16 – 9 Months Before

• Decide on a wedding date
• Work out your budget.
• Pick your wedding party.
• Reserve your date and venues.
• Book Church/Officiant
• Research photographers, bands, florists, and caterers.

8 Months Before

• Hire the photographer and the videographer.
• Book the entertainment.
• Meet caterers.
• Purchase a dress.
• Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.
• Register for gifts

7 – 6 Months Before

• Select and purchase invitations.
• Start planning a honeymoon.
• Shop for bridesmaids’ dresses.
• Purchase a dress.
• Meet with the officiant.
• Book a florist.
• Arrange transportation.
• Start composing a day-of timeline.

5 – 4 Months Before

• Book the rehearsal and rehearsal-dinner venues.
• Check on the wedding invitations.
• Select and order the cake.
• Send your guest list to the host of your shower.
• Purchase wedding shoes and start dress fittings.
• Schedule hair and makeup artists.
• Choose your music.

3 Months Before

• Finalize the menu and flowers.
• Order favors, if desired.
• Make a list of the people giving toasts.
• Finalize the readings.
• Finalize the order of the ceremony and the reception.
• Print menu cards, if you like, as well as programs.
• Purchase the rings.
• Send your event schedule to the vendors.

2 Months Before

• Touch base again with all the vendors.
• Meet with the photographer.
• Review the playlist with the band or deejay.
• Send out the invitations.
• Submit a newspaper wedding announcement.
• Enjoy a bachelorette party.

1 Month Before

• Enter RSVPs into your guest-list database.
• Get your marriage license.
• Mail the rehearsal-dinner invitations.
• Visit the dressmaker for (with luck!) your last dress fitting.
• Stock the bar.
• Send out as many final payments as you can.
• Confirm times for hair and makeup and all vendors.
• E-mail and print directions for drivers of transport vehicles.
• Assign seating.
• Purchase bridesmaids’ gifts.
• Write vows, if necessary.
• Get your hair cut and colored, if desired.

Week of the Wedding

• Reconfirm arrival times with vendors.
• Delegate small wedding-day tasks.
• Send a timeline to the bridal party.
• Pick up your dress.
• Check in one last time with the photographer.
• Set aside checks for the vendors.
• Send the final guest list to the caterer and all venues hosting your wedding-related events.
• Break in your shoes.
• Assemble and distribute the welcome baskets.
• Pack for your honeymoon.