Wedding Planning Timeline Checklist

<h1>Wedding Planning Timeline Checklist</h1>Author: <a title="Jasmine Macdonald" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/jasmine-macdonald/86138.htm">Jasmine Macdonald</a> Congratulations on your engagement. Now it's time to go to work and plan the wedding of your dreams. With a little preparation (and a sense of Humor!) there is no need to act like a bridezilla. Here is a checklist to help you keep your sanity. 9-12 Months before the wedding <ul> <li>Announce your engagement. </li> <li>Plan what type of wedding you want- formal, informal, day or evening, number of guests </li> <li>Choose a wedding date. </li> <li>Determine your budget- Discuss who is responsible for what expenses before making any plans. You should include your parents and future in-laws in this discussion. Remember to treat them with respect. Any money they provide is a gift! </li> <li>Make guest list - Don't forget to include your parents and future in-laws in this discussion. </li> <li>Speak to officiant- Priest, Minister, Rabbi, Justice of the Peace etc. </li> <li>Reserve your ceremony and Reception Sites.</li> </ul> 6-9 Months Before Wedding <ul> <li>Select Bridal Gown </li> <li>Choose your attendants- Maid/Matron of Honor, Best Man, Bridesmaids, Ushers, Flowergirls, and Ring Bearer </li> <li>Choose a Photographer </li> <li>Select bridesmaids dresses & accessories (Remember to be Kind and listen to their suggestions and concerns). </li> <li>Select a caterer (if needed) </li> <li>Hire a band or DJ </li> <li>Book your florist</li> </ul> 4-5 Months Before Wedding <ul> <li>Schedule fittings for yourself and attendants (don't forget your flower-girl) </li> <li>Reserve any rental items needed for ceremony and reception </li> <li>Finalize guest list </li> <li>Order Stationery - wedding invitations, thank you notes, and wedding programs </li> <li>Address invitations or hire a professional calligrapher </li> <li>Plan rehearsal dinner - set date, time and location. (This dinner is usually given by the grooms' parents.) </li> <li>Arrange for accommodations for out-of-town guests. </li> <li>Start planning honeymoon (Groom usually makes these arrangements after you BOTH decide where to go.) Don't forget to get any passports or travel documents you may need. </li> <li>Register for gifts. </li> <li>Purchase shoes and accessories (Remember to break your shoes in before the wedding)</li> </ul> 2-3 Months Before Wedding <ul> <li>Order wedding cake </li> <li>Order party favors </li> <li>Order all necessary decorations </li> <li>Book all transportation for wedding day (if necessary) </li> <li>Buy wedding rings </li> <li>Visit lawyer to write any necessary wills or prenuptial agreements </li> </ul> 5-8 Weeks Before Wedding <ul> <li>Purchase gifts for wedding attendants </li> <li>Mail invitations (A map to assist your guests in finding the ceremony and reception sites is a nice idea). </li> <li>Visit hairstylist to determine what style you want for your hair. (Hint: Never change haircolor or change your style right before your wedding. Any changes should be made at least 3-4 weeks in advance). </li> <li>Have a formal wedding portrait taken </li> <li>Send wedding announcements to newspapers (if necessary) </li> <li>Change name and address on driver's license, social security cards, insurance policies, and bank accounts </li> <li>Reserve wedding attire for groom, ushers, ring bearer (Usually done by the groom). </li> <li>Mail invitations to rehearsal dinner (if necessary) </li> <li>Obtain marriage license </li> <li>Get blood tests if necessary in your state </li> <li>Plan a bridesmaid luncheon </li> </ul> 2-4 Weeks Before Wedding <ul> <li>Confirm ceremony details with officiant </li> <li>Arrange final fittings for your gown and bridesmaids dresses </li> <li>Make final floral selections </li> <li>Finalize rehearsal dinner plans </li> <li>Confirm details with all service providers - It is a good idea to give them a written list of your wedding day timeline. </li> <li>Contact guests who have not yet responded to your invitation </li> <li>Pick up wedding rings </li> <li>Meet with your photographer to discuss special photos you want taken. </li> <li>Meet with your DJ or band to confirm the music you want played </li> <li>Remind all attendants (male & female) when to pick up their wedding attire. </li> <li>Purchase any special accessories or make-up you want your attendants to wear. </li> <li>Determine ceremony seating for any special guests (give the list to the ushers). </li> <li>Plan reception seating-write names on place cards.</li> </ul> Hold On....Your Almost Done! Last Week <ul> <li>Pick up wedding attire </li> <li>Figure final guest count and notify cater </li> <li>Arrange for "get-a-way" car from the reception </li> <li>Review the schedule of events and last minute arrangements with all service providers. </li> <li>Confirm honeymoon reservations </li> <li>Pack for your honeymoon</li> </ul> Take a Breath.....It's Finally Here....Your Wedding Day!!!! <ul> <li>Give rings to the best man and maid of honor (If no ring Bearer) </li> <li>Give the best man money to pay the officiant after the ceremony </li> <li>Relax and have fun!!! All your hard work and planning has paid off.</li> </ul>About the Author: Jasmine MacDonald is the editor of <a href="http://www.funweddings.blogspot.com">Fun Weddings</a> and <a href="http://www.merrybrides.blogspot.com">Merry Brides</a> which will provide you with daily ideas and tips to help you plan the perfect wedding while staying within your budget. Jasmine can also help you design your very own wedding website to keep your friends and family updated about your wedding plans. Check out a Free Trial offer at <a >Merry Bridals</a>.Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/wedding-planning-timeline-checklist-589972.html" title="Wedding Planning Timeline Checklist">Wedding Planning Timeline Checklist</a>

Congratulations on your engagement. Now it's time to go to work and plan the wedding of your dreams. With a little preparation (and a sense of Humor!) there is no need to act like a bridezilla.

