6 to 12 Months Before: 

• Announce your engagement to your families and close friends.

 
• Plan an engagement party to celebrate your announcement.

 
• Discuss preferences with regard to dates and times. Choose two or three dates or a particular month, but be flexible, especially if you have your hearts set on a specific caterer, reception site "and" photographer or other service. They may not all be available on the same dates.

 
• Determine your wedding budget and who will pay for what. If expenses are to be shared, then be sure to involve the groom and his parents in any decisions regarding the wedding.

 
• Decide on the size and style of wedding you will have, but do not lose sight of your budget.

 
• Draw up your guest lists. Start with the people you "must" invite, and then consider the ones you "want" to invite. If cuts must be made, eliminate business associates, escorts for single quests or small children.

 
• Choose ceremony and reception sites that will comfortably accommodate your guests.

 
• Make an appointment with the clergy or ceremony officiator to discuss ceremonial procedures, regulations and restrictions.

 
• Arrange to meet the reception site manager to discuss menus and other details (if site has its own caterer).

 
• If necessary, make arrangements for a caterer, and get together to discuss details. Some caterers handle most everything you will need to make the reception a success, from flowers to champagne.

 
• Book a disc jockey or band for the reception.

 
• Book a photographer. Reserve a date approximately one month prior to the wedding. If you desire a pre wedding portrait session.

 
• Book a videographer to videotape the various activities of your wedding day. There is absolutely no better way to capture the memories of your special day than in a one or two hour video production.

 
• Plan your colour scheme for the wedding and reception, and carry colour samples with you everywhere you go!

 
• Select a florist to take care of all your floral needs from corsages and boutonnieres, to the bridal and attendants' bouquets, to decorative floral arrangements for the church alter or reception head table.

 
• Discuss the number of wedding attendants you will have and make your selections. Remember that the more attendants you have, the more difficult it will be to co-ordinate meetings.

 
• Visit local bridal attire shops and try on various wedding gowns. Order your gown, and also look for accessories such as veils, headpieces, and shoes. Remember you will need our gown and accessories for the pre wedding portrait session.

 
• Visit the bridal shops again, but this time, browse for dresses and accessories for your bridesmaids. Take notes on style numbers and colours, and ask the shop's consultant for recommendations regarding matching dresses with "figures".

 
• Set a date for the attendants to meet, and try on dresses for themselves. Take notes on preferences with regard to hats, hairpieces, and other accessories. These can be ordered at the time of the first fitting.

 
• If you have not done so already, arrange a shopping trip with your partner to choose your engagement ring(s).

 
• Call around to local newspapers for rates and guidelines for engagement and wedding announcements. Submit your composition to your selected newspaper with an approximate release date. Allow about two weeks.

 
• Discuss honeymoon plans and visit your travel agent for more information. Be sure to ask about visas, passports, and inoculations if your honeymoon will take you outside of the country. Schedule time off from work.

 
• Many gift shops have a wedding gift registry service. Register with your favourite stores and make an appointment to select your favourites in china, crystal, silver, and other household items.

 
• Discuss where you will live after you are married, and begin shopping for household items that you are certain that no one will give as gifts.

 
• Purchase a supply of thank you notes to send to friends and family to show your appreciation for gifts and thoughtful deeds.

 
• Register for any premarital classes your church requires you to take.

 

 
 
 
 
 

4 to 6 Months Before:
 

• Finalize your guest lists and review them together for any duplications. Make a list of people to who you would like to send announcements.

 
• Place your order for invitations, announcement and other stationery needs such as matches, napkins, and "thank you" scrolls. Inquire whether envelopes can be ready ahead of the other items so that they can be addressed in advance. Order extras in case of addressing errors.

 
• Discuss transportation options for the bridal party. If a limousine service will be used, book your limousine now so you will have your choice of cars and colours.

 
• Choose a bakery to make your wedding cake. Sample flavours before you confirm our order. Provide the baker with a picture or sketch if you have a design in mind.

 
• Shop for your wedding rings. Place your order as soon as possible especially if the design of your rings involves some custom work.

 
• Complete your honeymoon plans and make sure all relevant bookings are made by your travel agent.

 
• Order wedding favours for your female guests, if you plan to have favours at all. Bell or heart shaped chocolates or confetti candies wrapped in coloured netting are nice.

 
• Advise your mothers as to your wedding colour scheme so they can begin shopping for their dresses and accessories.

 
• Visit a local formal attire shop and order the groom's attire. Arrange an appointment for your ushers to be fitted for their attire.

 
• Shop for the bride's trousseau including a "going away" outfit, if she plans to change part way through the event, and other honeymoon outfits.

 
• Send thank you notes for any gifts you have received so far.

 
• Make arrangements for ceremony music. Decide whether you prefer an organist, vocalist or guitarist.

 

 
 
 
 
 

2 to 4 Months Before:
 

• Make arrangements for any pre wedding parties such as the bridesmaids' luncheon, the stag and doe, or the rehearsal party.

