12 Month Wedding Checklist at a glance
What it is: The 12 Month Wedding Checklist lists what to do from 8-12 Months before to On the Wedding Day.
A filled-in 12 Month Wedding Checklist example: a bride ticks the first tasks
How to fill out 12 Month Wedding Checklist, box by box
8-12 Months before
Select a wedding date.
Decide on a wedding budget.
Formally announce your engagement and introduce both families.
Start shopping for a wedding dress (must allow time for alterations and fittings).
Research locations for ceremony, rehearsal dinner and reception.
Agree and reserve a wedding location and time. Send deposit.
7 Months before
Place your final order for: Wedding Gown, Veil, Shoes, Other.
Begin shopping for bridesmaids' dresses.
Interview cake designers, sample cake flavours. Select and place an order for your cake.
6 Months before
Go shopping for invitations, calligraphy & thank you cards. Review invitation options. Order invitations.
Fine-tune guest list.
Place final order for bridesmaids' gowns and any accessories.
Reserve any rental equipment that may be needed for the wedding day.
Finalize your gift registry (You can request stores send gift cards and not the actual gifts until after the wedding).
Book a limousine company for transportation on your wedding day.
5 Months before
Review and finalize the overall budget.
Select floral arrangements for: Bride's bouquet, Aisle runner, Pew Bows(optional), Alter arrangements, Centerpieces, Corsages, Boutonnieres, Bridesmaids Bouquets, Throw away Bouquet, Archway, Head pieces.
Mail any outstanding deposits to vendors.
Shop for and purchase wedding rings.
4 Months before
Submit menu and beverage selections to the hotel or caterer.
Decide on whom you would like to be the M.C. and verify that they are available and willing.
Begin music selections for the ceremony. Processional song for the groom, parents and attendants. Bride-Groom 'First Dance'. Recessional song.
Research and reserve rehearsal dinner location.
Finalize the date, time and place of the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
Attend your first appointment with the wedding officiate to review details for the ceremony.
3 Months before
Determine who will be giving speeches at the rehearsal party and the reception.
Schedule an appointment for a food tasting.
Begin writing thank-you notes as wedding gifts arrive. It's easier if you keep them up to date.
Schedule your first fitting for your wedding gown and your groom's tuxedo or suit.
Finalize your plans for the honeymoon with your travel agent.
8 Weeks before
Purchase gifts for: Each other (Bride/Groom), Wedding party attendants, Your parents and In-laws.
Order rehearsal dinner invitations.
Mail all wedding invitations.
Finalize your selections for the cocktail hour and reception songs. Review them with your band/DJ.
Apply for a marriage license.
6 Weeks before
Submit the wedding program information to a stationer.
Prepare a photo and a video shot list, naming important family and guests. Include one's relationship to you.
Schedule a final test makeup and hair session with your stylists. Bring your veil.
Pick up the wedding rings (making sure they are sized and engraved).
Attend to business and legal details. Get the necessary forms to change names on your: social security card, driver's license, insurance and medical plans, bank accounts.
4 Weeks before
Schedule your second bridal gown fitting.
Mail your rehearsal dinner invitations.
Schedule a final meeting with your officiate to discuss the ceremony.
Confirm transportation for wedding party.
3 weeks before
Reconfirm your hotel room for the wedding night.
Finalize the wedding day timeline and fax, mail or e-mail to all appropriate vendors.
Submit final numbers to rental companies, the florist and the reception venue managers.
Mail your wedding day schedules. Make sure each wedding day participant is aware of the day's activities and their role.
Finalize your seating arrangements (making sure you involve both sets of parents).
2 Weeks before
Send final payment to all vendors.
Prepare a toast for your wedding reception.
Finalize the vows you have written for the ceremony.
1 Week before
Make sure to confide in at least one person to assist you with your errands the last week prior to your wedding.
Confirm the whereabouts of your marriage license and wedding rings and put them in abox or bag marked "Ceremony".
Give your marriage license to the officiate.
Reconfirm transportation for the entire wedding party.
On the Wedding Day
Eat a well-balanced breakfast. You have a big day ahead of you, and some brides have been know to faint because they forget to eat.
Drink lots of water and refrain from an excess of caffeine and alcohol.
Give the Wedding bands to the Best Man and Maid of Honour.
Take a deep breath and enjoy. Remember this is your day!
Sources
[1] 12 Month Wedding Checklist (the Official source link on this page).
