Wedding Planner

Planning is the key to a perfect wedding. Use our wedding planner and tips to keep yourself on schedule.

12 Months Before the Wedding

Select a date and time for the Wedding and Reception.
Research and book sites for wedding and reception as soon as possible (consider alternate locations, especially if outdoors).
Decide what type of Wedding and any color schemes ,ideas or themes .
Decide who will pay for what and how expenses will be shared.
Develop a record-keeping system for invitations, gifts and thank-you notes. Start a notebook to keep track of appointments and ideas. (There are many wedding planner books available but a notebook will work just as well if you are organized.)
Select your wedding attendants.
Sit down with your fiancée and draw up your guest list.
Meet with your officiate to discuss service and explore premarital counseling.
Plan engagement party.
Meet with and select Photographer, Caterer, Videographer, DJ, Musicians, Florist, and Wedding Coordinator.
Shop for rings, Wedding gown and headpiece, bridesmaids' dresses and accessories. Get fabric sample of bridesmaids dresses if shoes will be dyed to match. Set dates and times for fittings.
Choose honeymoon location.
Sign up with Bridal registries in your favorite stores.
Attend bridal shows in your area to get ideas.

6 to 9 Months Before the Wedding

Have your engagement portrait taken and put in paper.
If not done already, purchase gown and accessories.
Help mothers shop for dresses.
Select and order the men's attire.
Select bakery and order cakes.
Have complete physical and discuss birth control with your doctor.
Reserve location for wedding rehearsal dinner.
Finalize arrangements with your selected professionals. (Menus, music selections, packages, dates, times, etc.)
Make arrangements for out-of-town guests. Reserve hotel rooms, line up transportation, etc.
Order invitations.
Meet with travel agent, finalize honeymoon plans, and get passports up to date if needed. Get immunizations if needed.
Shop for your trousseau.
If you intend to write your own vows, start now.

2 to 3 Months Before the Wedding

Have your Bridal portrait taken.
Obtain marriage license.
Get blood tests if necessary (not needed in Georgia).
Purchase rings if not already purchased to allow time for engraving.
Mail invitations.
Take your headpiece to beautician and try different hair styles. Don't wait to the week before the wedding to get a trim or a new hairstyle, do it now. This way if you don't like it, your hair will have time to grow out.
Plan the rehearsal dinner.
Ask special friends or family to be servers at reception.
Have someone available to baby-sit during the service.
Select wedding transportation.
Finalize all honeymoon plans.
Buy wedding gifts for groom and attendants.
Arrange party for attendants.
Purchase accessories.

1 Month Before the Wedding

All final fittings for clothes.
Have Bridal portrait taken if not already done.
Have attendants parties.
Decide on gown preservation.
Make seating plans and write place cards.
Contact credit card companies, insurance companies, Social Security, your bank, and DMV if you will be changing your name and/or address.
Open a joint savings and checking account.
Start putting all your accessories in one location to make it easier the day of the wedding. (A box or suitcase near the door works best).
Confirm all final details with professionals.
Confirm honeymoon reservations and hotel reservations for out-of-town guests.
Shop for any last minute items and start packing.
Pick up rings.

1 Week Before the Wedding

Take off the week off from work, if at all possible.
Make sure marriage license is in order.
Purchase travelers checks.
Send thank-you notes for gifts already received.
Finish packing.
Have bridesmaids luncheon. Gifts may be presented here or at rehearsal dinner.
Make sure everybody has directions and know where and when to meet.
Have wedding rehearsal and dinner.
Give final headcount to caterer.
Check on any last minute details with vendors.
Do write-up for paper and take Bridal portrait to newspaper to be placed in paper day after wedding.

1 Day Before the Wedding

Make sure that everything that goes to the church is in one location. (gown, headpiece, accessories, shoes, hose, garter, makeup, perfume, hairspray, brush, deodorant, powder, gifts for groom and attendants, rings, license, glasses for toast, cake knives, ring bearer pillow, safety pins, other emergency items, etc.) Don't forget your "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue". A small snack is also a good idea to pack.
Have wedding rehearsal and dinner if not done already.
Remind everyone what time they will be expected. If someone is habitually late, tell them thirty minutes earlier.
Make sure someone will have a cell phone handy.
Pamper yourself with a nice relaxing bath, manicure, pedicure and facial.
Get a good night's sleep.

Wedding Day

Allow plenty of time to get ready and get to the church.
Try to take as many pictures as you can before the wedding. This way you can enjoy your reception with your guests.
Have snacks and drinks available in the dressing rooms for your attendants.
Have someone you trust available (not in the wedding party) to run errands if needed. Someone usually forgets something.
Don't sweat the small details. Just remember that sometimes things don't go exactly as planned. Anything forgotten in the rush will be forgiven. Relax and enjoy the day.