Bride’s Calendar

The bride’s wedding tasks may be greater than the groom’s, which is why she needs to be organized. The following is a six-month span (minimum amount of time necessary) to plan a formal and traditional wedding:

Six Months Before:

• Order bride’s engagement, wedding rings.
• Discuss wedding expenses with fiancée and all parents should you decide to share costs.
• Choose the style of wedding you will have.
• Decide and secure wedding and reception sites.
• Make an appointment with your Marriage Officiant.
• Plan reception and make reservations.
• Select and order your dress and accessories.
• Choose and register china, silver, etc.
• Start making your guest list and discuss with fiancée.
• Choose and determine how many attendants you will require (approx. one for every 50 guests) together with your fiancée.
• Make arrangements regarding living accommodations. (Buying new home, sharing an apartment, etc.)
• Finalize honeymoon plans with your fiancée and reserve necessary transportation and accommodations.
• Place engagement announcement in newspaper (s).

Three Months Before:

• Complete guest list and discuss with your fiancée.
• Decide on type of invitations and announcements and place your order.
• Start shopping for trousseau.
• Address invitations and announcements (allow four weeks for engraving).
• Place an order for attendants’ dresses.
• Find and reserve a portrait photographer
• Complete honeymoon plans and buy tickets
• Plan final ceremony and reception details.
• Have portrait taken.

One Month Before:

• Purchase gift for your groom and attendants.
• Mail out the invitations.
• Order flowers for the wedding and reception.
• Go for your final dress and headpiece fitting.
• Pick up rings and check if engraving is correct.
• Arrange accommodations for relatives, friends and ushers from out of town.
• Organize the bridesmaids’ luncheon.
• Plan the rehearsal dinner.
• Write thank-you notes for gifts.
• Place a wedding announcement in newspaper (s).

Two Weeks Before:

• Complete your trousseau.
• Set a time with your fiancée to get the marriage license.
• Ensure transportation is in place for attendants to the ceremony site.
• Make an appointment with hairstylist.

• Double-check your honeymoon reservations.
• Prompt your Maid of Honor and bridesmaids of the rehearsal time and place, filling them in on the rehearsal dinner.

One Week Before:

• Be packed for your honeymoon.
• Complete writing your announcements and mail them on your wedding day.
• Provide the caterer a final number of reception guests.
• Give and/or attend bride’s luncheon.
• Double check on final details with florist, photographer, musicians, etc.
• Prepare to move possessions to new home.
• Be up-to-date with gift acknowledgements.