12 - 9 months before
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Hire wedding consultant
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Reserve location for ceremony and reception
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Contact potential photographers
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Contact potential videographers
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Contact potential musicians for ceremony
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Contact potential band or DJ for reception
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Contact potential caterers
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Select attendants
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Shop for gown
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Start registry
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Start honeymoon plans
9-6 months before
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Hire photographer
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Hire videographer
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Hire musicians for ceremony
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Hire band or DJ for reception
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Hire caterer
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Order gown
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Contact potential florists
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Shop for bridesmaids' dresses
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Shop for veil or headpiece
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Shop for bride's accessories: shoes, undergarments, purse, etc.
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Consult hairstylist
6-4 months before
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Finalize guest list
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Order invitations and personal stationery (thank you notes, etc.)
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Order bridesmaids' dresses
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Select formalwear for men
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Select florist
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Shop for shoes, undergarments, purse, etc.
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Order veil or headpiece
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Complete registry
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Finalize honeymoon plans and make all reservations
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Make sure passports are up-to-date and that you have all necessary visas,
etc.
Three months before
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Send out wedding invitations
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Plan ceremony with officiant
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Shop for wedding rings
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Contact bakeries, view and taste cakes
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Plan transportation
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Reserve location (and caterer, if necessary) for rehearsal dinner (traditionally,
groom's family does this)
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Make appointments for hair, make-up, manicure and pedicure
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Start dancing lessons
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Determine guest favors
Two months before
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Order wedding rings
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Order wedding cake
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Mail invitations (six to eight weeks before wedding)
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Order favors
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Find out regulations for marriage license
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Plan rehearsal
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Select gifts for attendants and fiancé
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Shop for clothes for honeymoon
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Consult make-up artist for wedding
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Attend showers
One month before
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Check registry to add items or change quantities
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First fitting of gown
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Send invitations to rehearsal dinner
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Get marriage license
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Confirm beauty appointments for wedding day
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Contact everyone to confirm all details
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Finalize transportation to ceremony; from ceremony to reception; from reception
to hotel or airport
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Confirm delivery of cake
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Make sure musicians have recording of your first dance song
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Coordinate alterations to bridesmaids' dresses
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Purchase guest book and pen
Two weeks before
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Coordinate final fittings of men's attire
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Prepare wedding announcements (mail the day after wedding)
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Prepare placecards
The week before
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Final fitting of gown
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Give final count to caterer
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Determine seating; number placecards
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Prepare payment envelopes
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Finish all packing
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Wrap gifts for attendants, fiancé
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Check with bridesmaids, ushers and family that everyone knows time of rehearsal
and what will be expected of them
The day before
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Manicure and pedicure appointment
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Host lunch for bridesmaids
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Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
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Give gifts to attendants (at rehearsal dinner or bridesmaids' luncheon)
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Give payment envelopes to best man to distribute on wedding day
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Pack going-away outfit
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Get a good night's sleep!
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