Wedding Planner

One of the most important things you can do once you’ve decided to tie the knot, is be organized and on top of all of the essential elements in planning a wedding. Our twelve month planner will help keep you on task.

1O to 12 MONTHS BEFORE

Wedding Planner

Our 12 month wedding planner will make sure you check all the right boxes before the big day.

  • Select potential wedding dates and times. If you are having a large wedding, this must be done quickly to ensure a hall is available to accommodate you.
  • Select the engagement rings.
  • Determine a budget and how expenses will be shared.
  • Discuss whether to have a civil or religious ceremony, the number of guests and the wedding theme (if any).
  • Contact your officiant to confirm the date and time and to schedule an appointment to discuss the ceremony.
  • Assemble your “planning team” or hire a wedding consultant.
  • Purchase a wedding planner to help keep you organized.
  • Gather information on potential wedding and reception venues.
  • Begin making honeymoon plans by contacting a travel agent and asking them to mail or email you brochures.
  • Mail save-the-date cards, especially if you are marrying over a holiday or in a place where many guests will have to travel.
  • Have an engagement party to celebrate your decision.

8 to 10 MONTHS AHEAD

  • Begin compiling the guest lists.
  • Reserve the site for the wedding ceremony, wedding rehearsal and wedding reception.
  • Finalize your wedding budget.
  • Finalize selection of your wedding photography and videography.
  • Arrange to have your engagement photographs taken and send announcements to newspaper.
  • Begin the selection process for a caterer, florist, wedding cake and musicians.
  • Select attendants and formally ask for their participation.
  • The Bride begins choosing her wedding gown, veil, and wedding shoes.
  • Choose the color scheme for attendant’s outfits and the ceremony and reception.
  • Arrange for any rentals (chairs, tables, props) that might be required.
  • Consider a wedding insurance policy to protect your deposits.
  • Register for gifts.

6 to 8 MONTHS

  • Book the organist, soloist or other musicians for the ceremony and reception.
  • Finalize the names and addresses of the guest list.
  • Book your florist.
  • Book your caterer.
  • Finalize arrangements for your wedding cake.
  • Finalize selection of your wedding gown, headpiece, veil and shoes.
  • Bride begins selecting her garter, lingerie and going away outfit and accessories.
  • Begin selecting the gowns and men's formal wear for your attendants.
  • Finalize honeymoon plans and reservations.
  • Arrange for passports, visas, inoculations and medical insurance.
  • Book time off work for the honeymoon and at least a few days before the wedding.
  • Order wedding stationery: announcements, programs, maps and thank-you cards.

5 to 6 MONTHS

  • Bride and Groom select the wedding rings.
  • Finalize the selection of gowns for your attendants. Schedule fittings and delivery dates. Include all the shoes at this time if they must be dyed to match the dresses.
  • The mothers of the Bride and Groom begin shopping for their dresses and accessories.
  • Complete discussions with caterer regarding the rough number of guests, style of the service,times of the meal and menu items.
  • Decide which beverages will be served at the reception (Open bar, cash bar, wine and beer service) . Consult a wine and liquor representative to advise you on quantities.
  • Complete discussions with your florist regarding the floral bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, flowers for the church, and table arrangements for the reception.
  • Finalize the selection of formal wear for the men.

3 to 4 MONTHS IN ADVANCE

  • Bride and Groom should spend some time together as a break from the wedding planning.
  • The mothers of the Bride and Groom finalize clothing and accessory selections.
  • Begin addressing wedding invitations and announcements.
  • Make maps to the ceremony, reception and the site of your formal photographs. These can be printed inexpensively and enclosed with your invitation.
  • Groom selects going away outfit and clothing for honeymoon.
  • Register for your pre-marriage counseling course. (for church weddings, where required)
  • Select your MC (Master of Ceremonies) for the reception and arrange with the people who will be giving speeches and toasts.
  • Finalize music selections for organist and soloist for the ceremony (if using).
  • Begin looking at gifts for your attendants and your new spouse.
  • Arrange the transportation for the wedding party to the church and reception. Friends and relatives may be able to provide this service, but you may wish to book limousines or even buses.
  • Organize and arrange details of your rehearsal dinner or party.
  • Organize and arrange details of the bachelor and bachelorette parties. These are traditionally done by the best man for the Groom and the Maid of Honor for the Bride.
  • Make arrangements for overnight accommodation for out of town guests.
  • Purchase a marriage license.
  • Arrange for religious documents, If required.

