For the sake of simplicity, we are giving a timeline
of one year. Your wedding may be happening sooner

than that, which is okay.  This is simply a tool, a measuring stick, for you to see where you are at in your planning.

Groom's List

12 Months

  • Ask bride's parents!
  • Buy the engagement ring
  • Announce your engagement!
  • Select wedding date together
  • Select and invite attendants together
  • Set budget together
  • Determine wedding coordinator
  • Determinebwedding official
  • Select rings together
  • Begin planning honeymoon
  • Select and meet with officiant together

9 to 12 months

  • Make guest list together
  • Select photographer (and videographer if applicable) together
  • Engagement photos taken together
  • Select and finalize musicians (for ceremony and reception) together

6 to 9 months

  • Meet with travel agent/finalize honeymoon plans (including all details, such as airline tickets, passports, visas if necessary, getting time off work, etc.)
  • Catering details should be finalized, including contract
  • Select and reserve any rental equipment together
  • Check out requirements for blood tests for the marriage license.

4 to 6 months

  • Pick out formal wear for groom and his party
  • Select invitations and stationary together
  • Select hotel accommodations for out-of-town guests (including wedding night suite)
  • Discuss reception details with your emcee together
  • Select site for rehearsal dinner and make reservations
  • Meet with the florist together

2 to 4 months

  • Develop gift registry together
  • Select wedding cake and groomsman cake is applicable
  • Finalize ceremony and reception decorations (include accessories such as unity candle, guest book, etc)
  • Finalize details and menu for rehearsal dinner
  • Finalize living arrangements 

1 to 2 months

  • Confirm all contracted services and reservations
  • Send wedding invitations (remember to include invitations to rehearsal dinner)
  • Review with Wedding Coordinator
  • Buy marriage license together with witness
  • Pick out gifts for groomsmen and ushers
  • Purchase a wedding gift for your bride

2 weeks

  • Confirm rehearsal plans with Wedding Coordinator together
  • Finalize guest totals together
  • Arrange bachelor party
  • Pick up wedding rings (make sure everything is correct) together
  • Begin packing for honeymoon/final arrangements for honeymoon
  • Arrange transfer of personal belongings to new home after honeymoon

1 week

  • Groom and groomsmen pick up tuxes
  • Give your marriage license and officiant fee to best man
  • Present groomsmen gifts at rehearsal dinner

WEDDING DAY

  • Give wedding rings to the best man
  • Put airline tickets/visa/passports with change of clothes
  • Sign wedding certificate together and put in a safe place

 

Bride's List

12 Months

  • Announce your engagement!
  • Determine wedding date together
  • Select and invite attendants together
  • Set budget together
  • Determine wedding coordinator and wedding official
  • Determine ceremony and reception site, date, time, and style
  • Select wedding rings together
  • Select and meet with officiant together

9 to 12 months

  • Make guest list together
  • Work with wedding coordinator on style and layout of wedding
  • Select photographer (and videographer if applicable) together
  • Engagement photos taken together
  • Select and finalize musicians (for ceremony and reception) together
  • Continue catering details (need to have contract a.s.a.p.)

6 to 9 months

  • Select wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses (including accessories)
  • Initial fitting for bridal party
  • Get wedding rings together
  • Finalize a florist together
  • Catering details should be finalized, including contract
  • Select and reserve any rental equipment
  • Help mothers select dresses

4 to 6 months

  • Pick out formal wear for groom and his party
  • Select invitations and stationary
  • Select hotel accommodations for out-of-town guests (including wedding night suite)
  • Finalize details with florist
  • Discuss reception details with your emcee together
  • Keep record of gifts received
  • Shop for trousseau

2 to 4 months

  • Develop gift registry together
  • Select wedding cake together
  • Finalize ceremony and reception decorations (include accessories such as unity candle, guest book, etc)
  • Start addressing wedding invitations
  • Confirm flower order
  • Finalize living arrangements together

1 to 2 months

  • Confirm all contracted services and reservations
  • Send wedding invitations (remember to include invitations to rehearsal dinner)
  • Review with Wedding Coordinator
  • Buy marriage license together with witness
  • Final fittings for bridal party
  • Make arrangements for pre-wedding beauty appointment
  • Gifts for attendants and groom
  • Send wedding announcement to newspaper
  • Purchase wedding album and guest book

2 weeks

  • Confirm rehearsal plans with Wedding Coordinator
  • Finalize guest totals
  • Give final head count to caterer
  • Arrange bachelorette party
  • Pick up wedding rings (make sure everything is correct) together
  • Begin packing for honeymoon
  • Provide maps for out-of-towners

1 week

  • Groom and groomsmen pick up tuxes
  • Have your bridesmaids luncheon
  • Reconfirm all details with florist, bakery, photographer

WEDDING DAY

Above all else, remember to enjoy one of the most memorable days of your life.