Planning a wedding involves a million decisions.
Using this checklist will ensure that nothing is overlooked.

UPON ENGAGEMENT 12 TO 24 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING

Register on-line to receive all the benefits of being registered at BestWeddingPlanner.com.

Announce your engagement to family, and then friends.

Prepare and send out newspaper announcement of your engagement.

Meet with both sets of parents. Decide upon a budget, and list who will pay for what.

Determine wedding style and degree of formality of your wedding.

Meet with clergy. Arrange for pre-marital counseling or classes suggested by clergy.

Select ceremony site.

Select wedding consultant.

Select reception site.

Look for unusual locations, even if they don¹t need to be reserved this far in advance.

Begin to make alternate plans if wedding is to be held outside. (Indoor site availability, tents, etc.)

Set date and time of wedding and reception. Note: You must coordinate your ceremony site, reception site, date and time of wedding, budget and size of the wedding before any other definite plans can be made.

Both families begin to compile guests lists. (Set definite date for final lists.)

Select color scheme

Select photographer.

Select videographer.

Select music for ceremony.

Select disc jockey or band.

Select florist.

Select limousine service or other transportation.

Select caterer (if not provided by reception site).

Select rental company.

Select baker for wedding cake (if not provided by reception caterer).

Select balloonist.

Get information from travel agents on possible honeymoon locations.

Choose your attendants.

Have fiancee select his groomsmen.

Shop for your gown, veil, headpiece, jewelry and accessories. Note: You should order your gown at least 7 months before your wedding date.

Select attendants gowns. Note: These gowns should also be ordered at approximately same time as your gown. Obtain a swatch of fabric to coordinate all other wedding colors.

Select shoes for you and attendants. (If shoes must be dyed, have them all done at the same time to ensure the best color match.)

Develop a record-keeping system for all wedding details, contracts, etc.

Develop a record-keeping system for guests, invitations, gifts, and thank-you notes.

Register at stores in the towns of both families.

Decide where you will live after your wedding.

Select a Realtor if needed.

Begin looking for an apartment, if necessary.

Purchase calendars for all involved in the wedding, and highlight all important wedding-related dates.

6 TO 9 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING

Select formalwear.

Finalize honeymoon plans.

Apply for passport and arrange for inoculations (if necessary).

Select beauty consultant.

Order wedding cake and groom's cake.

Make arrangements for rehearsal dinner. (Or remind groom's mother, if his parents are hosting this event.)

Reserve wedding night hotel suite.

Contact valet parking services.

4 TO 6 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING

Finalize guest list, eliminate duplicates.

Enter guests' names, addresses, and phone numbers into appropriate record book.

Plan bachelor/bachelorette party.

Select wedding rings.

Make arrangements for out-of-town wedding attendants (Rooms, transportation, maps.)

Remind both mothers to purchase wedding apparel. (Bride¹s mother has first choice of color and style.)

Select favors. (If they are to be made, begin preparations.)

Make appointments for hairdresser, nail salon, makeup, tanning.

Try new hairstyle now, rather than just before wedding.

Select major appliances and furnishings for your home together.

Order invitations, wedding stationery, personal stationery with your married name, etc.

Buy "Love" stamps for wedding invitations, shower invitations, thank you notes.

Reconfirm plans with ceremony and reception sites, clergy person, caterer, florist, photographer, videographer, ceremony and reception musicians, baker, and travel agent for honeymoon plans.

Check on status of attendants' gowns.

Design maps to wedding and reception sites to be inserted into invitations.

Write and review wedding vows, if appropriate.

Select pertinent readings, poems, etc. for ceremony.

Ask special people to do reading at the ceremony.

Design wedding program handout for ceremony.

Arrange to have wedding program printed.

Plan itinerary for out-of-town guests (special parties, dinners, activities).

Begin shopping for trousseau.

Make sure all deposits are paid, and contracts signed.

2 TO 4 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING

Address wedding invitations. (Invitations should be mailed six weeks before wedding date.)

Select gifts for attendants.

Compile bridal shower guest lists.

Make an appointment for a complete physical and dental cleaning/checkup.

Purchase garter, cake top, knife, toasting glasses.

Purchase or make pillow for ring bearer.

Schedule appointment for formal bridal portrait.

Shop for honeymoon outfits and going away outfit.

Shop for honeymoon accessories. (Tanning lotion, films, etc.)

Pack honeymoon clothes which are out of season (bathing suits, shorts, etc.)

Schedule wedding rehearsal.

Purchase or arrange to borrow luggage for honeymoon.

1 TO 2 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING

Have fittings for gown and attendants' gowns.

Have formal wedding portrait taken.

Obtain marriage license. (30 days before wedding date)

Send invitations to rehearsal dinner. (Or remind hostess to do so.)

Plan bridesmaid's luncheon.

Purchase wedding gift for fiancee.

Maintain records of all gifts given, thank you's sent.

Prepare seating list for reception and make place cards, if appropriate.

Confirm attendants' outfits with them.

Review and change beneficiaries life insurance policies, if necessary.

Review other insurance (automobile, homeowners) if they will be changing.

If appropriate, purchase renters insurance.

If you have agreed to a prenuptial agreement, meet with lawyers.

Arrange for furniture movers (if necessary).

Open joint checking and savings accounts.

Change names on charge accounts.

Arrange for new telephone listing.

Arrange for housesitter during honeymoon.

Give itinerary for honeymoon to one or both sets of parents.

Confirm ceremony details with officiant.

Finalize wedding music with organist.

Finalize music list for reception. Request special dances, songs, etc.

If appropriate, place liquor order.

Make an itinerary for your wedding day. Give to all wedding party members, parents, wedding consultant.

Wrap gifts to each other, and gifts for attendants.

Pre-pack any non-necessities for honeymoon.

Make sure all transportation arrangements for wedding party have been finalized.

Confirm that all men have been fitted for formalwear.