At Bridal Guide, it's our mission to bring you the best wedding planning resources. Here, our trusty Wedding Countdown Calendar will carry you through to your big day. Please also visit BridalGuide.com for more great tips and tricks from our editors, leading industry experts and fellow brides!

12 months

• Announce your engagement
• Choose a wedding theme and style
• Work out a basic budget; research reception venues
• Determine number of guests
• Look through magazines for attire ideas
• Meet potential wedding consultants; obtain bids
• Research wedding pros (photographers, videographers, reception bands or DJs, ceremony musicians). Set up appointments, and review portfolios, tapes and recordings

11 months

• Select a wedding consultant and meet to discuss details
• Determine theme/decorations for your reception
• Meet with several caterers; arrange for tastings
• Select and book a caterer
• Reserve musicians/DJ for reception
• Determine ceremony musicians and make musical selections
• Book wedding videographer and photographer; make a list of photos, such as ceremony and reception shots
• Research and interview florists
• Select and reserve your ceremony venue and schedule a rehearsal time
• Choose reception venue; negotiate contract; leave a deposit
• Secure parking and/or transportation for your guests at the reception location
• Visit local bridal stores to browse their selection of gowns
• Choose your wedding-party members and ask them to participate in your celebration
• Meet with your officiant to discuss the ceremony
• Determine your honeymoon budget
• Mail save-the-date notices for a destination wedding

10 months

• Select and order your wedding gown
• If your ceremony or reception will be held in a park or recreational area, obtain necessary permits
• Discuss attendants’ duties with your maid of honor and bridesmaids

9 months

• Register for gifts
• Coordinate with vendors to incorporate your theme/style into all aspects of your wedding
• Decide on the food and liquor to be served at your reception
• Prepare a playlist of wedding-reception musical selections
• Select and order your headpiece, veil, gloves and shoes
• Confirm orders of and delivery dates for your wedding attire
• Research airline, hotel and rental-car reservations for guests

8 months

• Go to first gown fitting; invite your maid of honor to attend
• Choose and order bridesmaid dresses and accessories
• Research a variety of wedding ring styles
• Select florist; discuss wedding theme and style

7 months

• Review and finalize your wedding details with consultant
• Notify bridesmaids about dress fittings
• Discuss attire with groomsmen and make referrals to local formalwear store
• Select attire for flower girl and/or ring bearer
• Determine the design, wording, font and paper stock for your wedding invitations, stationery, table cards and thank-you notes; finalize order
• Arrange a printer or hire a calligrapher for table cards
• Determine order of ceremony events and choose appropriate wording for your programs
• Negotiate rates and book a block of hotel rooms for guests
• Select and order your wedding rings
• Purchase bridal accessories: jewelry, lingerie and so on
• Choose and order something fun for guests to throw after your ceremony (rose petals, confetti or birdseed)

6 months

• Review and approve proofs of invitations and stationery
• Discuss the type of honeymoon you want, start reading up on potential destinations and consult a travel agent for ideas and suggestions

5 months

• Order table cards; place print order for programs
• Finalize choice of honeymoon destination
• Taste a variety of wedding cakes and select a baker; place cake order and arrange for delivery
• Make reservations for rehearsal dinner and select menu

4 months

• Determine method of addressing invitations and hire a calligrapher, if applicable
• Print labels, and hand-address – or have a calligrapher address – invitations
• Choose your wedding vows
• Have groom try on tuxedos
• Purchase or rent groom’s wedding accessories
• Make honeymoon reservations and place all deposits

3 months

• Review and approve wedding announcement and printed program proofs
• Book venue or secure reservations for post-wedding brunch
• Discuss bachelorette party plans with your attendants
• Plan your bridesmaids’ luncheon or dinner
• Make appointment with stylist to discuss your wedding hairstyle
• Create hotel information cards and maps to include with your invitations

2 months

• Secure wedding-day dressing room for your bridesmaids
• Weigh, purchase postage for and mail invitations
• Go to final gown fitting; arrange for pickup or delivery
• Have groom’s formalwear fitted
• If you plan to have a prenuptial agreement, meet with your attorney to discuss it
• Purchase attendants’ gifts
• Arrange transportation for bride and groom from the ceremony site to the reception

6 weeks

• Send rehearsal dinner invitations
• Write thank-you notes as you receive gifts
• Confirm music selections (“playlist”) with musicians and/or DJ
• Select menu for post-wedding brunch
• Purchase a gift for your fiancé
• Shop for wedding favors
• Purchase honeymoon clothing, luggage and accessories
• Go for a practice hairstyling and schedule a day-of-wedding hair appointment

4 weeks

• Confirm floral order and arrange for delivery times
• Meet with ushers and assign duties
• Discuss the details of your ceremony with your officiant
• Determine the placement or distribution of programs at the ceremony venue
• Arrange for preparation, storage and break areas for musicians/DJ at the reception venue
• Determine seating arrangements for guests
• Go in for a dry run with a professional makeup artist and schedule a day-of-wedding appointment
• Schedule a manicure/pedicure for the day before your wedding
• Finalize details with photographer and videographer
• Finalize honeymoon plans and confirm all reservations
• Arrange for transportation to and from the airport
• Post announcement and photo on your website
• Arrange for table card setup at reception venue
• Schedule pickup/return of groom’s formalwear

3 weeks

• Finalize list of reception guests
• Give the final headcount to the caterer and review details
• Arrange for delivery of flowers and other decorations on the big day
• Call anyone who has not responded to his or her invitation

1 week

• Confirm your honeymoon travel arrangements
• Start packing for your honeymoon
• Pick up your wedding dress

Wedding day

• Eat a good breakfast
• Attend hairstyle appointment
• Give yourself plenty of time to get ready
• Relax and enjoy yourself!

Post-wedding: 3 days

• Arrange for transport of gifts
• Have family or friends mail wedding announcements

After the honeymoon

• Take wedding gown and veil to a dry cleaner who specializes in gown preservation
• Submit name-change forms for driver’s license, passport, Social Security card, state and federal tax boards, banks, credit cards and so on

Adapted from Bridal Guide’s “How to Plan the Perfect Wedding … Without Going Broke,” by Diane Forden (Warner Books).