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