12 Months Out

  • Insure the Engagement Ring
  • Determine Your Budget
  • Make a Guest List
  • Hire a Wedding Planner
  • Decide Formality and Overall Theme
  • Select the Venue
  • Buy Wedding Insurance
  • Select the Caterer

 

11 Months Out

  • Choose a Color Palette and Start Thinking of Your Overall Design 
  • Hire Vendors Who Book Up Quickly, Including Your Photographer, Band, DJ, and Videographer

 

10 Months Out

  • Start Shopping for Your Wedding Dress

  • Book Hotel Room Blocks for Guests

  • Create Your Wedding Website

  • Take Engagement Photos

  • Start Looking at Invitations

 

9 Months Out

  • Buy Your Wedding Dress

  • Send Save-the-Dates

 

8 Months Out

  • Register for Gifts 
  • Select the Bridesmaids' Dresses and Bridal Party Accessories and Schedule Fittings Within the Month
  • Meet With Potential Florists

 

7 Months Out
  • Book the Rehearsal-Dinner Venue 
  • Hire the Ceremony Musicians
  • Order Rental Items, Such as Specialty Chairs, Linens, Draping, Lounge Furniture, and the Dance Floor
  • Hire an Officiant

 

6 Months Out

  • Hire a Lighting Technician

 

5 Months Out

  • Book Transportation for Guests, If Needed
  • Book the Newlyweds' Transportation (Like a Limo or Specialty Car)
  • Book the Honeymoon
  • Buy or Rent the Groom’s Tuxedo 
  • Begin Premarital Counseling

 

 4 Months Out

  • Have Your Final Tasting With the Caterer
  • Choose Your Cake 
  • Buy Wedding Bands 
  • Select the Groomsmen Attire and Schedule Fittings Within the Month 
  • Have Your Hair and Makeup Trial

 

 3 Months Out

  • Order the Invitations and Hire a Calligrapher 
  • Create or Plan Your Menu 
  • Brainstorm Guest Favors and Gift Bags 
  • Book a Photo-Booth Rental 
  • Write Your Vows 
  • Select Readings 
  • Meet With the Officiant and Invite Them to the Rehearsal Dinner
  • Start Crafting DIY Items If You Haven’t Already

 

2 Months Out
  • Send the Wedding Invitations (With RSVPs Due One Month Before the Wedding)
  • Send Out Rehearsal-Dinner Invitations (These Can Be Included With the Wedding Invitations If You Like)
  • Have Your First Wedding Dress Fitting
  • Purchase Wedding Dress Undergarments
  • Pick Up Your Marriage License
  • Buy Wedding Party Gifts
  • Do a Floral Mock-Up With Your Florist
  • Give the Song Selections to Your Musicians
  • Buy All Necessary Small Items

 

1 Month Out
  • Assemble Gift Bags
  • Pay Vendors in Full
  • Create a Seating Chart
  • Order or Make Escort Cards and Place Cards 
  • Have a Final Venue Walk-Through
  • Put Cash in Tip Envelopes for Your Planner/Delegate to Distribute
  • Break in Your Wedding Shoes

 

Final Week

    • Manicure/pedicure
    • Having a massage (why not make it a couple's massage?)
    • Final dress fitting (a friend or bridesmaid should come with you so they can learn how to bustle if your dress requires it)
    • Pack your bags for the honeymoon (don’t forget your passport if leaving the country), and confirm travel arrangements (if you're leaving right after the wedding)
    • Clean your ring (head to your jeweler to get your engagement ring professionally cleaned so it’s extra sparkly on the wedding day)
    • Chase any RSVP straggles and deliver the final headcount
  • Clear your work to-do list so you can only focus on wedding festivities and take it all in
  • Practice your vows out loud
  • Write your partner a note

 

Night Before and Morning of the Wedding

The Night Before:

  • Eat a healthy meal
  • Pack a clutch or small bag of personal items
  • Drink water
  • Get a good night's sleep
  • Put any boxes, suitcases, bags, and survival kits to bring to the ceremony or reception in the car (you'll thank us tomorrow)
 The Morning Of:
  • Stay off your feet as much as possible
  • Eat breakfast
  • Drink even more water
  • Take your dress and veil out of the bag early on and have someone steam them if needed
  • Lay out all the items (rings, invitations, etc.) that you want the photographer to capture
  • Exchange notes with your partner
  • Say thank you to everyone around you