- Set a date and time for the wedding.

- Determine the size and degree of formality of your wedding.

- Discuss expenses with all concerned and make a preliminary budget.

- Interview and hire a wedding consultant if you plan to use one.

- Make a guest list and begin compiling addresses.

- Reserve the site for the wedding. Retain the officiant to perform the ceremony.

- Select bridal attendants and inform them of all pertinent dates.

- Plan the reception. Book the location and begin to research and select wedding professionals such as the florist, caterer, cake baker and musicians.

- Research and select a photographer and videographer. Have engagement photos taken if desired and an announcement put in the newspaper.

- Shop for wedding gown and accessories and bridesmaids dresses. Consult with groom on men's wedding attire.

- Have invitations and personal stationery designed and printed.

- Begin planning honeymoon with fiance.

- Begin house or apartment hunting.

- Call to schedule dance lessons.

- Search for a salon and spa you are comfortable with.

- Decide on hair style and show your stylist your ideas, make sure that their time and yours are not conflicting the day of your wedding.

- Register with a bridal registry in the town of both families.

- Have mothers select their attire.

- Shop for wedding rings. Allow time to have them engraved, if desired.

- Plan the rehearsal and the type of rehearsal dinner you will have and reserve the space.

- Finalize all contracts with wedding professionals. (deposits paid, contracts signed)

- Hire wedding related transportation (vans, limousines) if needed.

- Finalize the guest list. Address invitations and prepare maps and enclosures to include with the invitations.

- Reserve blocks of rooms, if needed, for out-of-town guests.

- Book wedding night accommodations, if different from honeymoon accommodations.

- Book your stylist and if needed, a color and/or permanent wave, for regular appointments up through your wedding day.

- Re-confirm date and time of rehearsal with officiant.

- Re-confirm dates and finalize details with wedding professionals.

- Finalize wedding attendants' duties.

- Plan a get-together in honor of your attendants. Select gifts for attendants. Your fiance should also do so.

- Devise a system for recording gifts. Begin writing thank-you notes with groom for wedding presents.

- Book beauty-related professionals (hair stylist, facialist, manicurist) as needed.

- Choose your going away outfit and honeymoon clothes.

- Make appointment with photographer for bridal portrait.

- Mail wedding invitations. Start a list to track guests' responses.

- Compose, design and print ceremony program if necessary.

- Arrange final fittings of your wedding gown and attendants' dresses.

- Prepare wedding announcements for newspapers and arrange to send with wedding photo after ceremony.

- Confirm honeymoon reservations and travel arrangements.

- Obtain marriage license with fiance.

- Pick up wedding rings with fiane.

- Make changes to insurance policies, banking information, wills and other legal documents.

- Select wedding present for groom.

- Make sure you have all wedding accessories. (Toasting goblets, ring pillow garter, candles, guest book, etc.)

- Bring in veil or other hair accessories, ask your stylist and make up artist to do your hair and face exactly the way you want them to look on your wedding day.

- If you are thinking of body waxing you need to let your hair grow a minimum of 3 weeks before the service and schedule an appointment.

- Re-confirm accommodations for out-of-town guests.

- Finalize plans for rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

- Finalize list of plans with photographer for list of poses you want taken during the ceremony and reception.

- Re-confirm reservations and final details with all wedding professionals.

- Make sure clothing and accessories for all members of bridal party are in order.

- Give final guest count to caterer or hotel.

- Assemble your wedding attire.

- Enjoy the planned get-together with your bridesmaids.

- The day before, or the day of the wedding, have a manicure and pedicure if desired.

- Make sure you, your parents or your groom have all wedding gratuities and checks for balances due to vendors.

- Attend wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

- Finish packing for honeymoon.

- Make arrangements for transporting gifts from reception.

- Make arrangements for the return of rental items.

- Rest and relax with a bath and possibly a massage. Eat a good breakfast!

- Have hair styled and make-up applied.

- Dress with help of mother and attendants. Allow at least two hours before you have to be at the ceremony for photographs.

- Have wedding gift and note delivered to groom.

- Make sure groom has rings and marriage license to bring to ceremony.

- Take along a quick-fix kit to ceremony: needle and thread, safety pins, aspirin, tape, band-aids, breath mints, comb and brush, hair spray, tissues, hand towelettes, make-up, hose.

- Have the music start thirty minutes before the ceremony.

- Have guests seated. Five minutes before the ceremony, have groom's parents seated. Immediately before the procession, have the bride's mother seated.

- Bring home wedding gifts from reception.

- Collect all bridal apparel. Arrange to have it cleaned and stored.

- Collect all men's outfits and return to formalwear shop.

- Return borrowed or rented items.

- Write thank-you notes to everyone who helped make the wedding a success.

Grooms Checklist

- Discuss with fiancee date and type of wedding.

- Compile your guest list.

- Decide financial obligations.

- Select your best man and ushers.

- Begin planning and making arrangements for honeymoon with fiancee.

- Discuss plans for your new home together.

- Shop with fiancee for wedding rings.

- Complete your guest list, including addresses and phone numbers.

- Check requirements for marriage licenses in your area.

- Select and order men's attire with fiancee.

- Finalize honeymoon plans and send in required deposits.

- Meet with officiate to finalize ceremony details.

- Assist parents with plans for rehearsal dinner party.

- Purchase gifts for best man and ushers.

- Purchase wedding gift for fiancee.

- Pick up wedding rings.

- Arrange accommodations for your out-of-town attendants.

- Take care of business and legal affairs. (add bride's name to insurance policies and medical plans, make a new will, add her name to joint checking accounts or joint charge cards.)

- Reconfirm that ushers have been fitted and attire has been ordered.

- Pick up marriage license with fiance.

- Reconfirm accommodations for out-of town attendants.

- If moving, give change-of-address card to post office; arrange to have utilities and phone service turned on in new home. If not moving, finish cleaning and reorganizing your home; help your fiancee move her things.

- Finalize all details with fiancee; offer to help where needed.

- Pick up and try on wedding attire. See that ushers get their wedding attire.

- Pack for honeymoon. Re-confirm honeymoon reservations.

- See to it that you and your ushers are at the rehearsal and know their duties. Go over seating arrangements with ushers.

- Attend rehearsal dinner.

- Arrange with fiancee for gifts brought to the reception to be taken to your new home.

- Pack luggage in the car.

- Attend bachelor party or get-together with ushers.

- Eat a good breakfast.

- Allow adequate time to get dressed. (at least one hour prior to ceremony.)

- Give the bride's wedding ring to your best man.

- Place the officiant's fee in a sealed envelope and give it to the best man to present after the ceremony.

- Either you or the best man must bring the marriage license to the ceremony.

- Arrive on time for the ceremony!

- Have the best man and maid of honor sign the certificate as witnesses.v

- Remember to thank the bride's parents and say farewell to your parents before leaving the reception.

- Be sure to send flowers or a gift expressing your appreciation and thanking the bride's parents for a beautiful wedding and reception.

- Have your attire and ushers' attire returned to formalwear shop.

- Help make sure rental items are returned.

- Assist in writing thank-you notes.