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Perfect
Timing
A
month-by-month checklist to minimize the stress of planning
your wedding
By
Laura Leon
bride
 12
Months Before
•
Buy a wedding planner and memory album
•
With fiancé, choose engagement ring
•
Announce engagement
•
Consult fiancé, all parents about budget, style, size of wedding
and limits on number of guests
•
Select attendants
•
Decide on wedding and reception site; plan reception; make
reservations. Depending on the location you choose, you may
have to make reservations more than a year in advance
•
Confirm officiant (clergyman/woman or justice)
•
Book consultants, caterer, photographer, videographer, florist
and musicians and/or DJ service
9
Months Before
•
With fiancé, see officiant
•
Choose and order dress, accessories
•
Begin guest list
•
Register for china, crystal, flatware, linens or other gifts
•
Make travel arrangements for honeymoon
•
Plan lodging for out-of-town guests (if your wedding date
happens to coincide with nearby seasonal attractions, you
will need to reserve rooms well in advance)
6
Months Before
•
Meet with florist
•
Book calligrapher, limousine and portrait photographer
•
Order invitations and announcements
•
Order attendants’ dresses
•
Order wedding rings
•
Discuss rehearsal dinner with fiancé
•
Complete honeymoon plans
3
Months Before
•
Finish guests list
•
Shop for trousseau
•
Confirm delivery dates of all dresses
•
Make appointments with hair and makeup stylists
•
Schedule rehearsal
6-8
Weeks Before
•
Mail invitations
•
Choose gifts for groom and bridesmaids
•
Have final dress and headpiece fitting
•
Take newspaper announcement portrait
•
Pick up rings, check engravings
•
Plan bridesmaids’ party
•
Submit photo to newspaper
•
Submit music requests to band/DJ
•
Write thank-you notes for gifts already received
2
Weeks Before
•
Go with fiancé to get marriage license
•
Finish addressing announcements to mail
•
Check honeymoon reservations
•
Break in wedding shoes at home
 1
Week Before
•
Pack for honeymoon, get going-away outfit ready
•
Purchase traveler’s checks
•
Give final guest count to caterer
•
Host or attend bridesmaids’ party
•
Check final details with florist
•
Keep up with gift acknowledgments
•
Remind attendants of rehearsal dinner
The
Day Before (or Of)
•
Get a massage
•
Get hair and nails done
groom
12
Months Before
•
Pick out bride’s engagement ring
•
Discuss wedding expenses with fiancée and family
•
Select ushers (1 per 50 guests)
9
Months Before
•
Arrange a visit with clergy or justice
•
Begin guest list
•
Visit a bridal registry with fiancée
•
Make arrangements for honeymoon
•
If traveling out of the country, update passports, arrange
for visas,international driver’s license, inoculations
•
Arrange lodging for out-of-town guests (see note in Bride’s
Calendar)
6
Months Before
•
If you don’t already have it, pick up bride’s engagement ring
•
Arrange to pay for bride’s bouquet, order boutonnieres, corsages
•
Order wedding rings
•
Complete honeymoon plans, reservations
•
Arrange transportation for wedding party
•
Plan rehearsal dinner with parents
3
Months Before
•
Consult fiancée, order wedding attire
•
Shop for honeymoon clothes
6-8
Weeks Before
•
Select gifts for bride and ushers
•
Check marriage license requirements
•
Pick up rings, check engraving
•
Help fiancée with thank-you notes
2
Weeks Before
•
Make a date with fiancée to get marriage license (check requirements
in your state—some still require blood tests, so you may need
to plan further ahead)
•
Arrange with best man for transportation from reception to
airport or train
•
Check honeymoon reservations, pack
1
Week Before
•
Explain special seating to head usher
•
Give officiant’s fee in envelope to best man for delivery
after ceremony
•
Purchase traveler’s checks
•
Remind ushers of rehearsal dinner
The
Day Before (or Of)
•
Make final arrangements to pay photographer, caterer, musicians/DJs,
etc.
•
Pick up rented wedding attire, finalize plans for its return
•
Double-check tickets, clothing, schedule, etc. for getaway
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