New Year - Wedding Countdown

Happy New Year to all of you!!!

I new year just begun and I would like to take the opportunity to wish all of you lots of happiness, love, health, prosperity, peace and… planning.

As a bride, a whole brand new year means: new trends, new ideas to dig into, new wedding TV shows, new wedding websites, new wedding posts, and new wedding blogger friends to share and celebrate.

I decided to start 2009 posting a to-do-list that I had put together from many different sources to make sure each one of us will be on track during the following months ahead of us. Ready for the countdown?

Good luck and lots of success.

12 months
Think about the big picture: style, size, date, site.
Draw up a budget.
Hire a wedding consultant if necessary.
Reserve the ceremony and reception sites.

11 – 9 months
Start looking for dresses in magazines and web sites.
Look for caterer, baker, florist, dj, photographer and videographer.
Think about your floral decor.
Choose your attendants.
Begin compiling the guest list.
Choose and order your dress.

8 – 6 months
Mail save-the-date cards.
Book your caterer, florist, dj or band, photographer and videographer.
Shop for bridesmaids’ dresses.
Order wedding bands.
Order your invitations.
Book a calligrapher.
Start planning honeymoon.

5 - 3 months
Meet with vendors to plan specific details.
Hire limos for the wedding party.
Register for gifts.
Finalize the guest list.
Schedule the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner.
Order bridesmaids’ dresses.
Go over ceremony details with your officiant.
Order favors

2 – 1 months
Mail your invitation.
Get program printed.
Write your ceremony vows.
Do a trial hair-and-makeup run with stylists, or start practicing if you’re doing this yourself.
Submit shot lists to the photographer and a play list to your DJ or band leader.
Finalize seating.
Update your registry.

2-1 weeks before
Call anyone who hasn’t RSVP’d.
Pack for honeymoon.
Submit final guest count to caters.
Confirm details with vendors.
Pick up your dress.
Give ceremony readers their scripts.
Throw the bridesmaids’ luncheon or party.
Purchase gifts for parents, attendants, and each other.

1 day before
Provide all wedding professionals with an emergency phone number to call on the day of the wedding.
Get a manicure and pedicure.
Hold the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

Day of the wedding
Relax and Enjoy.