The Best Wedding Checklist

With reception venues booking up to two years in advance, it's pertinent to have a wedding checklist and stick by it. Here are some of the things you need to take care of well in advance of your big day.

At Least Twelve Months in Advance

• Hire a wedding planner, if desired
• Set an initial budget
• Select a wedding date and time
• Research reception locations
• Determine your wedding style (theme? destination? day/night? formal/casual?)
• Book your reception location, if possible
• Parents of the bride should plan engagement dinner

Nine to Twelve Months in Advance

• Announce your engagement in the newspaper
• Interview and book a caterer if not already provided by you reception facility
• Research ceremony locations
• Arrange for clergyman, if desired
• Book your ceremony location.
• Set the number of guests you wish to invite
• Compare and book wedding musicians - vocalists, ceremony musicians, bands, DJ
• Compare and book wedding photographer and/or videographer
• Determine how many and who will be in your bridal party
• Determine what type of gown you will wear
• Attend bridal shows
• Create a bridal registry
• Meet with florist and bakeries to view/sample their work
• Attend engagement dinner

Six to Nine Months in Advance

• Choose your wedding attendants
• Select and purchase bridemaids' dresses
• Select and purchase your bridal gown
• Select and book florist
• Order your wedding cake
• Research honeymoon destinations
• Begin making guest list
• Research wedding transportation
• Compare styles of wedding invitations

The countdown is on - less than six months until your wedding day. There is plenty to get done, but if you stay organized it will be much more simple. Don't stress yourself out and ask for the help of friends and family members when you need it.

Four to Six Months in Advance

• Select and purchase groom's tuxedo
• Arrange for groomsmen to be measured for tuxedos
• Shop for and purchase bridal accessories - headpiece, veil, etc.
• Parents of the groom should arrange rehearsal dinner
• Select and book wedding transportaion
• Select and book honeymoon destination
• Shop for and purchase wedding rings
• Order invitations and other stationery
• Research wedding favors
• Make sure mothers and father have selected their attire
• Finalize guest lists
• Get blood tests and other requirements for marriage license
• Mail "Save the Date" cards

Two to Four Months in Advance

• Select menu and confirm other details with caterer and reception venue
• Purchase wedding guest book, candles, garter, goblets and other ceremony items
• Plan the bachelor and bachelorette parties
• Arrange for printing of ceremony programs
• Purchase wedding favors
• Choose wedding music particulars - first dance, parents dance, etc.
• Finalize details with all vendors - florist, musicians, photographer, baker, etc.
• Arrange for accomodations for out-of-town guests
• Practice wedding hairstyles and makeup

Six to Eight Weeks in Advance

• Mail invitations and announcements
• Schedule final fittings for gown
• Select attendants' gifts
• Select spouse's gift
• Book hairdressers and makeup artists

Four to Six Weeks in Advance

• Give estimate of number of guests to caterer
• Take bridal portrait
• Pick up wedding rings
• Confirm dates, times and details with all vendors
• Meet with ushers regarding their duties
• Make seating plan for reception

It's the final month and you are probably a nervous wreck. Don't worry - the hard part is over. The rest of this wedding checklist is primarily just re-confirming all the details. Remember to take time out for yourself and don't stress too much.

Two to Four Weeks in Advance

• Handle name change
• Prepare and submit the wedding announcement for the newspaper.
• Make sure all bridal attire is ready
• Get marriage license
• Write place cards

One Week in Advance

• Review details with the ushers
• Attend final fitting (make sure your bridesmaids do too)
• Confirm seating arrangements
• Pack for honeymoon
• Give final head count to caterer
• Re-confirm with all vendors
• Finalize rehearsal dinner plans
• Attend bachelor/bachelorette parties

One Day in Advance

• Get manicure
• Attending rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Get plenty of sleep

The Big Day

• Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready
• Make sure to eat properly, especially if you are going to be drinking
• Relax and enjoy your special day