Wedding Planning Checklist

Wedding planning can be so intimidating, especially for a first time bride. There is so much to do! Planning ahead can help keep the stress down plus allow you to actually enjoy the journey towards your big day. Is that possible? I believe it is! We started planning my daughter's wedding about 13 or 14 months in advance. We quickly decided who would pay for what. We met with vendors early on. And we loved every minute of it.

This is a checklist created by Bride's Magazine that I think is perfect:

Your 12-Month Wedding-Planning Checklist /react-text

react-text: 195 12 Months Out /react-text

react-text: 198 Determine your budget /react-text
react-text: 200 Make a guest list /react-text
react-text: 202 Hire a wedding planner /react-text
react-text: 204 Decide formality and overall theme /react-text
react-text: 206 Select the venue /react-text
react-text: 208 Select the caterer /react-text

react-text: 210 11 Months Out /react-text

react-text: 213 Choose color theme and start thinking of overall design /react-text
react-text: 215 Hire vendors who book up /react-text react-text: 217 quickly /react-text react-text: 218 , including your photographer, band, DJ, and videographer

10 Months Out /react-text

react-text: 223 Start shopping for your wedding dress /react-text
react-text: 225 Book hotel-room blocks for guests /react-text
react-text: 227 Create your wedding website /react-text
react-text: 229 Take engagement photos /react-text

react-text: 231 9 Months Out /react-text

react-text: 234 Buy your wedding dress /react-text
react-text: 236 Send save-the-dates /react-text

react-text: 238 8 Months Out

Register for gifts
Select the bridesmaids' dresses and schedule fittings within the month
Meet with potential florists

7 Months Out

Book the rehearsal-dinner venue
Hire the ceremony musicians
Order rentals items, such as specialty chairs, linens, draping, lounge furniture, white dance floor, etc.
Hire an officiant

6 Months Out

Start looking at invitations
Hire a lighting technician

5 Months Out

Book transportation for guests, if needed
Book the bride and groom's transportation (limo, specialty car, etc.)Book the honeymoon
Buy or rent the groom’s tuxedo
Begin premarital counseling

4 Months Out /react-text

react-text: 281 Have your final tasting with the caterer /react-text
react-text: 283 Choose your cake /react-text
react-text: 285 Buy wedding bands /react-text
react-text: 287 Select groomsmen's attire and schedule fittings within the month /react-text
react-text: 289 Hair and makeup trial /react-text

react-text: 291 3 Months Out /react-text

react-text: 294 Order the invitations and hire calligrapher /react-text
react-text: 296 Create or plan your menu /react-text
react-text: 298 Brainstorm guest favors and gift bags /react-text
react-text: 300 Book a photo-booth rental /react-text
react-text: 302 Write your vows /react-text
react-text: 304 Select readings /react-text
react-text: 306 Meet with the officiant and invite him or her to the rehearsal dinner /react-text
react-text: 308 Start crafting any DIY items if you haven’t already /react-text

2 Months Out

Send the wedding invitations (with RSVPs due one month before the wedding) /react-text

react-text: 315 Send out rehearsal-dinner invitations (these can be included with the wedding invitations if you like) /react-text
react-text: 317 First dress fitting /react-text
react-text: 319 Pick up your marriage license /react-text
react-text: 321 Buy wedding-party gifts /react-text
react-text: 323 Do a floral mock-up with your florist /react-text
react-text: 325 Give the song selections to your band or DJ /react-text
react-text: 327 Give the song selections to your ceremony musicians /react-text
react-text: 329 Buy all small items, including table numbers, toasting flutes, cake topper, cake stand, cake knife, guest book, card box, ring-bearer accessories, flower-girl accessories, a cute hanger for your dress, and a garter. Also consider purchasing pashminas, flip-flops, and sunglasses for guests to change into at the reception, as well as baskets for them. You'll also need to buy any signs (“Welcome,” “Guest Book,” “Dancing Shoes,” etc.). /react-text

1 Month Out /react-text

react-text: 334 Assemble gift bags /react-text
react-text: 336 Pay your vendors in full /react-text
react-text: 338 Create a seating chart /react-text
react-text: 340 Order or make your escort cards and place cards /react-text
react-text: 342 Have a final venue walk-through /react-text
react-text: 344 Put cash in tip envelopes for your planner to distribute. It’s customary to tip vendors.

Final Week /react-text

react-text: 348 At this point, your wedding-planning checklist is basically complete. “I want brides to be doing as little planning as possible during the final week. That last week should be focused on personal care,” says Brand. /react-text

react-text: 350 Take care of things like: /react-text

react-text: 353 Refreshing your hair color /react-text
react-text: 355 Getting your eyebrows done /react-text
react-text: 357 Manicure /react-text
react-text: 359 Pedicure /react-text
react-text: 361 Getting a massage (why not make it a couples massage?)

Other than that, the only things left to do: /react-text

react-text: 366 Final dress fitting (a friend or bridesmaid should come with you so she can learn how to bustle if your dress requires it) /react-text

react-text: 368 Pack your bags for the honeymoon (don’t forget your passport if you’re leaving the country!) /react-text

react-text: 370 Any edible crafting /react-text

Day of the Wedding

The big day is finally here! All your careful preparation and creative planning have come to fruition, and it’s time to enjoy the wedding. Here’s what to do the morning of:

Stay off your feet as much as possible
Eat breakfast
Drink water
Take your dress and veil out of the bag early on and have someone steam them if needed
Lay out all the items (rings, invitations, etc.) that you want your photographer to capture