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As Featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno12 months
- Announce your engagement
- Choose a wedding theme and style
- Work out a basic wedding budget; research reception venues
- Determine number of guests
- Look through bridal magazines for attire ideas
- Meet potential wedding consultants; obtain bids
- Research wedding pros (photographers, videographers, reception bands or DJs, ceremony musicians). Set up appointments, and review portfolios, tapes and recordings.
11 months
- Select a wedding consultant and meet to discuss wedding planning details
- Determine theme/decorations for your reception
- Meet with several caterers; arrange for tastings
- Select and book a caterer
- Reserve musicians/DJ for reception
- Determine wedding ceremony musicians and make musical selections
- Book wedding videographer and photographer; make a list of photos, such as bridal ceremony and reception shots
- Research and interview florists
- Select and reserve your ceremony venue and schedule a rehearsal time
- Choose reception venue; negotiate contract; leave a deposit
- Secure parking and/or transportation for your guests at the reception location
- Visit local bridal stores to browse their selection of gowns
- Choose your wedding-party members and ask them to participate in your celebration
- Meet with your officiant to discuss the wedding ceremony
- Determine your honeymoon budget
- Mail save-the-date notices for a destination wedding
10 months
- Select and order your wedding gown
- If your ceremony or reception will be held in a park or recreational area, obtain necessary permits
- Discuss attendants' duties with your maid of honor and bridesmaids
9 months
- Register for wedding gifts
- Coordinate with vendors to incorporate your theme/style into all aspects of your wedding
- Decide on the food and liquor to be served at your reception
- Prepare a playlist of wedding-reception musical selections
- Select and order your headpiece, veil, gloves and shoes
- Confirm orders of and delivery dates for your wedding attire
- Research airline, hotel and rental-car reservations for guests
Planning Tip: |
8 months
- Go to first gown fitting; invite your maid of honor to attend
- Choose and order bridesmaid dresses and accessories
- Research a variety of wedding ring styles
- Select florist; discuss wedding ideas, theme and style
7 months
- Review and finalize your wedding details with consultant
- Notify bridesmaids about dress fittings
- Discuss attire with groomsmen and make referrals to local formalwear store
- Select attire for flower girl and/or ring bearer
- Determine the design, wording, font and paper stock for your wedding invitations, stationery, table cards and thank-you notes; finalize order
- Arrange a printer or hire a calligrapher for table cards
- Determine order of ceremony events and choose appropriate wording for your programs
- Negotiate rates and book a block of hotel rooms for guests
- Select and order your wedding rings
- Purchase bridal accessories: jewelry, lingerie and so on
- Choose and order something fun for guests to throw after your ceremony (rose petals, confetti or birdseed)
6 months
- Review and approve proofs of wedding invitations and stationery
- Discuss the type of honeymoon you want, start reading up on potential destinations and consult a travel agent for ideas and suggestions.
5 months
- Order table cards; place print order for programs
- Finalize choice of honeymoon destination
- Taste a variety of wedding cakes and select a baker; place cake order and arrange for delivery
- Secure reservations for rehearsal dinner and select menu
4 months
- Determine method of addressing wedding invitations and hire a calligrapher, if applicable
- Print labels, and hand-address—or have a calligrapher address—wedding invitations
- Write or choose your wedding vows
- Have groom visit formalwear shops and try on tuxedos
- Purchase or rent groom's wedding accessories, including tuxedo, cuff links, shoes, socks and so on
- Make honeymoon reservations and place all deposits
3 months
- Review and approve wedding announcement and printed program proofs
- Book venue or secure reservations for post-wedding brunch
- Discuss bachelorette party plans with your attendants
- Plan your bridesmaids' luncheon or dinner
- Make appointment with stylist and/or hairdresser to discuss your wedding hairstyle
- Take another look at your registry and update or add items
- Create hotel information cards and maps to include with your wedding invitations
2 months
- Secure a wedding-day dressing room for your bridesmaids
- Weigh, purchase postage for and mail wedding invitations
- Go to final gown fitting; arrange for pickup or delivery
- Have groom's formalwear fitted
- If you plan to have a prenuptial agreement, meet with your attorney to discuss it
- Purchase gifts for all wedding-party members
- Arrange transportation for bride and groom from the ceremony site to the reception
- Purchase ceremony accessories (Unity candle, wineglasses and so on)
6 weeks
- Purchase a new camera, if needed
- Send rehearsal dinner invitations
- Write thank-you notes as you receive gifts
- Confirm music selections ("playlist") with musicians/DJ
- Select menu for post-wedding brunch
- Write newspaper announcement and gather photos
- Purchase a gift for your spouse-to-be
- Shop for wedding favors
- Purchase honeymoon clothing, luggage and accessories
- Go in for a practice hairstyling and make day-of-wedding hair appointment
4 weeks
- Confirm floral order and arrange for delivery times
- Meet with ushers and assign duties for the ceremony and reception
- Discuss the details of your wedding ceremony with your officiant
- Determine the placement or distribution of programs at the ceremony venue
- Arrange for preparation, storage and break areas for musicians/DJ at the reception venue
- Determine seating arrangements for guests
- If you color your hair, make appointment for a touch-up the week before your wedding
- Go in for a dry run with a professional makeup artist and make a day-of-wedding appointment
- Schedule an appointment for a manicure 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, if applicable
- Finalize honeymoon plans/itinerary 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
- Arrange for table card setup at reception venue
- Schedule pickup/return of groom's formalwear
3 weeks
- Finalize list of reception guests
- Give the final headcount to the caterer and review details
- Arrange for delivery and placement of wedding flowers, candles and other decorations on the day of the ceremony
- Call anyone who has not responded to his or her wedding invitation
1 week
- Confirm your honeymoon travel arrangements
- Start packing bags for your honeymoon
- Get traveler's checks and/or a small amount of foreign cash
- Pick up your wedding dress
Wedding day
- Eat a good breakfast
- Attend hairstyle appointment
- Give yourself plenty of time to get ready
- Relax and enjoy yourself!
Post-wedding: 3 days
- Arrange for transport of gifts
- Have family or friends mail wedding announcements
After the honeymoon
- Take wedding gown and veil to a dry cleaner who specializes in gown preservation
- Submit name-change forms for driver's license, passport, Social Security card, state and federal tax boards, banks, credit cards and so on
Adapted from Bridal Guide's How to Plan the Perfect Wedding…Without Going Broke, by Diane Forden (Warner Books). Available at booksellers nationwide.
