Wedding countdown

Planning a successful wedding requires careful planning. We have created timeline for some of the most important elements of your wedding planning process.

1 year before your wedding day (or anytime after your engagement)

· Announce your engagement

· Determine the wedding date

· The bride and groom should introduce the parents, if they haven't already met

· Set your budget

· Hire the wedding planner

· Research possible reception sites

· Make a rough draft of the guest list

· Join a fitness club if you aren't already a member at one. Planning and going through your wedding is going to be a lot of fun, but you will need to be in good shape to handle the demands of the wedding planning process.

· Research your bridal shower favors and wedding favors

6-9 months before

· Decide on your caterer

· Hunt for your wedding gown

· Select your wedding party

· Book a DJ or a band

· Sign up with a bridal gift registry

· Shop for the bridal attendants' dresses

· Choose a florist

· Hire a photographer and a videographer

4-6 months before

· Finalize your wedding guest list

· Search for a hotel for your out of town guests

· Order your wedding invitations

· Purchase your wedding gown

· Call the bakeries or cake decorators in your area to check for date availability.

· Make travel arrangements for your honeymoon

2-4 months before

· Order your wedding favors

· Shop for your wedding bands

· Find out about your state's marriage license procedures

· Reserve or purchase the tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen

· If required by your state, get a blood test

· Finalize your wedding reception menu with your caterer

· Order you wedding cake

· Contact your ceremony site about your ceremony music

· Make arrangements about your reception music (DJ or band)

· Organize the rehearsal dinner

· Reserve tables and other necessary items with a party rental company

1-2 months before

· Run a complete test of your wedding makeup and hairdo. Invite some friends with you.

· Mail or deliver the wedding invitations

1-3 weeks before

· Complete the final seating chart for the wedding reception

· Contact photographer with the details of the ceremony and reception sites

· Provide your reception venue with a final head count based on the RSVPs received

· If necessary, make final adjustments to your wedding gown

· Facials should be booked for the bride, groom and bridesmaids

· Get your luggage ready for the honeymoon

· Your bridesmaid or a reliable friend should make sure the following items are promptly delivered: Toasting glasses, Band-Aids, Nail clippers, Cake knife, Emergency sewing kit

Last minute

· Most importantly, relax. This is supposed to be a fun experience.

· You are about to experience one of the best days of your life.

· Welcome your out-of-town guests

· To help you relax, do some light physical exercise

· Have your hairstylist and makeup artist do their magic on you

· Keep smiling, it's your special day!