Discuss wedding expenses with fiancée and both families
Select your groomsmen
Start a preliminary guest list, consulting both families
Accompany fiancée to choose site of ceremony and reception
Offer your service in assisting with the coordination of the engagement party (traditionally held by the groom's family)
9 Months Prior:
Consider honeymoon plans (if utilizing air travel, booking well ahead will garner best rates depending upon destination, passport and/or visa documents may be required)
Select ushers to seat guests at wedding ceremony
6 Months Prior:
Purchase fiancée's wedding ring. If you are aware of size, have it sized beforehand
With groomsmen, visit and decide upon wedding attire
Arrange to pay for bride's bouquet and boutonnieres for best man, groomsmen and ushers
Select gifts for attendants
3 Months Prior:
Finalize guest list with fiancée and both families
Select gift for bride
Ensure marriage license is in order
Book wedding night hotel reservation
6 - 8 Weeks Prior:
Pick up bride's ring
Assist fiancée with thank you notes
Select and purchase gifts for your groomsmen and ushers
Attend bachelor party
Offer assistance with rehearsal party arrangements
1 - 2 Weeks Prior:
Confirm transportation to ceremony, hotel and if applicable, airport
Confirm honeymoon reservations
Detail seating arrangements to ushers
Purchase all necessary documents, clothing and other items for honeymoon
Remind groomsmen of ceremony, rehearsal for church and after party
On wedding day give bride's ring to best man
Relax, enjoy the day and smile as your bride comes down the aisle!
The Bride's Countdown Calendar
12 Months Prior:
Consult all parents about budget and who will pay for what
Select attendants. Remember, your closest friends now may not be your closest friends a year from now
Start a preliminary guest list, consulting both families
Decide on site for ceremony and reception
If your families have not met before, a get-together should be arranged, traditionally by the groom's family. An engagement party may be appropriate
9 Months Prior:
With your fiancé, make arrangements to sit down with your clergy member or judge and discuss ceremony. If you do not belong to a religious congregation, be aware that some houses of worship are not available for couples who are not regular members. Some may ask you to attend services or marriage classes before they will perform the ceremony
Select and order your dress. Remember, some dresses, depending upon fabric, designer and demand, take longer than others
Consider honeymoon plans (if utilizing air travel, booking well ahead will garner best rates depending upon destination, passport and/or visa documents may be required)
6 Months Prior:
Select flowers and type of arrangements
Book transportation (limousines, horse and buggy, etc.)
Select photographer and videographer and discuss your ideas. Make sure he/she know what you want
Order invitations and thank you replies
Order attendants' dresses
Select music man or band. Six months may be a long way off, but the best are usually booked early and bands may require longer lead times
Select venue(s) for your bridal registry
Select your Emcee for the Reception and discuss with him/her what type of format you would like
Select a bakery to make the wedding cake
3 Months Prior:
Purchase wedding rings
Confirm delivery date of all dresses
Visit your hairstylist and discuss ideas
Finalize guest list
6 - 8 Weeks Prior:
Mail your invitations. A good idea is to have them returned to your parents' address
Select gifts for your attendants
Schedule your final fitting for your dress and your attendants
Confirm music man/band and play list
Plan your rehearsal and after party
1 - 2 Weeks Prior:
Confirm honeymoon arrangements
Purchase all necessary documents, clothing and other items for honeymoon (if traveling passports or visas may be needed for some countries)
Provide final guest list to caterer
Check final details with florist
Confirm ceremony, rehearsal for church and after party
Confirm photographer and videographer have all times, addresses and directions
Remember on the day of wedding to transfer engagement ring to right hand
Take a deep breath, relax and enjoy the day. Have faith and all will go well.
