12 months before:

• Announce your engagement.
• Decide on a date.
• Choose the kind of wedding you want (evening wedding with sit-down dinner, afternoon wedding with buffet, garden wedding, etc.)
• Go over the budget (include both sets of parents if they’ll be paying for any portion of the event.)
• Pick the ceremony site and visit with the officiant.
• Work on a guest list to get a rough guest count.
• Visit reception sites and reserve one.

6-9 months before:

• Interview wedding planners if you’ll be using one.
• Choose your wedding party.
• Choose a caterer.
• Enroll in a bridal registry.
• Shop for a gown.
• Shop for bridal attendants’ dresses.
• Choose a photographer and a videographer.
• Choose a florist.
• Book musicians and/or DJ.

4-6 months before:

• Order wedding invitations, envelopes, thank you cards and any other wedding stationary you might want.
• Order wedding gown.
• Order tuxedos for groom and groomsmen.
• Shop for a cake.
• Scout accommodations for out-of-towners so you can send guests a list of nearby hotels in various price ranges. (Most hotels offer lower-rates if you tell them a group is coming.)
• Meet with your caterer or banquet manager to discuss menus, service style, wine lists, etc.
• Complete guest list.
• Arrange your rehearsal dinner.
• Sign up for dance classes, if needed.

2-4 months before:

• Call county clerk’s office to find out about requirements for marriage license.
• Get blood test, if needed for license in your state.
• Make honeymoon reservations. Compile all the necessary travel documents (passport, visas, etc.)
• Pick ceremony music.
• Pick reception music.
• Order wedding cake.
• Buy thank you gifts for attendants.
• Shop for wedding bands.
• Complete honeymoon plans.

4-8 weeks before:

• Mail invitations eight weeks ahead of the date.
• Do a hair and make-up run-through (with headpiece).
• Have final dress fitting.

2-4 weeks before:

• Do seating for the reception.
• Confirm details with caterer, florist, etc.
• Give your caterer a final head count.

1 week before:

• Host bridesmaids’ party.
• Appoint a punctual pal to bring cake knife, toasting glasses or other heirlooms to the wedding site early (and to be responsible for getting them home again.)
• Get a manicure, pedicure, massage or other beauty treatments of your choice. (Be wary of facials so close to the wedding, since a lot of people tend to break out.)
• Pack for your honeymoon.

The day before:

• Greet out of town guests.
• Go to the gym, take a long walk or do some other stress-reducing activity.
• Schedule time for beauty (a manicure touch-up or hairstyling appointment) before the rehearsal dinner.
• Attend the wedding rehearsal and dinner following.