Wedding Calendar Countdown

12 months

• Announce your engagement
  
• Decide on a wedding date
  
• Work out a basic budget with everyone who’ll be contributing
  
• Determine the number of guests
  
• Interview planners if using one
  
• Choose a theme or style for the reception
  
• Start to research photographers, DJ’s, caterers, etc…
  

• Select a wedding consultant
  
• Pick the ceremony site
  
• Meet with the officiant
  
• Reserve the reception site
  
• Arrange for tastings with numerous caterers
  
• Book a caterer
  
• Work on the guest list and get a rough head count
  
• Choose your bridal party
  
• Shop for your gown
  
• Reserve music (band or disc jockey) for reception
  
• Choose ceremony musicians
  
• Book photographer and/or videographer
  
• Start researching honeymoon locations and determine budget
  

• Mail save-the-date notices for holiday or destination weddings
  
• Order your bridal gown
  
• Shop for bridal party dresses
  
• Hire a florist
  
• Discuss duties of the attendants with the maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, and groomsmen
  
• Obtain necessary permits for ceremonies or receptions in parks or recreational areas
  

• Enroll in gift registries
  
• Discuss colors and themes (wedding decorations) with vendors
  
• Choose the food and liquor for the reception
  
• Decide on wedding ceremony music
  
• Create a play list for the reception
  
• Order veil, gloves, headpiece, shoes, bridal jewelry, etc…
  

• Order bridesmaid dresses
  
• Schedule your dress fitting (invite your maid of honor)
  
• Order invitations
  
• Look for wedding rings
  

• Schedule dress fittings with attendants
  
• Determine formalwear for the groomsmen
  
• Plan ceremony and design program
  
• Order rings
  
• Shop for wedding cakes
  
• Complete the guest list
  

• Hire transportation for the big day
  
• Finalize honeymoon location
  
• Decide what to throw after ceremony (rice, flower petals, bubbles, balloons, etc.)
  

• Book hairdressers, make-up artists, etc…
  
• Research hotel prices for out of town guests
  
• Finalize the guest list
  
• Order table cards
  
• Research wedding favors
  
• Finalize cake
  
• Arrange the rehearsal dinner
  

• Order tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen
  
• Address invitations
  
• Discuss wedding vows
  
• Make honeymoon reservations
  

• Call the county clerk about marriage license requirements
  
• Meet with caterers to finalize menus, service style, décor
  
• Schedule appointment with hairdresser to discuss ceremony hairstyle
  
• Create a map and hotel information cards to include with invitations
  
• Plan a bridesmaid luncheon to discuss final preparations
  

• Buy thank you gifts for attendants
  
• Mail invitations
  
• Choose wedding favors
  
• Book room for the wedding night
  
• Finalize a meeting place for the bridal party to dress
  

• Do hair and make-up run through
  
• Mail rehearsal dinner invitations
  
• Confirm all locations and reservations
  
• Write newspaper announcement
  
• Select wedding day gifts for your spouse
  

• Plan seating arrangements for the ceremony & reception
  
• Confirm details with the photographer, florist, etc…
  
• Final dress fitting
  
• Final tuxedo fitting
  
• Meet with officiant to discuss details
  
• Assign duties to ushers
  
• Schedule pick up for formalwear
  
• Confirm all honeymoon reservations
  

• Finalize list of guests
  
• Discuss final arrangements and numbers with the caterer and reception center
  
• Arrange for the delivery of flowers and decide on placement of arrangements
  
• Confirm invites to those who did not respond
  

• Pick up the wedding dress
  
• Pack for honeymoon
  
• Place the fees due on the wedding day in envelopes
  
• Final head count
  
• Last minute beauty treatments
  

• Begin dressing two hours before ceremony is to begin
  
• Have hair & make-up done
  
• Take marriage license and rings to ceremony site
  
• Relax and enjoy yourself!