First things first
__ Announce your engagement in the Missoulian and online using the form on page 28.
__Having an engagement party? Set a date, choose a location, create a guest list, start a gift registry and mail invitations.
__Decide on a budget. See the handy worksheet on pages 48-49.
__Start the guest list.
__Set the date. Narrow down your wedding date to a few weekends you feel most of your desired guests will be able to attend. Announce your wedding in the Missoulian and online using the form on page 38.
__A consultation with an event planner is a good way to get started. You may only need a few hours of their time to get you started, you may decide to hire one to handle everything from start to finish or just for the day of the event.
__Contact ceremony and reception venues. Some locations book up to a year in advance. Some may only be available for the ceremony and you will need a second location for the reception.
12 months & counting
__Shop for your gown.
__Choose a color scheme.
__Your friends and family will be clamoring to know who will be in your wedding party so let people know who you’ve chosen as soon as possible. Give your attendees ample time to arrange their schedules.
__Contact photographers.
__Contact videographer.
__Contact florists.
__Book a caterer. Most will do tastings and even create a cocktail just for you. Begin working on a menu. You may want to consider special dietary needs if you have any guests with severe food allergies. Depending on budget and the number of guests with a non-traditional diet, you may need more than one choice for the main course.
__Decide on whether you want a DJ or live music at your reception.
10 months & counting
__Book your photographer, florist and videographer.
__Finalize your guest list.
__Order your wedding cake.
__Reserve a block of rooms for your out-of-town guests.
__Send out your save-the-date cards. Be sure to include information on accommodations.
__Shop for bridesmaid and flower girl dresses.
__Record deposits and payments in your budget.
8 months & counting
__Book a wedding officiant and musician/DJ. Discuss any special arrangements you want.
__Order your wedding invitations, announcements, place cards, menus and thank you cards.
__Order the bridesmaid and flower girl gowns.
__Purchase wedding gown. Custom gowns can take a while to make. If you are buying off the rack you want to give enough time to allow for alterations and a couple of fittings.
__Register. Sign up at several locations. People will use your registry for your shower and wedding gifts.
6 months & counting
__Mail your “Save the Date Cards.”
__The honeymoon. If you haven’t already discussed what you want to do and where you want to go, now is the time. Decide your budget. Book rooms, flights, tours for all you want to do.
__Your venues. Most locations will have everything you need. If you are going to need extra items you will generally get the best price from your venue. Find out now what is available to you and if you need to contact rental agencies to reserve extras like a dance floor, stage, lighting, sound systems and even outdoor toilets.
__Transportaion. Reserve your limos and buses or vans if you are not planning on using personal transportation.
4 months & counting
__Finalize honeymoon plans.
__Check your gift registery. Availability of certain items can change.
__Choose the groom’s attire.
__Purchase any accessories to go with your gown, such as shoes, veil and jewelry.
__Schedule your ceremony rehearsal. Contact your attendants, officiant.
__Contact vendors to do hair, make-up and all the pre-wedding pampering you will need. Some vendors will service on-site, others require you to visit their establishment.
__Record deposits and payments in your budget.
2 months & counting
__Mail your wedding invitations and set an RSVP date.
__Have wedding portraits taken.
__Send your photo and wedding announcement to newspapers for publication. (See page 38 for more information)
__Meet with your musician to go over the selection and any special needs you have.
__Purchase the gifts for your attendants.
__Rehearsal dinner. Traditionally, this is for the wedding party and immediate family of the bride and groom. Who will host it? Will you need to reserve a venue? Consult on a date that will work for most, if not all, of those you intend to invite.
1 month before the wedding
__Get your marriage license. (See page 34 for more information)
__Have a final fitting of your gown.
__Now is the time to call and check in on all of the services you have booked.
Caterer: check on your menu selections, service plans and seating arrangements.
Photographer, florist, officiant, rental equipment, beautitian, transportation: check that they are clear on the location, arrival times and how long their services will be needed.
__Make name or address changes official on documents, including driver’s license, Social Security forms and financial accounts. Fill out change-of-address forms at the post office.
__The Bachelor/Bachelorette Party. The Best Man/Maid of Honor have the honor of arranging this fun filled event.
1 week before the wedding
__Thank you notes. Even if you don’t plan to send them until after the honeymoon, write them now. It is best to do them before the gifts and cards get separated.
__Make arrangements for gifts brought to the ceremony/reception to be picked up and delivered to a safe spot.
__Pick up your wedding rings. Be sure to check the accuracy of any engravings.
__Pack your honeymoon bags and set them aside.
__Check your honeymoon reservations.
__Write your final payments for vendors and services to be delivered on the agreed-upon time.
__Create a wedding day schedule of events for your attendants.
__Call guests who have not yet RSVP’d to get a final count for the caterer and seating arrangements.
__Pick up the men’s attire and make sure all the alterations are complete.
The day before the wedding
__Take some time to relax. Get a manicure and maybe a massage. Go to bed early.
The day of the wedding
__You’ve made all the arrangements, enjoy.
After the wedding
__Ensure that all your vendors are paid in full.
__Arrange for your gown to be cleaned and preserved.
__Send out your thank-you notes.