Weddings can be a very stressful time.  To help reduce stress make sure you plan everything well in advance of your wedding.  We've included the following basic planning calendar to help in the planning of this very special day.  Keep this checklist and all other planning information, including vendor quotes & proposals, in a notebook for easy reference.

6-12 Months Before The Wedding

• Set the date and time of the wedding and reserve the ceremony location
• Set the location for the reception
• For church weddings visit appropriate clergy members
• Discuss expenses and establish the wedding budget
• Reserve the date with your florist
• Choose attendants, honor attendants and ushers
• Order your wedding invitations and announcements
• Begin both the bride and groom's guest lists
• Determine the size and formality of the wedding
• Shop for bridal gown and headpiece & jewelry
• Select and reserve photographer and/or videographer
• Select and reserve musicians for wedding and reception
• Shop for attendant's attire and accessories and establish a color scheme

2-4 Months Before the Wedding

• Meet with your florist to order your wedding flowers. Bring a sketch or photo of your dress and color swatches of your bridesmaids' dresses
• Address all wedding invitations and announcements
• Shop for trousseau attire
• Confirm date and time of wedding rehearsal
• Plan rehearsal dinner
• Arrange lodging for out-of-town guests and attendants
• Select gifts for attendants and ushers
• Make appointment for blood tests
• Finalize details with reception coordinator
• Select music and meet with musicians
• Have your wedding portrait taken
• Order the wedding cake
• Order wedding FAVORS, guest books, toasting flutes, table cameras etc
• Order your wedding rings
• Register for china, silver and crystal patterns and other home gifts
• Discuss honeymoon ideas

4-6 Weeks Before The Wedding

• Mail wedding invitations
• Schedule the final fitting of your gown
• Make reservation to have your wedding bouquet preserved and to arrange how it will be delivered for preservation
• Call your reception coordinator to finalize last minute details
• Meet with photographer and videographer to discuss details
• Arrange special transportation for wedding party
• Plan the attendants' luncheon or party
• Select the groom's gift
• Prepare seating chart for reception guests
• Write thank-you notes for shower gifts and wedding gifts as they arrive
• Place announcement in local newspapers

Two Weeks Before The Wedding

• Make final check with officiate, musicians, organist, photographer, videographer and reception coordinator
• Obtain the marriage license
• Begin name changes on bank accounts and official documents
• Keep a list of wedding gifts and their senders as they arrive
• Finalize seating chart for reception guests

One Week Before The Wedding

• Give the final guest count for the reception
• Arrange pick up of guests and attendants arriving at airports
• Arrange to have your dress cleaned and preserved after the wedding
• Make sure you assign someone to take care of your bridal bouquet during the reception and to make sure it gets to the preservation company

Three Weeks After The Wedding

• Make sure you get all your “thank you” notes written. Send notes to wedding vendors that did a great job for you and let them know how pleased you were with their service
• Call your bouquet preservation company to select your display
• Follow up with photographer & videographer