Wedding Countdown Calendar

Get everything done for your wedding with time to spare.

Not sure when to buy your gown, book your photographer, or send your invitations? Stay on track with this month-by-month guide (click to expand):

Announce your engagement [1]
Choose a wedding theme and style [2]
Work out a basic wedding budget [3]; research reception venues [4]
Determine number of guests [5]
Look through bridal magazines [6] for attire ideas
Meet potential wedding consultants [7]; obtain bids
Research wedding pros (photographers [8], videographers [9], reception bands or DJs [10], ceremony musicians [11]). Set up appointments and review portfolios and recordings.

Select a wedding consultant and meet to discuss wedding planning details [12]
Determine theme/decorations [13] for your reception
Meet with several caterers [14]; arrange for tastings
Select and book a caterer [15]
Reserve musicians/DJ [10] for reception
Determine wedding ceremony musicians and make musical selections [11]
Book wedding videographer and photographer; make a list of photos [16], such as must-have photos of the bride and groom [17], fun bridal party ideas [18], and traditional bridal, ceremony and reception shots
Research and interview florists [19]
Select and reserve your ceremony venue [20] and schedule a rehearsal [21] time
Choose reception venue; negotiate contract [22]; leave a deposit
Secure parking and/or transportation [23] for your guests at the reception location
Visit local bridal stores [24] to browse their selection of gowns [25]
Choose your wedding-party members [26] and ask them to participate in your celebration [27]
Meet with your officiant [28] to discuss the wedding ceremony
Determine your honeymoon budget [29]
Mail save-the-dates [30] for a destination wedding [31]

Select and order your wedding gown [25]
If your ceremony or reception will be held in a park or recreational area [4], obtain necessary permits
Discuss attendants' duties [32] with your maid of honor and bridesmaids

Register [33] for wedding gifts
Coordinate with vendors [34] to incorporate your theme/style into all aspects of your wedding
Decide on the food [15] and liquor [35] to be served at your reception
Prepare a playlist of wedding-reception musical selections [36]
Select and order your headpiece [37], veil [38], gloves [39] and shoes [40]
Confirm orders of and delivery dates for your wedding attire [41]
Research airline, hotel and rental-car reservations for out-of-town guests [42]

Go to first gown fitting [43]; invite your maid of honor to attend
Choose and order bridesmaid dresses and accessories [44]
Research a variety of wedding ring styles [45]
Select florist [19]; discuss wedding ideas, theme and style

Review and finalize your wedding details with consultant
Notify bridesmaids about dress fittings
Discuss attire with groomsmen [46] and make referrals to local formalwear store
Select attire for flower girl [47] and/or ring bearer [48]
Determine the design, wording [49], font and paper stock for your wedding invitations [50], stationery, table and escort cards [51] and thank-you notes [52]; finalize order
Arrange a printer or hire a calligrapher for table cards
Determine order of ceremony events [53] and choose appropriate wording for your programs [54]
Negotiate rates and book a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests [42]
Select and order your wedding rings [55]
Purchase bridal accessories [56]: jewelry, lingerie [55], etc.
Choose and order something fun for guests to throw after your ceremony [57] (rose petals, confetti or birdseed)

Review and approve proofs of wedding invitations and stationery [58]
Discuss the type of honeymoon [59] you want, start reading up on potential destinations [60] and consult a travel agent [61]for ideas and suggestions.

Order table and/or escort cards [51]; place print order for programs [54]
Finalize choice of honeymoon destination [60]
Taste [62] a variety of wedding cakes [63] and select a baker [64]; place cake order and arrange for delivery
Secure reservations for rehearsal dinner [21] and select menu

Determine method of addressing wedding invitations [65] and hire a calligrapher, if applicable
Hand-address — or have a calligrapher address — wedding invitations, or print labels.
Write [66] or choose [67] your wedding vows
Have groom visit formalwear shops and try on tuxedos [68]
Purchase or rent groom's wedding accessories, including tuxedo [68], cuff links [69], shoes [69], socks [70], etc.
Make honeymoon reservations [71] and place all deposits [72]

Review and approve wedding announcement [73] and printed program proofs [54]
Book venue or secure reservations for post-wedding brunch [74]
Discuss bachelorette party [75] plans [76] with your attendants
Plan your bridesmaids' luncheon or dinner
Make appointment with stylist and/or hairdresser to discuss your wedding hairstyle [77]
Take another look at your registry [33]and update or add items
Create hotel information cards and maps [42] to include with your wedding invitations

Secure a wedding-day dressing room for your bridesmaids
Weigh, purchase postage [78] for and mail wedding invitations
Go to final gown fitting [43]; arrange for pickup or delivery
Have groom's formalwear [79] fitted
If you plan to have a prenuptial agreement [80], meet with your attorney to discuss it
Purchase gifts for all wedding-party members [81] and your parents [82]
Arrange transportation [23] for bride and groom from the ceremony site to the reception
Purchase ceremony accessories (Unity candle [83], wine glasses [83], etc.)

Purchase a new camera, if needed
Send rehearsal dinner invitations [84]
Write thank-you notes [85] as you receive gifts
Confirm music selections [11] ("playlist") with musicians/DJ
Select menu for post-wedding brunch
Write newspaper announcement [86] and gather photos
Purchase a gift for your spouse-to-be [87]
Shop for wedding favors [88]
Purchase honeymoon clothing, luggage [89] and accessories
Go in for a practice hairstyling [90] and make day-of-wedding hair appointment

Confirm floral order [13] and arrange for delivery times
Meet with ushers and assign duties [32] for the ceremony and reception
Discuss the details of your wedding ceremony [91] with your officiant [28]
Determine the placement or distribution of programs [54] at the ceremony venue
Arrange for preparation, storage and break areas for musicians/DJ at the reception venue
Determine seating arrangements for guests [92]
If you color your hair [93], make appointment for a touch-up the week before your wedding
Go in for a dry run with a professional makeup artist [94] and make a day-of-wedding appointment
Schedule an appointment for a manicure [95] and/or pedicure the day before your wedding
Finalize details with wedding photographer and videographer, determining arrival times at each nuptial venue
Arrange for preparation/storage area for photographer and videographer at each nuptial venue
Sign your prenuptial agreement [80], if applicable
Finalize honeymoon plans/itinerary [96] and confirm all travel and hotel reservations
Arrange for transportation to and from the airport
Make all necessary arrangements for care of pet(s), plants and mail while you're away on honeymoon
Post announcement and photo on your wedding website [97]
Arrange for table card setup at reception venue
Schedule pickup/return of groom's formalwear [79]

Finalize list of reception guests
Give the final headcount to the caterer and review details
Arrange for delivery and placement of wedding flowers [13], candles and other decorations on the day of the ceremony
Contact anyone who has not responded [98] to his or her wedding invitation

Confirm your honeymoon travel arrangements
Start packing bags [89] for your honeymoon
Get traveler's checks and/or a small amount of foreign cash [99]
Pick up your wedding dress

Eat a good breakfast [100]
Attend hairstyle appointment
Give yourself plenty of time to get ready
Relax and enjoy yourself!

Arrange for transport of gifts
Have family or friends mail wedding announcements [73]

Take wedding gown and veil to a dry cleaner who specializes in gown preservation [101]
Submit name-change forms [102] for driver's license, passport, Social Security card, state and federal tax boards, banks, credit cards, etc.

As featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Adapted from Bridal Guide's How to Plan the Perfect Wedding…Without Going Broke, by Diane Forden (Warner Books). Available at booksellers nationwide.