Upon Engagement

• Set the Date
• Officially announce your engagement
• Determine your wedding budget (open-bar, cash-bar, dry-bar)
• Meet with those sharing Wedding expenses to discuss financial responsibilities
• Reserve ceremony & reception sites (Golf Course, Heritage Hall, Backyard, etc)
• Choose who will be in the bridal party
• Start the guest list!

9-12 months before

• Decide on the type (style and formality) of wedding (formal, semi-formal, informal…)
• Announce wedding date (especially for out-of-town guests)
• Decide whether you need/want pre-marital counselling
• Meet with your officiant
• Meet with and reserve (secure your date by submitting a deposit):
  • Wedding planner
  • Wedding Cake baker
  • Florist
  • Catering Service
  • Ceremony musicians’
  • Reception band or DJ
  • Photographer/Videographer
  • Decorator

2-4 months before

• Finalize guest list and send invitations
• Select place for rehearsal dinner
• Finalize rehearsal dinner plans
• Finalize menu
• Select music for ceremony, reception etc.
• Book makeup artist and hairstylist
• Check tuxes for groom and groomsmen have been ordered
• Organize wedding transportation (for you and your guests)
• Order wedding favours
• Find gifts for each other, your attendants, shower hostess, parents etc.
• Purchase bridal party gifts
• Purchase wedding accessories (candles, baskets, ring pillow etc.)
• Check registry from time to time (there always have to be enough options left)
• Start preparations for honeymoon
• Send invitations 8 weeks before wedding date

1-2 months before

• Have first bridal gown fitting
• Schedule a final fitting for your gown so it can be ready for formal bridal portrait
• Finalize ceremony readings, songs, etc.
• Design wedding programs
• Meet with officiant to finalize ceremony
• Arrange “Bridesmaid Luncheon” and other “Pre-Wedding Parties”
• Write vows
• Set appointment with photographer for your formal bridal portrait.
• Prepare photo and video shot list
• Discuss and finalize details with wedding service providers

3-4 weeks before

• Get marriage license (normally no earlier than 30 days before wedding)
• Arrange name change
• Mail rehearsal-dinner invitations

The day before

• Prepare a list of payment envelopes, marking who is responsible for each one
• Hand out assignment lists and checklists to ensure everyone knows their tasks
• Give rings to best man
• Gather wedding dress and all accessories
• Rehearse ceremony with officiant and wedding party
• Attend rehearsal dinner
• Confirm flight arrangements for honeymoon
• Compile an emergency list of all wedding vendors with phone numbers

The wedding day

• Try to eat breakfast
• See hairdresser
• Have makeup applied
• Donʼt forget rings (if you havenʼt given them to best man) and wedding license
• Have fun!

After wedding

• Get wedding gown cleaned and preserved
• Preserve bouquet
• Write and send thank-you notes
• Complete process of name change
• Finalize gift registry
• Meet with photo-/videographer to finalize albums/video
• Shop for and order:
  • Wedding gown
  • Undergarments
  • Headpiece & veil
  • Jewellery
  • Shoes

6-9 months before

• Send “save-the-date” cards to everyone on your guest list
• Have your engagement photos taken
• Shop for and order Bridesmaids’ attire:
  • Dresses
  • Shoes
  • Accessories
• Finalize men’s formal wear and place orders
• Decide on a honeymoon location and make all necessary reservations
• Start thinking about gift registry options
• Purchase a supply of Thank you cards and keep up with writing them

4-6 months before

• Reserve hotel rooms (in varying price ranges) for out-of-town guests
• Select and order wedding invitations and stationery
• Choose wedding cake
• Discuss menu ideas with catering service
• Arrange for rental items (arches, candelabras, tents, centre-pieces…)
• Purchase wedding rings
• Look for/start making wedding favors
• Confirm dates for bridal shower and bachelorette parties
• Start registry (before sending bridal shower invitations)
• Get ideas for wedding hair and makeup
• Organize helpers (readers, musicians, guest book attendant, ushers etc.)
• Organize additional management staff, babysitters etc.
• Give guest list to shower hostesses
• Decide whether you want wedding insurance
• Meet with stylist to discuss makeup and hair
• Confirm hotel arrangements for out-of-town guests

1-2 weeks before

• Call guests who have not responded to invitation
• Make final payments for all services that require payment
• Have final wedding gown fitting
• Finalize wedding-day schedule and share with attendants, parents and all vendors
• Pick up wedding dress and make sure all accessories are together
• Reconfirm all wedding plans:
  • Ceremony
  • reception site
  • florist
  • photo-/videographer
  • Musicians
  • DJ
  • baker
  • honeymoon
• Give caterer/reception site final head count
• Provide wedding party and out-of-town guests with itinerary and maps
• Prepare emergency kit with needle, thread, safety pins, tape, mirror, band aid, etc.
• Give someone at home emergency numbers of honeymoon locations, credit card numbers etc.
• Finalize seating arrangements
• Prepare place cards
• Prepare “reception box” for reception accessories
• Prepare wedding favours for transportation
• Complete seating plan for reception
• Confirm all rental and floral delivery dates and times
• Confirm arrival times for attendants
• Pack for wedding night and honeymoon
• Get a manicure, pedicure, massage