 
• Provide your reception musician with a list of songs you would like to hear at your wedding. If you have hired a band, there should still be time for them to learn a few new songs. If you provide the written music, they can have no excuse.

 
• Meet with the officiator to discuss details with regards to flowers and the photographer. Advise relevant parties of special regulations or restrictions.

 
• Shop for attendants' gifts. Consider accessories you would like them to wear on the day of the wedding such as earrings, necklaces or hairpieces; or a monogrammed tie pin for the male attendants.

 
• Address the envelopes for your wedding invitations. Ask you attendants for help.

 

 
 
 
 
 

1 to 2 Months Before:
 

• Have your final wedding gown fitting.

 
• Arrange for your attendants to have their final fitting and settle up on accessories.

 
• Mail out your invitations at the same time. Allow an extra week for out-of-town guests to receive them.

 
• Meet with the florist to make your floral selections. Silk Bouquets and arrangements can be prepared and picked up in advance; special delivery arrangements will be necessary for fresh flowers. Reserve a money gift box unless you plan to make one.

 
• Talk to your caterer. Confirm menu details and other important details.

 
• Supply your photographer with a list of "must have" shots and confirm the date and time of your pre wedding portrait sessions.

 
• Pick up your wedding rings and store them in a safe place. Perhaps, take out a safety deposit box at the bank.

 
• Make appointments for the wedding day and for two weeks before, (for a trial run), for the hairdresser, makeup artist and manicurist.

 
• Book accommodations for out-of-town guests. Decide where out-of-town attendants will stay.

 
• Pick up your wedding gown and attend the pre wedding portrait session.

 
• Apply for your marriage license. If you are having a church ceremony, the officiator may apply for you.

 
• Arrange for name changes on bank accounts, credit cards and social insurance cards if you plan to change your name(s). You man have to delay this task until you are actually married as many institutions require to see your marriage license.

 

 
 
 
 
 

3 to 4 Weeks Before:
 

• Confirm your order with the florist. Make any necessary revisions.

 
• Keep an ongoing list of replies to invitations so that you may easily arrive at an updated count. Consider using index cards to record names, addresses, replies and gifts received.

 
• Obtain the liquor license, if you have made arrangements to do so with your caterer or reception site. Consult a liquor salesman about quantities and make your purchase.

 
• Meet with your ceremony musician. Choose music for the various parts of the ceremony. Ensure the officiator approves of your selections.

 
• Set a rehearsal date and time with the officiator.

 
• Wrap your attendants' gifts.

 
• Keep up with your "thank you" notes.

 

 
 
 
 
 

2 Weeks Before:
 

• Confirm all details with the caterer and reception site.

 
• Call all those people who have not responded to your invitation. They may have forgotten to mail their reply or they may never have received the invitation in the first place.

 
• Have your stag and doe or other pre wedding parties.

 
• Submit your wedding announcement to a local newspaper with instructions to publish it just after the date of your wedding.

 
• Visit hairdresser, manicurist and makeup artist for a "trial run".

 
• Pick up tickets for the honeymoon and plan "get away" details.

 
• Devise a rough seating plan for the reception.

 

 
 
 
 
 

1 Week Before:
 

• Confirm all arrangements with the clergy, the florist, the caterer, the musician(s), the photographer, the videographer, the reception site, and the baker. Make any delivery arrangements. Provide the caterer and reception site with the expected number of guests.

 
• Remind attendants of dates, times and places at which they are to be present, including rehearsal and rehearsal party details.

 
• The groom should have his hair trimmed so it does not look "just cut" on the day of the wedding.

 
• Purchase travelers' cheques and any last minute items for the honeymoon.

 
• Pack for the honeymoon.

 
• Plan seating arrangements for the head table and finalize the quest seating plan. Be sure to confirm the maximum number of quests that may be seated comfortably at each table with the reception site.

 
• Write out place cards and "his side" and "her side" guest lists so that your ushers may escort the guests to their tables.

 
• Give your attendants their gifts early so exchanges may be made if necessary.

 
• Arrange for gifts you will receive on the wedding day to be moved to your new home while you are honeymooning.

 
• Visit a local dry cleaner and plan to have your wedding gown and accessories preserved and boxed shortly after your return.

 
• Make pick up arrangements with the bridal and formal attire shops for your attendants' attire; or have the attendants pick up their own things.

 

 
 
 
 
 

1 Day Before:
 

• Have your manicure done.

 
• Confirm floral, cake and other deliveries.

 
• Gather friends and attendants to help decorate the ceremony and reception sites, unless other arrangements have been made.

 
• Attend the wedding rehearsal and party.

 
• Provide ushers with special instructions regarding special seating at the ceremony.

 
• Remind the attendants of the time and place they should meet and other details.

 
• Make arrangements with one of your attendants or family members to mail your wedding announcements just after the wedding.

 

 
 
 
 
 

The Big Day
 

• Have your hair and make-up done.

 
• The groom and ushers are in charge of washing and decorating the cars for transporting the bridal party.

 
• Get dressed.

 
• Be prepared to smile, smile, smile!!!

 
• Good luck and enjoy yourselves!!! [ back ]