Countdown To I Do Guide -

First Things First – CELEBRATE!

Announce your engagement in the Missoulian and online.
Having an engagement party? Set a date, choose a location, create a guest list, start a gift registry and mail invitations.
Decide on a budget. See the handy worksheet under ‘Planning Your Day’.
Set the date. Narrow down your wedding date to a few weekends you feel most of your desired guests will be able to attend.
Start the guest list.
A consultation with an event planner is a good way to get started. You may only need a few hours of their time to get you started, you may decide to hire one to handle everything from start to finish or just for the day of the event.
Contact ceremony and reception venues. Some locations book up to a year in advance. Some may only be available for the ceremony and you will need a second location for the reception.

12 Months _ Counting

Shop for your gown.
Choose a color scheme.
Your friends and family will be clamoring to know who will be in your wedding party so let people know who you’ve chosen as soon as possible. Give your attendees ample time to arrange their schedules.
Contact photographers, videographer and florists.
Book a caterer. Most will do tastings and even create a cocktail just for you. Begin working on a menu. You may want to consider special dietary needs if you hav eany guests with severe food allergies. Depending on budget and the number of guests with a non-traditional diet, you may need more than one choice for the main course.
Decide on whether you want a DJ or live music at your reception.
Record deposits and payments in your budget.
Set a date for the Bachelor/Bachelorette parties. The Best Man/Maid of Honor have the honor of arranging this fun filled event.

10 Months _ Counting

Book your photographer, florist and videographer.
Finalize your guest list.
Order your wedding cake.
Reserve a block of rooms for your outof-town guests.
Send out your save-the-date cards. Be sure to include information on accommodations.
Shop for bridesmaid and flower girl dresses.
Record deposits and payments in your budget.

8 Months _ Counting

Book a wedding officiant and musician/DJ. Discuss any special arrangements you want.
Order your wedding invitations, announcements, place cards, menus and thank you cards.
Order the bridesmaid and flower girl gowns.
Purchase wedding gown. Custom gowns can take a while to make. If you are buying off the rack you want to give enough time to allow for alterations and a couple of fittings.
Register. Sign up at several locations. People will use your registry for your shower and wedding gifts.

6 Months _ Counting

Mail your ‘Save the Date Cards.’
The honeymoon. If you haven’t already discussed what you want to do and where you want to go, now is the time. Decide your budget. Book rooms, flights, tours for all you want to do.
Your venues. Most locations will have everything you need. If you are going to need extra items you will generally get the best price from your venue. Find out now what is available to you and if you need to contact rental agencies to reserve extras like a dance floor, stage, lighting, sound systems and even outdoor toilets.
Transportation. Reserve your limos and buses or vans if you are not planning on using personal transportation

4 Months _ Counting

Finalize honeymoon plans.
Check your gift registry. Availability of certain items can change.
Choose the groom’s attire.
Purchase any accessories to go with your gown, such as shoes, veil and jewelry.
Schedule your ceremony rehearsal. Contact your attendants, officiant.
Contact vendors to do hair, make-up and all the pre-wedding pampering you will need. Some vendors will service on-site, others require you to visit their establishment.

2 Months _ Counting

Mail your wedding invitations and set an RSVP date.
Send your photo and wedding announcement to newspapers for publication.
Meet with your musician to go over the selection and any special needs you have.
Purchase the gifts for your attendants.
Make reservations for the rehearsal dinner. Traditionally, this is for the wedding party and immediate family of the bride and groom. Consult on a date that will work for most, if not all, of those you intend to invite.

1 Month _ Counting

Get your marriage license.
Have a final fitting of your gown.
Call and check in on all of the services you have booked. Caterer: check on your menu, service plans and seating arrangements. Photographer, florist, officiant, rental equipment, beautitian, transportation: check that they are clear on the location, arrival times and how long their services will be needed.
Make name or address changes official on documents, including driver’s license, Social Security forms and financial accounts. Fill out change-of-address forms at the post office.

1 Week _ Counting

Thank you notes. Even if you don’t plan to send them until after the honeymoon, write them now. It is best to do them before the gifts and cards get separated.
Make arrangements for gifts brought to the ceremony/reception to be picked up and delivered to a safe spot.
Pick up your wedding rings. Be sure to check the accuracy of any engravings. Pack your honeymoon bags and check your reservations.
Write your final payments for vendors and services to be delivered on the agreed-upon time.
Create a wedding day schedule of events for your attendants.
Call guests who have not yet RSVP’d to get a final count for the caterer and seating arrangements.
Pick up the men’s attire and make sure all the alterations are complete.
Make arrangements to have your wedding attire picked up after the ceremony to be cleaned and preserved while you are on your honeymoon.

1 Day Before the Wedding

After the Honeymoon

Be sure to send out thank you notes to all the vendors and special contributors that helped your event be successful.

Countdown To I Do Guide