Here is a checklist to help you keep your sanity.

9-12 Months before the wedding

Announce your engagement.
Plan what type of wedding you want- formal, informal, day or evening, number of guests
Choose a wedding date.
Determine your budget- Discuss who is responsible for what expenses before making any plans. You should include your parents and future in-laws in this discussion. Remember to treat them with respect. Any money they provide is a gift!
Make guest list - Don't forget to include your parents and future in-laws in this discussion.
Speak to officiant- Priest, Minister, Rabbi, Justice of the Peace etc.
Reserve your ceremony and Reception Sites.

6-9 Months Before Wedding

Select Bridal Gown
Choose your attendants- Maid/Matron of Honor, Best Man, Bridesmaids, Ushers, Flowergirls, and Ring Bearer
Choose a Photographer
Select bridesmaids dresses & accessories (Remember to be Kind and listen to their suggestions and concerns).
Select a caterer (if needed)
Hire a band or DJ
Book your florist

4-5 Months Before Wedding

Schedule fittings for yourself and attendants (don't forget your flower-girl)
Reserve any rental items needed for ceremony and reception
Finalize guest list
Order Stationery - wedding invitations, thank you notes, and wedding programs
Address invitations or hire a professional calligrapher
Plan rehearsal dinner - set date, time and location. (This dinner is usually given by the grooms' parents.)
Arrange for accommodations for out-of-town guests.
Start planning honeymoon (Groom usually makes these arrangements after you BOTH decide where to go.) Don't forget to get any passports or travel documents you may need.
Register for gifts.
Purchase shoes and accessories (Remember to break your shoes in before the wedding)

2-3 Months Before Wedding

Order wedding cake
Order party favors
Order all necessary decorations
Book all transportation for wedding day (if necessary)
Buy wedding rings
Visit lawyer to write any necessary wills or prenuptial agreements

5-8 Weeks Before Wedding

Purchase gifts for wedding attendants
Mail invitations (A map to assist your guests in finding the ceremony and reception sites is a nice idea).
Visit hairstylist to determine what style you want for your hair. (Hint: Never change haircolor or change your style right before your wedding. Any changes should be made at least 3-4 weeks in advance).
Have a formal wedding portrait taken
Send wedding announcements to newspapers (if necessary)
Change name and address on driver's license, social security cards, insurance policies, and bank accounts
Reserve wedding attire for groom, ushers, ring bearer (Usually done by the groom).
Mail invitations to rehearsal dinner (if necessary)
Obtain marriage license
Get blood tests if necessary in your state
Plan a bridesmaid luncheon

2-4 Weeks Before Wedding

Confirm ceremony details with officiant
Arrange final fittings for your gown and bridesmaids dresses
Make final floral selections
Finalize rehearsal dinner plans
Confirm details with all service providers - It is a good idea to give them a written list of your wedding day timeline.
Contact guests who have not yet responded to your invitation
Pick up wedding rings
Meet with your photographer to discuss special photos you want taken.
Meet with your DJ or band to confirm the music you want played
Remind all attendants (male & female) when to pick up their wedding attire.
Purchase any special accessories or make-up you want your attendants to wear.
Determine ceremony seating for any special guests (give the list to the ushers).
Plan reception seating-write names on place cards.

Hold On....Your Almost Done! Last Week

Pick up wedding attire
Figure final guest count and notify cater
Arrange for "get-a-way" car from the reception
Review the schedule of events and last minute arrangements with all service providers.
Confirm honeymoon reservations
Pack for your honeymoon

Take a Breath.....It's Finally Here....Your Wedding Day!!!!

Give rings to the best man and maid of honor (If no ring Bearer)
Give the best man money to pay the officiant after the ceremony
Relax and have fun!!! All your hard work and planning has paid off.

Jasmine MacDonald is the editor of Fun Weddings and Merry Brides which will provide you with daily ideas and tips to help you plan the perfect wedding while staying within your budget. Jasmine can also help you design your very own wedding website to keep your friends and family updated about your wedding plans. Check out a Free Trial offer at Merry Bridals.

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Article Tags: Hire, List, Budget, Wedding Planning, Timeline, Florist, Caterer, Wedding Planning Checklist, Wedding Timeline, When To Hire, How To Prepare For Wedding, Receptiion, When To Hire Caterer, When To Send Invitations, When To Hire Reception, When To Hire Hall

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