A 12 Month Checklist for Planning Your Wedding

Six Months to One Year

  • Announce Engagement
  • Meeting with families to decide style, budget and date
  • Choose ceremony site
  • Scout out reception sites
  • Shop for gown
  • Select Florist
  • Choose caterer and consultant
  • Audition bands and DJ
  • Plan photo/video needs
  • Select and invite attendants
  • Book a spa or another outing for bachelorette party

Three Months

  • Choose invitations
  • Shop for bridal dresses
  • Shop for rings
  • Book honeymoon travel
  • Apply for passports or make sure they are up to date
  • Visit physician
  • Order wedding cake
  • Reserve formalwear for men
  • Shop for bridal part gifts
  • Confirm order with florists
  • Visit the bridal registry
  • Make arrangements at a spa for your bridal party

Two Months

  • Address invitations
  • Book transportation
  • Choose music for ceremony
  • Prepare music selection list for band or DJ
  • Set up system for guest responses
  • Outline ceremony
  • Visit your hair stylist
  • Reserve rooms for out-of-town guests

One Month

  • Mail invitations
  • Submit wedding announcements
  • Choose accessories
  • Have final dress fitting
  • Sit for bridal portrait
  • Write thank-you notes for gifts received
  • Make all legal name changes
  • Get blood test and apply for marriage license

Two Weeks

  • Complete floor and seating plan for reception
  • Give guest tally to caterer
  • Confirm honeymoon reservations
  • Prepare list for ushers, photographer/videographer
  • Confirm all delivery dates
  • Confirm arrival times for all attendants

One Week

  • Place honorariums and gratuities in clearly marked envelopes
  • Pick up formalwear, try on and make sure all accessories are included
  • Wrap gifts for attendants, children and each other
  • Have honeymoon car serviced and detailed
  • Pick up passports

Day Before

  • Put rings and license in a safe place

Wedding Day

  • Transport bridal clothes to dressing room and travel clothes to reception site
  • Have hair styled, nails manicured and make-up applied
  • Have someone check reception site
  • Dress for wedding
  • Have candid photos taken with family
  • Enjoy your special day!!!