12 Month Wedding Countdown Checklist
( Bride to do list / 12 Month wedding countdown list / Wedding Checklist)

1O to 12 MONTHS IN ADVANCE OR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE:

-Discuss possible wedding dates and times. The larger and more formal the wedding, the
  longer in advance this must be done to have a good selection of locations for the
  wedding ceremony and wedding reception.
-Groom along with the Bride or by himself selects the engagement ring.
-Plan preliminary budget and how the expenses will be shared amongst yourselves or parents.
-Discuss the type (civil, religious...), size (Guest count) and formality of the wedding.
-Contact your officiant to confirm the date and time and to schedule an appointment to discuss the  
  wedding ceremony.
-Gather information on potential ceremony sites that interest you both.
-Gather information on potential reception sites that interest you both.
-Discuss the size of the guest list. (Not an easy task)
-Begin making honeymoon plans by contacting a travel agent and asking them to mail or email you
  brochures.

8 to 10 MONTHS in ADVANCE:

-Begin drawing up the actual guest list. Have both sets of parents do the same so that
  everyone is on the same page. (This can always be discussed later)
-Reserve the site chosen for the wedding ceremony, wedding rehearsal and wedding reception.
-Finalize your total wedding budget.
-Finalize selection of your wedding photography and wedding videography packages.
-Arrange to have your engagement photographs taken. Black and white are best for
  newspaper announcements but colour photo's can always be easily converted at a later date with
  Photoshop
-Begin the selection process for a caterer (If the hall does not come with one), florist, wedding cake and
  the wedding ceremony and wedding reception music.
-Bride and Groom select attendants. A general rule of thumb is one usher for every 20 -
 50 guests. It is not necessary to have the same amount of ushers and bridesmaids.
-The Bride begins selecting her wedding gown, veil, headpiece and wedding shoes.
-Choose the colour scheme for your attendants outfits and the decorative accents used in
  the flowers and for the ceremony (Church) and reception sites.  
-Send your engagement announcement and photograph to your local newspaper(s). (Most brides now
  do this online)

6 to 8 MONTHS IN ADVANCE.

-Bride and Groom each plan a party or social event with their attendants (Maid of honour, best man,
  ushers, bridesmaids...).
-Book the organist, soloist or other musicians for your ceremony. (If not choosing our service)
-Finalize the names and addresses of the guest list.
-Have the engagement sequences done for your wedding video.
-Book your florist.
-Book your caterer. (If the hall does not come with one)
-Book your reception music - Disc Jockey
-Finalize arrangements for your wedding cake.
-Finalize selection of your wedding gown, headpiece, veil and shoes.
-Bride begins selecting her garter, lingerie and going away outfit and accessories.
-Begin selecting the gowns and men's formal wear (tuxedos...) for your attendants.
-Bride and Groom shop for Bridal Registry selections then register your patterns, colours,
  etc. with the leading Bridal registries in your area.
-If this is private residence (home..) or outdoor wedding, book garden furniture, tent, tables...
-Finalize honeymoon plans and reservations. (Make sure the travel agent is insured in case they go out
  of business)
-Arrange for passports, visas, inoculations and medical insurance. All of which can take some
  time to get.
-Book time off work for the honeymoon. Booking some time off the week before the
  wedding is highly recommended. (At least 3 days)
-Begin looking at wedding invitation and announcement styles that will complement your
  wedding style and degree of formality.

5 to 6 MONTHS IN ADVANCE

-Bride and Groom select the wedding ring's. Many brides and grooms decide to engraved on the
  the wedding date on the inside of the rings.  
-Finalize the selection of gowns for your attendants. Schedule fittings and delivery dates. Include
  all the shoes at this time if they must be dyed to match the dresses.
-The mothers of the Bride and Groom begin shopping for their dresses and all accessories.
  Traditionally, the Bride's mother has first choice and the Groom's mother's choice
  complements it in colour and the degree of formality.
-Complete discussions with caterer regarding the rough number of guests, style of the service,
  times of the meal and menu items.
-Decide which beverages will be served at the reception (Open bar, consumption bar, cash bar) .
   If your reception will be in a hall
  or location where you will be organizing the beverages, you may wish to consult a wine
  and liquor representative to advise you on quantities. This free service usually includes the
  arrangement for liquor license and delivery of supplies as well. An alternative is the LCBO who can
  provide information about obtaining your own license.
-Complete discussions with your florist regarding the floral bouquets, corsages,
  boutonnieres, flowers for the church, and table arrangements for the reception.
-Finalize the selection of formal wear for the men.
-Order wedding invitations and announcements, matching note paper for thank you notes
  and order of service cards.

