12 months out - Determine your budget

12 months out - Make a guest list

12 months out - Hire a wedding planner

12 months out - Decide formality and overall theme

12 months out - Select the venue

12 months out - Select the caterer

11 months out - Choose color theme and start thinking of overall design

11 months out - Hire vendors who book up quickly, including your photographer, band, DJ, and videographer

10 months out - Start shopping for your wedding dress

10 months out - Book hotel-room blocks for guests

10 months out - Create your wedding website or invitation card design

10 months out - Take engagement/pre wedding photos

10 months out - Start looking at invitations

9 months out - Buy your wedding dress

9 months out - Send/Post save-the-dates online & offline

8 months out - Register for gifts

8 months out - Select the bridesmaids' dresses and schedule fittings within the month

8 months out - Meet with potential florists

7 months out - Book the dinner venue

7 months out - Hire the ceremony musicians

7 months out - Order rental items, ie. specialty chairs, linens, draping, lounge furniture, white dance floor, etc.

7 months out - Hire an officiant

6 months out - Hire a lighting technician

5 months out - Book transportation for guests, if needed

5 months out - Book the bride and groom's transportation (limo, specialty car, etc.)

5 months out - Book the honeymoon

5 months out - Buy or rent the groom’s tuxedo

5 months out - Begin premarital counseling

4 months out - Have your final tasting with the caterer

4 months out - Choose your cake

4 months out - Buy wedding bands

4 months out - Select groomsmen's attire and schedule fittings within the month

4 months out - Hair and makeup trial

3 months out - Order the invitations and hire calligrapher

3 months out - Create or plan your menu

3 months out - Brainstorm guest favors and gift bags

3 months out - Book a photo-booth rental

3 months out - Write your vows

3 months out - Select readings

3 months out - Meet with the officiant

3 months out - Start crafting any DIY items if you haven’t already

2 months out - Send the wedding invitations (with RSVPs due one month before the wedding)

2 months out - First dress fitting

2 months out - Pick up your marriage license

2 months out - Buy wedding-party gifts

2 months out - Do a floral mock-up with your florist

2 months out - Give the song selections to your band or DJ

2 months out - Give the song selections to your ceremony musicians

2 months out - Buy all small items (table numbers, toasting flutes, cake topper, cake stand, cake knife, guest book, card box, ring-bearer accessories, flower-girl accessories, a cute hanger for your dress, a garter, “Welcome sign,” “Guest Book sign,” )

1 month - Assemble gift bags

1 month - Pay your vendors in full

1 month - Create a seating chart

1 month - Order or make your escort cards and place cards

1 month - Have a final venue walk-through

1 month - Put cash in tip envelopes for your planner/delegate to distribute

1 month - Break in your wedding shoes

Final Week - Refreshing your hair color

Final Week - Getting your eyebrows done

Final Week - Manicure/pedicure

Final Week - Getting a massage

Final Week - Final dress fitting

Final Week - Pack your bags for the honeymoon

Final Week - Any edible crafting! Yum!

Final Week - Clean your ring

Final Week - Chase any RSVP stragglers and deliver the final head count

Final Week - Clear your work to-do list so you can only focus on wedding festivities and take it all in!

Final Week - Practice your vows out loud

Final Week - Write your partner a note

The night before - Eat a healthy meal

The night before - Pack a clutch or small big of personal items

The night before - Drink water

The night before - Get a good night's sleep

The night before - Put any boxes, suitcases, bags, and survival kits to bring to the ceremony or reception in the car.

The morning of - Stay off your feet as much as possible

The morning of Ceremony Day - Eat breakfast

The morning of Ceremony Day - Drink even more water

The morning of Ceremony Day - Take your dress and veil out of the bag early on and have someone steam them if needed

The morning of Ceremony Day - Lay out all the items (rings, invitations, etc.) that you want your photographer to capture

The morning of Ceremony Day - Exchange notes with your partner

The morning of Ceremony Day - Say thank you to everyone around you!