The Bride's Wedding Planner

Follow our detailed checklist to keep your wedding plans on schedule from day one to the wedding day.

Planning a wedding is a full-time job, and you probably already have one of those! Getting organized and doing it right now is definitely essential. If you've got 12 months or more before your wedding, you're in terrific shape. If you have less than a year before your big day, hop into your cross-trainers immediately! Our timetable and checklist will help you get moving in the right direction.

Nine months (or longer) before wedding

• Set a date. Determine the time and place of your wedding and reception. Decide on the size and formality of the event. Confirm the date with your clergyman.
• Prepare a budget for the wedding, reception, and other wedding-related parties.
• If you choose to hire a bridal planner, interview reputable planners.
• Draw up your guest list. Ask your fiance's family to do the same.
• Ask family and/or friends to be in your wedding party.
• Seek out and buy a wedding gown and accessories.
• Shop for bridesmaids' dresses. If possible, arrange for attendants to see your favorites and give you feedback.
• Interview photographers, florists, musicians, caterers, and cakemakers.

Six to nine months before the wedding

• Have your fiance ask his family and/or friends to be in the wedding party.
• Shop for wedding invitations as well as personal stationery for thank-yous and at-home cards.
• Decide on formal wear for the men in the wedding party.
• Start planning your honeymoon.
• Decide on the photographers, florists, musicians, caterers, and cakemakers. Get written contracts.

Four to six months before the wedding

• Register with a bridal gift registry.
• Reserve your rehearsal dinner location.
• Book hotel accommodations for your attendants who live out of town, or arrange to have family or friends put them up.
• At the same time, book a block of rooms at a hotel for other out-of-town guests. Ask about group discounts and weekend packages.
• Begin fittings for your wedding gown and bridesmaids' dresses.
• Select a wedding ring for your groom. Have it engraved and sized (if necessary).

Three months before the wedding

• Prepare easy-to-read maps explaining how to get to hotels, as well as wedding and reception sites. Include the maps with invitations to out-of-town guests.
• Address invitations and announcements. Choose appropriate stamp design. Stamp the invitations.
• Meet with your caterer to talk about menus and other relevant details. Give the caterer an estimate of the number of guests you expect. Be sure to get everything in writing.
• Take swatches of your dress fabric and those of your bridesmaids and both mothers to your florist.
• Firm up your honeymoon plans.
• Have your groom hire a limousine or other transportation to take the two of you from the wedding to the reception. Remember: Get a contract.
• Compile a list of people you'd like invited to showers in your honor.
• Shop for clothing for flower girls and ring bearers. Ask their parents for help with sizes and fittings.
• Shop for gifts for your attendants.
• Shop for a going-away outfit and clothing for your trousseau.
• If you are renting tablewares, furniture, tents, etc., make those arrangements now.
• Arrange with your photographer to have a formal bridal portrait taken six to eight weeks before your wedding.
• Make appointments with a great hairstylist for the day your formal portrait is taken and the day of or day before your wedding.

Two months before the wedding

• Mail wedding invitations.
• Buy a journal for recording gifts you receive.
• Plan a brunch or other activity for out-of-town guests for the day after the wedding.
• Arrange a time and place for a bridesmaids' luncheon.
• Meet and discuss all specifics with the musicians involved with your wedding.
• Have a formal bridal portrait taken (some with your groom, too, if you choose).
• Send a bridal portrait and announcement to newspapers.

Two to four weeks before the wedding

• Set the wedding rehearsal and firm up rehearsal dinner plans. Inform the members of your wedding party of the plans.
• Get your wedding license and put it in a safe place.
• Have a final fitting of your gown.
• Buy a wedding guest book.
• Firm up plans with your photographer for wedding and reception photos.
• Give your caterer a solid estimate of the number of guests you expect and make final decisions regarding the menu.
• If you're giving your groom a traditional gift, select one and wrap it at once.
• Double check plans with your florist and the provider of your transportation.
• Draw up seating arrangements and make place cards for the rehearsal dinner and the reception.
• Make any name or address changes on bank accounts, credit cards, driver's license, insurance, Social Security forms. File change-of-address cards.

One week before the wedding

• Make final checks with your officiant, florist, caterer, photographer, cakemaker, musicians, transportation providers, and any other contracted vendors.
• Make sure your bridal-party gifts are wrapped and ready to be taken to the rehearsal dinner.
• Make arrangements with a friend or relative to transport gifts brought to the reception back to your home.
• Ask a close friend or family member to help the photographer identify people you especially want captured on film or tape.

The day before the wedding

• Have a facial, a massage, a manicure, and a pedicure.
• Rehearse your ceremony with the bridal party. Give ushers the names of reserved seating guests.