Wedding Countdown
9-12 months before:
Announce your engagement.
Arrange for parents to get together.
Decide on a date
Discuss your budget with everyone who’ll be contributing to the event.
Interview wedding planners, if using one.
Pick the ceremony site and meet with the officiant.
Work on the guest list to get a rough head count.
Visit reception sites and reserve one.
Shop for your gown.
6-9 months before:
Choose your wedding party.
Select a caterer.
Enrol in a bridal-gift registry.
Order the wedding gown.
Shop for the bridal attendants’ dresses.
Pick a photographer and or a videographer.
Hire a florist.
Book the musician and/or DJ.
Start researching honeymoon spots.
Mail out save-the-dates, especially if you’re having a destination or holiday-weekend wedding.
4-6 months before:
Order wedding invitations, envelopes, thank-yous etc.
Shop for the cake.
Hire wedding-day transportation.
Book your favourite beauty pros for the big day.
Scout accommodations for out-of town guests.
Complete the guest list.
Start planning your honeymoon, and make plane and hotel reservations.
Arrange the rehearsal dinner.
2-4 months before:
Check out marriage licence requirements.
Order the tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen.
Meet with the caterer or banquet manager to discuss menus, service style, wine selections, etc.
Order the wedding cake.
Select ceremony and reception music.
Buy thank-you gifts for the attendants.
Choose favours and welcome baskets.
Shop for and order your wedding bands.
Meet with party-rental companies, if necessary.
Book a room for your wedding night.
4-8 weeks before:
Mail invitations 6-8 weeks ahead of the date.
Do a hair and make-up run through (with headpiece).
Decide on insurance-policy changes you’ll need.
2-4 weeks before:
Plot the seating for the reception.
Confirm details with the photographer, florist, etc.
Have your final dress fitting.
Write your rehearsal-dinner toast.
1 week before:
Place the fees due on the wedding day in envelopes.
Give the caterer a final head count.
Appoint a reliable pal to transport the cake knife, toasting glasses or other heirlooms to and from the reception site.
Get final beauty treatments (facial, waxing, brow-shaping, etc) of your choice.
Pack for the honeymoon (ask someone to bring your luggage to the reception if you’re leaving from there).
-Modern Bride
