Michelle’ s To Do List For Brides

ASAP or one year or more…

• Tell everyone that you are engaged and show off that ring!
• Hire a wedding planner...(plug) www.weddingsbymichelle.com
• Make sure that you meet his family.
• Start discussing budget with appropriate parties.
• Research ceremony sites, reception sites, catering, and photography etc.
• Select a date.

9 to 12 months

• Have a great time at your engagement parties.
• Book all vendors and venues. 
  *The best book up first, so if you want it, book it!
• Determine the guest list count based on your budget.
• Announce your engagement in the newspaper.
• Start to develop a theme with your planner and florist.
• Start shopping for you dress and your bridesmaid dresses.
• Start thinking about the honeymoon location.
• Go shopping for your rings.

6 to 9 months

• Finalize your guest list.
• Send out the save-the-dates.
• Begin to develop a menu with the caterer
• Pick out the tuxedos.  It’s best not to leave it up to him!
• Set up your bridal registries at your favorite stores.
• Start scheduling groomsmen and bridesmaid fittings.
• Reserve a “hotel block” for the out of town guests.
• Book your honeymoon and order passport if necessary.

4 to 6 months

• Get all your favors and bridal accessories at Wedding Buggy.
• Finalize your rental list and secure your order.
• Cake tasting time….Yummy!  Order cake.
• Research hairstyles and find a stylist that you like.
• Purchase your rings.
• Get the requirements of obtaining a marriage license.
• Arrange to take dance lessons.
• Book your rehearsal dinner.

2 to 3 months

• Announce your wedding in the newspaper.
• Finalize the details with your vendors and start on your timeline.
• Do a trial run with your hair stylist and make-up artist.
• Make sure all dresses and tuxes have been sized and ordered
• Make a bridal portrait appointment with the photographer.

At the 6th week

• Have the final fitting of the wedding dress.
• Send out invitations.
• Submit programs and any other materials to print.
• Send rehearsal dinner invitations.

2 to 6 weeks

• Draft song list for musicians, band, or DJ.
• Have the final fitting for the bridesmaid dresses.
• Finalize guest list and seating arrangements.
• Provide the guest count to the caterer.
• Obtain name change paperwork.
• Break in your wedding shoes.
• Pick up gown from final pressing
• Submit final shot list to the photographer.
• Write rehearsal dinner toasts.

The week of… 

• Make sure that he gets a haircut.
• Disperse final payment to all vendors.
• Make sure that you have your Marriage License.
• Get your bags packed.
• Confirm with your venders and disperse timeline.
• Finalize all the details.

The day of…

Now that you have done all of this work.  Let the day unfold into the beautiful event you have planned.  Don’t worry about the details or issues that arise, focus on the purpose of the day and the wonderful person you have to spend it with.

-Michelle