Your Wedding Planner

So much to do and so much to forget. Now you need not worry with our wedding to do list!
24 - 18 months before
Set a wedding date
Personally announce your "Big Day's" date to family & friends
Consider hiring a wedding planner to save you time, money and energy, as well as give you great ideas
Discuss & establish a budget, knowing from the start who pays for what
Discuss together the roles for everyone close to you – family, friends and wedding party
Send a ’Save the date’ announcement (email is perfectly correct)
Create your own website to keep everyone informed - consider net solutions
Scout and reserve a ceremony location
Scout and reserve a reception location (they are often booked 24-18 months before)
Meet with wedding officiant (they will advise you on pre-marital requirements)
Think of a personal theme for your wedding
Make initial contacts with 1-2 caterers or reception venues
Start searching for your wedding dress style in magazines and on the internet
Get yourself a great “Wedding Planner” workbook to record everything
12 months before
Start shopping for your wedding dress
Groom: Decide on your wedding day fashion
Set a date for your engagement party
Select your wedding attendants and ask them to do you the honour
Define and advise roles of mothers, fathers and people close to you
Interview & ask for the demos and the repertoires from musicians and DJ’s
Decide on your caterer and start working on the menu
Begin shopping for your dress and your attendants’ dresses
Shop for wedding bands
Check out bakers for your wedding cakes (magazine photos can help greatly here)
Begin your health & beauty regimen (remember you are the BELLE of the ball)
8 months before
Finalize guest list (as much as possible)
Choose your invitations and order them
Register for Gifts in specialized stores (it is very popular to register in more than one store for those special items like dishes, cutlery, crystal, kitchen accessories or even tools for him)
Confirm photographer & sign a contract as guarantee
Confirm videographer & sign a contract as guarantee
Confirm musicians & DJ & sign a contract as guarantee
Shop & reserve transportation for wedding party
Shop and choose florist for the ceremony and reception sites’ décor
Select and buy your wedding dress (a deposit should suffice)
Select and buy your maid of honour and bridesmaids’ dresses
Groom: Reserve your wedding attire for you and your groomsmen
Set aside block of hotel rooms for your out-of-town guests (they will take a guarantee on your credit card but will not charge you until a certain date, at which time you can cancel if not used)
6 months before
Confirm guest list details with caterer or banquet manager
Make sure you have received your invitations
Hold a meeting with caterer or banquet manager to finalize set-up, menu, beverages, schedule, cake cutting, snack etc.
Visit reception location during another wedding to view décor and set-up ideas
Reserve all rental equipment for reception (different tablecloths, napkins, candelabras etc.)
Start planning your honeymoon
Obtain a passport now (it will save you unnecessary stress later)
Start planning the rehearsal dinner
Book a venue for the rehearsal
Book a hotel for your wedding night
Obtain insurance if desired
Choose and buy your wedding accessories
4 months before
Make or buy wedding favors (shipping is often required, so better earlier than later)
Attend pre-marital courses if required
Finalize any outstanding contracts & guarantee them with a deposit
Discuss shower ideas with your maid of honour
Shop for exciting lingerie and undergarments to go under your wedding dress
Schedule a fitting for your wedding dress
Discuss with people you have chosen to do special performances (readings, MC, toasts)
Address your invitations or send to calligrapher
2 months before
Mail invitations (six weeks prior to wedding & eight weeks for out-of-town guests)
Select a guest book and pen
Buy all accessories to bring to your next wedding dress fitting
If tradition obliges, remember something new, something blue, something old and something borrowed
Research & choose your personal wedding vows
Discuss transportation details with provider
Arrange for baby sitter at reception site if you want families with small children to attend
Have hair stylist and make-up artist do a trial run with your accessories (this is a photo moment you will want to record)
Make your appointment with them now, for your big day
Write your personal thank you notes as presents arrive (grooms should share in this and a good rule is to write these no later than 2 months after the wedding day)
Groom and groomsmen: get fitted for your wedding attire
Select gifts for your wedding party
See notary and draw marriage contract (do not wait until the end)
1 month before
Schedule final fitting for wedding dress
Finalize and print prayer book, bulletin, ceremony program, menu and name cards
Get marriage license if required
Check and review contracts with caterer, photographer, videographer, musicians, DJ, florist & transportation
Draw up a list with all suppliers name, telephone numbers (including cellular) and time of arrival for the wedding day
Pick up your wedding dress and accessories
Finalize all ceremony details with your officiant
3 weeks before
Send schedule to your reception banquet manager and ensure delivery location
Grooms: Hold the Bachelor Party
Hold the Bachelorette Party
2 weeks before
Review all details with your wedding planner
Designate a coordinator for pre-wedding set-up if you do not have a wedding planner
Confirm time of arrival with all service providers
Confirm your hair & make-up appointments (many of them can come to your home)
Enjoy a day at the SPA with your friends (or even have a pyjama party)
1 week before
Groom: Pick up your wedding attire and try it on at home
Bride & groom: Pack for your honeymoon, prepare all documents
Groom: Rehearse your toasts with your groomsmen
Give final seating chart to location manager
Pack your overnight bag for your wedding night
1 day before
Designate someone to collect your gifts and bring them to reception site
Drop off favors, guest book, pen, menus, and programs at reception site
Attend the rehearsal & try to enjoy!
Offer your thank you gifts to your attendants and family who assisted you
Bride & Groom: Get an early night sleep. Tomorrow is the Big Day!
YOUR WEDDING DAY
Go to your hair appointment (remember to bring your veil & flowers)
Wedding planner galleria, or designated person will coordinate everything at reception site
Groom: Place any service provider owed balance in an envelope be remitted by Best Man
Take a moment to thank your parents & close ones and tell them you love them
RELAX, SMILE & make the most of this memorable day