|
A formal wedding takes a minimum of six months to arrange properly. This
convenient checklist for the bride will help organize all the important details.
Keep in mind, though, that these time frames are only guidelines, and your own
deadlines may vary. |
|
 |
|
Six Months Before:
 |
Visit your officiant or judge with your fiancé
|
|
|
Buy a wedding planner, bride’s file, and memory album
|
|
|
Discuss the
wedding budget with your parents. If you will be sharing expenses,
include your fiancé and his parents.
Decide on the date, location, size and style of the wedding and reception.
|
|
|
Plan the
reception and make reservations |
|
|
Choose
and order your dress and accessories |
|
|
Select
china, silver, crystal, etc. Register gift preferences with the
stores of your choice. |
|
|
Begin
making a guest list with the aid of your fiancé’s family
|
|
|
Begin
choosing invitation styles |
|
|
Plan
your new home and begin shopping for it |
Three to Four Months Before:
|
|
Complete
your guest list |
|
|
Order
invitations, announcements, thank you notes, and personal stationery
|
|
|
Shop for
your trousseau |
|
|
Order
attendants’ dresses and confirm date of delivery for your dress
|
|
|
Select
portrait and wedding photographers |
|
|
Plan
ceremony, music and reception details with caterer, etc.
|
|
|
Order
flowers that match your wedding color scheme
|
|
|
Make an
appointment with your doctor |
|
|
Order
groom’s ring and buy/rent his wedding outfit
|
One to Two Months Before:
|
|
Mail
invitations |
|
|
Have
final dress and headpiece fitting |
|
|
Order
imprinted napkins, cake bags, wedding programs, and other printed
items for the reception |
|
|
Have
portrait taken and finalize wedding photography
|
|
|
Choose
gifts for attendants and plan a party for them
|
|
|
Coordinate rehearsal dinner with groom’s family
|
|
|
Make
arrangements for favors for your rehearsal dinner and your reception
|
|
|
Arrange
lodging for out-of-town guests |
|
|
Write
thank you notes for gifts received before the wedding
|
|
|
Arrange
for announcements in newspaper(s) |
Two Weeks Before:
|
|
Deliver
announcements and portrait to newspaper(s)
|
|
|
Arrange
transportation to church and reception |
|
|
Go with
fiancé for marriage license |
|
|
Make
appointment with hairdresser |
|
|
Double-check all arrangements and supplies
|
One Week Before:
|
|
Have
announcements ready for mailing on wedding day
|
|
|
Give
caterer final estimate of guests |
|
|
Finalize
rehearsal details |
|
|
Begin
packing |
Traditional Bride's Expenses
 |
Invitations and announcements |
|
|
Wedding dress
and accessories |
|
|
Church,
organist and soloist |
|
|
Flowers for
the church, reception, and her attendants |
|
|
Gifts for her
attendants |
|
|
All
photographs |
|
|
Reception
costs including caterers |
|
|
Groom’s ring
and gift |
|
|
