Upon
Engagement

BRIDE

q Announce engagement. This is traditionally done through formal printed announcements and/or the newspaper.

q Make arrangements for the reception, reserving the location, photographer, caterer, musicians and florist.

q Order wedding ceremony and reception invitations, personalized stationery, announcements and at-home cards.

q Begin a guest list and ask the groom and his family to do so also. Prepare for early addressing and stuffing of invitations. Set up a system to record acceptances.

q Determine the number of bridesmaids and invite them along with your maid and/or matron of honor.

q Select overall color scheme for the wedding.

q Choose wedding clothes and accessories for yourself and your attendants. Discuss colors with the mothers so that they may order their dresses. Order early!

GROOM

q Finalize a budget for the rehearsal dinner and if necessary, reserve a location.

q Select your best man and ushers. The number of groomsmen usually corresponds with that of the bridal attendants.

q Select wedding clothes for yourself and your groomsmen based on the degree of formality and the colors chosen by the bride.

BRIDE & GROOM

q Set wedding date, place and time.

q Decide size, style and budget of ceremony and reception.

q Visit the clergy member or other officiant. Make arrangements for the ceremony, including reservation of church, organist, soloist and sexton.

q Plan honeymoon. Make reservations and any other necessary arrangements.

3 Months
Before Wedding

BRIDE

q Shop for trousseau and special dresses for parties and showers.

q Finalize guest list and address invitations and/or announcements.

q Purchase bridesmaids' gifts and a gift for the groom.

q Make an appointment with your gynecologist for an examination.

q Invite someone to preside over the guest book at the wedding ceremony.

q Order wedding cake if not planning to use caterer's services.

q Have a final fitting for yourself and your attendants.

q Schedule formal bridal portrait sitting, and black & white photo for newspaper announcement.

q Make arrangements for bridesmaids' luncheon.

GROOM

q Buy rehearsal dinner and going-away clothes and special clothes for your honeymoon.

q Purchase the groomsmen's gifts and a gift for the bride.

q If desired, plan a bachelor's party and make arrangements.

BRIDE & GROOM

q Select wedding rings and have them engraved.

q Review plans for the ceremony and the reception.

q Decide where you will live and shop for furnishings.

q Decide patterns for china, glassware and flatware; bed and bath linens. Register them at popular department and/or specialty stores. Set up a system to record gifts received.

1-2 Months
Before Wedding

BRIDE

q Purchase accessories such as garter, ring pillow and guest book.

q Plan the gift display and arrange for any necessary security and/or insurance.

q Order bouquets for attendants.

q Mail wedding and/or reception invitations. (6 weeks is proper.) Have announcements ready to mail.

q Prepare the announcement for the newspaper and send it along with the black & white glossy photograph.

q Mail invitations for the bridesmaids' luncheon.

q Set up an appointment at a beauty salon.

q Purchase shoes for yourself and your attendants. If shoes are to be dyed, have them all done at once for the best color match.

GROOM

q Order ties, gloves and ascots for the groomsmen.

q Order the bride's bouquet and going-away corsage, corsages for both mothers and boutonnieres for yourself and groomsmen.

q Mail invitations for the rehearsal dinner and bachelor's party.

q Make an appointment for a haircut, if necessary.

q Check with groomsmen to make sure they've been fitted for wedding day attire.

BRIDE & GROOM

q Confirm lodging arrangements for out-of-towners.

q Make maps for out-of-town guests, and arrange any transportation needed for those without cars.

q Send thank-you notes as gifts are received.

2 Weeks
Before Wedding

BRIDE

q Confirm all arrangements (including seating) with caterer, florist, musicians and photographer. Be sure that everything ordered has been delivered.

q Arrange for someone to mail announcements on the day of the wedding.

q Complete trousseau including all accessories.

q Make arrangements to transport wedding party to ceremony and reception.

GROOM

q Check on arrangements for the rehearsal dinner. Plan any special seating necessary.

q Make arrangements to transport yourself and your best man to the wedding. After ceremony you will require transportation for yourself and the bride.

q Give your best man a check to pay the clergyman/officiant.

BRIDE & GROOM

q Obtain marriage license and have any medical tests required by law.

q Confer with your clergyman/officiant regarding specific details of the rehearsal.

q Make arrangements to move your things into your new home.

q Double check honeymoon plans.

q Continue to write thank-you notes as often as you can.

q Attend to all details regarding address and name changes (bank accounts, driver's license, social security, etc.)

q Prepare a time chart to help you remember the details of the wedding day. Call attendants to review the schedule.

q Entertain the wedding party.