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Wedding Planner: A 12-Month Countdown

Now that you're engaged...be happy! Celebrate! And have a blast planning your wedding! Here is a one year wedding planner that will help you budget your time in la la land:

*Note: Having a Destination Wedding? Start planning now! If your budget allows, research your destination by traveling there. If not, FIND SOMEONE you know who has traveled to your destination. You can also make connections through local tourism boards and do your own research via the internet. Talk with travel agents in your area to find out more about your destination, and what areas they feel are desirable, and why. Send out "Save-the-Date" cards immediately.

8 to 12 Months Pre Wedding

Decide on a date and time. You may want a few alternate dates in case your venue is booked on your ideal date.

If you are hiring a wedding planner, do so now.

Set a preliminary budget.

Select and reserve your ceremony location and reception site (move quickly, popular sites book up fast!) If your reception site provides catering, be sure to do a tasting.

Decide on a wedding theme or style.

Decide on a color scheme.

Determine who your officiate/officiates will be.

You and your fiancé should start on your guest list.

Select your wedding attendants. A must read: Choosing Your Wedding Party!

For the Bride: Start thinking about your gown and veil/headpiece. Probably the most fun you will have planning your wedding! You want to have your gown ordered at least 6-8 months before the ceremony.

Choose your attendant attire.

If having an engagement party, plan now. The party should be scheduled anywhere from 4-8 months before the wedding.

Register for gifts now if having an engagement party.

Reserve accommodations for out of town guests. It's always appropriate to give guests the option of budget conscious accommodations as well.

The Reception: We recommend meeting with all of the following vendors and checking references of recent weddings where services were rendered:

Find a dependable florist.

If necessary, choose a caterer. Schedule a tasting in addition to checking references.

Hire a photographer and possibly a wedding videographer.

Select and book musicians and/or D.J for the ceremony and reception. If you are getting a D.J., check their song list.

Do you need to rent chairs, tables or a tent? If so, do it now.

6-8 Months Pre Wedding

Record all shower, engagement, wedding and bachelorette party gifts in one notebook. Never wait longer than 6 weeks to send a thank-you note.

Order your wedding gown and have it fitted.

Begin planning your honeymoon.

Send "Save-the-Date" cards. These don't have to be fancy; a current trend is sending a photo of you and yours with a simple message and your wedding date printed on them. They are a great help for family and friends that like to plan ahead.

4-6 Months Pre Wedding

If you don't have a wedding planner, ask a trusted friend or relative to be your "point-person" to help you with the timing of events during your wedding day. As you get closer to the wedding, give them a timeline of when you want guests seated for dinner, when you would like to cut the cake, when you want the D.J. to start, etc. You will be too busy to remember these things yourself.

Order your wedding invitations and thank-you notes.

Begin thinking about your wedding cake. Decide on a vendor.

Order bridesmaids' dresses.

Decide on Groom and attendant's formalwear.

Make final arrangements for ceremony and reception sites.

Mothers of the bride and groom should discuss their wedding attire with you and each other.

Register for gifts if you haven't already.

Honeymoon abroad? Check with your airline and hotel for requirements. You may need a passport.

3-4 Months Pre Wedding

Check your wedding's state requirement for marriage licenses.

Finalize, organize and even alphabetize your guest list. You'll be glad you did this later!

Order your cake.

Guys, go get sized. Rent your formalwear.

Reserve all wedding transportation.

Purchase your wedding rings.

Think about hair and make-up. Start researching hair and make-up artists. Loved the hair at a certain wedding? Give the bride a call.

2 Months Pre Wedding

Finalize details with caterer, musicians, florists, photographers and other vendors.

Schedule dry runs for hair and make-up. If you like their service, book them immediately.

Finalize ceremony details with officiant.

Finish up any outstanding thank-you notes.

Plan and book a space for your rehearsal dinner.

Confirm all honeymoon plans.

6-8 More Weeks

Address and mail your wedding invitations.

Buy gifts for wedding attendants and each other. Have your parents contributed substantially? Don't forget them.

If you are writing your own vows, begin doing so and memorizing.

4 More Weeks

Apply for your marriage license.

Have your final fitting for yours and bridal attendants' gowns. Make sure your maid of honor is present at your fitting.she needs to know how to properly bustle your gown.

Create your wedding program. Have your bridesmaids over for pizza to help you put them together.

Plan gift baskets for out-of-town guests. Many hotels offer these, but the mark-up is outrageous. You can create something nice on a slim budget to show them your appreciation for making the trip.

Purchase all ceremony accessories such as candles and ring pillows.

Purchase a guest book for your reception. Assign a friend or family member to help sign guests in.

2 More Weeks

Get your hair done! Most cuts look best a few weeks old.

Have your affairs in order. Make sure details like the marriage license are taken care of. Obtain name change forms for your driver's license, social security card, credit card companies and other debtors.

Consider stopping your mail while on your honeymoon.

If you've hired a D.J., make sure you are in agreement with the song selection. If you do and don't want certain songs played, make sure you discuss these with them now.

Arrange for a friend or neighbor to pick up wedding gifts or move them indoors while you are away on your honeymoon.

Contact any guests who have not responded yet. Upon getting your final count, arrange your seating chart and prepare place cards.

Consult with your photographer. Make sure they know your necessary shot-list, like shots with your parents, siblings, etc.

The Final Week

Give final head count to caterer/reception site. Make sure you include vendors such as the D.J., photographer, videographer and band members.

Give your "point-person" a timeline of your reception flow.

Shop for your honeymoon if necessary.

Confirm any last minute details with wedding vendors.

For the Groom: Get your hair trimmed. Tell your hairdresser not too much.

Pack your bags for your honeymoon!

Enjoy your bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Pick up your marriage license.

Do your last hair and make-up dry run before the wedding.

A Few Days Before

For the bride: Press/steam wedding gown only if necessary.

For the Groom: Pick up formalwear. Call your attendants to confirm they have done the same.

Type and print a contact list of important phone numbers including your home and cell numbers, ceremony site, reception site, and all wedding vendors. Distribute to everyone on the list, including your "point person" at the reception.

Confirm last-minute details with all transportation vendors.

Drop off place cards, cameras and any other tabletop items your flower person isn't responsible for bringing.

Deliver gift baskets for out-of-town guests to hotels.

Make sure you have your wedding rings and they fit.

The Day Before

Confirm all outstanding balances with vendors. Prepare for final payments due after the reception.

Rehearse your ceremony with entire wedding party at ceremony site with officiant. Be sure to bring the officiant your marriage license. Bring along all ceremony accessories.

Enjoy your rehearsal dinner. Give bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts after dinner.

Don't drink too much.you'll regret it tomorrow.

Your Wedding Day!

Eat a healthy breakfast.

Present each other with gifts before you get dressed. If you prefer, wait until after the reception.

If applicable, present parents with gifts.

For the Bride and Groom: Get a manicure and pedicure.

Give yourself plenty of time to get ready. The bride should be happy with her appearance before bridesmaids' hair and make-up are done.

Give wedding bands to best man/maid of honor for the ceremony.

Give best man officiant fee for officiant after the ceremony.

Remind your "point-person" to introduce themselves to all vendors. Have them go over your shot-list with your photographer.

Eat a small snack before the ceremony. Don't forget to brush.

Meet for wedding pictures well before the ceremony.

After the Wedding

De-stress over your honeymoon.

Send announcement and photograph to newspaper.

It's best to send thank-you notes immediately and no later than 6 weeks after receiving a gift.

Enjoy married life!

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