Wedding planning: your wedding checklist

Wedding planning can get overwhelming. In many cases, there are tasks that should be completed up to a year ahead of the event. This handy checklist will help you stay on top of all of the important details right up to the big day.

Nine to twelve months before
 Decide on a wedding budget and track all your expenses accordingly.
 Set a date.
 Make a guest list.
 Research venues for your ceremony and reception and book the one(s) that you like.
 Decide if you want a bridal party and choose who you want to be part of your day.
 Start collecting your guest’s addresses.

Eight months before
 Shop for and purchase a wedding gown.
 Book your vendors for the day: photographer, DJ or musician, florist, cake maker and caterer (if food isn’t included with your venue).
 Register for gifts.
 Build a wedding website that your guests can visit for extra information concerning your wedding.

Six months before
 Choose an officiant.
 Shop for and purchase bridesmaid’s dresses.
 Order the invitations.
 Buy your wedding bands.

Four months before
 Reserve transportation to and from the ceremony and reception venues, if necessary.
 Have a cake tasting and finalize the cake design.
 Schedule hair and makeup appointments and don’t forget to book trial runs for both.
 Make a plan for decorating your ceremony and reception spaces.

Three months before
 Choose and order the groom’s outfit.
 Start thinking about the music and choose songs for the ceremony and the first dance. You may want to make a separate list for party music.
 Have a tasting with your caterer to set the menu.
 Start planning the rehearsal dinner.
 Select wedding favors and order them.

Two months before
 Send out the invitations.
 Make sure the bridesmaids and groomsmen have their outfits.
 Have the first wedding dress fitting.
 Shop for and buy gifts for your bridal party.

One month before
 Meet with your officiant to go through the ceremony.
 Make sure you have your marriage license.
 Start making a list of people who’ve confirmed that they’ll be attending.
 If another dress fitting is required, do it now.

Two weeks before
 Book an appointment to have a manicure and pedicure the day before.
 Have the final dress fitting and bring it home.
 Book the groom’s suit or tuxedo fitting.
 Track down people who haven’t responded yet.
 Confirm number of guests with your venue and caterer and don’t forget to order meals to feed your DJ and photographer.

The week before
 Make a seating chart.
 Delegate any day-of tasks to your wedding party and family.
 Supply your photographer with a list of pictures you want and your DJ with a detailed playlist.
 Write out checks to pay your vendors.

The day before
 Relax while you have your nails done.
 Give the payment checks to someone you trust in order to pay your vendors.
 At the rehearsal dinner, give gifts to your bridal party.

Your wedding day
 Have the flowers delivered to the venue.
 Make sure the venue is decorated according to your vision.
 Keep calm and enjoy.