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The Bride's 12 Month Checklist

Golden Rule - Plan Ahead - Way Ahead

10 TO 12 MONTHS PRIOR

Buy your wedding planner or good organizer
Discuss the style of the wedding and the budget with your fiancée and ALL parents.
Interview wedding consultants, advisors and coordinators. Look at decorations.
Speak with all your friends - pick their brains - learn who knows what and who knows who.
Speak to your clergy - speak with other family members' clergy - ask questions.
Begin looking for locations - ceremony - rehearsal dinner - reception - other planned events
Begin interviewing Caterers, Bakers, Photographers, Florists, Videographers, Musicians
By the end of Month 12 select three of your key players: advisor/consultant - caterer and photographer
By end of Month 11 select site for the ceremony
By end of Month 10 select site for the reception and rehearsal dinner
By end of Month 10 select the remaining key players; baker, florist, musicians, videographer

7 TO 9 MONTHS PRIOR

Select all of your attendants
Together, begin compiling your guest list
Contact and visit clergy or justice of the peace
Begin shopping for your wedding gown and appropriate clothiers for your attendants (ladies) accessorize, accessorize, accessorize, accessorize
Register with no less than three well known Bridal Registries for gifts
Begin looking at honeymoon options with your fiancée - visit a travel agency or professional specializing in leisure travel - if you plan to leave the country check on your passports.
By the end of Month 9 choose clergy
By the end of Month 8 decide on a menu.
By the end of Month 7 schedule engagement photo session
By the end of Month 7 select and order attendant's apparel

4 TO 6 MONTHS PRIOR

Begin review of details with all of your wedding professionals
Finalize honeymoon plans with fiancée and book with travel agent
By end of Month 6 shop for and order invitations/announcements
Finalize music selection for wedding and reception
By end of Month 5 book calligrapher
By end of Month 5 shop and order the men's formal wear
Book wedding transportation - limousines, horse-drawn carriages, hot air balloons, boat, or whatever
By end of Month 4 have the rehearsal dinner plans in place (make sure you coordinate this with your fiancée).

2 TO 3 MONTHS PRIOR

Order the wedding rings!!
Finish guest list
Shop till you drop
Lingerie
Honeymoon Clothes
Attendants gifts
Your gift for your fiancée
Pre- & post-wedding party clothes you might need
Finalize catering, bakery, floral arrangements (be a little flexible)
Reserve a block of rooms for your out-of-town guests (good work for your fiancée)
Finalize arrangements for any rental items you may need
Candelabra & other silver pieces
Special decorative screens & archways
Special lighting (particularly if part of the event will be outside or in an unique area where normal lighting may not be possible)
Make appointment with your hairdresser (a trial run for next month - also good for your bridal portrait) Have her help you with your veil.
Make appointment with your hairdresser (final) Have her show you how to work with the headpiece you choose.
Make appointment for your nails (hands and feet)-
Make appointment with a makeup artist for the day of your bridal portrait

4 TO 8 WEEKS PRIOR

Mail your wedding invitations and send either your preplanned special itinerary for early arriving out-of-town guests or an activity sheet from area chambers-of-commerce
Final fittings (you and the attendants)
Plan the bridesmaids' luncheon & confirm the location & instructions
By Week 6 have bridal portrait taken
Send local paper and wedding publications your announcement and photograph
Notes! Notes! Notes! Write Thank You Notes as you receive bridal and wedding gifts
Reconfirm rehearsal events and rehearsal dinner reservations
For your own peace of mind personally touch base with every key professional you and/or your coordinator have working on all your upcoming events
By Week 4 Pick Up Wedding Rings
Get marriage license with fiancée
Reconfirm honeymoon reservations and (if leaving the country got o bank and exchange at least $100 into foreign currency)
Submit request lists to your musicians, photographer and videographer
Formally invite wedding party and guests to the rehearsal dinner
Confirm all transportation for all events (including honeymoon)
Address announcements to mail on your wedding day
Prepare all the necessary forms for name address changes on social security card, credit cards, bank accounts, post office, driver's license, etc.
Arrange to move belongings to new home
By the last day of Week 2 plan a day to be alone with your family

1 WEEK PRIOR

On the very first day of the last week begin packing for your honeymoon
Check final details with all your wedding professionals - early in the week
Give (or attend) the Bridesmaids' luncheon
Give final guest count to the caterer
Create a wedding day schedule with your fiancée
Reminder Day
Remind wedding party men to pick up tuxedos
Remind attendants of rehearsal dinner agenda
Remind fiancée to double check rehearsal dinner plans
Finish packing for your honeymoon
Rehearsal Dinner (give wedding day schedule to all)
Schedule the day prior to the wedding as a free day - and a day to visit with a few close friends