| 12 Months | Category Due Date: 2/15/2007 |
| Item | Description | Due Date | Complete? | Notes |
| Announcement | Officially announce your engagement starting with your parents- obviously- then friends and other family members. | 10/10/2006 | Yes | picture included |
| Bridal Show | Attend a bridal show. Brideshow puts on four Bridal Shows a year. In one afternoon you will be able to visit with over a hundred bridal professional as well as view their services and sample their wares. | | Yes | testing |
| Budget | Create a wedding budget using your BrideShow Wedding Budgeter. Begin your research into who pays for what. | | Yes | |
| Ceremony | Consider what type of music you wish to have at the ceremony and the reception. | | | |
| Cocktail Hour | Decide on music for the cocktail hour. | | | |
| Consultant | Decide if you want to employ the services of a Bridal Consultant/Wedding Planner. If so- interview several and book one.
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| Families | Introduce the families to each other. | | | |
| Gown & Alterations | Begin shopping for your gown. Collect pictures of gown styles you like from the bridal magazines. | | | |
| Officiant's Fee | Meet the person who will officiate the ceremony and set the date. Also review any counciling requirements they may have. | | | |
| Organizer | Get organized by getting your copy of the Cavanaugh's Wedding Planner. | | | |
| Rehearsal Dinner | Visit several rehearsal dinner sites and book one. Remember the popular ones book early. | | | |
| Theme | Determine the theme or feel you want your wedding day to have. | | | |
| Wedding Day | Review the calender and set a tentative date for the big day. Depending on your choice of reception or wedding site you may need to be flexible. | | | |
| 10-12 Months | Category Due Date: 4/16/2007 |
| Item | Description | Due Date | Complete? | Notes |
| Accessories | Reserve any specialty rental items needed for the ceremony such as runners- arches- Chuppah- chair covers- tents- etc.
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| Additional Corsages & Boutonnieres | Don't forget to count the parents and any additional people you would like to have flowers for such as grandparents, flower girl, and ring bearer.
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| Attendants | Choose your attendants. Confirm their availablity. This may have an effect on the date. | | | |
| Beverages & Bartenders | Now is the time to decide on your choice of beverages for the reception. Depending on your choice of reception site they may have bartenders on staff or the caterer can provide them. | | | |
| Bride's Bouquet | Your florist will work with you to design the bouquet that will compliment your wedding gown.
Keep in mind some flower prices vary by season.
What's inexpensive now may not be on your wedding day.
| | | |
| Ceremony Site Decorations | Decide what flowers to use for the wedding. Some if not all can be used at the reception as well.
| | | |
| Entertainment | Consider what type of entertainment you will have at the reception and what musical accompaniment you will have at the ceremony. | | | |
| Florist | Meet with the florist and discuss your options. Book as soon as possible. Your options will become more limited the longer you wait. If you want to save money use flowers that are in season at the time of year the wedding is being held. | | | |
| Flowers for Bride's Attendants | Concider the number of bridesmaids and the color of their dresses when picking the flowers.
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| Flowers for Grooms attendants | Have the number of groomsmen and ushers available for the florist.
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| Food & Services | Meet with several caterers. Have an idea of a menu and what you want to spend per person before the meeting. | | | |
| Guest List | Begin to compile the guest list. Be sure to include requests from the parents. Also discuss if children will be invited to the ceremony and/or the reception. | | | |
| Honeymoon | Start thinking about that honeymoon. The early bird gets the least expensive prices. If you plan on leaving the US make sure your passport is in order. You usually need to have 6 months left before it expires in order to use it for travel. | | | |
| Photographer | Meet with several photographers/videographers to review their work and discuss options.
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| Reception | Book musicians/DJ for the reception | | | |
| Reception Decorations | Decide the extent to which you wish to decorate the reception venue.
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| Reception Decorations | Decide on the decorations for the reception. | | | |
| Reception site | Visit several reception sites and book one.