2 MONTHS IN ADVANCE

  • Visit your officiant to go over readings and hymns for your ceremony.
  • Write your vows if you have chosen to do so.
  • Attend parties in your honor. Showers normally are held one to two months in advance. Other parties may be closer to the wedding day.
  • Mail invitations. Reply cards should be dated four weeks before the wedding date.
  • Purchase gifts for your attendants and new spouse.
  • Bride consults an aesthetician for skin care and make up tips. Arrange for your make up and manicure to be done at your home on the wedding day.
  • Bride consults her hair stylist for hair care tips. Arrange for the hair stylist to come to home on the wedding day.
  • If you intend to change your name, begin the process of having documents changed (driver's license, credit cards, Insurance bank accounts, etc.)
  • Make arrangements for financial matters and change your address with the mail service if one of you will be moving house.
  • Plan a recording system for your wedding gifts.

1 MONTH IN ADVANCE

  • Contact florist to finalize times and delivery places of the flowers.
  • The Bride has a hair and makeup run-through.
  • Go over final details with all professional services you have engaged.
  • Make seating plans for the reception.
  • Develop the schedule of speakers for the reception and give It to the Master of Ceremonies.
  • Make sure that you have all accessories: aisle carpet and canopy, ring pillow for ring bearer, toasting goblets, candles, any decorations for the hall, garter, cake cutting knife, etc.
  • Notify all people who will be attending the Rehearsal and Rehearsal party of all the details.

3 WEEKS IN ADVANCE

  • Send announcements to the newspapers. Post announcements online.
  • Prepare address and wedding announcements to be mailed following the wedding.
  • Exchange money or obtain travelers checks for your honeymoon.
  • Break in any new shoes by wearing them indoors for a few hours each day.
  • Bachelor and Bachelorette parties held.

2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE

  • Send announcements to the newspapers. Post announcements online.
  • Prepare address and wedding announcements to be mailed following the wedding.
  • Exchange money or obtain travelers checks for your honeymoon.
  • Break in any new shoes by wearing them indoors for a few hours each day.
  • Bachelor and Bachelorette parties held.

THE WEEK BEFORE

  • Bride and Groom each spend a quiet evening with their families.
  • Plan the schedule for the wedding day.
  • Groom and Groom's men have final fittings for their formal wear. Arrange responsible person to pick up and return of these items at specific times.
  • Pick up Bridal gown and attendant’s gowns.
  • Pack an emergency kit for the wedding day. Include safety pins, corsage pins, bobby pins, needle and thread, nail file, tissues, sanitary supplies, cosmetics, panty hose, tape, aspirin. comb, hairbrush, hair spray, mirror, breath mints, and antacids.
  • Contact guests that have not responded to R.S.V.P. request.
  • Give final guest count to the caterer.
  • Pick up wedding rings. Make sure they fit.
  • Groom, Groom's men and Ushers have hair trimmed.

THE DAY BEFORE

  • Give all wedding professionals an emergency number to call on the day of the wedding.
  • Review the schedule for tomorrow and make sure everyone is aware of changes.
  • Arrange for your honeymoon suitcases to be placed in going-away car if you plan on leaving right after the ceremony.
  • Give ushers the list of guests to be seated in the reserved section at the ceremony.
  • Decorate the cars and the reception hall.
  • Give payment envelopes and license to the Best Man.
  • Give wedding rings to the Best Man and Maid of Honor or affix them to the ring bearer's pillow.
  • Finish packing for the honeymoon. Include travel tickets and identification.
  • Assemble all accessories for tomorrow's dressing in one room.
  • Get to bed early and get a good night's sleep!

THE NIGHT BEFORE

  • Meet with wedding party, ceremony readers, immediate family, and officiant at the ceremony site to rehearse.
  • Bring unity candle, aisle runner, or other ceremony accessories to the site.
  • Give your marriage license to your officiant.
  • Attend rehearsal dinner.
  • Present attendants with gifts at the rehearsal dinner. You'll want to do this especially if the gifts are accessories to be worn during the wedding.

THE WEDDING DAY ITSELF

  • Be sure to have breakfast.
  • Bride has make-up, manicure and hair appointments.
  • Ensure that car keys, license, tickets, money and hotel confirmations are assembled and that someone is responsible for them.
  • Arrange for the going-away car to be at the reception hall.
  • Bride transfers engagement ring to right hand.
  • Present parents and each other with gifts.

AFTER THE WEDDING

  • Mail announcements.
  • Bride and Groom send flowers with thank you notes to both sets of parents to thank them for their help and support.
  • Return borrowed and rented items.
  • Have wedding dress cleaned and stored.
  • Enjoy your honeymoon vacation.
  • Write and mail thank you note to guests.

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