Wedding Timeline
Overview
To finish all your important duties on time, the bride and groom should plan a calendar of events in advance. Then there is no last minute hassle or hazard to mar that all important day.
12 Months Before the Wedding
- Announce engagement
- Set wedding date, keep alternate dates in mind
- Request permission for the use of Melville Hall
- Request permission for use of the Chapel, (if required)
- Consult with the Chapel to schedule and make necessary arrangements
- Contract use of Melville Hall and Chapel, surcharge required
6-12 Months Before the Wedding
- Complete invitation list
- Choose bridal party
- Select florist
- Audition bands or DJ and hire
- Hire photographer
- Plan what bridesmaids will wear and select apparel for groom, best man and ushers
- Order bridal gown
- Pick honeymoon destination and begin making reservations
- If leaving country, check on passports, visas, inoculation certificates and other documents
4-6 Months Before the Wedding
- Order wedding invitations and thank-you notes
- Select bridal registry
- Shop for trousseau
- Confirm delivery date of bridal gown and attendants dresses
3-4 Months Before the Wedding
- Finalize catering menu and details at Melville Hall, Food Deposit required
- Choose wedding rings and order engraving
- Buy gifts for bridal party
- Finalize honeymoon plans
- Arrange limousine transportation
2-3 Months Before the Wedding
- Contact local newspaper for information on how to place wedding announcement in paper
- Purchase reception favors
- Plan on arrangements for accommodations for out-of-town guests
1-2 Month(s) Before the Wedding
- Write and mail invitations
- Plan rehearsal dinner
- Arrange for accommodations for guests at Melville Hall, IF there is vacancy
- Contact photographer for any arrangements for photos
- Make appointment with beauty/hair salon for wedding
- Confirm honeymoon reservations
- Arrange for final gown fitting
- Take up matter of Chapel and Melville Hall decorations with florist
- Record wedding gifts received and write thank-you cards
- Get marriage license and be sure you have all the necessary papers; blood tests, birth certificates, etc.
- Arrange to have belongings moved to new home
1 Week Before the Wedding
- Final consultation with manager of Melville Hall
- Present place cards in alphabetical order (do not fold)
- Have seating chart ready (numbered consecutively - do not number head table)
- Inform manager of number of guests attending
- Let manager know if you plan to feed the band, photographer, videographer, etc.
- Have the total number of dinner choices (if requested in advance)
- Give manager the favors, top for wedding cake, or anything else you require for your wedding day
- Purchase travelers checks for honeymoon
- Pack for honeymoon
- Final consultation with florist, band and photographer
- Inform attendants of time and place of rehearsal
- Confirm reservations for rehearsal dinner
- Confirm room reservations for guests at local hotels, motels, or Melville Hall
- Arrange for name and address changes on bank accounts, credit cards, drivers license and social security
1 Day Before the Wedding
- Check your luggage and go to bed early
- Tell someone your honeymoon itinerary and have them check your home while you are gone

Last updated: Tuesday, February 5, 2013