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| Site Fee | Visit ceremony sites and reserve the date for the wedding. Remember the most popular sites go fast. | | | |
| Site Fee & Rentals | Reserve any specialty items you will need for the reception. | | | |
| Videographers | Meet with videographers to review their work and discuss options. Some DJ services can provide videographers and can work package deals. | | | |
| Wedding announcement | Create the wedding announcement for the newspaper. You might want to have a professional photographer take the picture. | | | |
| 6-9 Months | Category Due Date: 8/14/2007 |
| Item | Description | Due Date | Complete? | Notes |
| Bridal Party Meeting | Have a meeting with the Maid of Honor and the Best Man and discuss their duties and what expectations you have of them. | | | |
| Bridesmaids Dresses | Shop for and decide on the Bridesmaids dresses. | | | |
| Gifts | Set up your gift registry. Consider using companies that allow your guests to utilize the internet to complete the purchase and sending of the gifts. | | | |
| Gown | Start looking for your wedding gown. Start with the bridal magazines. Clip the pictures and store them in your Cavanaugh's Wedding Planner for the salon to get an idea of the styles you prefer. | | | |
| Groomsmen's Apparel | Decide on the groomsmen's apparel. What color cumberbuns or vests will they wear? Will they wear the same coats as the groom? | | | |
| Honeymoon | Start planning the honeymoon. If you are using credit card or frequent flier miles for travel book early. The seats are very limited and sell out early. | | | |
| Ice Sculpture | If you are having an ice sculpture at the reception order it now. | | | |
| Invitations | Order your invitation and stationary needs. This includes reply cards, calligraphy and postage. | | | |
| Invitations/Stationary | Send save a date cards to out of town guests or if you are planning a holiday weekend or destination wedding send them to everyone. | | | |
| Limousine Rental | Reserve your transportation needs. Remember that out of town or special guests may also require special accomodations. | | | |
| Marriage License | Review the marriage license requirements for your wedding location. If you are having a destination wedding check with the resort or your travel agent- if you are using one- for any time in country or paperwork requirements.
| | | |
| Musicians | Book the vocalist or musician for the ceremony. Most churchs will have their own organist for accompaniment if you choose. | | | |
| Name Change | Obtain the paper work required for your name change after the wedding. Discuss any name changes for property currently owned individually. | | | |
| Other Stationary | Order your ceremony programs and thank you notes | | | |
| Reception | Decide on the menu for the reception. | | | |
| Rehearsal Dinner | Start planning the rehearsal dinner. Work with the venue on table configurations- layout of the room- and the tentative schedule of events. | | | |
| Rehearsal Dinner | Decide on the menu for the rehearsal dinner. | | | |
| Wedding Cake | Meet with several bakeries and order your weddding cake. Cakes are specialty items and are traditionally handled by professionals seperate from the caterer. | | | |
| 3-6 Months | Category Due Date: 11/12/2007 |
| Item | Description | Due Date | Complete? | Notes |
| Accommodations | Begin searching for hotel accommodations for your out of town guests. You may want to give them a selection of price ranges. Most hotels will give you a discount on groups of rooms and may even throw in the Bridal Suite for you on your wedding night. | | | |
| Accomodations | Compile and send information packages to out of town guests. It should include hotels options- directions to all events and a contact person other than yourself in the event of problems once they arrive. You will have plenty to do. Ask a close friend or family member who is not involved in the ceremony. It will give them a feeling of being a part of the festivities. | | | |
| Bachelor Party | Time for the best man to plan the bachelor party.
Ask that it not be right before the wedding. | | | |
| Bridal Shower | Give a guest list to the bridal shower hostess. | | | |
| Bride and Groom's Hotel Room | Book a hotel room for the night if you are staying in town. | | | |
| Bride's Accesories | Shop for and purchase gown accesories (shoes- lingerie- purse- gloves) Remember you'll have to dance in those shoes.
| | | |
| Bride's Hair & Makeup | Make an appointment with your hairdresser | | | |
| Bridesmaids Dresses | Confirm the delivery date of the bridesmaids dresses | | | |
| Bridesmaids Dresses | Shop for any accessories needed for the bridesmaids bresses. | | | |
| Ceromony | If your officiant requires pre-marital counseling now is the time to complete it. | | | |
| Financial | Is there going to be a pre-nuptual agreement? How about the beneficiary on any insurance policies? Make the list now so you can sign the papers as soon as you get back from your honeymoon.
