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National Association of Wedding Ministers

Wedding Day Timeline

8 - 12 months Before Your Wedding Day

  • Agree with your spouse-to-be and your family on your Wedding date.
  • Decide on a Preliminary Wedding Budget.
  • Hire a wedding planner/coordinator, if you choose to.
  • Prepare a guest list.
  • Agree to meet with your Officiant or Clergyman/woman.
  • Agree on the Ceremony location and time
  • Agree on the Rehearsal & Reception Site.
  • Shop for a Professional Videographer & Photographer.
  • Shop for a Caterer, Florist and Music (Band, DJ, etc.)
  • Look for a Wedding gown and allow time for alterations and fittings.
  • Agree on a bridal registry.
  • Call up and Select the bridesmaids.
  • Agree on a date to order bridesmaids' dresses.
  • Choose a beautiful place for your Honeymoon.
  • Apply for passports, if needed.

6 months Before Your Wedding Day

  • Make airline & hotel reservations for the Honeymoon.
  • Fine tune the guest list.
  • Shop for and order invitations, calligraphy, announcements & thank you notes.
  • Shop for and order wedding favors.
  • Draw a time line for the Wedding Reception.
  • Agree on a caterer, a florist and place an order for the wedding cake.
  • Call the Photographer to set up a time for the bridal portrait.
  • Book a Limousine Company for transportation on your wedding day.
  • Share and discuss the reception timeline all parties involved.
  • Shop for a Party rental place and make reservations for any rentals.

8 weeks Before Your Wedding Day

  • Discuss with the Officiant the specifics of the Wedding Ceremony.
  • Finalize the guest list.
  • Set a date and time for the rehearsal dinner.
  • Choose gifts for the groom and the attendants.
  • Make final alterations and fittings for the Wedding Gown.
  • Visit your Photographer for the Bridal Portrait.

1 month before your Wedding day

  • Fill out and submit application for the marriage license.
  • Buy your wedding bands.
  • Mail invitations.
  • Contact out of town guests and make necessary Hotel reservations.
  • Finalize music list and no-play list with band or DJ.
  • Make reservations for bridesmaids' luncheon.
  • Attend showers.
  • Mail wedding announcement to guests living abroad.

2 weeks Before Your Wedding Day

  • Schedule the rehearsal a day or two before your wedding day.
  • Make an appointment with a Beauty Salon for day of wedding.
  • Discuss with the hairstylist your hairstyle for your wedding day.
  • Verify the bridal party clothing.
  • Send a wedding announcement to the local newspapers, if you wish.
  • Make necessary arrangements for name & address change, if any.
  • Agree with the reception Site and the Caterer on final details.

1 week Before Your Wedding Day

  • Send reminders to the rehearsal dinner attendees about the location.& time.
  • Start packing for your Honeymoon.
  • Contact your minister and discuss final ceremony details.
  • Contact reception location and caterers to finalize details.
  • Contact party rental company and finalize details.

1 Day Before Your Wedding Day

  • Visit your Beauty Salon for manicure and pedicure.
  • Attend the rehearsal and dinner.
  • Make sure the ushers have the final guest list.
  • Make sure you have gathered the items on the Bride’s Wedding Day Checklist.
  • Make sure you have tickets and reservation materials for the honeymoon.

Your Wedding Day

  • Make sure you eat something.
  • Visit your Beauty Salon for Hair styling & make-up. (bring veil & headpiece).
  • Make sure the Wedding Gown is pressed and steamed.
  • Bring a change of clothes if you are leaving for your honeymoon.
  • Try to relax... unwind yourself... and savor the unfolding of your Special day.

Post Wedding & Honeymoon

  • Contact a Flower Preservation Vendor to preserve you Bouquet.
  • Contact a Gown preservation Vendor to hand clean, press and preserve your bridal gown.
  • Ensure the marriage license has been filed with the register of deeds office.