We're making a list, you'll be checking it more than twice.
Okay, the question's been popped and the answer was an emphatic "yes" (well, we hope it was emphatic). What now? Here's our list of everything we can think of that you'll need to do (or have done for you) between now and the big day.
Now
- Tell the parents, rest of the family, friends.
- Submit the news to your local newspaper - if that's your kind of thing.
- How much can you spend? Do a realistic analysis, set your budget and prepare to stick to it!
- Pick the day.
- Thinking about hiring a wedding planner? Now's the time to do some interviews.
- Pick the place(s) - ceremony and reception.
- Who will perform the ceremony? Time to select an "officiant".
- With your budget in mind, how many guests do you plan to invite? Work with your parents to develop a guest list.
- Pick your maid of honor, best man and the rest of the "wedding party".
- This could be fun: start shopping for your wedding gown!
6 to 9 months before wedding day
- Talk to friends, do some online investigating and choose your caterer.
- Sign up for your wedding gift registry (or registries, if you want people to have some additional flexibility).
- Order that gown! Make sure you schedule the dates for your fittings.
- Buy some shoes, jewelry, lingerie to go with that gown.
- Pick your bridesmaid's dresses - don't be cruel!
- Interview photographers and make your choice. Videographers, too.
- Who will handle the floral arrangements? Yep, it's already time to make that decision, too.
- Musicians? DJ? Sorry, but it's time to make decisions about them, too.
- Where would you like to go for the honeymoon? Not essential to lock it in right now, but start thinking.
- Want to give everybody a "heads up"? Send out those "save the date" notices.
4 to 6 months before wedding day
- Order up the paperwork: invitations, thank you notes, envelopes, programs, menus, table cards...
- Talk to cake bakers and schedule tastings.
- Need transportation on wedding day? Book 'em.
- Guests coming from out of town? Look for convenient accommodations and see if you can score a group rate.
- Make your honeymoon reservations, if you haven't already.
- Plan your rehearsal dinner.
2 to 4 months before wedding day
- Get in touch with the appropriate governmental authorities to find out about licensing requirements.
- Choose clothing for groom and his guys, purchase/reserve as required.
- Buy any favors you'll be distributing at the wedding.
- Order one of those cakes you've tasted.
- Meet with your chosen officiant to discuss options for the ceremony - readings, vows, etc.
- Make any required music choices for the ceremony and reception.
- Shop for gifts for your bridal party folks.
- Welcome baskets? Pick the contents and order items.
- Wedding bands! Pick and order.
- Reserve your hotel for your wedding night.
4 to 8 weeks before wedding day
- Time to mail the invitations.
- Choose a menu with your caterer.
- Programs, menus, placecards, etc go to the printer now.
- Do a "test run" for your hair and make-up.
- Discuss any changes required for insurance policies.
- Find out about legal requirements for changing your name, if that's in your plan.
- Wedding announcements can go to local newspapers.
2 to 4 weeks before wedding day
- Set up the seating chart for the reception.
- Confirm details with all of your vendors.
- Time for the final dress fitting.
- Toasts for the rehearsal dinner - starting thinking about 'em.
1 week before wedding day
- Pick up your wedding gown.
- Get all the money together so you can make wedding day payments to vendors.
- Make arrangements for someone to collect "heirlooms" from the reception (things like toasting glasses, cake knife).
- Get the final guest count to the caterer.
- Hair and beauty treatments.
- Pack for the honeymoon.
Tags:
checklist,
getting started,
wedding planning