| | | |
| Florist | Finalize your plans with the florist | | | |
| Gown | Confirm the delivery date of your wedding gown. | | | |
| Guest List | Finalize the guest list and send the names to the calligrapher if you are using one. | | | |
| Honeymoon | Book the honeymoon if you have not done so by now. | | | |
| Honeymoon | Review any paperwork or documents needed for the honeymoon. Now is the time to find any errors- not at customs. | | | |
| Housing | Where are you going to live after the wedding? Arrange moving plans. | | | |
| Reception | Plan the dance card. Who will dance with whom and when. Beyond that- do you or the groom need a lesson or two to feel more comfortable? | | | |
| Veil & Headpiece | Shop for your veil and/headpiece.
| | | |
| 2 Months | Category Due Date: 12/12/2007 |
| Item | Description | Due Date | Complete? | Notes |
| Attendant Gifts | Purchase gifts for your attendants. | | | |
| Bachelor Party | Have the bachelor party. | | | |
| Bridal Shower | Have your bridal shower | | | |
| Bride's Hair & Makeup | Make an appointment for hair and makeup on the wedding day. | | | |
| Bridesmaid's Luncheon | Schedule the bridesmaid's luncheon | | | |
| Bridesmaids Dresses | Make sure the bridesmaid's have their dresses and accessories. | | | |
| Ceremony | Decide on your wedding vows or write your own. | | | |
| Ceremony | Review the details for the wedding with the officiant. | | | |
| Ceremony | Have the wedding program printed. | | | |
| Favors | Purchase favors for guests. | | | |
| Gifts | Have the groom purchase the gifts for the groomsmen. | | | |
| Gown | Begin bridal gown fittings. | | | |
| Groom's Attire | Grooms will visit the formalwear shop to get measured. | | | |
| Groomsmen Appareal | Have groomsmen visit formal wear store to be measured | | | |
| Groomsmen's Apparel | Groomsmen will need to have purchased any specialty items neede to complete their tuxes. | | | |
| His and Her Rings | Shop for wedding bands. Include the time needed for engraving when setting the delivery date. | | | |
| Invitations/Stationary | Send out the invitations 8 weeks before the wedding day. | | | |
| Parent Gifts | Purchase gifts for you and your groom's parents.
| | | |
| Reception | Find out what the laws are concerning alcohol. Do you need to purchase it or will the caterer or reception facility handle it. | | | |
| Reception | Confirm the menu for the reception. | | | |
| Reception | Find out if the reception facility requires you to purchase a liability policy. | | | |
| Reception | Decide on the music for the cocktail hour at the reception. | | | |
| Rehearsal Dinner | Finalize the rehearsal dinner plans and order the rehearsal dinner invitations. | | | |
| 1 Month | Category Due Date: 1/11/2008 |
| Item | Description | Due Date | Complete? | Notes |
| Accessories | Buy a guest book and nice pen for the guests to use. | | | |
| Bridal Portrait | Have your bridal portrait taken. | | | |
| Bridal Shower | Write bridal shower thank you notes. | | | |
| Bride's Accessoriers | Finalize your jewelry and something old- something new- something borrowed- something blue list | | | |
| Gifts | Start writing thank you notes for the wedding gifts that have already arrived. | | | |
| Gown | Investigate wedding gown preservation. | | | |
| Guest LIst | Call all guests who have not RSVP'd | | | |
| Hair & Makeup | Get that last touch up on your hair | | | |
| His & Her Rings | Pick up the wedding rings. Make sure the engraving is correct. | | | |
| Honeymoon | Confirm honeymoon reservations with the Travel Agent or directly with the airline/hotel if you made your own plans. | | | |
| Marriage License | Depending on how long the license is good for- go ahead and pick it up. | | | |
| Music | Consult with the DJ/Musicians on the "Play-Do Not Play" list. | | | |
| Name Change | Make sure name change paperwork is complete. | | | |
| Photo & Video | Meet with the photographer and videographer to go over the schedule and to clarify what pictures will be taken. | | | |
| Reception | Begin setting up the seating chart using the BrideShow Bridal Guest List Manager as the invitations are answered. The reception facility and the caterer should have a diagram for you. | | | |
| Rehearsal Dinner | Send out rehearsal dinner invitations. | | | |
| Wedding Day | Plan wedding day schedule and responsibilities. Out of town guests must have clear directions to the ceremony and reception. Let family and friends be responsible for getting you and the wedding party as well as the dress, make-up, accessories, etc. to the ceremony site and on time. Give people a written list/schedule to refer to with phone numbers and addresses. | | | |
| 2 Weeks |
| Item | Description | Due Date | Complete? | Notes |
| Bridal Party | Plan a cocktail party fo the bridal party. | | | |
| Ceremony | Deliver the marriage license to the officiant.
