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

Here’s 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 night, number of guests
• Choose a wedding date.
• Determine your budget: Discuss who is responsible for what expenses before making 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 a guest list: Don’t forget to include your parents and future in-laws in this discussion.
• Talk to the officiant: priest, minister, rabbi, justice of the peace, etc.
• Reserve your Ceremony and Reception Sites.

6-9 months before the wedding

• select wedding dress
• Choose your attendants: bridesmaid/matron of honor, best man, bridesmaids, ushers, flower girls, and ring bearer
• choose a photographer
• Select dresses and accessories for bridesmaids (Remember to be kind and listen to their suggestions and concerns).
• Select a caterer (if required)
• Hire a band or DJ
• Book your flower shop

4-5 months before the wedding

• Schedule accessories for you and your attendees (don’t forget your florist)
• Reserve any rental items needed for the ceremony and reception.
• Finish guest list
• Order stationery: wedding invitations, thank you notes and wedding programs
• Address the invitations or hire a professional calligrapher
• Plan the rehearsal dinner: set the date, time and place. (This dinner is usually given by the parents of the couple).
• Arrange lodging for out of town guests.
• Start planning the honeymoon (the groom usually makes these arrangements after they BOTH decide where to go). Don’t forget to get any passports or travel documents you may need.
• Sign up for gifts.
• Buy shoes and accessories (Remember to break in your shoes before the wedding)

2-3 months before the wedding

• order wedding cake
• order the party favors
• Order all the necessary decorations
• Reserve all transportation for the wedding day (if necessary)
• buy wedding rings
• Visit a lawyer to draft any necessary wills or prenuptial agreements

5-8 weeks before the wedding

• Buying gifts for wedding attendees
• Invitations by mail (a map to help your guests find ceremony and reception sites is a good idea).
• Visit the hairdresser to determine what style you want for your hair. (Hint: Never change your hair color or style right before your wedding. Any changes should be made at least 3-4 weeks in advance.)
• Get a formal wedding portrait
• Send wedding announcements to newspapers (if necessary)
• Change name and address on driver’s license, social security cards, insurance policies, and bank accounts
• Reserve the wedding attire for the groom, ushers, ring bearer (usually done by the groom).
• Mailed invitations to the rehearsal dinner (if required)
• Get marriage license
• Get blood tests if required in your state
• Plan a bridesmaids lunch

2-4 weeks before the wedding

• Confirm ceremony details with the officiant
• Organize the final accessories for your dress and bridesmaids dresses.
• Making Final Floral Selections
• Finalize rehearsal dinner plans
• Confirm details with all service providers – it’s a good idea to give them a written list of your wedding day schedule.
• Get in touch with guests who haven’t responded to your invitation yet
• collect wedding rings
• Meet with your photographer to discuss the special photos you want to take.
• Meet with your DJ or band to confirm the music you want to play
• Remind all attendees (men and women) when to pick up their wedding attire.
• Purchase any special accessories or makeup you want your attendees to wear.
• Determine ceremony seating for special guests (hand list to ushers).
• Plan reception seating – write names on place cards.

Wait… You’re almost done! In the past week

• Collect the attractions of the wedding
• Calculate final guest count and notify provider
• Arrange a “departure” car from reception.
• Check the calendar of events and last minute arrangements with all service providers.
• Confirm honeymoon reservations
• Package for your honeymoon

Take a breather… It’s finally here… Your wedding day!

• Give rings to the best man and to the bridesmaid (if there is no ring bearer)
• Give the best man money to pay the officiant after the ceremony.
• Relax and have fun!!! All of your hard work and planning has paid off.