Has there ever been a bride-to-be who was prepared for everything? Just
when you're about to throw the biggest party ever, you have to make plans
for your new life as part of a married couple. So many decisions to make!
You need to find a way to manage all the details. The good news is that
millions of brides do handle the challenge every year. Their secret-having
a good wedding plan that works from the time you announce your engagement
until you toss the bouquet. The wedding experts at Wilton have created
this planner to help put your wedding plan in motion. Everything you need
to think about before the wedding is here. Reception size and location.
Decorations. Food. Music. Consult this 12-month timetable to see when
to do each task. With your plan in hand, you're going to have the time
of your life!
For more great tips and wedding planning tools, go to wedding.wilton.com.
12 MONTHS:
- Announce your engagement to family and close friends
- Send your announcement to local newspapers
- Purchase a planning notebook or software
- Develop a guest list
11 MONTHS:
- Plan a preliminary budget
- Research wedding and reception locations
- Select bridal party and ask each person to participate
- Settle on a wedding site
10 MONTHS:
- Set your date
- Book the reception location
- Interview and select caterer, photographer, florist, musicians, videographer,
wedding director
9 MONTHS:
- Register for gifts
- Begin wedding dress shopping
8 MONTHS:
- Interview and select priest, minister, pastor, rabbi or judge
- Interview cake designers, sample cakes and select your cake
- Begin to review honeymoon locations
- Finalize overall budget
7 MONTHS:
- Order wedding dress
- Begin to shop for bridesmaid dresses
- Finalize guest list
6 MONTHS:
- Begin shopping for invitations and stationery
- Place order for bridesmaid dresses and accessories
- Bride and groom's mother select dresses
- Reserve rental equipment (chairs, arches, linens, etc.)
- Order invitations and stationery
5 MONTHS:
- Select wedding favors
- Shop for wedding rings
- Finalize your décor ideas and shop for decorations
- Begin shopping for groom's wedding attire
- Send tux measurement forms to groomsmen
- Finalize dates for bachelorette parties and showers
4 MONTHS:
- Finalize flowers
- Order tuxes
- Book honeymoon
- Purchase groom’s gift
- Schedule appointments for trial hair and makeup
- Book block of rooms for out-of-town guests
3 MONTHS:
- Plan seating arrangements for reception
- Purchase wedding accessories- guest book, ring bearer pillow, toasting
glasses, unity candle, flower basket, serving set
- Choose or write vows
- Book hair, nail, makeup appointments
2 MONTHS:
- Mail invitations
- Purchase gifts for bridal party
- Schedule first fitting
- Apply for marriage license
- Attend showers
1 MONTH:
- Finalize ceremony plans
- Submit wedding program to stationer
- Finalize transportation of family, party and out-of-town guests
- Pick up wedding rings
- Make arrangements for bridesmaids luncheon
- Get forms for name change on driver’s license, Social Security card,
insurance and medical plans and bank accounts
- Schedule second bridal fitting
3 WEEKS:
- Reconfirm hotel reservations for guests as well as for honeymoon
- Purchase and print dinner seating cards for guests
2 WEEKS:
- Pack for honeymoon
- Send final payment to suppliers
- Get hair colored and trimmed
1 WEEK:
- Pick up gown and accessories
- Gather wedding accessories; put in bag or box ready to go
- Attend bachelor or bachelorette parties
- Make time to relax
- Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
THE BIG DAY:
Confirm with florist, limo company, photographer, etc. and make sure
they have the correct time and location of your wedding. Be prepared for
inclement weather and make any necessary changes. For instance, if it’s
raining, you may want to change at the church instead of at home. And
bring lots of umbrellas for your entire wedding party.
Have a friend "on-call" at the wedding to run any unexpected errands
throughout the day. Give him or her a list of phone numbers for all your
wedding services, such as photographer, caterer and florist, etc.
Have all payments handled ahead of time.
Pack a Bride’s Emergency Kit. Here are some suggestions on what to include:
- Bobby Pins
- Bandages
- Hair Spray
- Extra Pantyhose
- Makeup
- Needle and Thread
- Clear Nail Polish
- Fabric Glue
- Tissues
- Static Remover
- Breath Mints
- Safety Pins
- Clean Washcloth
- Small Scissors
- Antacid (for nervous stomach)
- Credit Card
(Your groom should also pack a similar kit with his essentials.)
