Step-by-Step Wedding Planner Planning a wedding can take years, months, days or hours, depending on your style. And while there's no such thing as a blueprint for a perfect wedding, there are some universal tips that may help you plan your perfect day. A Year Before. Begin envisioning your wedding. will it be formal or casual? A backyard barbecue or a beach affair? Formulate a budget and figure out who’s contributing. Will your parents pay or will you and your intended be footing the bill? Pick a date. Try to finalize the time and place after checking with important guests, caters and reception site managers. Begin interviewing wedding consultants, if you’ll have one and/or start asking for local wedding vendor recommendations from family and friends. Start interviewing caterers. 9 to 11 Months. Get organized. Start a notebook/file folder to house all your wedding planning paperwork. Scout out reception sites. Book the site as soon as you find one you love that’s available on your date. Select an officiant who suits you style and spirit. If you’re having an engagement party, set a date and purchase invitations. Begin working on a preliminary wedding guest list and decide on approximate wedding size. Request lists from parents and create your own list. Select your attendants/groomsmen and ask them to participate in your ceremony. Finalize sites for you ceremony and reception. Contact the newspaper and find out how to submit an engagement announcement. Decide on a caterer and figure out the menu and the cost per person. Begin shopping for your wedding gown/groom’s attire. Meet with your officiant and discuss the ceremony and any religious requirements before marriage, such as counseling. Interview and get price lists from several photographers and videographers. Interview bands and listen to demo tapes. 6 to 8 Months. Register for gifts. Reserve photographer and/or videographer and decide on a package. Execute he contract and send a deposit. Find a baker for the wedding and groom’s cake. Talk to our caterer for leads. Start shopping for bridesmaids dresses. Choose a florist and send a deposit to reserve heir services. Contact out-of-towners with the final wedding date. Set aside blocks of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests. Select musicians for the wedding ceremony and send a deposit. Start planning the rehearsal dinner. Provide the host with contact information for your attendants and other guests. Order wedding invitations. 4 to 5 Months. Start planning the honeymoon. Make travel reservations. Compile packages for out-of-town guests with hotel reservations and city information and nail it out. Decide on attire for groom and groomsmen. Work closely with florist to select a floral scheme, choose flowers and negotiate prices. 2 to 3 Months. Choose bridal attendants’ accessories (shoes, gloves, etc…) Give groomsmen the info they need to reserve their wedding attire. Shop for and purchase wedding bands. Schedule a portrait session if you need one for a newspaper wedding announcement. Make or buy favors. Allow extra time for custom-made favors. Brides: buy any special lingerie your gown requires in time for the first fitting. Grooms: if you’re renting a tux, visit the formal wear shop to get measured. Gather your passport, birth certificate, visa or any document you may need for an international honeymoon. Being addressing your wedding invitations. You’ll need to send them out two months ahead. Arrange for all insurance policies to include you and your future spouse; health, auto, homeowner’s and life insurance. Provide guest lists to bridesmaids for bridal showers. Arrange wedding day transportation for you, your wedding party and guests (as needed). 6 Weeks. Brides: decide on and purchase major accessories, such as the veil and shoes, prior to the final fitting. As you receive presents, update and/or add items to your registry. Confirm reservations for out-of-town guests. Begin working on vows, particularly if you’re writing your own. Research local marriage license requirements. Write thank-you notes for gifts already received at bridal showers. Brides: make an appointment to take your veil to the hairstylist to make sure your hairstyle and your veil work together. Buy gifts for all attendants, ushers, and hostesses. 3 to 4 Weeks. Do the trial run of hair and makeup and schedule wedding-day beauty appointments. Send rehearsal dinner invitations. Discuss song list with ceremony musicians and agree on final choices. Confirm wedding night and honeymoon reservations. Obtain marriage license. Work wedding day timing and details (who’ll get the bride there, where the wedding party will dress, etc…) and draw up a schedule for attendants and participants. Get a head start on your thank-you notes. Brides: do paperwork for official documents if you are changing your name. Finalize any special preferences, readings or other ceremony details (in writing) with the officiant. 1 to 2 Weeks. If you’re having a receiving line, determine the order you want everyone to stand in. Give final head count to the caterer. Confirm head count, delivery time and location with the cakewalker. Finalize seating char, if there’s a seated reception meal. Grooms: pick up your tux and try it on. Purchase traveler’s checks for the honeymoon. Shop and pack for the honeymoon. Confirm all final payment amounts with your vendors. Give photographer/videographer your “must-take” photo list. The Day Before. Designate someone to collect wedding gifts. Leave a copy of your honeymoon itinerary with someone in case of emergency. Brides: gather wedding gown, veil, shoes, stockings and last minute emergency kit of aspirin, makeup, safety pins, mints, etc. Rehearse ceremony with the officiant and wedding party. Have fun and relax at your rehearsal dinner. Wedding Day. Take a moment to thank our parents and tell them you love them. Set aside a private moment together to exchange gifts and a sweet congratulatory kiss or two. Relax, smile and enjoy the day.