Timeline

Nine months and earlier

Announce your engagement
Select a date for your wedding
Choose a professional wedding consultant if needed
Determine the type of wedding you want: (location, formality, time of day, number of guests, etc.)
Determine budget and how expenses will be shared
Develop a record keeping system for payments made
Consolidate all guest lists (bride's, groom's, bride's family, groom's family)
Decide if you would like to include children among guests and how they will be cared for
Choose and reserve your pastor
Select and reserve your ceremony and/or reception sites
Select and order your bridal gown and headpiece
Determine your color scheme
Send engagement notice with a photograph to your local newspaper
Buy a calendar and note all important activities: (showers, luncheons, parties, appointments, etc.)
If ceremony or reception is at home, arrange for home or garden improvements as needed
Order passport, visa or birth certificate (if needed) for your honeymoon or marriage license
Select and book photographer and/or videographer
Select maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids and ushers (approximately one usher per 50 guests)

Six to nine months before wedding

Select flower girl and ring bearer
Reserve wedding night bridal suite
Select attendants' dresses, shoes and accessories
Select and book caterer if needed
Select and book ceremony/reception musicians (or DJ for reception)
Schedule fittings and delivery dates for yourself, attendants, flower girl and ring bearer
Select and book florist

Four to six months before wedding

Start shopping for each other's wedding gifts
Reserve rental items needed for ceremony/reception
Finalize guest list
Select and order invitations, announcements and other stationery such as thank you notes, wedding programs and seating cards
Address invitations
Set date, time and location for rehearsal dinner
Arrange accommodations for out of town guests
Start planning your honeymoon
Register for gifts
Purchase shoes and accessories (begin to break in shoes around the house!)

Two to four months before wedding

Six to eight weeks before wedding

Mail invitations. Include accommodation choices and a map to assist guests in finding the ceremony/reception sites
Maintain a record of RSVPs and all gifts received. Send thank you notes upon receipt of gifts
Determine hair style and makeup and make appropriate appointments for wedding day
Finalize shopping for accessories such as toasting glasses, ring pillow, guest book, etc.
Have your formal wedding portrait taken, if desired. Send photograph and wedding announcement to local newspaper
Change name and address on drivers license, social security card, insurance policies, subscriptions, bank accounts, memberships, etc.
Select and reserve wedding attire for groom, ushers, father of the bride and ring bearer
Select a guest book attendant and decide where/when to have guests sign in
Mail invitations to rehearsal dinner
Obtain marriage license
Find "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue"
Finalize your menu and beverage order for reception

Two to six weeks before wedding

Confirm ceremony details with your Mars Hill ceremony coordinator
Arrange final fitting of bridesmaids' dresses
Have final fitting of brides gown and headpiece
Finalize rehearsal dinner plans; arrange seating and write names on place cards, if desired
Make final floral selections
Coordinate with your professional wedding planner (if you have one) a detailed timeline of your wedding day for your attendants and service providers
Start packing for your honeymoon
Finalize addressing and stamping announcements
Decide if you want to form a receiving line. If so, determine when and where to form the line
Contact guests who have not responded
Pick up rings and check for fit
Meet with photographer/videographer and confirm special photos you want
Meet with musicians and confirm music to be played during special events such as walking down the aisle, first dance, etc.
Determine ceremony seating for special guests. Give a list to the ushers.
Plan reception room layout and seating with your wedding coordinator and site manager or caterer. Write names on place cards for arranged seating

Last week

Pick up wedding attire and make sure everything fits
Do final guest list and notify your caterer or reception site manager
Arrange for someone to drive the getaway car
Confirm all honeymoon reservations and accommodations. Pick up tickets and travelers checks
Have the post office hold your mail while you are away on your honeymoon

Rehearsal day

Put suitcases in getaway car
Give the best man any checks for service providers, as well as Mars Hill facilities manager, and instruct him to deliver them as needed
Arrange for someone to bring accessories such as flower basket, ring pillow, guest book and pen, toasting glasses, cake cutting knife and napkins to the ceremony/reception
Arrange for someone to mail announcements the day after the wedding
Arrange for someone to return rental items such as tuxedos, slip and cake pillars after the wedding
Review ceremony seating and timeline with Mars Hill ceremony coordinator
Give the groom's ring to the maid of honor. Give the bride's ring to the best man.

Wedding day

Go directly to your Mars Hill ceremony coordinator with any requests, concerns, etc. Do not attempt to do anything today other than enjoy your wedding!