| 12 Months Before: | |
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Announce your engagement. |
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Arrange for both sets of parents to get together. |
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Decide on a date. |
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Discuss your budget with everyone contributing to the event. |
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Interview wedding planners, if you'll be using one. |
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Pick the ceremony site and visit the officiant. |
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Work on the guest list to get a rough head count. |
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Visit reception sites and reserve one. |
| 6 - 9 Months Before | |
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Choose your wedding party. |
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Select a caterer. |
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Enroll in a bridal-gift-registry. |
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Shop for your gown. |
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Pick the bridal attendants’ dresses. |
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Choose a photographer and/or videographer. |
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Hire a florist. |
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Book the musicians and/or DJ. |
| 4 - 6 Months Before | |
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Buy wedding invitations, envelopes, thank-you cards, etc. |
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Order the wedding gown. |
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Shop for the cake. |
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Scout accommodations for your out-of-town guests. |
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Complete the guest list (assume 20% won't attend). |
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Send out “save-the-date” letters. |
| 2-4 Months Before: | |
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Call County Clerk's Office for Marriage License requirements. |
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Order the tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen. |
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Get a blood test, if needed for a license. |
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Make honeymoon reservations. Compile all the necessary travel documents (passports, visas, etc.) |
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Meet with the caterer or banquet manager to discuss menus, service style, wine lists, etc. |
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Order the wedding cake. |
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Select approved ceremony music. |
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Pick the reception music. |
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Buy thank you gifts for the attendants. |
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Shop for your wedding bands. |
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Meet with party-rental companies, if necessary. |
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Arrange the rehearsal dinner. |
| 4-8 Weeks Before: | |
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Mail the invitations eights weeks ahead of the date. |
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Do a hair and makeup run-through (with headpiece). |
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Book your favorite beauty pros for the big day. |
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Make insurance policy changes you'll need post-wedding. |
| 2-3 Weeks Before: | |
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Do the seating for the reception. |
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Confirm details with the photographer, florist, etc. |
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Give the caterer the final head count. |
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Have your final dress and tuxedo fittings. |
| 1 Week Before: | |
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Place the fees due on the wedding day in envelopes. |
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Appoint a punctual pal to transport the cake knife, toasting glasses or other heirlooms to and from the wedding site. |
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Get last-minute beauty treatments of your choice. |
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Pack for the honeymoon. (Ask someone to bring your luggage to the reception if you're leaving from there). |
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Reconfirm flights and hotel reservation for the honeymoon. |
| The Day Before: | |
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Greet your out-of-town guests. |
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Go to the gym or do some other stress reducing activity. |
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Schedule time for beauty - a manicure touch-up or a hairstyling appointment- before the rehearsal dinner. |