| | | |
| Ceremony | Make sure the officiant, as well as all of the vendors, have a final schedule with phone numbers for use on the wedding day. Have the contact person be a trusted friend or family member to handle the little things that will inevitably come up so you can enjoy yourselves. | | | |
| Gown | Have the final gown fitting. | | | |
| Gown & Alterations | Practice walking in your wedding day shoes | | | |
| Hair & Makeup | Have the groom get his pre wedding haircut. | | | |
| Invitations/Stationary | Give reception list to the calligrapher to make out the table place cards. | | | |
| Marriage License | Complete the paperwork and obtain the marriage license. | | | |
| Planning | Ask someone to return any rented items for you after the wedding day. ie tuxes | | | |
| Reception | Decide if you are going to have a receiveing line and who will stand in it. | | | |
| Reception | Decide who will give speeches at the reception. Have them begin working on them now. Some people are not used to speaking in front of a group. They need to get busy and practice. | | | |
| Reception | Give the final count to the caterer. | | | |
| Transportation | Make sure the transportation company has a written list from you of who needs to be picked up- where and when. | | | |
| 1 Week |
| Item | Description | Due Date | Complete? | Notes |
| Gown | If you don't have that wedding gown by now go ahead and pick it up. | | | |
| Honeymoon | Start packing for the honeymoon. | | | |
| Planning | Confirm times with the caterer, photographer/videographer, DJ, and all other vendors. | | | |
| Reception | Confirm any final payments to be made to vendors, write out the checks and place in marked envelopes. They should be given to the best man or another trusted individual to be given out on the wedding day. | | | |
| Day Before |
| Item | Description | Due Date | Complete? | Notes |
| Ceremony | Find someone to drive you around on your last day of errands so you can relax. | | | |
| Ceremony | Prepare the wedding day emergency kit. It should contain all the little things you may need such as aspirin, antacid, sewing kit, safety pins, hairpins... | | | |
| Ceremony | Put together a bag containing all the small things you need for the day. Shoes, veil, headpiece, and a shirt to wear while you have your makeup done. | | | |
| Ceremony | Rehearse the ceremony with the entire wedding party including the officiant. | | | |
| Ceremony | Get a good night's sleep. | | | |
| Planning | Make sure everyone has their list of addresses, phone numbers,and directions for the wedding day. | | | |
| Reception | Drop off the guest book and pen at the reception site. | | | |
| Transportation | Confirm transportation plans with the transportation company. | | | |
| Day Of |
| Item | Description | Due Date | Complete? | Notes |
| Ceremony | Eat a good breakfast. You will get busy and forget about eating before the day is over and the reception gets here. | | | |
| Ceremony | Give the best man the rings. | | | |
| Ceremony | Give the attendants their gifts. | | | |
| Ceremony | Follow up with the people giving speaches and make sure they are ready. | | | |
| Ceremony | After the wedding plan some quiet time for you and the groom to exchange gifts and catch your breath. | | | |
| Ceremony | Meet with your parents to thank them and give them their gifts.
| | | |
| Reception | Give any checks you have written to the best man for deliver at the designated time. | | | |
| After The Big Day |
| Item | Description | Due Date | Complete? | Notes |
| Florist | Have your bouquet preserved. | | | |
| Gifts | Complete and mail gift thank you notes. | | | |
| Gown | Have your gown preserved. | | | |
| Gown | Arrange for your mom or bride's maid to pick up your gown at the hotel or reception site and hold it until you return from the honeymoon. | | | |
| Groom's Attire | Have the best man or a groomsman pick up the groom's tux and return it for him. | | | |
| Legal | Complete any name change requirements still to be done. | | | |
| Reception | Have the caterer or a family member take care of the top layer of the wedding cake until your return. | | | |
| Thank You Notes | Send thank you notes to the vendors, your attendants and family members who helped with out of town guests. | | | |