The bride is going to be busy prior to the big day. In between planning the wedding and working on ironing out all of the details so that the day goes off without a hitch, the bride has quite a bit on her plate. Thankfully, to help all of you bride’s out there, we have put together a check list of to-do’s so that you don’t forget anything. Timeline estimates can change all the time, but this is an overview of what usually goes on. You can change the time frame of your checklist any time to make things easier for you.
12 – 18 months
_____ Purchase Engagement Rings
_____ Take Engagement Photos
_____ Send Engagement Announcement to Newspaper
_____ Send Engagement Announcement by email to friends
_____ Set Wedding Budget
_____ Set Wedding Date
_____ Decide type of Wedding ( Informal or Formal)
_____ Interview Wedding Consultants
_____ Determine number of guest to be invited
_____ Select Ceremony Site
_____ Select Reception Site
_____ Choose Caterer
_____ Choose Photographer
_____ Choose Videographer

6 – 12 months
_____ Final Selection on Wedding Rings
_____ Open joint bank accounts
_____ Take dancing lessons for first dance if you wish (start practicing)
_____ Choose and order Wedding Gown
_____ Reserve Limousine/ Wedding Transportation
_____ Choose color theme for wedding
_____ Choose bridal party
_____ Select Bridesmaid Dresses
_____ Plan details of decorations ( Balloons, Flowers)
_____ Select Florist
_____ Select Musicians ( Live Band, DJ, Harpist)
_____ Select Officiant (Pastor, Judge) for wedding ceremony
_____ Select Hair & Make-up Artist
_____ Shop for Trousseau & Going away attire
_____ Select Baker (Wedding Cake)

4 – 6 months
_____ Select Bridal Registry items
_____ Select Music for Wedding Ceremony and Reception
_____ Reserve rental equipment if needed
_____ Prepare accommodations for Out of Town Guest
_____ Plan Bridal Shower Party
_____ Plan Bridesmaid luncheon
_____ Purchase Veil and Bridal Accessories – See Bridal Accessories Checklist
_____ Purchase gifts for Bridal Party – See Gift Ideas
_____ Make appointment for practice session for Hair & Make-up
_____ Order Wedding Favors
_____ Review plans for Wedding Ceremony & Reception
_____ Have Mothers choose their own dresses
_____ Make Honeymoon Plans

2 – 3 months
_____ Pick-up wedding rings – make sure they fit and are engraved correctly
_____ If changing your name – Order name change kit
_____ Update Immunization for out of country travel
_____ Send out Invitations to Out of Town Guest
_____ Make out a photographer’s Checklist
_____ Purchase Gifts for each other
_____ Apply for Marriage License
_____ Address & Send out Invitations
_____ Select & Coordinate Wedding Ceremony Program
_____ Appoint Guestbook Attendants for Wedding Ceremony & Reception
_____ Confirm Out of Town Guest accommodations
_____ Get your Hair Trimmed
_____ Confirm & Finalize details with Florist
_____ Confirm Rehearsal Program Officiant
_____ Confirm Guest count with Caterer/Restaurant
_____ Final Fitting for Bridesmaids Dresses & Wedding Gown
_____ Select Tux Styles for Groomsmen & Fathers
_____ Finalize Wedding Day Schedule (Itinerary)
_____ Confirm Transportation Schedule
_____ Reserve restaurant for rehearsal dinner
_____ Have Bridal Shower
_____ Have Bachelor Party (Groom)
_____ Change mailing address if moving
_____ Have Formal Wedding Portrait taken
_____ Review Checklist for Wedding Day Ceremony & Reception
_____ Make reservations for Bridesmaids luncheon
_____ Complete Trousseau shopping
_____ Purchase Floater Insurance for wedding gifts (if necessary)
_____Hire security for wedding reception (if necessary)

1 Month
_____ Call guests that have not yet RSVP’d
_____ Get your teeth cleaned/whiten
_____ Confirm honeymoon plans & pick-up airline tickets
_____ Assign Wedding day helpers
_____ Keep track of gifts received and start on thank you notes
_____ Arrange for a professional to preserve and heirloom your Gown & Bouquet
_____ Pick-up Bridesmaids Dresses & Wedding Gown (Already Pressed)
_____ Start seating arrangement & prepare seating name cards
_____ Confirm final details with Florist
_____ Confirm final details with Photographer
_____ Confirm final details with Officiant
_____ Confirm final details with Videographer
_____ Confirm final details with Baker
_____ Confirm final details with Restaurant/Caterer
_____ Confirm final details with Coordinator
_____ Confirm final details for Wedding Transportation
_____ Confirm final details with Bridal party
_____ Confirm final details with Wedding Helpers
_____ Confirm final details with Rental Equipment Company
_____ Confirm final details with Musicians
_____ Double Check Attire and Accessories for Bridal Party & Yourself
_____ Confirm schedule for Hair & Make-up Artist
_____ Plan and create Wedding Day Itinerary (15 minute interval)
_____ Get a Facial

1 Week
_____ Final Guest count with Caterer/Restaurant
_____ Arrange for Postal Office to hold or forward your email during your honeymoon
_____ Relax – take a long leisurely bath
_____ Re-confirm with Travel Agent or Airlines
_____ Review all seating arrangement with ushers and helpers
_____ Pack for Honeymoon Trip
_____ Arrange for Bridal Party, Parents & Family and Photographer and Videographer to all meet at a designated location (when taking pictures prior to the Wedding ceremony)

1 – 2 Days
_____ Get a Manicure & Pedicure
_____ Get a Massage
_____ Attend Wedding Rehearsal Dinner
_____ Pick-up Rental Tux for Groomsmen (Groom or Bestman)
_____ Prepare Final payment in individual envelopes for each Professional

Wedding Day
_____ Nice long bath or shower – Relax
_____ Go to Hair & Make-up appointment
_____ Get Dressed
_____ Have Fun – It’s your Wedding Day!