Things to do before saying ‘I do’

Use this month-by-month checklist to make sure you don’t forget a thing.

12 months before

• Decide on the type of wedding you’d like (civil or religious, big or small)
• Choose a date
• Determine the number of guests
• Establish a budget
• Pick venues for the ceremony and reception (it’s best to reserve early)

11 months before

• Make your guest list
• Choose a caterer (meet with a few first)
• Select your wedding party
• Hire a wedding planner

10 months before

• Start shopping for a wedding dress
• Decide on a theme for your wedding
• Choose an officiant if you haven’t already done so

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9 months before

• Book a photographer
• Reserve a block of hotel rooms for your out-of-town guests
• Purchase a wedding gown
• Shop for the groom’s attire and purchase it

8 months before

• Meet with your officiant to plan your ceremony
• Book your entertainment (DJ, band, MC, etc.)
• Shop for and purchase your bridesmaids’ dresses
• Design and order the wedding invitations and save-the-date cards

7 months before

• Create a gift registry
• Hire a florist
• Plan your honeymoon

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6 months before

• Send out the save-the-date cards
• Book your hair and makeup appointments for the day of (and trial runs for both)
• Book a hotel room for the wedding night if necessary

5 months before

• Create a schedule for the big day
• Decide on dates for bachelor and bachelorette parties
• Shop for and purchase shoes, jewelry and accessories

4 months before

• Reserve wedding day transportation for the wedding party
• Select alcohol and other drinks for the reception
• Taste and choose your wedding cake
• Buy wedding bands
• Shop for and order the groomsmen’s attire

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3 months before

• Purchase wedding favours for your guests
• If you’d like a loved one to say or read something during the ceremony, let them know
• Write down your vows
• Decide on activities for the reception (photo booth, dancing, games, etc.)

2 months before

• Send out your wedding invitations
• Do trial runs for both hair and makeup
• Give your music selections to the DJ or MC

1 month before

• Finalize the schedule for the big day
• Choose a seating plan for the reception
• Break in your shoes

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1 week before

• Visit the desired beauty professionals (hair colourist, esthetician, etc.)
• Practise reading your vows
• Write out cheques to pay your vendors

1 day before

• Get your nails done
• Give the cheques to someone you trust to pay the vendors

Day of, Enjoy!