Wedding Timeline
12 Months
- Engagement Ring
- Ask bride's parents
- Announce engagement!
- Discuss preliminary budget and expense sharing
- Wedding coordinator
- Ceremony site
- Officiant
- Reception site
- Catering arrangements (food, beverage, staff)
- Preliminary invitations list
9 to 12 months
- Choose bridesmaids, groomsmen, maid or matron of honor, and best man
- Choose color scheme
- Select photographer, and have engagement photos taken
- Select all musicians for ceremony and reception
- Select videographer
6 to 9 months
- Select Wedding gown and accessories
- Select bridesmaid's dresses and accessories
- Bridal party's first fitting
- Select a Jeweler
- Select a Florist
- Select a travel agent and choose your destination
- Get passports
- Meet with your reception site Master of Ceremonies (usually the band
leader or disc jockey) to discuss the preliminary details of how you'd like
the reception run
4 to 6 months
- Select men' formal wear
- Select invitations and stationary
- Select transportation services
- Select hotel accommodations for out-of-town guests
- Select and reserve Wedding night suite
- Select and reserve any rental equipment
2 to 4 months
- Select wedding cake
- Gift registry
- Gifts for attendants and each other
- Wedding favors, decorations, and accessories
- Trousseau and apparel for honeymoon and bridal showers.
- Select site for and arrange rehearsal dinner
- Plan for pre-wedding parties
- Tie up financial and legal matters
- Finalize living arrangements
- Finalize florist order.
- Preliminary hair and makeup consultation
1 to 2 months
- Confirm all contracted services and reservations
- Send wedding invitations
- Final meeting with Master of Ceremonies
- Finalize details of ceremony and reception with appropriate site
coordinators
- Newspaper announcements
- Buy marriage license
- Final bridal gown and attendants dress fittings
- Select ceremony accessories: Unity candle, ring pillow, guest book, etc..
- Select personal accessories: purse, garter, toasting goblets, etc..
- Make salon appointments
2 weeks
- Confirm rehearsal plans and invite guests to rehearsal dinner
- Arrange change of name and address, and renew all legal documents
accordingly
- Finalize guest count
- Begin packing for honeymoon
-
- Bachelor and bachelorette parties
1 week
- Pick up wedding rings (check for proper fit and engraving)
- Men pick up formal wear (check for proper fit)
- Rehearsal & rehearsal dinner
- Finalize transportation for bridal party and parents.