6 to 12 Months
(deadline: may)

• Select date along with backup dates
• Decide budget, discuss sharing of expenses
• Decide type of wedding (Formal, Semi-Formal, Informal)
• Compile guest list (This will help with the decision of where to have your ceremony & reception)
• Choose location of ceremony
• Choose location of reception
• Choose officiant
• Decide size of wedding party, choose attendants
• Select and order gown style
• Select and order veil style
• Select and order attendants' apparel
• Plan details of reception
• Buy wedding rings
• Select photographer
• Select wedding cake and cake top
• Select and register bridal registry items
• Have engagement photos taken
• Select music for ceremony
• Select music for reception
• Discuss honeymoon plans
• Select videographer
• Select florist/hall decorator
• Hire limo service
• Discuss gown colors & styles with mothers of bride and groom
• Arrange for families to meet (if not already)

4 to 6 Months
(may to july)

• Select and order men's formal wear
• Select ceremony musician & music
• Make honeymoon plans
• Decide on new living arrangements: buying, leasing, renting?
• Register with one or more bridal registries
• Select and order invitations, announcements, thank you cards, personal stationery, programs, napkins, etc.
• Professional prepare & print map to include with invitations
• Have physical examinations & update immunizations
• Buy wedding rings and order engraving
• Reserve transportation for the bridal party
• Reserve or arrange transportation to and from the ceremony and reception for out-of-town guests
• Reserve rental equipment, tables, chairs, and tents
• Reserve room for wedding night
• Choose and order favors
• Hire stylists for wedding hair and makeup
• Make appointments with your wedding professionals, compare them and make deposits to reserve
  them for your date

2 to 4 Months

• Reserve rental items, arches, canopy, linens, etc.
• Shop for trousseau and apparel for honeymoon & prenuptial parties
• If you are going to honeymoon outside the country, arrange to get necessary passports, visas and vaccinations
• Reserve limousine, carriage, trolley or coach transportation
• Address wedding invitations
• Confirm delivery dates of all dresses
• Discuss details of menu with caterer
• Discuss ceremony with officiant
• Choose readings and confirm vows for ceremony
• Schedule rehearsal
• Confirm rehearsal dinner arrangements
• Review florist arrangements, finalize order
• Buy attendants' gifts and gifts for each other
• Experiment with hairstyles and make-up changes
• Buy bride's and attendant's shoes—send to dyer
• Order wedding and groom's cakes

1 to 2 Months

• Complete shopping for trousseau
• Buy stockings and any remaining accessories
• Mail invitations four to six weeks before the wedding
• Organize seating arrangements and make place cards (including parents table)
• Final bridal fitting
• Pick up wedding rings; check engravings and sizes
• Final attendant's fittings
• Confirm honeymoon reservations; begin packing
• Select reception decorations & accessories: cake knife & server, balloons, candles, flowers, table favors
• Select ceremony accessories: unity candle, ring pillow, flower girl's basket, guest book, pen, etc.
• Select personal accessories: handbag, garter, engraved toasting glasses, guest mementos
• Finalize details for photographer, videographer, florist, entertainment, bakery and minister
• Practice hairstyles with veil if doing your own hair for wedding
• Write thank you notes for gifts received
• Assign friends or family to assist with guest book and gift table
• Arrange bridesmaids' brunch or luncheon details
• Plan bouquet preservation
• Buy marriage license

2 Weeks

• Schedule appointments for hair stylist, facial, manicure, massage
• Invite wedding party & guests to rehearsal dinner
• Move belongings to new home
• Review reception seating and order place cards from calligrapher
• Confirm out-of-town guests' lodging with reserved hotels
• Confirm wedding party transportation and arrival times
• Record gifts as you receive them; write thank you notes and mail
• Arrange for gown cleaning and bouquet preservation after the ceremony

1 to 2 Weeks

• Confirm time and date of wedding rehearsal with wedding party
• Review reception seating plans and prepare place cards, if necessary
• Schedule appointment for manicure, pedicure and massage (massage is highly recommended to
  help relax)
• Finalize rehearsal dinner arrangements
• Contact people who haven't responded
• Final consultations: florist, hall decorator, musicians, photographer, videographer (make sure that
  everything is in order)
• Give final guest count to reception facility and caterer
• Remind men to pick up formal wear and shoes. Check for fit.
• Make wedding day schedule and give everyone copies at rehearsal dinner
• Relax the day before; keep personal appointments
• Finish honeymoon packing; prepare going away outfit
• Confirm responsibilities assigned to family and friends
• Finalize seating chart
• Confirm honeymoon arrangements
• Break in your wedding shoes

1 Day

• RELAX!
• Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Give attendant gifts to wedding party at rehearsal dinner
• Your planning is complete and your special day will be wonderful!