Printable Wedding Timeline
Twelve to Nine Months before Wedding:
- Determine the type of wedding you'd like to have
(formal, informal, small, large, etc.) - Set a date
- Contact the clergy, Justice of the Peace, etc.
and secure ceremony location - DETERMINE A BUDGET and allocate who pays for what
- Meet with families to determine who's contributing
- Find reception facility, sign contract and put minimum deposit down
(and caterer if facility does not furnish one) - Interview d.j.s / bands and put minimum deposit down
- Interview photographers and videographers and put
minimum deposit down - Start shopping for wedding gowns
and place order(minimum deposit ) / purchase - Reserve rooms for out-of-town guests
if the wedding is on a holiday weekend - Have teeth whitened
- Engagement Photos
- Send out Save the Dates
Nine to Six Months before Wedding :
- Interview and select ceremony musicians
- Begin exercise regimen to get in shape for your wedding gown
- Begin selecting ceremony music
- Determine the size of the guest list
- Compile names and addresses of guests
- Select attendants
- Select color palette
- Select attendants' dresses
- Locate transportation company
- Meet with vacation specialist and book honeymoon
- Map out driving directions
Six to Four Months before Wedding:
- Select a florist
- Research centerpiece ideas
- Order invitations (allow a response deadline of
two (2) weeks before wedding) - Interview and hire babysitters for the reception
- Shop for tuxedos
- Secure rentals (linens, chairs, tables, etc.)
- Engage in any and all prenuptial classes
- Finalize ceremony details
- Meet with vacation specialist and book honeymoon
- Meet with on-site decorator or
start researching ideas for wedding decorations - Start selecting places that have a Bridal Registry
- Taste-test wedding cake and order (deposit required)
- ALL contracts and required deposits need to be completed
- Start compiling reception music
- Consider wedding insurance
Three Months before Wedding:
- Order accessories including toasting glasses, cake knife set,
guest book, etc. - Purchase wedding bands
- Select gifts for attendants, parents, and other special people
- Make reservations for out-of-town guests
- Set appts. with hair salon for trial run and wedding day
- Consider dance lessons
- Purchase passports and acquire necessary travel documents
Two Months before Wedding:
- Solidify the wedding rehearsal with the ceremony location
(scheduled for the night before the wedding) - Make reservations for the rehearsal dinner
- Address, stamp, and mail invitations
(8 weeks before wedding) - Meet with hairdresser and have a "trial run"
with the headpiece - Meet with makeup artist for tips on color application
- Research and acquire wedding insurance
One Month before Wedding:
- Pay off Honeymoon
- Acquire marriage license (some states require blood tests)
- Shop for gifts for each other
- Have final dress fittings (bride and attendants)
- Order church/ceremony programs
- Write thank you notes from bridal shower(s)
Two Weeks before Wedding:
- Submit wedding announcement to BekshireBride.com to be
announced online!!! - Contact guests who haven't responded by invitation deadline
- Contact caterer with final guest count
- Prepare a "must have" shot list for your photographer
- Confirm "Day Of" Timeline
- Hair colore and trimmed
One week before Wedding:
- Pack for honeymoon
- Assemble out-of-town greet bags for upon arrival
- Arrange seating and placecards
- Compile a list of all the wedding day vendors
- Have final tuxedo fittings and pick up
- Organize all ceremony items
(marriage license, unity candles, rings) - Confer with all ceremony participants regarding duties
(readers, attendants, musicians, vocalists) - Mail wedding announcements (day before wedding)
- Have a manicure / pedicure service
- Pick up all altered gowns
Wedding Day!!!:
- Eat breakfast! (It's a long day!)
- Have some Mimosa with attendants
- Hair and makeup applied
- Dress two hours before ceremony
- Have formal bride and attendants' pictures taken
- Let the day unfold! After all, you hired
all those wedding professionals for a reason! - Have a great time! You deserve it!
