Wedding Planning Tips

12 Months Before

• Announce your engagement to family and friends and plan an engagement party
• Place an engagement announcement in your local newspaper
• Work on the budget
• Begin a rough guest list and compile current addresses
• Decide on who you'd like to have as your attendants, including your maid of honor and best man
• Start visiting venues so you can see what is available and what you like
• Begin shopping for your wedding dress
• Attend bridal shows and note about any vendors you really liked
• Purchase a wedding planning organizer or calendar to keep track of important dates and appointments (fittings, showers, etc.)
• Book the date with your Registrar or Church!
• Book the date with your chosen reception venue

6-9 Months Before

• Decide on your preferred presents ~ Wedding List? Gifts? Money?
• Order your wedding gown and buy undergarments that you will wear with it
• Order other bridal accessories - shoes, gloves and veil
• Begin shopping for bridesmaids dresses
• Book ceremony musicians, a wedding band or DJ, photographer, videographer, caterer and florist

4-6 Months Before

• Select and order your wedding invitations, invitation envelopes and thank-you cards
• Select and purchase wedding favors
• Purchase any desired ceremony and reception decorations - unity candles, vases, aisle runner, etc.
• Order your Wedding Cake
• Book your honeymoon and verify that you have any necessary travel documents including passports and visas
• Book a room for your wedding night, if you will be leaving for your honeymoon the next morning
• Book hotel rooms or arrange other accommodations for out-of-town guests
• Finalize your guest list and send out save-the-date cards, if using
• Print out directions to the ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner and hotel(s) for guests
• Compile a list of area information and things to do for out-of-town guests
• Reserve transportation for you and your wedding party to and from the wedding, as well as a bus (if necessary)

2-4 Months Before

• Order tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen
• Meet with your caterer to discuss the menu and your bar/liquor needs
• Select wedding readings
• Buy thank-you gifts for your attendants, flower girl and ring bearer
• Shop for a gift for your new spouse-to-be
• Select and purchase wedding rings, and have them engraved if desired
• Coordinate and choose a location for the rehearsal dinner
• Purchase luggage and other travel necessities and attire for your honeymoon
• Order/renew passports if necessary, leaving ample time for them to be sent back to you
• Schedule an appointment with your dentist if you'd like to have your teeth whitened or cleaned before the wedding

1-2 Months Before

• Post invitations out to everyone eight weeks prior to the wedding date and send accommodation info to your out-of-town guests
• Fill out a change of address form at the post office, if necessary
• Have ceremony programs printed
• Purchase a guest book, pen and other wedding accessories including toasting glasses, cake knife, ring pillow, etc.
• Choose your hair and makeup stylists and schedule a trial for both; also book appointments to have your hair, make-up and nails done on the day of the wedding
• Review insurance information with your fiancé and check with employers to see what documents need to be updated once you are legally wed (car, home, medical, etc.)

2 Weeks to 1 Month Before

• Create a seating chart for the reception and make table numbers and place cards (or have your calligrapher work on these, if you have hired one)
• Meet with your photographer to finalize your wedding photo list of any must-have photos
• Contact your florist to confirm your final flower order (bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, etc.) and go over any decor details or venue logistics for the big day
• Finalise your ceremony and reception music and song lists for your wedding band or DJ
• Confirm lodging reservations for out-of-town guests
• Place a wedding announcement in your local newspaper
• Plan a bridal luncheon or dinner with your bridesmaids
• Pick up wedding rings and make sure the fit is good
• Schedule a final wedding dress fitting
• Write rehearsal dinner toasts

1 Week Before

• Pick up your wedding dress
• Confirm limo or other transportation reservations
• Pack for your honeymoon and confirm travel arrangements
• Treat yourself to a spa day -- you deserve it!

The Day Before

• Welcome out-of-town guests as they arrive
• Take a yoga class or go for a walk during the day
• Schedule a hair appointment for prior to the rehearsal dinner
• Attend the rehearsal and enjoy the rehearsal dinner!

The Wedding Day

• Wake up early and do some easy exercise, or just go for a peaceful walk outdoors and try to soak up the beauty of the day ;)
• Set aside some time before the festivities to share gifts with your bridesmaids or close family members
• Eat a healthy breakfast - you'll need your energy for the big day ahead!
• Enjoy it; it's finally here and everything will be wonderful... Congratulations!!