Countdown Calendar
12 Months Prior:
12 Months Prior:
- Confirm wedding date
- Discuss budget and decide who's contributing to what
- Choose attendants and gowns for bridal party
- Create a wedding website
- Purchase wedding insurance
- Begin working on guest list
- Check out ceremony and reception venues
- Get engagement pictures taken
- Assemble list of wedding professionals:
- Planner
- Caterer
- Florist
- Photographer/Videographer
- Musicians and/or DJ
- Start shopping for wedding dress and veil
- Order Save-the-Dates
10-11 Months Prior:
10-11 Months Prior:
- Choose bridal party attire and accessories
- Reserve ceremony and reception venues
- Purchase wedding dress and veil
- Contact ceremony officiant
- Send out Save-the-Dates
- Book wedding planner, caterer, florist, photographer, videographer, musicians and/or DJ
8-9 Months Prior:
8-9 Months Prior:
- Find lodging for out-of-town guests and reserve rooms
- Shop for wedding invitations
- Refine guest list
- Create gift registries at several different retailers
- Start planning honeymoon
6-7 Months Prior:
6-7 Months Prior:
- Discuss ceremonial plans with officiant
- Schedule cake tastings and research flavors and styles
- Finalize groomsman attire
- Reserve any necessary rentals: chairs, linens, decorations, lighting etc.
- Figure out and book transportation to and from venues
- Purchase wedding rings
- Order wedding invitations
4-5 Months Prior:
4-5 Months Prior:
- Decide on flowers: wedding party, attendants, venue, cake, etc.
- Finalize guest list
- Make reservation for rehearsal dinner
- Order wedding cake
- Book room for wedding night
- Schedule dress fittings
- Book honeymoon flights and hotels
- Prepare play/do-no-play lists for reception
3 Months Prior:
3 Months Prior:
- Make ceremony purchases: toasting flutes, serving pieces, guestbook, flower basket, ring pillow
- Finalize honeymoon plans and prepare all necessary travel documents
- Finalize reception menu
- Schedule marriage counseling
- Arrange reception seating
- Book hair and makeup consultations
- Order wedding favors
- Finalize any special readings for ceremony and contact readers
2 Months Prior:
2 Months Prior:
- Mail out wedding invitations and organize RSVPs
- Apply for marriage license
- Purchase gifts for attendants
- Make spa reservations for you and your bridal party
- Finalize reception seating
- Start writing vows
- Design layout for wedding program
- Meet with officiant and review details
- Finalize playlists with musicians
- Create wedding day timeline and send to bridal party, officiant and wedding professionals
1 Month Prior:
1 Month Prior:
- Call all vendors to confirm date, times and location
- Have your final dress fitting
- Pick up wedding rings
- Write Thank You notes as gifts are received
- Order wedding programs
- Confirm honeymoon reservations
- Acquire marriage license
2 Weeks Prior:
2 Weeks Prior:
- Give final head count to caterer
- Follow up with guests who have not responded
- Make arrangements with someone to handle wedding attire (tux rentals, etc)
- Delegate wedding day duties
- Get final haircut and color
- Plan honeymoon wardrobe
1 Week Prior:
1 Week Prior:
- Assemble wedding day emergency kit
- Prepare vendor payments & cash tips
- Confirm image & video requests with photographer/videographer
- Confirm any special music/reading details for ceremony
The Day Before:
The Day Before:
- Greet out-of-town guests and deliver welcome baskets
- Get mani/pedi/massage
- Attend wedding rehearsal and have fun at the rehearsal dinner
- Get to bed early!
The Big Day:
The Big Day:
- Eat a good breakfast
- Allow plenty of time to get ready
- Give wedding rings and officiant fee to best man
- Relax and enjoy your special day!
