s

6 months before:

³ Meet with all your vendors to plan the details

³ Order the invitations or start making them

³ Register for gifts

³ Schedule food and cake tastings

³ Purchase your accessories such as shoes, headpiece, jewelry and lingerie

³ Schedule beauty trials and book hair stylists and makeup artists

³ Order wedding rings

³ Have the bridesmaids order their dresses

4 months before:

³ Arrange the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

³ Start making a "day-of" timeline, determining what should happen when

³ Begin addressing your invitations and add postage to the envelopes (check to make sure postal rates will be staying the same before buying stamps, or buy "forever" stamps)

³ Finalize all of your flower arrangements with your florist

³ Complete wedding cake order and finalize the rental list (tables, chairs, linens, etc.) with the caterer or rental company

³ Arrange wedding day transportation for yourselves and the wedding party

³ Order tuxedos or suits for the groom and groomsmen

³ Choose and order wedding favors

2-3 months before:

³ Check requirements for a marriage license for the state your wedding will be held in

³ Mail your wedding invitations (RSVPs should be due one month before the wedding)

³ Discuss ceremony readings and songs with the officiant

³ Meet with the caterer or venue manager to finalize the menu

³ Order or print the programs, menus and any other table or reception stationary

³ Buy gifts for your attendants and any other thank you gifts you wish to give

³ Compose your vows if writing your own

2-4 weeks before:

³ Submit a must-take shot list to your photographer (keep it short — a dozen or less — so you get the shots you really want)

³ Enter RSVPs into your guest list spreadsheet (call any guests who haven't responded after the reply by date)

³ If putting together a seating chart, work on that and make changes as needed for last minute guest changes

³ Send your day-of timeline to your attendants, vendors and any other participants who need to be there for photos

³ Go for your final dress fitting (bring your shoes, accessories and undergarments so you can see the entire look)

³ Make sure the gift registry still has plenty of options

1 week before:

³ Once you've got a final head count, share it with the caterer and venue manager

³ Finish the seating chart and write out or print place cards

³ Designate point people to be in charge of day-of tasks and last-minute changes

³ Confirm the vendor details and put together any final fees

³ Pick up your dress and wedding rings

³ Wear your shoes around the house to break them in

³ Remind wedding party to pick up formalwear and check for fit

Day before:

³ Give the marriage license to your officiant

³ Go for a manicure and pedicure

³ Arrange for a note or gift to be delivered to your fiancé on the wedding day while you are getting ready

³ Rehearse the ceremony and enjoy time with your attendants, family and anyone else you have invited to the rehearsal dinner

³ Breathe , relax, and get excited — You're getting married!

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