To help you get a better understanding of how to plan a wedding and when you should be making certain decisions, here’s a timeframe you can follow that should ensure that your wedding goes off as smoothly as possible.

10 to 12 Months Before

            If you haven’t done it already, this is a good time to announce your engagement and introduce your respective families. Since most reception halls and churches have busy wedding schedules, it is also important to book both as early as possible, preferably at least a year in advance of your wedding day.

            It’s also a good idea to start putting together a guest list around this time and ask your parents whom they’d like to invite as well. Also, since your budget will determine just about every aspect of your wedding, sitting down and determining what you can spend, and developing a savings plan should be first and foremost.

            You should consider hiring a wedding planner to help you through the next few months. They often have experience and know many professionals in the wedding industry. This knowledge can save you money in the long run and should make the entire process much more organized and fun.

            You need to start considering DJs and bands as well as photographers during this time and if possible booking their services. Some will start booking a year in advance.

6 to 9 Months Before

            This is the time when you want to start booking some services, such as florist, caterer, a DJ/band, and a photographer. However, as mentioned above, some of the more experienced DJs and bands as well as photographers might have their schedules booked a year in advance, so this might be something you’ll want to consider doing shortly after you get engaged and choose a date.

            If you haven’t hired a wedding planner then consider hiring a wedding director at this time. This person should work with you and then ultimately be able to make sure everyone is where they need to be during the wedding ceremony. This person should have helped at several weddings in the past and should be able to provide ideas for the ceremony.

            Also, this is a good time to inform any guests who will be traveling significant distances of the date of your wedding. The earlier your guests can book a flight, the less expensive that flight will be.

            This is also a good time to order gowns for both the bride and bridesmaids, as some manufacturers require a few months to ship to bridal shops. You might want to ask someone such as your priest or rabbi to be the officiant of your wedding.

            And much like out-of-town guests will save travel dollars the earlier they learn of your wedding date, you will likely save money, too, if you book your honeymoon around this time.

            If you are going to submit an engagement announcement to your local newspaper, you will usually need to get your engagement photographs taken during this time and sent to the newspaper. You will need to check with the paper to see what format they require for your photos and be sure your photographer can meet those requirements.

4 to 5 Months Before

            This is a good time to decide on wedding invitations, of which there are many styles to choose from. Also, now is ideal to start hunting for a wedding cake by sampling a number of different bakeries and their style of cakes before ultimately making a decision. Just to be sure, confirm that all of the bridesmaids have ordered their gowns and start looking for a tuxedo for the groom as well as the groomsmen. If you haven’t done so already, purchase your wedding rings and let any other people you’d like to participate in your wedding (ushers, readers during the ceremony, etc.) know of your intentions.

2 to 3 Months Before

            Finalize your guest list and mail out your invitations. If your guest list includes a considerable amount of people who are spread out geographically, mail the invitations as close to 12 weeks in advance as possible.

            This is also a good time to finalize your menu choices for your guests, and find all your wedding accessories such as the ring pillow, candles, etc. Also, since it is tradition to provide gifts for those in the wedding party as well as the parents of the bride and groom, this is a good time to decide on and purchase those gifts.

            Just to be safe, confirm that all groomsmen have ordered their tuxedos and finalize all transportation, both to and from the wedding and to the airport for your honeymoon.

1 to 2 Months Before

            Schedule your bridal gown fitting and get any necessary alterations complete as soon as possible. Bridal portraits are usually done during this time. This will require that you have your bridal gown. Call your photographer and arrange a date and time for your photo shoot. Remember, if you have a snug fitting dress that you will want to be mindful to maintain your eating and exercise habits during these last few stressful weeks. You want to make sure your dress still fits on your wedding day.

            Also finalize the readings you’d prefer during the ceremony and mail them out to anyone who has agreed to do a reading. If your family prefers to host a small gathering for close family and friends after the wedding rehearsal, the night before the wedding, this is a good time to order any food or drinks you might want to serve that night, or make a restaurant reservation.

3 to 4 Weeks Before

            Confirm your honeymoon arrangements and see if your wedding rings are ready. This is also when you should get your marriage license and check the guest list to see who has and hasn’t RSVP’d.

            For those who have yet to RSVP, you might want to contact them so you can get a closer idea of what the head count will be. You should also prepare and order your wedding program around this time.

1 to 2 Weeks Before

            Get a final attendance count and submit it to the caterer as soon as you know of it, while also providing a final seating chart. Pick up the tuxedo. Try on your wedding dress to make sure no last minute alterations are needed. Be sure to try it on with everything you plan on wearing with your dress, including your undergarments. Make sure the wedding party picks up their attire. Also, finalize your vows and confirm all wedding-day details such as transportation, photo schedules, and addresses. And don’t forget to pack for your honeymoon.

The Day Before

            This is mainly when you rehearse for the ceremony and make any final confirmations you might have to make. Be sure to get some sleep so you’ll look good in all of your wedding-day photos.  Also, try to limit alcohol consumption by all the members of your wedding party the night before.  While it is a celebration, you don’t want hangovers and accidents to ruin your big day. Also be sure that everyone knows what time to arrive the next day. Remember that the photographer may want everyone to be a little early so that you can get some pre-ceremony pictures done.

Your Wedding Day

            This is it, the big day you have been planning for the last several months. The most important thing to remember is that this day is the celebration of the joining of two people who love each other very much. It is very likely that not everything will go as you planned, but it's ok. Remain calm and enjoy every part of the day. If you are happy and are having a good time so will everyone else.

            Eat light meals and snacks the day of your wedding to help keep your energy up, it is likely to be a long day. Heavy meals can upset your nervous stomach and can actually make you feel more tired. Even at the reception you will find that you are so busy talking to all your guests, cutting the cake, having your first dance, and perfoming other traditions that you may not actually get to eat very much there either.

            Do your best to be mindful of the time throughout the day so that you are not late to any appointments. Allow plenty of time to get your hair, nails, and make-up done. Arrive at the wedding location at least two hours before the time of the ceremony if possible. Your photographer may be there to take pictures of the wedding party getting ready for the ceremony. Also, if possible, your photographer may take some of the group shots before the ceremony. Doing this can help reduce the time your guests have to wait for your arrival at the reception.

            And more than anything else, remember to have fun and enjoy this very special day in your life!