Wedding Planning Guide

Planning your wedding does not have to be a stressful time.   Everything you need to think about before the wedding is outlined here. Consult our 12-month timetable to see when to do each task, then plan every detail of your wedding day!

12 Months

12 Months

  • Announce engagement
  • Send announcement to local newspaper
  • Purchase a planning notebook or software
  • Develop a guest list

View more on 12 months to go

10 Months

10 Months

  • Set the date
  • Book the reception site
  • Interview and select caterer, photographer, florist, DJ, videographer

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8 months

8 Months

  • Select clergy
  • Interview cake designers, sample cake and select cake design
  • Begin to review honeymoon locations
  • Finalize overall budget

View more on 8 months to go

6 months

6 Months

  • Choose invitations and stationery
  • Order bridesmaid dresses and accessories
  • Bride and groom’s mothers select dresses
  • Reserve rental equipment (chairs, arches, linens etc)

View more on 6 months to go

4 Months

3-4 Months

  • Finalize flowers
  • Order Tuxes
  • Book honeymoon
  • Purchase groom’s gift
  • Schedule appointments for trial hair and makeup
  • Book block of rooms for out-of-town guests
  • Plan seating arrangement for reception
  • Purchase wedding accessories—Guest Book, Ring Bearer’s Pillow, Toasting Glasses, Unity Candle, Flower Basket, Cake Knife and Server
  • Choose or write vows
  • Book hair, nail, makeup appointments

View more on 3-4 months to go

1 Month

1 Month

  • Finalize ceremony plans
  • Print wedding programs
  • Finalize transportation of family, wedding party and out-of-town guests
  • Pick up wedding rings
  • Name change for driver’s license, social security card, insurance and medical plans and bank accounts
  • Schedule second wedding dress fitting
  • Print Place Cards for reception

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11 Months

11 Months

  • Plan a preliminary budget
  • Research wedding and reception locations
  • Choose your bridal party and ask each person to participate
  • Settle on a wedding site
  • Download our budget worksheet

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9 Months

9 Months

  • Register for gifts
  • Begin wedding dress shopping

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7 Months

7 Months

  • Order wedding dress
  • Begin to shop for bridesmaid dresses
  • Finalize guest list

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5 Months

5 Months

  • Select wedding favors
  • Shop for wedding rings
  • Finalize your décor ideas and shop for decorations
  • Begin shopping for groom’s and groomsmen’s wedding attire
  • Select dates for bachelorette parties and showers

View more on 5 months to go

2 Months

2 Months

  • Mail invitations
  • Purchase gifts for bridal party
  • Schedule first wedding dress fitting
  • Apply for marriage license
  • Attend Showers

View more on 2 months to go