12 months before (or upon engagement)

Formally announce your engagement -- put your engagement announcement in the paper

Get a wedding planner or develop a system to keep track of records, contracts and finances

Decide on your budget and determine who is paying for what

Choose a date -- the sooner you choose a date, the easier it will be to book your ceremony and reception locations

Hire the wedding consultant (if you choose to use one)

Reserve both the ceremony and reception sites -- this needs to as soon as a date is set

Book the officiant

Estimate the guest list

Choose the caterer

Book the photographer and videographer

Book the entertainment

6 to 9 months before

Order the wedding gown, veil, shoes and other accessories

Choose your attendants

Select bridesmaids’ dresses

Hire the florist

Start shopping for men’s formalwear

Plan ceremony music and reception music

Do bridal registry

3 to 6 months before

Arrange for transportation

Book your honeymoon

Order men’s formalwear

Reserve any rental equipment

Order the wedding cake

Order wedding invitations/stationery

Finalize the guest list

Reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests

2 to 3 months before

Make plans for rehearsal dinner

Meet with wedding vendors to finalize arrangements

Meet with officiant

Get gown alterations

Write your vows

Buy wedding favors

Order wedding rings

Get attendants' gifts

Confirm honeymoon reservations

4 to 8 weeks before

Purchase the guest book

Plan and print your wedding programs

Change your last name and address

Address and mail wedding invitations

Make appointment with your hairdresser to try out hair styles. Also make appointments for wedding day

2 – 3 weeks before

Get marriage license

Pick up wedding gown

Finalize the guest count

Make seating arrangement

Confirm all wedding plans

1 week before

Host bridesmaids’ luncheon

Pack for the honeymoon

1 day before

Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

Assign walking order and any last minute duties to attendants

Give gifts to attendants

After the wedding

Write thank you notes

Preserve your wedding gown

Preserve your wedding bouquet

Submit your wedding announcement and photo to the newspaper