Time’s a-wastin’

If you’ve just gotten engaged, no doubt you’re both excited and daunted by the task of planning your wedding. UNIONS says, “Relax!” Use this helpful timeline to cross a few early tasks off your list (and wait some months to start stressing about others).—Caite White

One year before
Work out your budget. Know how much you have to spend (and how much your parents might be willing to contribute) before considering much else.
Decide on your wedding style and formality. This may be determined, in part, by how many guests you want to invite, so think about the guest list now, too.
Set a tentative date for your wedding.
Start shopping for wedding rings.
Choose your bridal party and invite them to be part of your special day.
Decide where you’ll tie the knot. Are you headed to the chapel or the backyard of your childhood home? Put down a deposit for the reception location.
Choose and reserve your officiant. And, while you’re at it, check his or her availability for the night of the rehearsal dinner.
If your reception venue doesn’t have a caterer, decide who’ll provide the food.
Decide on a rehearsal dinner location.
Shop for your dress. It may seem too soon, but it can take several months for your dress to arrive, and then you may need several fittings.
After you’ve found the perfect dress, schedule fittings and a delivery date.
Select the bridesmaids’ gowns. These’ll take a few months to come in, too. (There’s usually a “rush order” option if you can’t decide until it’s too late, but keep in mind that there will likely be an extra charge.)
Begin the search for other wedding vendors (for transportation, flowers, invitations, and music, for example). Photographers and videographers get booked early, so start there first.
Start thinking about honeymoon destinations.

Nine months before
Start finalizing the guest list and gathering addresses.
Choose where you’d like to register and go together to select gifts.
Decide to rent or purchase the groom and groomsmen’s attire. Once that’s decided, place your order. (Also schedule his fittings and pick-up or delivery date at this time.)
Finalize all the vendors and secure your wedding date by putting down deposits. (While you’re at it, confirm when final payments need to be made to each vendor.) Now that you have the date, you can order invitations!
Send out save-the-dates.
Once you’ve chosen your wedding photographer, schedule your engagement photo session.
Finalize the plans for your honeymoon. Update your passport and vaccinations, if necessary.

Six months before
Prepare all maps and directions for the ceremony and reception.
Meet with your florist and choose arrangements for the ceremony and reception, as well as bouquets
for you and your bridesmaids. (For more on flowers, see page XX.)
Order your wedding cake if your caterer doesn’t provide one.
Begin doing research for your marriage license and blood tests.
Meet with both sets of parents to coordinate their day-of attire.

Four months before
Reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests. (Consider doing this even earlier if you’re planning a wedding on busy in-town weekends like Homecoming or other local events that draw a crowd.)
Research things to do in town during their stay.
Address and send out your invitations and announcements. Include information regarding the accommodations. (Also consider creating a website with all of the accommodation information. Guests might like to get a head start on making those arrangements and most hotels close your block four weeks out.)
Arrange for final dress fittings.
Purchase wedding guest book.
Order your wedding favors, bridal party gifts and other wedding accessories (champagne glasses, ring bearer pillow, cake knife, etc.).

Two months before
Make appointment with your stylist for wedding day hair styles for you and your bridal party, as well as an appointments for manis, pedis, massages or other spa treatments.
Choose a make-up artist and schedule a trial.
Start gathering your RSVPs.
Finalize the dates for your last-minute dress fittings.
Arrange a getaway car for after the reception to include all your honeymoon essentials (luggage, tickets, etc.).
Meet with all your wedding vendors to finalize any orders and reservations.
Purchase bridal party gifts and a gift for your fiancé.

One month before
Finalize the details of your rehearsal dinner.
Go over song lists and requests with your band or DJ.
Call guests who have not responded.
Draw up preliminary seating arrangements for the reception.
Have a trial session with the hairstylist and make-up artist you will use on your wedding day.
Get your marriage license and blood tests with your fiancé.

Two to three weeks before
Pick up wedding rings.
Confirm all arrival times with vendors.
Confirm hotel arrangements for out-of-town guests.
Have your final dress fitting.
Finalize the seating arrangement for the reception.

One week before
Give the caterer your final guest count.
Have final fittings for groom and groomsmen.
Give gifts to your wedding party, family and fiancé privately, or at the rehearsal dinner.
Make arrangements for your wedding gifts to be brought to your “new” home.

One to two days before
Get a mani/pedi.
Get a wax and a spray tan (in that order!).
Confirm flight, hotel and packing arrangements for the honeymoon.
Make payment envelopes for each vendor and give them to your wedding day assistant along with your marriage license to take care of at the wedding.
Confirm arrangements for the getaway car.
Put together a bridal emergency kit for your wedding day including stockings, sewing kit, safety pins, etc.
Attend your rehearsal dinner.

Your wedding day
Get your hair and make-up done early.
Make sure you get plenty to eat and drink a lot of water. You don’t want to faint.
Have fun!