Essential: countdown to wedding day

You’ve found the love of your life and the two of you are getting married!

Now what?

Your wedding is one of the most complex events you, your spouse-to-be and your families may ever orchestrate. A solid plan moves the process forward so anticipation, contrary to anecdote, is pleasant. This time line and checklist help organize details from a chaotic start into the happiest celebration of your lives.

9-12 months

• Select a date and time for the wedding
• Arrange for parents to get together, perhaps at an engagement party or informally over dinner
• Begin compiling guest list
• Discuss budget with everyone who may contribute financially; establish priorities, including honeymoon
• Interview potential wedding planners
• Select officiant and visit with him or her to discuss wedding preparation and procedures
• Select catering service, if not provided by reception site
• Visit www.stlouisbestbridal.com to announce – for free – your engagement online and in the local St. Louis Post-Dispatch
• Choose members of the wedding party
• Research legal rules for marriage license in location where you will wed and immediately add dates to implement them to calendars
• Narrow down ceremony and reception sites and book them (a popular location may book 18 months in advance or open reservations only 12 months before date)
• Close in on style, theme and colors

6-9 months

• Book photographer and videographer
• Book ceremony musicians and reception band or DJ
• Reserve party rental equipment (tables, chairs, tents, lighting)
• Shop for and order bridal gown and accessories
• Select florist
• Select bridesmaids’ dresses
• Close in on final guest list, addresses
• Arrange wedding cake tastings, then order a favorite
• Research honeymoon spots and select travel agent
• Mail save-the-date cards, especially for destination or holiday wedding
• Make master to-do list; keep copies only with those who need to know
• Consider items for registry

4-6 months

• Order wedding invitations, thank-you notes and personal stationery (earlier is better)
• Attend pre-wedding counseling as required or desired
• Reserve location of rehearsal dinner
• Arrange lodging for out-of-towners
• Select and order formal wear for men; schedule fittings
• Complete registry
• Reserve wedding-day transportation as needed: to the church, from church to reception, from reception to after-party or where you will spend your wedding night
• Meet with travel agent to plan honeymoon and make reservations
• Secure travel documentation; renew/get passports

2-4 months

• Finish addressing invitations
• Meet with caterer to discuss plans for food at the reception
• Complete honeymoon plans
• If not already noted on calendars, fill in time for securing marriage license 
• Set time for any bridal photography beyond the wedding day
• Select and order wedding rings
• Set appointments with hairstylist/makeup consultant for rehearsal and wedding day
• Select gifts for attendants
• Choose favors and guest book
• Complete cake order, if necessary
• Book room for wedding night

4-8 weeks

• Plan menus for rehearsal dinner
• Pick up wedding rings; arrange for engraving or check for accuracy
• Have final fitting of wedding gown, make alteration appointment
• Have run-through of bridal hair (with headpiece, if applicable) and makeup; experiment now, not later
• Check that bridesmaids have arranged fittings for their gowns, groomsmen for tuxedos and shoes
• Draw up seating plan for ceremony and reception
• Submit song lists to ceremony musician and reception band or DJ
• Finalize plans with every wedding vendor, including photographer
• Select gifts for parents, attendants and each other
• Mail invitations six weeks before wedding, earlier if destination wedding or if many travel; design, test-drive map for out-of-towners
• Decide on insurance policies and name-change documents
• Write and order programs for ceremon
• Attend bridal shower(s)

2-4 weeks

• Final gown alteration appointment; bring along maid of honor to learn to bustle it
• Prepare information to announce wedding after the big day at www.stlouisbestbridal.com
• Write vows, if desired; write toasts
• Review guest list and provide caterer with final counts
• Finalize seating arrangements
• Finish place cards for reception
• Provide rehearsal and wedding-day schedules to wedding party
• Arrange gift transport from reception
• Bride has last pre-wedding haircut and coloring
• Be certain names on photo IDs and/or passports match honeymoon plane tickets/reservations
• Start packing for honeymoon, listing contents as you add items to suitcase
• Gather items for emergency kit
• Everyone: Break in shoes

1 week

• Send out all final payments possible, place fees still due in envelopes
• Delegate responsibilities for the wedding day to reliable helpers
• Finalize rehearsal and rehearsal dinner; confirm attending numbers
• Double-check details with vendors
• Confirm honeymoon details and finish packing
• Groom: Have hair trimmed
• Attend any remaining bachelor/bachelorette party (hold earlier, if possible)
• Pass along any challenges that pop up at the last minute to those who can resolve them

1-2 days

• Get massage, manicure, pedicure; purchase and pack extra nail polish in shade you are using for possible touch-u
• Pick up remaining rental attire
• Attend rehearsal and review all details with participants
• Enjoy rehearsal dinner, greet family and friends; present wedding party and parents with thank-you gifts
• Get a good night’s sleep

Your big day

• Eat a healthy breakfast and drink lots of water to avoid dehydration from excitement.
• Try to take at least a little walk, play music or meditate to reduce stress.
• Double-check that you have all items you need, with backups just in case.
• Give groom’s wedding band to maid of honor and bride’s ring to best man.
• Write down and pass along any last-minute contingency plans that occur to you.
• Have hair and makeup done according to early plan.
• Allow extra time to get dressed.
• Make certain the best man and maid of honor sign the marriage license.
• Allow extra time for the unexpected.
• Follow schedule written last month.
• Allow 50 percent more time for travel.
• Take advantage of snacks and bottled water in the dressing area.
• Greet guests by name, be gracious and grateful.
• Smile and remain calm. Do not let anything slightly amiss interfere with your joy.
• Cherish each moment of this special day with your new life partner and those gathered to celebrate with you.
• If you leave early, say goodbye to parents and grandparents.