Wedding Checklist

Getting organized for a wedding means planning and mapping the route to the big day. It's a good idea to begin the planning process a full year before the wedding. Wedding coordinator's adviss be organized in the beginning and relaxed at the end.

Twelve months before the wedding is not too soon to decide on the date, the location, the size of the guest list and the budget. It's a good time to start doing research on reception halls, caterers, photographers, florists, musicians and other service providers. For many popular reception halls it's necessary to make reservations a year in advance if the wedding is set in a popular month, like June.

Six months before the wedding it's time to ask whomever you want to be in your bridal party - bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, ring bearer, etc. This is a good time to announce the engagement in the newspaper, make honeymoon reservations and begin signing contracts with wedding professionals like photographers, caterers and musicians. It's also time to pick out the wedding gown and bridesmaids' dresses.

Three months before the wedding is a good time to figure out, if you don't already know, where you will live and what you will use to furnish your new abode. The wedding gown and bridesmaids' dresses should have been ordered by now. Tuxedo arrangements should also have been made by now. It's time to organize the guest list and be sure addresses are current. It's also a good time to look into the marriage license; later you might be too distracted. Go register at a bridal registry and choose wedding rings.

Six weeks before the big day it's time to start mailing out invitations. Everyone should be fitted for their formalwear. You should have all your accessories, honeymoon clothes, gifts for your attendants. Arrange for your limousine or other necessary transportation for wedding party members. Set a rehearsal date, do a bridal portrait, finalize the reception menu. Around now is when most bridal showers are thrown.

The last two weeks are the time to be sure all the details are taken care of. Get the marriage license. Get forms for changing your name, if that's in the plan. Make a seating chart for the reception. Be sure the gown and tux fit! Confirm arrangements with all service providers. Be sure the caterer knows how many people are coming. Be sure everyone involved knows their duties and times to execute them.

The day before the wedding is when most people have the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. This is a good time to give gifts to the bridal party. It's a good day to do your nails, have lunch with your mother and get a good night's sleep.

One wedding day get your hair done well before the ceremony. Put on your makeup before your dress. Give yourself at least an hour to get dressed. Be sure someone responsible has the rings.

After the wedding, don't forget to thank everyone involved. All thank you's should be sent within a month of the wedding. Send out formal announcements and notify the newspaper. If all of this seems a bit daunting, it should. Organizing a wedding is a huge amount of work. So, don't despair, get organized!