12 Month Planning Countdown

12 Months

• Choose the date and time for wedding and rehearsal.
• Purchase San Diego Style Weddings Magazine and register on sandiegostyleweddings.com.
• Create a wedding email account.
• Create a wedding website on sandiegostyleweddings.com.
• Decide on style – whether a formal event with a sit-down dinner or an afternoon one in the garden, for example.
• Choose color schemes.
• Review your budget. Ask both sets of parents for advice if they’re paying for any or all of the occasion.
• Select wedding and reception sites.
• Make an appointment with the officiant to learn about pre-marital requirements.
• Plan the guest list to get a rough count.
• Choose bridesmaids/groomsmen and ushers.
• Research honeymoon spots.
• Interview wedding planners (if you are using one).
• Shop for a gown and headpiece.
• Book the musicians for ceremony and reception.
• Interview photographers, videographers, caterers, and florists.

9 Months

• Announce engagement in the newspaper.
• Select dresses for bridal attendants.
• Start shopping for men’s wedding attire.
• Decide on the caterer, photographer, and videographer.
• Book a florist and choose arrangements.
• Register for gifts at bridal registries of choice.
• Select transportation for ceremony and reception.

6 Months

• Order dress and accessories – including veil, gloves, and shoes; schedule delivery date.
• Help mothers select and coordinate their dresses.
• Reserve any rental equipment such as tables, chairs, and a tent (if you’re marrying at home or in unfurnished space).
• Choose a baker – order wedding cake and groom’s cake.
• Shop for your trousseau.
• Select your wedding invitations, envelopes, and thank-you cards.
• Scout accommodations for out-of-town guests.
• Plan the rehearsal dinner.
• Research marriage license requirements.
• Choose favors.
• Confirm honeymoon plans (compile necessary documents: passports, visas, etc.).
• Finalize guest list.

3-4 Months

• Choose the ceremony music.
• Talk over reception music with the band or DJ.
• Discuss menu details with the caterer.
• Confirm out-of-town guest accommodations.
• Order wedding rings and arrange for engraving.
• Meet with a premarital counselor.
• Visit officiant and review vows, readings, and music.
• Select and reserve men’s attire.
• Address invitations and announcements.

2 Months

• Mail invitations.
• Plan a trial run with headpiece and makeup.
• Make a wedding day hair appointment.
• Confirm ceremony details.
• Arrange rehearsal and dinner plans.
• Draw up a map to the ceremony and reception site.
• Complete proper documents for changing your name.

1 Month

• Obtain marriage license.
• Pick up rings and check engraving.
• Confirm details with the florist, caterer, entertainers, and officiant.
• Notify the newspaper with wedding announcement and photograph.
• Schedule final dress fitting for you and for your attendants.
• Buy gifts for attendants, flower girl, ring bearer, fiancé, parents (and anyone else who helped make the wedding extra special).
• Finish trousseau shopping.
• Plan pre-wedding attendants’ party.

2 Weeks

• Confirm rehearsal dinner plans.
• Find out about gown, bouquet, and/or cake preservation.
• Contact guests who did not RSVP to invitations.
• Arrange seating plan and write place cards.
• Break in wedding shoes at home – scuff the bottom, walk around in them.
• Meet with photographer and videographer – submit list of must-take shots.

1 Week

• Pick up dress or have it delivered.
• Host bridesmaids’ party.
• Pack for honeymoon.
• Confirm travel arrangements – if traveling abroad, purchase a small amount of local currency.
• Write toast for rehearsal dinner and wedding reception.
• Arrange for facial and other beauty treatments.
• Give assignments to wedding party members, remind them of rehearsal details.
• Confirm transportation details.
• Notify caterer of the final guest count.
• Review timetables and details with vendors.

1 Day Before

• Give wedding announcements to an attendant to mail after the wedding.
• Verify transportation to and from the wedding ceremony.
• Deliver gift baskets if you have them.
• Have manicure and pedicure.
• Attend ceremony rehearsal.
• Hold rehearsal dinner and hand out special gifts to wedding party.
• Prepare tip envelopes and arrange for someone to distribute them the day of.