I'm getting married on

12-18 months before

Set a wedding date Personally announce your engagement to family & friends * Consider hiring a wedding planner to save you time, money and energy, as well as give you great ideas * Discuss & establish a budget, knowing from the start who pays for what Discuss together the roles for everyone close to you – family, friends and wedding party Send a ’Save the date’ announcement (email is perfectly correct) * Create your own website to keep everyone informed * Scout and reserve a ceremony location * Scout and reserve a reception location (they are often booked 12-18 months before) * Meet with wedding officiant (they will advise you on pre-marital requirements) * Think of a personal theme for your wedding * Scout and make initial contacts with 1-2 caterers or reception venues Start searching for your wedding dress style in magazines and on the internet Get yourself a great “Wedding Planner” workbook to record everything

10 months before

Start shopping for your wedding dress Groom: Decide on your wedding day fashion Set a date for your engagement party Select your wedding attendants and ask them to do you the honour Define and advise roles of mothers, fathers and people close to you * Meet with 2-3 photographers * Meet with 2-3 videographers Send announcement to the newspaper Begin to work on your guest list * Interview & ask for the demos and the repertoires from musicians and DJ’s * Decide on your caterer and start working on the menu Begin shopping for your dress and your attendants’ dresses Shop for wedding bands * Check out bakers for your wedding cakes (magazine photos can help greatly here) Begin your health & beauty regimen (remember you are the BELLE of the ball)

8 months before

Finalize guest list (as much as possible) * Choose your invitations and order them * Register for Gifts in specialized stores (it is very popular to register in more than one store for those special items like dishes, cutlery, crystal, kitchen accessories or even tools for him) * Confirm photographer & sign a contract as guarantee * Confirm videographer & sign a contract as guarantee * Confirm musicians & DJ & sign a contract as guarantee * Shop & reserve transportation for wedding party * Shop and choose florist for the ceremony and reception sites’ décor Select and buy your wedding dress (a deposit should suffice) Select and buy your maid of honour and bridesmaids’ dresses Groom: Reserve your wedding attire for you and your groomsmen * Set aside block of hotel rooms for your out-of-town guests (they will take a guarantee on your credit card but will not charge you until a certain date, at which time you can cancel if not used)

6 months before

* Confirm guest list details with caterer or banquet manager * Make sure you have received your invitations * Hold a meeting with caterer or banquet manager to finalize set-up, menu, beverages, schedule, cake cutting, snack etc. * Visit reception location during another wedding to view décor and set-up ideas * Reserve all rental equipment for reception (different tablecloths, napkins, candelabras etc.) * Start planning your honeymoon Obtain a passport now (it will save you unnecessary stress later) * Start planning the rehearsal dinner * Book a venue for the rehearsal * Book a hotel for your wedding night Obtain insurance if desired Choose and buy your wedding accessories

4 months before

* Make or buy wedding favors (shipping is often required, so better earlier than later) - galleria has very different suggestions at their centre * Attend pre-marital courses if required * Finalize any outstanding contracts & guarantee them with a deposit * Discuss shower ideas with your maid of honour Shop for exciting lingerie and undergarments to go under your wedding dress * Schedule a fitting for your wedding dress Discuss with people you have chosen to do special performances (readings, MC, toasts) * Address your invitations or send to calligrapher

2 months before

* Mail invitations (six weeks prior to wedding & eight weeks for out-of-town guests) * Select a guest book and pen Buy all accessories to bring to your next wedding dress fitting * If tradition obliges, remember something new, something blue, something old and something borrowed * Research & choose your personal wedding vows * Discuss transportation details with provider Arrange for baby sitter at reception site if you want families with small children to attend Have hair stylist and make-up artist do a trial run with your accessories (this is a photo moment you will want to record) * Make your appointment with them now, for your big day Write your personal thank you notes as presents arrive (grooms should share in this and a good rule is to write these no later than 2 months after the wedding day) Groom and groomsmen: get fitted for your wedding attire * Select gifts for your wedding party See notary and draw marriage contract (do not wait until the end)

1 month before

Schedule final fitting for wedding dress * Finalize and print prayer book, bulletin, ceremony program, menu and name cards Get marriage license if required * Check and review contracts with caterer, photographer, videographer, musicians, DJ, florist & transportation * Draw up a list with all suppliers name, telephone numbers (including cellular) and time of arrival for the wedding day * Pick up your wedding dress and accessories * Finalize all ceremony details with your officiant

3 weeks before

* Send schedule to your reception banquet manager and ensure delivery location Grooms: Hold the Bachelor Party Hold the Bachelorette Party

2 weeks before

* Review all details with your wedding planner Designate a coordinator for pre-wedding set-up if you do not have a wedding planner * Confirm time of arrival with all service providers * Confirm your hair & make-up appointments (many of them can come to your home) Enjoy a day at the SPA with your friends (or even have a pyjama party)

1 week before

Groom: Pick up your wedding attire and try it on at home Bride & groom: Pack for your honeymoon, prepare all documents Groom: Rehearse your toasts with your groomsmen * Give final seating chart to location manager Pack your overnight bag for your wedding night

1 day before

* Designate someone to collect your gifts and bring them to reception site * Drop off favors, guest book, pen, menus, and programs at reception site Attend the rehearsal & try to enjoy! Offer your thank you gifts to your attendants and family who assisted you Bride & Groom: Get an early night sleep. Tomorrow is the Big Day!

YOUR WEDDING DAY

Go to your hair appointment (remember to bring your veil & flowers) * Wedding planner galleria, or designated person will coordinate everything at reception site * Groom: Place any service provider owed balance in an envelope be remitted by Best Man Take a moment to thank your parents & close ones and tell them you love them RELAX, SMILE & make the most of this memorable day