Planning Second

[Kathryn Hawk-Bond]

9 Months & Earlier:

Announce Your Engagement

Select A Wedding Date

Hire A Wedding Consultant

Determine The Type Of Wedding You Want: Location, Formality, Time Of Day, Number Of Guests

Determine Budget And How Expenses Will Be Shared

Develop A Record-Keeping System For Payments Made

Consolidate All Guest Lists: Bride’s, Groom’s, Bride’s Family, Groom’s Family, And Organize Those Who:

1. Must Be Invited
2. Should Be Invited
3. Would Be Nice To Invite

Decide If You Want To Have Children

Select And Reserve The Ceremony Site

Select And Reserve The Officiant

Select And Reserve The Reception Site

Select And Order Your Bridal Gown And Headpiece

Determine Color Scheme

Send Engagement Notice With Photograph To Your Local Newspaper

If Ceremony Or Reception Is At Home, Arrange For Home Or Garden Improvements As Needed

Select And Book The Photographer

Order Passport, Visa, Or Birth Certificate If Needed For Your Honeymoon Or Marriage License

Select Maid Of Honor, Best Man, And Groomsmen

6 To 9 Months Before Wedding:

Select Flower Girl And Ring Bearer

Give The Wedding Party Responsibility Cards To Your Wedding Party. These Cards Are Published By Wedding Solutions And Are Available At Major Bookstores

Reserve Your Wedding Night Bridal Suite

Select Attendants’ Dresses, Shoes, And Accessories

Select And Book Your Caterer, If Needed

Select And Book Ceremony Musicians

Select And Book Reception Musicians Or DJ

Schedule Fittings And Delivery Dates For Yourself, Attendants, Flower Girl, And Ring Bearer

Select And Book Videographer

Select And Book Florist

4 To 6 Months Before Wedding:

Start Shopping For Each Other’s Wedding Gifts

Reserve Rental Items Needed For Ceremony

Finalize Guest List

Select And Order Invitations, Announcements, And Other Stationary Such As Thank-You Notes, Wedding Programs, And Seating Cards

Address Invitations Or Hire A Calligrapher

Set Date, Time, And Location For Rehearsal Dinner

Arrange Accommodations For Out-Of-Town Guests

Start Planning Your Honeymoon

Select And Book All Miscellaneous Services, I.E. Gift Attendant, Valet Parking, Babysitting, Etc.

Register For Gifts

Buy Shoes And Accessories

Break In Your Shoes

2 To 4 Months Before Wedding:

Select Bakery And Order Wedding Cake

Order Party Favors

Select And Order Room Decorations

Purchase Honeymoon Attire And Luggage

Select And Book Transportation For Wedding Day

Check Blood Test And Marriage License Requirements

Shop For Wedding Rings And Have Them Engraved

Consider Having Your Teeth Cleaned Or Bleached

Consider Writing A Will And/Or Prenuptial Agreement

Plan Activities For Out-Of-Town Guests Both Before And After The Wedding

Purchase Gifts For Wedding Attendants

6 To 8 Weeks Before Wedding:

Mail Invitations. Include Accommodation Choices And A Map To Assist Guests In Finding The Ceremony And Reception Sites

Maintain A Record Of RSVPs And All Gifts Received. Send Thank-You Notes Upon Receipt Of Gifts

Determine Hairstyle And Makeup

Schedule To Have Your Hair, Makeup, And Nails Done The Day Of The Wedding

Finalize Shopping For Wedding Day Accessories, Such As Guest Book, Ring Pillow, Toasting Glasses, Etc.

Set Up An Area Or A Table In Your Home To Display Gifts As You Receive Them

Check With Your Local Newspapers For Wedding Announcement Requirements

Have Your Formal Wedding Portrait Taken

Send Announcement And Photograph To Your Local Newspaper

Check Requirements To Change Your Name And Address On Your Driver’s License, Social Security Card, Insurance Policies, Bank Accounts, Etc.

Select And Reserve Wedding Attire For Groom, Groomsmen, Father Of The Bride, And Ring Bearer

Select A Guest Book Attendant. Decide Where And When To Have Guests Sign In

Mail Invitations To Rehearsal Dinner

Get Blood Test And Health Certificate

Obtain Marriage License

Plan A Luncheon Or Dinner With Your Bridesmaids. Give Them Their Gifts At That Time Or At The Rehearsal Dinner

Find “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, And A Mark For Your Shoe.”

Finalize Your Menu, Beverage, And Alcohol Order

2 To 6 Weeks Before Wedding:

Confirm Ceremony Details With Your Officiant

Arrange Final Fitting Of Bridesmaids’ Dresses

Have Final Fitting Of Your Gown And Headpiece

Finalize Rehearsal Dinner Plans; Arrange Seating And Write Names On Place Cards

Make Final Floral Selections

Make A Detailed Timeline For Your Wedding Party

Make A Detailed Timeline For Your Service Providers

Confirm Details With All Service Providers, Including Attire. Give Them A Copy Of Your Wedding Timeline

Star Packing For Your Honeymoon

Finalize Addressing And Stamping Announcements

Decide Where And When To Form A Receiving Line, If Desired

Contact Guests Who Haven’t Yet Responded

Pick Up Rings And Check For Fit

Meet With Photographer And Confirm Special Photos You Want Taken

Meet With Videographer And Confirm Special Events Or People You Want Videotaped

Meet With Musicians And Confirm Music To Be Played During Special Events Such As The First Dance

Continue Writing Thank-You Notes As Gifts Arrive

Remind Bridesmaids And Groomsmen Of When And Where To Pick Up Their Wedding Attire

Purchase Lipstick, Nail Polish, And Other Accessories For Your Bridesmaids

Determine ceremony seating for special guests. Give a list to groomsmen

Plan reception layout and seating with your site manager or caterer. Write names on place cards for arranged seating

The Last Week:

Pick Up Wedding Attire And Make Sure Everything Fits

Do Final Guest Count And Notify Your Caterer Or Reception Site Manager

Gather Everything You Will Need For The Rehearsal And Wedding Day

Arrange For Someone To Drive The Getaway Car

Review The Schedule Of Events And Last Minute Arrangements With Your Service Providers. Give Them Each A Detailed Timeline

Confirm All Honeymoon Reservations And Accommodations. Pick Up Tickets And Travelers Checks

Finish Packing Your Suitcases For The Honeymoon

Familiarize Yourself With Guests’ Names. It Will Help During The Receiving Line And Reception

Notify The Post Office To Hold Your Mail While You Are Away On Your Honeymoon

The Rehearsal Day:

Review List Of Things To Bring To The Rehearsal

Put Suitcases In Getaway Car

Give Your Bridesmaids The Accessories You Want Them To Wear For The Wedding

Give Best Man The Officiant’s Fee And Any Other Checks For Service Providers. Instruct Him To Deliver These Checks The Day Of The Wedding

Arrange For Someone To Bring Accessories; Flower Basket, Ring Pillow, Guest Book And Pen, Napkins, Etc. To The Ceremony And Reception

Arrange For Someone To Mail Announcements The Day After The Wedding

Arrange For Someone To Return Rental Items Such As Tuxedos, Slip, And Cake Pillars After The Wedding

Provide Each Member Of Your Wedding Party With A Detailed Schedule Of Events/Timeline For The Wedding

Review Ceremony Seating With Groomsmen

The Wedding Day:

Review List Of Things To Bring To The Ceremony

Give The Groom’s Ring To The Maid Of Honor

Give The Bride’s Ring To The Best Man

Simply Follow Your Detailed Schedule Of Events

Relax And Enjoy Your Wedding!