When you plan your own wedding, you need to be focused on the task at hand, prepared for any eventuality, and ready to be on call for the slightest demands. Planning a wedding is hard work – it isn’t all peaches and cream. The littlest details sometimes call for drastic measures. So to make sure that you remember everything, you need to always be armed with your checklists and your timeline.

No, this isn’t a history class where you need to memorize every timeline handed to you. This one is your timeline, and it’s supposed to be fun since it is your wedding. Just think, who nowadays gets to plan their own wedding? It’s a joy to start with your own.

Aside from your usual checklists, you should also have a timeline. This should be made as soon as a date is set. Preferably, a year’s timeline (for a year of wedding preparations) should be done. This assures you that you won’t leave anything out, you can do it on your own pace, and minimizes the possibility of you having to show up at your wedding looking pale, anorexic and haggard (due to stressful, hurried preparations).

Here is a suggested timeline:

9 to 12 months prior to the wedding. (Most needs to be done by the couple as a couple.)
- Set the date. (Best to choose it upon availability of your venues.)
- Discuss the type of wedding – Formal, Semi-Formal or Informal.
- Start the first draft of your guest list.
- Decide on a wedding budget. (Never start wedded, married life in debt – always a bad sign.)
- Announce your recent engagement. (Just for posterity, but always optional.)
- Book ceremony location. (Most don’t require fees just yet.)
- Book reception site.

6 to 9 months prior to the wedding.
- Get a marriage license. (Required or else, you can’t get married. Check your with your local county or the clerk of court for rules and regulations as it varies from state to state or country to country.)
- Choose wedding officiant. (This will be based upon religious beliefs and practices.)
- Start scouting and/or shopping for a wedding gown. (This is usually a major stress factor for women. Some custom gowns take almost a year to prepare so begin this phase in the earliest possible time to avoid delays as the Big Day nears.)
- Select your bridal party.
- Decide on bridesmaid dresses and theme (if necessary).
- Hire the wedding reception caterer (if your reception site is not able to provide one).
- Hire a wedding photographer/videographer (if it can be included in your budget).
- Hire a band or someone to host your reception.
- Announce your wedding date. (this would be beneficial for out-of-town guests.)
- Organize and scout for flower decorations and bouquets. (So that you’ll have a pretty good idea of what to expect and how much your remaining budget is.)
- Sign up for a gift registry. (Optional.)
- If you have some extra budget, set up an engagement party. (A good way to have families and friends meet beforehand.)
- Have a look at your guest list and make some changes if necessary.

2 to 6 months before the wedding. 
- Choose a wedding cake.
- Discuss and finalize menu with caterer.
- Buy wedding rings.
- Finalize your guest list.
- Shop for wedding stationery – invitations and thank you cards.
- Order wedding favors/souvenirs.
- Order invitations and thank you cards.
- Begin preparations for your honeymoon.
- Book make-up artist and hairstylist.
- Select music for the ceremony and reception.
- Check tuxes for groom and groomsmen. (This is if you budgeted for this.)
- Buy wedding accessories – candles, ring pillow, baskets for the flower girls, etc.
- Joint bank accounts, insurance, merging of money.
- Send your invitations. (Suggested: 8 weeks before the wedding date.)
- Book your florist (if you don’t have one yet.)
- Arrange transportation/limousine service (if necessary).
- Select a location for a rehearsal dinner (if necessary).
- Schedule fittings for bridesmaids and flower girls.

1 month before.
- Schedule final fitting for your gown.
- Design wedding programs.
- Meet officiant to finalize ceremony.
- Finalize details with your wedding providers.
- Visit hairstylist and have a practice session with your veil (if necessary).
- Visit make-up artist on the same day.
- Have a formal bridal portrait done on the same day as your hair and make-up practice day. (If necessary.)
- Write vows.
- Arrange name change, especially if you are just getting your marriage license.
- Make final payments for the services that require them.

1 week to 4 weeks before.
- Call guests who haven’t responded to your invite yet.
- Give the caterer and reception site a finalized head count.
- Pick up your marriage license.
- Send out a friendly reminder on the wedding day schedule. (You can give them a call instead of sending another batch of reminders out.)
- Reconfirm everything: Ceremony, reception site, florist, caterer, photographer or videographer, musicians, DJ/host, wedding cake baker, honeymoon.
- Prepare an emergency kit – aspirin, needles, thread, safety pins, tape, mirror, etc.
- Finalize seating arrangements.
- Prepare place cards.
- Prepare wedding box for ceremony accessories. (If necessary.)
- Prepare reception box for reception accessories. (If necessary.)
- Confirm arrival times for your entourage.
- Rehearse ceremony with officiant and wedding party.
- Have a massage. Go on, you need it.

1 day before.
- Go through your list again and make sure everything is covered.
- Take a relaxing bath.
- Put wedding attire and accessories together.
- Give rings to best man.
- Have a manicure and pedicure.
- Rest well.

On the day itself, don’t forget to bring payment envelopes (if there are still unsettled accounts) and your marriage license.

Best wishes!