Immediately Following Your Engagement

• Send engagement announcements to newspapers.
• Buy a wedding planner and memory album.
• Discuss all aspects of the wedding with your families (budget, style, color scheme, size, etc.). Decide who will pay for what.
• Meet with your clergy member to schedule premarital counseling.
• Make lists of and discuss various ceremony and reception sites. Go to view them as soon as possible as many will book months in advance.
• Begin looking at caterers and ask for estimates from those your are considering.
• Begin looking at bakers for your wedding cake and ask for estimates from those you are considering.
• Begin discussing honeymoon plans. Make a final decision as soon as possible as booking months in advance will save you money over waiting.
• Begin discussing your post-wedding living arrangements.

 At Least 6 Months Before Wedding  

• Reserve a block of hotel rooms for your guests traveling from out of town. Also book a room for you and your new spouse for your wedding night.
• Select and order a wedding gown. Leave yourself time so that any needed alterations can be made in a timely fashion without rush charges.
• Order wedding invitations and "thank you" cards.
• Choose bridesmaids and groomsmen. Order their gowns and tuxedos.
• When selecting ushers, use one usher for every 40-50 guests.
• Make you final catering and reception choices and book them as soon as possible.
• Make your final honeymoon plans. Contact a travel agent to make reservations and purchase tickets.
• Choose a musician(s) for your ceremony music.

At Least 4 Months Before Wedding  

• If traveling outside the U.S. for your honeymoon, apply for your passports. These can take as long as 90 days to process. Forms can be picked up at most post offices.
• Finalize your post-wedding living arrangements.
• Plan your rehearsal dinner (time, place, etc.).
• Book a limousine for transportation to and from both the ceremony and reception.
• Contact florists and get estimates for floral arrangements for the ceremony and reception.
•  Reserve a Disc Jockey/ M.C. for your reception.

At Least 3 Months Before Wedding

• Mail your wedding invitations.
• Complete your guestlist.
• Make sure all pertinent documents (religious, legal, medical) are completed and sent in.
• Choose wedding rings and select engravings.
• Book florist.
• Choose and purchase decorations and favors for your reception.
• Check with newspapers on their requirements for submitting wedding announcements.

At Least 2 Months Before Wedding  

• Consult with all companies who are providing services for your wedding. Discuss if there are any items that they may not be providing. Make arrangements to purchase these.
• Send out shower gift "thank you" cards.
• Make an appointment with a hairdresser for the bride and bridesmaids.
• Buy a gift for your spouse and gifts for your members of the wedding party.
• Send wedding announcement to newspapers.

 At Least 1 Month Before Wedding  

• Finalize plans for your rehearsal dinner.
• Finalize choices for all bridal gown accessories (shoes, lingerie, earrings, etc.).
• Have final fitting for bridal gown & headpiece, as well as the bridesmaids dresses.
• Schedule bridesmaid’s lunch. This is when the bride gives them their gifts.
• Confirm hotel reservations for all guests and for you and your spouse.
• Get marriage license.
• Send invitations to those who will be attending the rehearsal dinner, informing them of the exact time, place and date.
• Stay current with "thank you" cards for shower gifts and early wedding presents.
• Finalize seating arrangements for the reception.

At Least 2 Weeks Before  

• Prepare wedding announcements. These are to be mailed 1-2 days before the actual ceremony.
• Complete change of address cards and take them to the post office.
• Confirm all plans and details with all vendors providing services for your wedding.
• Confirm all honeymoon arrangements.
• Purchase traveler’s checks for the honeymoon. These are better than carrying cash because if you lose them they can be cancelled and replaced. Cash is lost forever and your out real money.
• Start breaking in your wedding shoes. Wear them around the house or where you can be sure they won’t get dirty.

 At Least 1 Week Before  

• Give a final head count, seating arrangements, and place cards to the caterer.
• Review wedding ceremony details and procedures with your wedding party.
• Pack for your honeymoon.
• Pick out the clothes you’ll wear after you leave the reception.
• Assign a trusted person to act as "troubleshooter" for all last minute problems and details. Rely on this person to help you as you get closer to the final day.
• Meet with Image Entertainment representative to review your Song List and Reception Planner and to coordinate all final details.
• Plan a fun, relaxing day shared with family or friends.

The Day Before  

• Give wedding rings to the Best Man.
• Mail the wedding announcements.
• Place the fees for the limousine driver and the clergy or officiant into sealed envelopes. Give these to the Best Man to be handed out by him on the wedding day.
• Attend your rehearsal and dinner.
• GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP!!!! You’ve got an important day ahead of you tomorrow.

Your Wedding Day  

• Try to relax and enjoy your special day spent with your family and friends!