There may be a heap of logistical details to wrangle, but this calendar should keep you on track and in control.
Unless you’re marrying in a location you know very well, or where you have built-in help (like a parent), hiring a local wedding coordinator will probably be the smartest money you can spend. And finding a reliable travel agent who will organize air and ground travel for everyone, as well as hotel bookings, will save you untold headaches.
18 to 12 Months Before
- Decide on a wedding date and destination
- Alert your VIP guests—immediate family and close friends—of your plans
- Work out a basic wedding budget
- Determine number of guests
- Hire a local wedding coordinator
- Find a travel agent who will help book all air and ground travel, and make hotel suggestions
- If you’ll be traveling to a foreign destination, apply for passports or make sure yours are up to date
- Arrange a preliminary trip to scout venues and vendors
11 Months Before
- Visit your destination and meet with your coordinator
- Scout hotels and resorts for the wedding
- Scout hotel options for guests on different budgets
- Unless everything will be organized by your hotel, meet with the caterers and florists who will work on the ceremony and reception
- Meet with local musicians, photographers, and hair/makeup stylists
10 months before
- Finalize wedding hotel and book a block of room
- Book a block of rooms in an alternative, lower cost hotel
- Decide who will be in the bridal party and invite them to participate
- Send out save-the-dates
- Put together a wedding website with wedding specifics, travel agent information, and links to accommodations
- Get quotes from outside vendors and make selections
9 months before
- If you will be having a legal ceremony, research local marriage requirements
- Shop for and order your wedding dress
- Talk to the groom about what he wants to wear
7 months before
- Choose locations for all pre- and post-wedding events, including excursions, rehearsal dinner, post-wedding brunch
- Organize ground transportation between events
- Decide what the bridal party will wear; if the women are wearing bridesmaids dresses, take them shopping
6 months before
- If possible, take a follow-up trip to your destination to finalize all plans with hotel and vendors
- Book all travel arrangements for you and your fiance; check to see if VIP guests have made their arrangements
- Order the wedding invitations. Include RSVP cards for each event guests are invited to
- Order other stationery, including wedding signage, table numbers, and place cards
- Choose an officiant to marry you
- Order your wedding rings
- If you’re registering for presents, choose one or two stores
5 months before
- Proof invitations and other stationery
- Hire a calligrapher or start addressing invitations yourselves
- Shop for your accessories, including shapewear, shoes, and jewelry
- Go for a dress fitting
- Check in with fiance and bridal party about their wedding clothes
4 months before
- Write or choose your wedding vows
- If you’re preparing welcome bags, start putting together the components (anything heavy or bulky should be shipped in advance or purchased at your destination)
- Start shopping for your wedding weekend wardrobe
3 months before
- Take one complete wedding invitation and weigh it to figure how much postage you’ll need
- Mail invitations
- Have final dress fitting; find out how it will be packed for travel
2 months before
- Book spa treatments for you and the wedding party
- Purchase gifts for wedding-party members
6 weeks before
- Put together your playlist and send to musicians/DJ
- Write newspaper announcement; have engagement photo taken
- Call anyone who hasn’t RSVPed and get a final guest count
1 month before
- Confirm all details with coordinator–itinerary, times, personnel
- Confirm all details with travel agent–air transportation, ground travel, hotel bookings
- If making arrangements on your own, confirm details with airlines, ground transportation, hotel, and all vendors (caterer, florist, musicians, photographer, etc)
- Send a copy of your vows to the officiant and go over details of the ceremony
- Prepare readings for anyone who’ll be doing them
- Write a reception seating chart
- Pick up your wedding dress
1 week before
- Pack
- Make necessary arrangements for pets, home, and mail while you’re away
- Gather all travel documents
- Arrange for your transportation to the airport
- Get any pre-travel beauty and grooming treatments (waxing, facial, hair color, etc) out of the way
4 days before
- Arrive at your destination at least a couple of days before your guests, to acclimate and relax
- Meet with coordinator and/or vendors to go over last-minute details
- Meet with officiant to go over ceremony
- Have a practice hair and makeups session with stylists
- Arrange for your dress to be steamed, if necessary. At the very least, hang it on a high door jam or window frame to unwrinkle.
1 to 2 days before
- Get a manicure, pedicure, or massage
- Hold the rehearsal
- Host a welcome reception
Day of the wedding
- Sleep late
- Have a blast