3 to 4 MONTHS IN ADVANCE

-Bride and Groom should spend some time together as a break from the wedding planning.
-The mothers of the Bride and Groom finalize clothing and accessory selections.
-Begin addressing wedding invitations and announcements.
-Make hand drawn maps to the locations of the ceremony, reception and the site of your
  formal photographs. These can be printed inexpensively and enclosed with your
  invitation. In addition, ushers may distribute further details at the ceremony site on the day
  of the wedding. You can also use google map printouts and then trace the route.
-Groom selects going away outfit and clothing for honeymoon.
-Register for your pre-marriage counseling course. (For church weddings, where required)
-Select your MC (Master of Ceremonies) for the Reception and arrange with the people who
  will be doing the grace (Prayer before the meal, if desired), speeches and toasts.
-Finalize music selections for organist and soloist for the ceremony (If you decide not to use a
  DJ Service). Notify them of the choices.
-Begin looking at gifts for your attendants (Ushers, Bridesmaids...) and your new spouse.
-Arrange the transportation for the wedding party to the church and reception. Friends
  and relatives may be able to provide this service, but you may wish to book limousines or even buses.
-Organize and arrange details of your rehearsal dinner or party. The immediate family,
  members of the wedding party and special out of town guests are normally included.
-Organize and arrange details of the bachelor and bachelorette parties. These are
  traditionally done by the best man for the Groom and the Maid of Honour for the Bride.
-Make arrangements (and reservations if necessary) for overnight accommodation for out
  of town guests. (reserving blocks of rooms at select hotels can save your out of town guests a-lot of
  money) Also arrange transportation for them to the ceremony. the formal
  photography site, and the reception. if necessary.
-Go to City Hall to purchase a marriage license.
-Arrange for religious documents, If required.

2 MONTHS IN ADVANCE

-Attend parties in your honour Showers normally are held one to two months in advance.
  Other parties may be closer to the wedding day. Schedule carefully so you do not end up
  overly tired by an excess of parties all at the last minute. Point this out to your
  maid/matron of honour and best man as well.
-Mail invitations. Reply cards should be dated four weeks before the wedding date.
-Realize that if there are guests from out of town they will need extra time to make travel
  and accommodation arrangements. If this time span covers a holiday period (for example
  Christmas or Thanks Giving) even more time is necessary for mail delivery and personal arrangements.
-Finalize selection of and purchase gifts for your attendants and new spouse.
-Bride consults an esthetician for skin care and make up tips. Arrange for your make up
  and manicure to be done at your home on the wedding day if possible.
-Bride consults her hair stylist for hair care tips. Arrange for the hair stylist to come to your
  home on the wedding day if possible.
-If you intend to change your name, begin the process of having documents changed
  (driver's license, credit cards, Insurance bank accounts, Social insurance, etc.). It's easy
  to overlook minor details, so make lists of everything that must be changed and cross
  items off as they are completed.
-Make arrangements for financial matters, i.e. insurance, bank accounts, safety deposit
  boxes, credit cards, wills, etc.
-Plan a recording system for your wedding gifts. (Excel spreadsheet...)
-Plan the rehearsal party for the out-of-town guests. It is a good idea to hold It only a day or two
  before the wedding day so the greatest number of guests can attend. Select the relative or
  friend who will host the event.

1 MONTH IN ADVANCE.

-Contact florist to finalize times and delivery places of the flowers.
-The Bride has her hair styled and make up applied as she plans for the wedding. This will
  help avoid unhappy surprises as to the appearance of the style and time required on the
  wedding day. Be sure to have your headpiece with you.
-Go over final details with all professional services you have engaged - include cake
  maker, reception contact person, musicians, Disc Jockey, limousine, florist, jeweler etc.
-Plan the details of your Receiving Line.
-Make seating plans for the reception.
-Develop the schedule of speakers for the reception and give It to the Master of
  Ceremonies
-Wedding attendants plan decoration of reception hall and cars.
-Make sure that you have all accessories: aisle carpet and canopy (coordinate this with
  your florist), ring pillow for ring bearer, toasting goblets, candles, any decorations for the hall,
  garter, cake cutting knife, etc.
-Arrange for the location of the guest book. (Usually next to the gift table). If your hall is helping you
  with this, also ask them if they have a lockable box for any envelopes and a secure place to store them
  during the reception.
-Notify all people who will be attending the Rehearsal and Rehearsal party of all the details.

