Congratulations on your engagement!  It's a time where you will, wit, organizational skills and humor will be put to the ultimate test.  Weddings take a lot of planning and you will likely spend over 100 hours on the phone, visiting with vendors, planning, and chasing after details.  To help you get off to a good start, we've put together a complete outline of things you'll need to do for your wedding and the approximate time line for getting those things done! Six to Twelve Months Before Your Wedding ___Select a Wedding Date and time (and possibly a backup date) ___Announce your engagement in the paper ___Plan an engagement party with family and friends ___Find out what bridal shows are in the area and plan on attending ___Agree on a preliminary budget ___Decide who will pay for what and how expenses will be shared ___Call your church or synagogue for an appointment with the officiant ___Consider and ask friends and family to serve as wedding attendants ___Start a "planning system" and system of organization ___Decide the type of wedding you would like to have (size formality, and setting) ___Think about your color schemes ___Explore premarital counseling ___Select your reception location ___Select your professional photographer ___Select your videographer ___Select professional caterer (if necessary) ___Select musicians or dj ___Select your florist ___Shop together for wedding rings ___Select your bridesmaids' dresses and accessories ___It's time to choose a honeymoon and location Four Months Prior To The Wedding ___Check the requirements for marriage license ___Select and discuss your color schemes with the florist / decorator of choice ___Again consider premarital counseling ___Reserve your wedding day rental equipment ___Decide upon a gift registry and select your gift choices ___Order your invitation and related stationary needs ___Decide on the men's wedding attire ___Reserve your wedding day transportation ___Research and select reading for ceremony ___Make music selection for ceremony and reception ___Decide upon and order favors ___Select your baker, then choose your cake, and grooms cake ___Help both mothers coordinate and find their wedding day clothing ___Review your contracts with all of your vendors and service providers Two Months Before Your Wedding ___Have engagement portraits taken ___Place your engagement announcement in the newspaper ___Mail out invitations and announcements ___Arrange and plan your rehearsal dinner ___Purchase your wedding day accessories ___Arrange attendants parties ___Prepare accommodations for out-of-town attendants and guest ___Consider a hairdresser and/or makeup artist and book appointments ___Finalize all honeymoon plans One Month Left ___Final wedding dress fitting ___Final fitting for your wedding attendants ___Obtain marriage license ___Have your attendants parties ___Purchase your going away outfit ___Create a calendar of events for the wedding day ___Make sure your accessories are in order )rings, pillow, garter, ect.) Two Weeks Remaining! ___Finalize arrangements with the entertainers ___Provide a list of music you would like played or not played ___Finalize music during special events such as first dance, dance with dad, ect ___Pick up your wedding rings and make sure that the engravings are correct ___Make sure they fit ___Contact the guests who have responded to your invitations One Week To Go ___If you can, take the week, or part of the week off from work ___Make sure your marriage license is in order ___Prepare seating arrangements, if necessary ___Purchase travelers checks, confirm honeymoon reservations ___Have your wedding ceremony rehearsal ___Instruct your wedding party on what they will be doing on the day of the wedding ___Inform your caterer of the total guest count ___Confirm out-of-town guest have transportation and sleeping accommodations ___Check with your flirist to make sure they will arrive when scheduled YOUR WEDDING DAY ___Your Primary goal is to get married! ___Relax, enjoy yourself, and remain calm ___Allow at least two hours for dressing ___Allow plenty of time to apply your makeup and style your hair ___If professionals are doing your hair and or makeup determine the time they will need ___If photography are to be taken before the ceremony, allow plenty of time for that ___Remember to bring the rings and marriage license ___Seating guest as they arrive ___The grooms parents should be seated about 5 minutes before start time ___Mother of the bride is normally seated last ___Take a deep breath, don't worry, be HAPPY and SMILE!!!!