WEDDING PLANNING DOES NOT HAVE TO BE STRESSFUL AND FRUSTRATING ENDEAVOR.
With careful planning you can allow yourself the proper amount of time to make good decisions, secure quality service and really enjoy the process. Planning for a large formal wedding should begin at least 6-12 months in advance. Note that some aspect of wedding planning may take more time than the recommended amount if you live in a big city an less time if you live in a small town. Also, it is also an excellient idea to involve your financ'e in some of the duties.
Six to Twelve Months
- Agree on budget
- Decide who will pay for what
- Select a wedding date and time
- Select a back up date and time
- Decide type of wedding, Formal or Informal
- Choose ceremony location
- Choose color scheme for ceremony
- Announce your engagement in the paper
- Plan engagement party
- Start your wedding guest list: Nimber for Bride__________ Number for Groom__________
- Select type of clergy
- Call your church or synagogue and make appointment with Officiant
- Choose attendants and ask if they would be willing to participate
- Select reception location
- Select music for ceremony
- Seclect musician or DJ for reception
- Select professional photographer
- Select videographer
- Select caterer (if necessary)
- Select your florist
- Select bridal register
- Reserve limousine
- Select wedding dress and headpiece
- Select date for fitting and delivery of wedding dress
- Select attendant's gowns
- Choose honeymoon location
Four to Six Months
- Check requirementfor marriage license
- Order inviations, stationary, wedding programs
- Shop for trousseau
- Order wedding favors
- Order flowers
- Select gift choices at register
- Select reading for ceremony
- Shop for wedding bands
- Get or renew passport, if necessary
- Start shopping for men's wedding attire
- Select baker and cake(s)
- Set appointment for physical exam, immunizations
- Review contracts with all vendors and service providers for accuracy
- Find a place to live
- Shop for home furnishings
Two Months
- Have engagement portraits taken
- Place engagement announcement in the newspaper
- Address wedding invitations and /or announcements
- Mail out invitations and/or announcements
- Set date with fianc'e to get wedding license
- Finalize decisions on men's wedding attire
- Select attendant's gifts
- Experiment with hairstyles
- Arrange and plan rehearsal dinner
- Reserve rental items for ceremony and reception
- Order wedding and groom's cake
- Attend gown fittings
- Make appointments for attendants' clothing fittings
One Month
- Final wedding dress fitting
- Final fitting for wedding attendants
- Have attendant's parties or luncheon
- Make sure your accessories are in order (rings, pillow, garter, ect.)
- Purchase gifts for groom and attendants
- Make rehearsal dinner reservations
- Arrange lodging for out of town guests
- Confirm honeymoon trip reservations
- Choose hairdresser and book appointment
Two Weeks
- Confirm rehearsal time and date with wedding party
- Review the seating plans for reception dinner and make placement cards
- Make a record of wedding gifts as they arrive
- Write thank you notes for wedding gifts
- Pickup wedding ring, check engravings and make sure they fit
- Confirm that all wedding attire for all parties are in order
- Book appointment with manicurist
- Finalize arrangements with entertainers
- Finalize music for first dance, dance with dad, ect.
- Schedule to have belongings moved to new home
- Change name and addresss on all accounts, licenses, credit cards, utilities, ect.
- Finish up trousseau shopping
One Week
- Final consultation with all vendors and service providers
- Tally final guest count and report to the reception facility and caterer
- Make sure marriage license is in order
- Host bridesmaids' luncheon
- Begin to pack for honeymoon and purchase travelers checks
- Have your wedding ceremony rehearsal and dinner
- Instruct wedding party on their individual duties the day of the ceremony
- Confirm out-of-town guests have sleeping accommodations and transportation
- Relax, take a deep breath and enjoy yourself!