3 WEEKS IN ADVANCE

-Send announcements to the newspapers. Post announcements online.
-Prepare address and stamp wedding announcements to be mailed following the wedding.
-Exchange money or obtain travelers cheques for your honeymoon trip.
-Break in any new shoes by wearing them indoors for a few hours each day.
-Bachelor and Bachelorette parties held.

2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE.

-Meet with your photographer and videographer to discuss details of your
  photography and video packages. Include a discussion of special shots you would like
  and contingency plans in case of rain. It's also a good idea to get a list of shots the photographer will
  be taking throughout the day. (Bride and groom with cake...)
-Begin packing for your honeymoon.
-Prepare envelopes with payments for ceremony site, officiator...
-Pick up tickets, medical Insurance forms and travel documents for the honeymoon.

THE WEEK BEFORE

-Bride and Groom each spend a quiet evening with their families.
-Plan the schedule for the wedding day. ensuring that everyone will have a relaxing day.
 Do this in writing and make sure that all the key people have copies.  
-Groom and Groom's men have final fittings for their formal wear. Arrange specific times
  for pick up and return of these items following the wedding as well as who will be doing it.  
-Pick up Bridal gown and attendants gowns.
-Pack an Emergency Kit to have along on the wedding day. Include safety pins. Corsage
  pins, bobby pins. needle and thread (a couple of colours that match the colour scheme),
  nail file, tissues, hankies, sanitary supplies, cosmetics to match (eye liner. eye shadow,
  lipstick, a compact with pressed powder, blush, perfume and nail polish), spare nylons or
  panty hose, snacks and beverages, scotch tape, masking tape, aspirin. comb, hairbrush,
  hair spray. mirror, breath mints, and antacids.
-Contact guests that have not responded to R.S.V.P. request. you don't want to pay for the meals of
  guests who are not attending.
-Give final guest count to the caterer.
-Pick up wedding rings. Make sure they fit.
-Groom, Groom's men and Ushers have hair trimmed. (Having the trim too close to the
  wedding day will produce a "shaved' look in the photographs.)
-Attend Rehearsal and Rehearsal party. Present gifts to attendants
-Hold the party or social event for those guests coming from out or town.

THE DAY BEFORE

-Review the schedule for tomorrow and make sure everyone is aware of any changes.
-Ensure that all details are covered.
-Arrange for your honeymoon suitcases and items to be at the correct location if you plan on
  leaving right after the ceremony. .
-Give ushers the list of guests to be seated in the reserved section at the ceremony location.
-Decorate the cars and the reception hall. (If you are able to go into the hall early)
-Entrust payment envelopes and license to the Best Man.
-Entrust wedding rings to the Best Man and Maid of Honour or affix them to the ring
  bearer's pillow.
-Finish packing for the honeymoon. Include travel tickets and identification, etc.
-Assemble all accessories for tomorrow's dressing In one room. Double check everything.
-Get to bed early and get a good night's sleep as you've got a long day ahead of you tomorrow.

THE WEDDING DAY ITSELF

-Be sure to have a substantial breakfast. Brides and Grooms have been known to faint.
-Bride has make up, manicure and hair appointments.
-Ensure that car keys, license, tickets, money and hotel confirmations are assembled and
  that someone is responsible for them.
-Arrange for the going away car to be at the reception hall.
-Bride transfers engagement ring to right hand.
-Ensure that all principals have allowed enough time to be dressed according to schedule.
  You can't be relaxed if you are rushing.

AFTER THE WEDDING

-Mail announcements.
-Bride and Groom send flowers with thank you notes to both sets of parents
  to thank them for their help and support.
-Return borrowed and rented items.
-Have wedding dress cleaned and stored.
-Enjoy your honeymoon vacation.
-Write and mail thank you note to guests & your wedding vendors:).
 

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