Detailed Time Plan

To make the most of your wedding, good planning is everything. If you take time to set up a detailed wedding plan it will not only help you keep your budget, you will also be planning for a successful wedding.

Here below is a sample 12 month countdown checklist. Use it as a template that you personalize according to your needs.

Above all remember: Planning the wedding should be fun. Make the planning of your wedding a fun and eventful journey. When things don’t go according to your plan, don’t go crazy about it. Relax, take a deep breath, and figure out a solution. Is this really the worst thing that could happen? No, of course not, a mishap with your wedding plan is nothing when you think about all bad things happening out there in the world. Further, solving the problem may make your wedding even better than the initial plan. A real life example of this is my own wedding. Having about four weeks to go, my husband and I got in to a disagreement with the manager at the location of our reception. We realized we could not go on having our wedding at there. Time ticked on and we were desperately looking for a new place. Then, only two weeks before the wedding date, we found the most wonderful place. The manager was absolutely wonderful. He even helped us finding a florist who made fantastic flower decorations for our reception and the church, for about a quarter of the price at other florists.

12 Month Wedding Countdown Checklist

12 to 6 months before

    Basics

  • Set a wedding budget.
  • Set a wedding date.
  • Set a wedding time.
  • Check the legal requirements and any documents that will be required (birth certificate, marriage license, blood testetc.)

    • Type of Wedding

  • Determine the type of wedding you want
  • Select the color scheme for the wedding.
  • Determine how many guests to invite
  • Work on the guest list.
  • Arrange accommodations for out-of-town guests
  • Have a look at invitation styles. The invitations need not be ordered until 3 - 4 months before the big day. If you are making your own invitations check out our invitation ideas
  • Choose your wedding party

    • Ceremony and Reception

  • Locate and book your ceremony site.
  • Determine who will officiate at your ceremony.
  • Research reception hall locations.
  • Select and book your reception location.
  • Find a caterer if it is not provided by the reception hall.
  • Start thinking of the music types you would like for your ceremony and reception. Before booking musicians, band and/or DJ, check them out first! Book music, either live or a disc jockey.
  • Find a photographer and set up an appointment to look at their work
  • Find a videographer and set up an appointment to look at their work
  • Find a florists and set appointments to look at their work
  • Choose your wedding transport.

    • Start Shopping for Attire

  • Search for wedding gown
  • Decide what you will need for your wedding day attire including headpieces, jewelry, shoes, lingerie, and accessories.
  • Look for for attendants' dresses
  • Look for groom’s formal wear
  • Look for groomsmens formal wear

    • Other Details

  • Interview a wedding planner/co-ordinator if that's the direction you are leaning.
  • Set up contracts from all the professionals you choose

    • Honey Moon

  • Book the honeymoon particularly if you are travelling in peak season.
  • Let your employers know when you'll need time off. .
  • Get a passport if you don't own one, or check the expiration date on your old one in case you need to renew it. If you change your last name you need to apply for a new pass-port
  • Arrange for any necessary visas to be issued.

6 to 4 months before

  • Shop and select wedding rings
  • Wedding dress and attendant's dresses should be selected and deposits made.
  • Groom’s and groomsmen’s attire should be selected and deposits made
  • Interview hairdressers and make up artists, and book them.
  • If you are renting equipment, reserve it, this includes arches, floral items etc
  • Order invitations and other wedding stationery, such as thank you cards, response cards, etc
  • Make a map with directions to the ceremony and reception site(s).
  • Choose and order a wedding cake.
  • Arrange for the rehearsal dinner.
  • Notify any family or friends whom you would like to give readings, sing solos, serve as guest book attendant, etc
  • Decide on your wedding favors and order any non-perishable parts of the favors
  • Set up a bridal registry
  • Set appointment for your formal bridal portrait
  • Book your wedding night hotel

4 to 2 months before

  • Decide your menu for the reception or finalize it with caterer or reception hall
  • Confirm the wedding cake details
  • Plan a rehearsal dinner
  • Set the dates and times with the officiant for the rehearsal
  • Select a wedding guest book
  • Mail invitations
  • Finalize accommodations for out of town guest
  • Find gifts for each other, your attendants, your shower hostess, and your parents
  • Finalize the florist
  • Finalize the photographer
  • Finalize the videographer
  • Consider signing up for dance classes.
  • Visit hairdresser to discuss what style is required and to book final appointment. Don’t forget to take wedding headdress if appropriate. Confirm whether you will be going to the salon or having stylists to your home
  • Arrange for a trial run for your make-up
  • If you are changing your name upon marriage, arrange for new credit cards to be issued
  • Notify banks, utility companies etc if bride planning to change her name
  • Consult your doctor about any vaccinations needed for your

2 to 1 month before

  • Work out the reception seating plan
  • Start to write out placement cards
  • Send final number of guests to the caterer or the reception hall
  • Confirm photographer details and arrival
  • Confirm videographer details and arrival
  • Confirm florist details and delivery times
  • Finalize the transportation
  • Make sure you have bought all of your accessories and shoes
  • Pick up your wedding rings
  • Purchase an out fit to wear when leaving the reception hall
  • Keep record of gifts received. Send thank-you's ASAP or you'll regret it

1 month to go

  • Have a final fitting for bridal outfit and bridesmaids’ dresses
  • Make arrangements to have your wedding gifts move to your home
  • Call any guests who have not responded
  • Delegate responsibilities to reliable individuals to help on your wedding day or your planner will do this task
  • Prepare the wedding announcement for the newspaper and other media
  • Obtain your marriage license and any blood tests which may be needed
  • Reconfirm your honeymoon reservations and tickets

2 weeks before

  • Make sure all clothing and accessories for you and the bridal party are ready
  • Wear in any shoes that are new.
  • Review all the final details with your baker
  • Review all the final details with your florist
  • Review all the final details with your photographer
  • Review all the final details with your videographer
  • Make sure your service program, menus and place cards have arrived.
  • Finalize the place cards for the reception
  • Reconfirm your out of town guests' hotel accommodations
  • Wrap the wedding party gifts
  • Pack for your honeymoon

1 week before

  • Review any seating details with the ushers and reception hall
  • Give a final count to the caterer
  • Finalize your rehearsal dinner arrangements
  • Make sure your and the attendants dresses fit
  • Final check on your honey-moon: local currency, credit-cards…

1 day before

  • Attend wedding rehearsal and Dinner
  • Get a manicure
  • Relax! Hava a massage, take a long hot bath and get a good night's sleep.

The Wedding Day

  • Prepare yourself in plenty of time so you don’t feel rushed.
  • Eat properly
  • Most important of all: Relax and enjoy your wedding!

Money Saving Tips

Bridal Wear
Reception
Stationary
Music
Cake
Florals
Rings & Jewelry