There are many key tools and utilities available to brides-to-be, planners and event managers, families and wedding parties, trying to get and check everything for that perfect dream wedding.

There are many such wedding to do checklists available in print and online. Here is but once such example that can help you get, stay on track as you get ready for your dream theme wedding.

Up to 1 year before the big day

Yes 12 months ahead you can start planning – most planners will echo and advise you that the sooner you get started the BETTER! There is no time to waste or lose, with lots at stake – some locations are booked solid, for years in advance – you might want to reconsider if this is the case for your venue!

• Announce your engagement.
• Budget and BOTH determine how many guests may attend, individually and collectively, with parents and then finalize the wish-list, to short-list to final list!
• Determine the type of wedding you want and theme.
• Establish a starting budget.
• Get all your suppliers lined and signed up, committed and retained - wedding cake baker/decorator, video-photographer, musicians, and florist.
• Pick the wedding format, style (formal, informal, traditional, contemporary-modern, alternative, etc.) Ceremony and reception together, separately apart, indoors, outdoors, what time of year
• Select a caterer if not already provided for the reception.
• Select a wedding date and time.
• Select and hire a photographer.
• Select and order the bridesmaids’ dresses.
• Select and secure your ceremony location.
• Select and secure your reception location.
• Sign all necessary contracts, pay deposits to secure venues and track your spending/budget against overall

6 - 9 months PRIOR to the dream wedding themed event:

• Attendants and wedding party – identify, approach and confirm
• Bridal attire for bride and groom - wedding dress, headpiece, veil, tuxedo etc.
• Gift bridal registry
• Guest-list finalized
• Travel plans for honeymoon

4 - 6 months to go before your big day and special wedding event:

• Administration and paperwork: blood test and marriage license in your state.
• All physical check-ups doctor/dentist
• All reservations confirmed, including the honeymoon, reception, wedding officiate etc.
• Confirm all the entries/guests on the final guest-list prior to sending the invitations out
• Engagement announcement to the newspaper.
• Find a place to live after the wedding
• Mothers and Fathers of the bride and groom’s attire
• Select and order or print the invitations and stationery.
• Trousseau-shopping
• Wedding party and male attire all ordered, fittings, alterations and pickups scheduled
• Wedding rings and special jewelry

2 - 4 months before the wedding day:

• Accommodations for out-of-town guests.
• Confirm the wedding cake details with the baker.
• Designing and printing the program for the ceremony.
• Finalize the florist details, photographer, video-photographer, musicians, etc.
• Meet with planner and caterer for progress report, menu choices and finalizing , all catering details, set-up and changes
• Order of service confirmed
• Plan a rehearsal dinner, time and place.
• Plan the bridesmaids’ luncheon and any other parties (pre- and post-)
• Prepare all maps and directions for the ceremony and reception.
• Set the dates and times with the officiate for the rehearsal.
• Wedding guest book

6 - 8 weeks to go

• Hire the limousine or other forms of transportation for the wedding.
• Mail invitations and announcements.
• Prepare a portrait for the newspaper. Check your local newspaper for details and timing.
• Select gifts for all your attendants.
• Set appointment with photographer for your formal bridal portrait.
• Set appointments with any hairdressers and/or makeup artists.

4 - 6 weeks before:

• Wedding gifts for partner (bride/groom)
• Flower order confirmation and delivery date/time, location
• Confirm menu and headcount
• All wedding party clothes are sorted out, fit, altered and ordered, ready to go
• Fit wedding rings, pick up and keep safe
• Seating plans
• Order of service for ceremony and reception.
• Placement, seating cards
• Get all the wedding accessories, like ring pillow, goblets, garter belt, candles, etc.
• Purchase a going away outfit.
• Final fit of the wedding dress

2 weeks prior to the wedding day:

• Bridal party attire all ready and in good shape, picked up
• Business and legal aspects, will & testament, last name, address changes
• Get your marriage license
• Out of town accommodation confirmations
• Wedding announcement for the newspaper
• Wedding gifts arrangements, who to pick up and drop off at the new home

The countdown has brought you to the final week – yes, ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE THEME DREAM WEDDING YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED…

• Complete place-cards
• Confirm the availability of the musicians and vocalists, confirming date, time, location and program/activities, fees etc.
• Delegate responsibilities to reliable individuals on your wedding day
• Final details with officiate, photographer, DJ, musicians etc.
• Final headcount and seating chart
• Fit on all wedding party clothes to ensure everyone will be looking their best
• Give a final head count to the caterer.
• Ground-transportation confirmed
• Honeymoon reservation confirmations, tickets in-hand
• Pack for going away on your honeymoon
• Personally call and follow up with those guests who have not indicated they are coming or have not yet given their RSVP
• Seating and ushers, plans and last-minute detail confirmations
• Wrap and present the wedding party gifts.
• Finalize your rehearsal dinner arrangements or other plans.

24 hours to your wedding day:

• Get a manicure or massage
• Get some personal time for yourself to reflect and prepare
• Go to sleep early, no partying until the wee morning hours – you want to look and feel your best
• Relax
• Review and rehearse all the details of your participants
• Stay with your family the night before

On the day of your big, dream-come-true themed wedding:

• Best man and maid of honor sign the wedding certificate.
• Eat and drink enough
• ENJOY
• Prepare for your hairdresser and makeup appointments.
• Rest and relax with a good bath.
• Time to get dressed and prepare – do not rush

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