6 TO 24 MONTHS AHEAD

• Hire a wedding planner or meet with a consultant
• Select engagement ring
• Announce engagement
• Get registered
• Have engagement party (photograph taken)
• Select type and kind of wedding
• Select date of wedding (have 2nd choice)
• Establish a budget
• Select clergy member, officiant, organist...
• Plan ceremony and select location
• Reserve reception site (if reserved ask if they have received deposit yet)
• Reserve suites and accommodation for you and out-of-town guests
• Select attendants (wedding party)
• Write guest list
• Select a theme
• Shop for wedding dress
• Shop for formal wear
• Shop for wedding party`s attire
• Select a caterer
• Select wedding cake
• Book photographer and videographer
• Select florist ( bring swatches of the material and a picture of the bride's dress )
• Book a band, musicians, D.J. for ceremony and reception
• Reserve transportation (out-of-town guests, wedding party)
• For a Jewish wedding, order a ketubah
• Write a thank-you note for every gift received

4 TO 6 MONTHS AHEAD

• Select wedding rings and make arrangements for engraving
• Select favors
• Draw maps to ceremony, photo session, reception, and draw pre-wedding itinerary and programs
• Order invitations and stationary
• Hire a calligrapher
• Purchase wedding accessories ( guest book, cake knife, garter...)
• Plan accommodations for out-of-town guests
• Arrange for rehearsal ceremony and reception
• Plan your honeymoon (and get required vaccinations and documents)
• Select parents' attire
• Write or review wedding vows
• Select special readings
• Write ceremony
• Reserve tasting session appointments (sample wedding menu and cake)
• Tape pre-recorded music
• Plan the decor with a decorator
• Reserve all rental equipment needed
• For Jewish wedding, order yarmulkes and build a Chuppah
• Write a thank you note for every gift received

2 TO 4 MONTHS AHEAD

• Address and stamp invitations and announcements
• Make reservations for the honeymoon
• Schedule fittings
• Review musical selections with your musicians and DJ
• Give ceremony musicians a copy of the worksheet
• Give reception musicians and DJ copy of the worksheet
• Pick up wedding rings and check any engraving
• Check with local authorities about requirements for a marriage certificate
• Select gifts for attendants
• Plan bridesmaids party and a bachelor party
• Give all entertainers a copy of the worksheet
• Give the photographer a copy of the worksheet
• Give the videographer a copy of the worksheet
• Give the chauffeur a copy of the worksheet
• Give the caterer a copy of the worksheet
• Give the baker a copy of the worksheet
• Give the decorator a copy of the worksheet
• Give the florist a  copy of the worksheet
• Give the rental company a copy of the worksheet
• Give the maîtré D a copy of the worksheet
• Purchase clothing for wedding night and honeymoon
• Write thank-you notes for every gift received

The worksheet refers to a detailed list of information needed by the vendor to provide an excellent service and prevent errors ( a wedding planner or consultant may help you with this )

1 TO 2 MONTHS AHEAD

• Hire a wedding coordinator (supervision and confirmation of the numereous details, establishment of different schedules for the vendors and the wedding party...)
• Buy bride and groom's gifts to each other and wrap them
• Set a date for bridesmaid's luncheon and bachelor party
• Draw seating plan (reception and rehearsal) and write place cards
• Mail invitations and confirmation of out-of-town guests arrangements
• Buy attendants and ushers gifts and wrap them
• Arrange for traffic and parking attendants for the wedding (ceremony and reception)
• Have final fitting for dress and head piece
• Make appointment to have formal wedding portrait taken (black and white for newspaper)
• Send copies of special readings to friends who will participate in the ceremony
• Finalize reception menu and prepare wedding reception agenda and final details
• Confirm arrangements with each vendor and delivery time and place
• Confirm honeymoon reservations
• Call and confirm rehearsal date and time ( and rehearsal dinner )
• Notify all participants of rehearsal date, time and place ( and rehearsal dinner )
• Have a physical examination, blood tests and any required inoculations for foreign travel
• Arrange for tuxedo fitting ( groom and his attendants )
• Try make up, hair styles, and nails
• Schedule appointment with make up artist and hair stylist for the big day
• Prepare the wedding announcement for the local newspaper
• Break in wedding shoes (wear them around the house)
• Write a thank you note for every gift received

2 TO 3 WEEKS AHEAD

• Send your wedding announcement to the newspaper
• Arrange to move your belongings to your new home
• Pick up honeymoon tickets
• Review all the transportation arrangements
• Follow up on guests who have not returned their response card (you must have an accurate count for the caterer)
• Write a thank you note for every gift received

1 WEEK AHEAD

• Give bridal party schedule of the week and the day
• Check on final details
• Pick up wedding attire
• Pay balance due on services required before the wedding
• Give bridesmaids' party
• Give gifts to your attendants
• Confirm rehearsal plans with clergy and attendants (seating attendants)
• Prepare the formation of your receiving line
• Have money in envelopes for anyone who needs to be paid the day of the wedding
• Give the clergy's honorarium to the best man
• Have something old, new, borrowed and blue ready
• Pack for honeymoon
• Arrange for return of formal wear, cleaning of gown, transport of wedding gifts, and return of cake pillars and any rental items following the wedding
• Determine where and when everyone will meet for wedding day photos
• Plan a special thank-you to your parents the morning after the wedding, such as having an arrangement of flowers delivered to their home, or a special telegram from both of you
• For a Jewish wedding, the bride may go to the Mikvah to immerse herself in water ( this should be done as close to the wedding as possible )
• Write a thank you note for every gift received

2 DAYS AHEAD

• Check the weather conditions for the wedding day and make adjustments if needed
• Lay out everything you will need to dress for the wedding in one place at home
• Be sure the wedding gown is stored away from heat, pets, water, very young children and open windows
• Prepare your purse ( hair brush, make up...)
• Attend rehearsal (give gifts to attendants)
• Make sure you and your groom are comfortable with the rehearsal and have no questions
• Give ushers the maps to be  given out at the ceremony (to the photography site and reception site)
• Prepare a box or clothing bag for the wedding dress with the dry cleaner's address on it and give it to the person in charge of taking it to the cleaners after the wedding
• Prepare boxes or clothing bags with the formal wear store's address and give them to the person in charge of returning the suits after the wedding
• Prepare the necessary accessories for the big day and give them to the person in charge of the set up ( favors, guest book, place cards, cake knife...)
• Write a thank-you note for every gift received

1 DAY AHEAD

• If you are leaving for your honeymoon directly from the reception,
place your luggage in the trunk of your car
• Make sure that all cars involved have gas
• Get a good nights rest!