Countdown to your wedding day.

Use our handy planner to assist you with the wedding planning, work backwards from the 'big day' according to the timeline presented below.

Six to twelve months before your wedding date

Now is the time when you need to make your reservations and put down deposit fees. By now you should have a rough but fairly accurate estimate of the number of guests you'll be inviting. Each wedding location can only accommodate a certain number of people and you want a location that can comfortably accommodate everyone.

Select and reserve locations for the wedding ceremony and the reception.

Interview and reserve your professional talent including: Musician or DJ, photographer/videographer, floral arranger, caterer, wedding cake baker, wedding official, wedding planner or consultant (optional)

Select and confirm wedding party attendants for both bride and groom

Select wedding party attire and coordinate fittings

Arrange transportation for bridal party on the big day

Place engagement information in local newspaper

Four months before your wedding date is the time to make sure everything is in place.

Finalize your guest list including complete mailing address for invitations

Order wedding invitations

Select a destination for the honeymoon, make hotel and airfare reservations, get passports

Reconfirm that bridal party dresses are on order and menswear rental attire is coordinated

Begin planning the wedding shower

Register at bridal registries for shower and wedding gifts - if not registering at national chains, remember to register at stores that are local to the families of both bride and groom

Reserve suite for bride and groom's wedding night

Reserve block of hotel rooms for out-of-town wedding guests

Shop for and order wedding rings

Two months before your wedding date:

Address and mail wedding invitations

Make preparations for rehearsal dinner

Coordinate details for marriage license in state where marriage ceremony will take place

Coordinate, order, or make decorations and favors for wedding

Select the music you want for the ceremony and the reception

One month before your wedding date:

Have the wedding shower

Complete final fittings for bridal dress and all bridal attendants

Coordinate and schedule all hair and make-up appointments

Purchase gifts for bridal party and groomsmen

Two weeks before your wedding date:

Pick up marriage license

Begin process of changing name on credit cards, social security card, driver's license, bank accounts

Prepare seating arrangements and prepare place cards

Make sure accommodations for out-of-town guests are in order

Reconfirm all details with those who have been hired

Prepare change of address paperwork, pack and get ready to move (if applicable)

Give final count to caterer

Practice hair and make-up styles; grooms should get hair cut now

Day before wedding your wedding date:

Hold rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

Get some rest

The Big Day

Make it to the ceremony on time

Bring wedding rings

Have a means of paying final tab for all services rendered and have cash for tips

Eat before ceremony so you don't get sick

Smile pretty for your pictures

Be proud because you've just pulled off a major feat!!