes
* Start planning honeymoon
* Research wedding ring styles and place order
* Determine wedding reception menu
* Choose songs to be played at wedding reception
* Begin to plan rehearsal dinner
* Mail Save The Date cards to out-of-town guests
* Select something fun for your guests to toss after the ceremony such as confetti or rose petals
* Meet with both sets of parents to discuss coordination of their wedding day attire


4-5 Months

* Make hair and makeup  appointments for wedding day
* Reserve rental equipment for reception such as linens, tables and chairs, if needed
* Book honeymoon
* Sample a variety of wedding cakes, select baker and order cake and cake topper
* Finalize guest list
* Book a venue for rehearsal dinner
* Order or make reception favors
* Schedule dance lessons, if needed
* Address invitations and announcements
*Finalize ceremony details such as readings and decorations
* Purchase or rent men's formalwear, including groom's accessories (cuff links, socks, shoes, etc.)
* Confirm details with caterer
* Reserve hotel room for wedding night
* Choose flowers for ceremony, bridal party and reception
* Finalize living arrangements for your new life
* Write wedding vows


2-3 Months

* Schedule final gown fittings for bride and attendants
* Book wedding transportation
* Purchase accessories for the ceremony (wine glasses, ring bearer pillow, unity candle, guestbook, etc.)
* Buy gifts for all members of wedding party
* Schedule wedding and bridal portraits
* Look over and approve proofs of the wedding announcement and printed program
* Arrange for groom to have his attire fitted
* Mail out wedding invitations, making sure to double-check that each invitation has the proper postage required to be mailed to your guest
* Arrange bridesmaids' luncheon
* Discuss plans with attendants for bachelorette/bachelor parties
* Reserve venue for post-wedding brunch
* Meet with an attorney to discuss a prenuptial agreement, if desired
* Review wedding registry and make updates, if needed
* Make required preparations if planning an international honeymoon (apply for passports, obtain an international driver license, receive any required vaccinations, etc.)
* Meet with wedding officiant for counseling, if needed
* Record gifts as they arrive and avoid procrastination by writing thank you notes in advance
* Order return address labels with you and your soon-to-be spouse's new name and your new address


5-6 Weeks

* Mail invitations for rehearsal dinner
* Choose menu for post-wedding brunch
* Finalize music selections with musicians/DJ
* Buy a new camera, if needed
* Continue to update your gift registry as gifts are received
* Buy a gift for your future spouse
* Send out a written announcement about your wedding to appropriate local media outlets
* Buy items for honeymoon (luggage, clothing, accessories, etc.)
* Consult with your hairstylist to go over the best hairstyle for your wedding day


3-4 Weeks

* Apply for marriage license
* Review details of ceremony with your officiant
* Confirm flower order with florist, set up time for order's delivery and arrange for placement of flowers on your wedding day
* Coordinate delivery and arrangement of decorations the day of your wedding
* Meet with a makeup artist for a practice makeup session for your wedding day, consult with your hairstylist to go over the best hairstyle for your wedding day, and have bridal portraits done
* Choose seating arrangement for guests
* Schedule manicure and/or pedicure for one day before the wedding
* Finalize details with wedding photographer, videographer and musicians/DJ
* Provide photographer with a list of posed photographs that you want him or her to take
* Get together with ushers and delegate their ceremony and reception duties
* Ensure that musicians/DJ, photographer and videographer have adequate storage space at each venue, confirm their arrival times
* Sign prenuptial agreement, if needed
* Confirm your travel reservations – i.e. wedding night and honeymoon arrangements
* Make arrangements for pet and plant care, as well as mail delivery while on your honeymoon
* Have final wedding gown fitting
* Arrange pickup/return dates for groom's formalwear
* Contact anyone via phone who hasn't responded to his or her wedding invitation
* Finalize reception guest list
* Provide caterer with a final headcount and go over details of menu
* Obtain information about how to change your name/address on your driver's license, Social Security card, bank accounts, credit cards, voter registration card, insurance policy, memberships, auto insurance and registration, etc.


1-2 Weeks

* Pick up marriage license
* Pack for honeymoon
* Pick up wedding gown and accessories
* Pick up groom's formalwear
* Obtain a small amount of foreign currency and/or traveler's checks, if needed for an international honeymoon
* Pick up passports, if necessary
* Assign one person to coordinate the various vendors on the wedding day
* Confirm rehearsal dinner reservations
* Confirm rehearsal arrangements with wedding attendants, being sure to ask that they arrive on time
* Collect all documents for needed for honeymoon travel
* Gather together attire for wedding day - be sure that it fits!
* Make last-minute changes to seating arrangements, if needed
* Groom's bachelor party should take place about one week before the wedding - he should be on his best behavior!
* Give gifts to members of wedding party and future spouse in private - or at rehearsal dinner
* Arrange for wedding gifts to be delivered to your new home


One Day Before the Wedding

* Give wedding rings to the best man
* Get manicure and/or pedicure
* Go to rehearsal dinner, give gifts to members of wedding party and future spouse if you haven't done so already
* Confirm all travel arrangements for honeymoon
* Prepare a bridal emergency kit for wedding day, which should include items such as safety pins and stockings
* Arrange for a vehicle packed with honeymoon items (luggage, travel documents, etc.) to whisk you and your future spouse after the reception
* Try to relax!
* Get as much sleep as possible the night before the wedding


Wedding Day

* Eat nutritious meals and drink water - you don't want to faint!
* Allow plenty of time to get ready
* Have hair and makeup done; wear a buttoned shirt to keep your hair and makeup looking perfect
* Ask someone to scope out the reception site to make sure that everything is going well
* Enjoy the day and the beginning of your new life!


After the Honeymoon

* Have wedding gown and veil preserved by taking them to a dry cleaner that specializes in gown preservation
* Change your name on driver's license, Social Security card, bank accounts, credit cards, voter registration card, insurance policy, memberships, auto insurance and registration, etc.
* Write thank you notes