Your wedding is a very exciting time, in fact it is one of the most memorable and exhilarating times of your life. There is so much going on that you are literally in a whirlwind and may forget to take care of some very important aspects of your wedding. You don’t necessarily have to do things in this order, but here is a list of 15 things you won’t want to forget.

1. Make your guest list

2. Pick a location

3. Pick a date and send out Save the Date cards

4. Send out Engagement Announcements

5. Register for gifts at several different stores. Make sure to pick a variety of price ranges.

6. Order Wedding Invitations

7. and Rehearsal Dinner Invitations

8. Think about what you’ll need for the Ceremony

9. and of course, for your Reception

this might include:

10. Don’t forget Programs

11. and Thank You Notes

12. Think about where you want to go on your honeymoon

13. Go shopping for some nice clothes to wear on your honeymoon

14. Exercise and get in shape to look good in those clothes

15. We can’t forget the Wedding Night Lingerie!!!! White Hot Bridal Collection (Save up to $40 at Frederick’s)

6 months before:

• send out save the date cards
• order wedding invitations (this includes reception cards, respond cards, direction cards, informal notes, place cards) *order 25 extra invitations to allow for added guests that may have been forgotten
• begin addressing invitations (allow plenty of time)
• work on assembling invitations (allow plenty of time)
• buy thank you cards - make sure to keep up with your thank you notes as you receive gifts
• meet with baker for wedding cake
• meet with florist
• determine the date and location for rehearsal dinner

4 months before:

• purchase gifts

from the bride: personal attendant, maid of honor, bridesmaids, junior bridesmaid, flower girl
from the groom: best man, groomsmen, junior groomsmen, usher, ring bearer
from both: parents of bride, parents of groom, grandparents, wedding coordinator
others to remember: guest book attendant, readers, soloist, hostesses, helpers, altar boys, baby sitters

• purchase all accessories for the wedding party: jewelry, garters, cuff links

3 months before:

• finish and seal wedding invitations (take a completely assembled invitation to your post office to determine proper postage
• purchase items needed for rehearsal dinner: order invitations, purchase printed napkins
• purchase items needed for the reception: printed napkins (beverage, luncheon and dinner), place cards, guest favors, decorations (lights, balloons), centerpieces (ie floating candles, glass cylinders, etc), matches, stir sticks, toasting glasses, cake knife and server set, cake top, wishing well card holder, menu cards, coasters
• purchase items for ceremony: programs, guest book and memory album, aisle runner, ring bearer pillow, flower girl basket, guest book and pen, unity candle, bird seed, bubbles, confetti, balloons, rose petals, decorations (i.e. pew bows, balloons, vases, candles, etc)
• draw up seating chart and write names on place cards

6-8 weeks before:

• mail wedding invitations
• send announcement to newspaper

1 month before:

• buy gift for your future wife/husband
• purchase gratuity envelopes for your hired professionals
• create a list of organizations and companies that need to be notified of name and address change

2 weeks before:
send out your reminder for the rehearsal dinner attendees about the time and location

1 week before:
write checks to hired professionals

Planning a wedding can be very overwhelming and many brides and grooms have no idea where to start. Here is a comprehensive time line for the 6-12 months before your wedding to ensure you don’t miss a thing. Congratulations!!

12 months before your wedding:

• create a theme or style
• determine budget (keep in mind estimated size of wedding)
• reserve locations: wedding, reception
• choose your wedding party - send out cards asking them to be in your wedding
• purchase an organizer

9 months before:

• order save the date cards
• choose and order wedding dress
• begin guest list - start looking for invitations
• start shopping for attendants attire
• set aside a block of hotel/motel rooms for out of town guests
• visit with an officiant on marriage requirements
• book a photographer
• plan ceremony and reception music

6 months before:

• send out save the date cards
• order wedding invitations (this includes reception cards, respond cards, direction cards, informal notes, place cards) *order 25 extra invitations to allow for added guests that may have been forgotten
• begin addressing invitations (allow plenty of time)
• work on assembling invitations (allow plenty of time)
• buy thank you cards - make sure to keep up with your thank you notes as you receive gifts
• meet with baker for wedding cake
• meet with florist
• determine the date and location for rehearsal dinner