To Do

Anything in this color is done

10-12 months    
Introduce both families and officially announce your engagement
Find out who pays for what and start a budget.  
Create your guest list. 
Compare calendars and select a tentative date. 
Choose your attendants. 
Create a wedding website to share your engagement. 
Decide if you want premarital counseling. 
Start thinking about where you want to honeymoon. 
Visit and book reception site and arrange for parking. 
Visit and book ceremony location, including your rehearsal time.

6-9 months   
Find a bridal salon and begin trying on gowns and veils.
Get in shape for your gown! Start an exercise routine.
Get ideas for great honeymoon locations and research pricing.
View amazing floral designs and interview florists for style and cost.
Get menu ideas and start meeting with caterers.
Research wedding photography and review work of photographers/videographers online.
Get ideas for music and interview bands/DJs.
Finalize flower and decor ideas, and select a florist. Include specifics of each floral arrangement in your contract.Order your dream gown and veil.
Shop for and select bridesmaids' dresses.
Book your honeymoon! 
Finalize contracts with your photographer
Book your band/DJ.
Browse and purchase gown accessories, including shoes, and lingerie
Choose your officiant and discuss ceremony ideas.
Start thinking about all your gift registry options.

4-5 months
Start thinking about cultural traditions for your wedding.
View invitation styles and research proper wording.
Get ideas for great-looking and great-tasting cakes and meet with bakers.
Discuss menu ideas with your catering manager.
Shop for wedding rings.
Confirm your bridesmaids ordered their gowns and decide on accessories.
Look for the groom's tux and decide what groomsmen will wear.
Compare pricing, place your invitations order and book your calligrapher.
Purchase rings and send for engraving if applicable.
Get ideas for wedding favors.
Make sure to start your wedding registries before shower invitations are sent.
Choose your baker and finalize cake.
Research and book your rehearsal dinner location.
Get ideas for wedding-day hair and makeup.
Choose friends to give readings, perform solos, etc.
Give your guest list to shower hostess, and check that your registry has enough items 
Update wedding website.

2-3 months
Finalize guest list and submit invitations to calligrapher. 
Book makeup artist and hairstylist.
Remember to order your favors.  
Candles, baskets, ring pillow... it's time to start browsing and purchase wedding accessories.
Schedule your last tasting and finalize menu
Find gifts for each other, your attendants, your shower hostess and your parents.
Confirm tuxes have been ordered for groom/groomsmen.
Prep for your honeymoon -- do you have everything you need?
Take care of business: Look into joint bank accounts, insurance, and merging your money.
Select your music for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception, and review with musicians/singers
Check that there are enough options left on your registry, and update your wedding website
Finalize rehearsal dinner plans and order rehearsal invitations.  
Mail invitations eight weeks before your wedding day.

1-2 months
Have your first bridal gown fitting.
Finalize ceremony readings and songs, and review with performers.
Order liquor/beverages if not handled by caterer.
Meet with your officiant to finalize the ceremony, including attendant formations.Begin writing thank-you notes for showers and early wedding gifts, and update your registry at the same time.
Research where to get your marriage license.
Buy attendant gifts

3-4 weeks
Finalize your jewelry, which may include something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.  
Prepare a must-have shot list for your photographer and videographer.
Finalize your "must play" and "don't play" music lists and review with musicians.
Practice your first dance wearing your bridal shoes.
Design and order your wedding program.  
Confirm honeymoon travel arrangements, and give loved ones your itinerary in case of emergency.
Call guests who haven't RSVP'd.
Pick up your wedding rings.
Get your marriage license, typically no earlier than 30 days before the wedding
Research how to change your name.
Mail your rehearsal dinner invitations.
Meet with your stylist to discuss and test the perfect makeup and hair for your bridal style. 

1-2 weeks
Have your final bridal gown fitting.
Finalize your wedding-day schedule (including receiving-line order) and share with attendants, parents, and all vendors.
Confirm all of your beauty appointments.
Pick up your bridal gown and make sure all of your accessories are together.
Pick up the groom's outfit, make sure it fits, and gather all of his accessories together. 
It's time for you and your groom to get your hair colored and trimmed. (Don't wait until two days before the wedding!)
Confirm final headcount. Give final attendance numbers to vendors and confirm final date/time for deliverables and pick-ups after the wedding.
Pack for your wedding night and honeymoon.
Create a "wedding box" to gather your ceremony accessories (marriage license, candles, ring pillow, basket, guest book) and assign someone to transport.
 Prepare a "reception box" for accessories such as guest books, cameras, toasting goblets, cake toppers, etc., and assign someone to transport.
Prepare all your guest favors for transportation to venue and assign someone to move them.
Finalize your seating arrangements (making sure you involve both sets of parents) and submit to caterer.
Prepare placecards
Confirm dates/times/locations for all photo and video sessions the day of the wedding.
Confirm dates/times/locations with all vendors.

the day before
Prepare a list of payment envelopes -- including tips -- earmarking who is responsible for distributing to vendors.   Hand out assignment lists and checklists to ensure everyone knows their tasks, including person responsible for transporting gifts.
Hand out ceremony box to appropriate person.
Hand out reception box to appropriate person.
Hand out favor box to appropriate person.
Assign someone to mail your announcement cards.
Gather together your gown, accessories, and emergency kit.
Get a manicure, pedicure, and massage.
Rehearse ceremony with officiant and wedding party.

the wedding day
Your day has arrived! You may be nervous, but try to eat breakfast and drink plenty of fluids. Be sure to wear a button-down shirt on your wedding day for your hair and makeup appointments.

after the wedding    
Get your gown cleaned and preserved.  
Preserve your bouquet. Gotta love Silks)  
Write and mail your thank-you notes.  
Complete your name change  
Check into your store's bridal registry completion program.
Meet with photographer and videographer to finalize albums/video.