Wedding Countdown

Planning a successful wedding requires careful planning. We have created timeline for some of the most important elements of your wedding planning process.

1 year before your wedding day (or anytime after your engagement)

• Announce your engagement
• Determine the wedding date
• The bride and groom should introduce the parents, if they haven't already met
• Set your budget
• Hire the wedding planner
• Research possible reception sites
• Make a rough draft of the guest list
• Join a fitness club if you aren't already a member at one. Planning and going through your wedding is going to be a lot of fun, but you will need to be in good shape to handle the demands of the wedding planning process.
• Research your bridal shower favors and wedding favors

6-9 months before

4-6 months before

• Finalize your wedding guest list
• Search for a hotel for your out of town guests
• Order your wedding invitations
• Purchase your wedding gown
• Call the bakeries or cake decorators in your area to check for date availability.
• Make travel arrangements for your honeymoon

2-4 months before

• Order your wedding favors
• Shop for your wedding bands
• Find out about your state's marriage license procedures
• Reserve or purchase the tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen
• If required by your state, get a blood test
• Finalize your wedding reception menu with your caterer
• Order you wedding cake
• Contact your ceremony site about your ceremony music
• Make arrangements about your reception music (DJ or band)
• Organize the rehearsal dinner
• Reserve tables and other necessary items with a party rental company

1-2 months before

• Run a complete test of your wedding makeup and hairdo
• Mail or deliver the wedding invitations

1-3 weeks before

• Complete the final seating chart for the wedding reception
• Contact photographer with the details of the ceremony and reception sites
• Provide your reception venue with a final head count based on the RSVPs received
• Make final adjustments to your wedding gown
• Facials should be booked for the bride, groom and bridesmaids
• Get your luggage ready for the honeymoon
• Your bridesmaid or a reliable friend should make sure the following items are promptly delivered: Toasting glasses, Band-Aids, Nail clippers, Cake knife, Emergency sewing kit

Last minute

• Most importantly, relax.
• You are about to experience one of the best days of your life.
• Welcome your out-of-town guests
• To help you relax, do some light physical exercise
• Have your hairstylist and makeup artist do their magic on you
• Keep smiling, it's your special day!