Visiting a bakery or caterer and looking at photographs can help you figure out how you want your wedding cake to look. Many brides and grooms are choosing to design a cake that is more personalized and reveals their individuality. A tasting session will give you an idea of the numerous flavor options available. Can’t agree on a style? Consider having a groom’s cake as well as a traditional wedding cake. That way, yours can be decorated with orchids, and his can be all-chocolate and resembling a football – everybody’s happy.

Order tuxedos for the groom, groomsmen, ring bearer, fathers, ushers, etc. at this time.

If you need to rent tables, chairs, linens, etc., do so now. Your reception venue or caterer may be able to provide some of these. For the rest, contact a local party rental store.

Contact the county clerk’s office to find out about requirements for your marriage license. Get a blood test, if required.

Research hotels and reserve a block of rooms for your out-of-town guests. Think of their comfort and the accessibility to the rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, and wedding reception. If you have any disabled guests expected to attend, inquire in advance about special accommodations and accessibility on their behalf.

Wedding invitations should be sent out 6-8 weeks before your wedding ceremony. Replies are typically due 3-4 weeks before the wedding, so that you can give your reception site a final head count and complete the seating chart. If you have any out-of-country guests, their invitations should be sent out 10-12 weeks before the wedding day, to allow for the longer processing time of international mail.

Meet with your travel agent to confirm transportation, hotel accommodations, and activities that you plan to attend. Get your travel documents in order…passports, visas, etc. If you’re going abroad and require any vaccinations, make sure to get them taken care of now.

Although the rehearsal dinner usually takes place the night before the wedding, it can be up to a week in advance. Find out what day is available for your rehearsal at your ceremony site. Next, choose the rehearsal dinner location and the menu. Will it be in a backyard or a restaurant? Do you need to have the event catered? How much decorating will be required? All these things need to be considered.

Make sure to include when people will be having hair done, meeting for photos, etc. Determine the order of events for the ceremony, everything from the time everyone should arrive at the location to which songs play when. Your reception should also have a schedule. Begin thinking about your music list and how it will coordinate with your grand entrance, cake cutting, etc. Schedules are very helpful to the professionals working on the wedding, plus they make sure that your kid brother shows up on time.

The music you choose sets the tone for the evening. If you’re looking for a gentle, romantic atmosphere, the sounds of a pianist, harpist, or violinist may be your best bet. Modern dance music will have the younger crowd on the dance floor, but keep older guests in mind, and mix things up a little. A big band sound will have everybody jumpin’ and jivin’, including your grandparents (don’t forget to have disposable cameras handy!).
Not sure how to get a little something for everyone? Your DJ or band will be sure to have some suggestions.

If you want to make your event more personalized, now is the time to order place cards and napkins. It’s by no means a requirement, but it’s another creative way to make your wedding more unique.

Meet with a beauty consultant and create a daily routine that will have you glowing for your big day. Schedule a trial run for your hair and makeup. If possible, make the appointment for the same day as your final dress fitting. That way, you can really get a feel for the entire ensemble. Take photos of yourself; this allows you to see how you’ll look in the wedding portraits and to make any changes necessary.

You’re on the home stretch now – the work you put into planning and staying fit are about to pay off. But first, get a preview of how you’ll look when he sees you for the first time walking down the aisle. It’s best to have the seamstress present to answer any questions you may have or make emergency adjustments. Make sure you maid of honor or a proxy is there if your dress has a train. She’ll need to know how to bustle it for you after the ceremony and pictures are finished. During this time, you also need to have the rest of your wedding party complete their final fittings: the bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, ring bearer, parents, etc., all need to make sure their ensembles look sharp, as well.

Make sure you’ve found something for those who have been so much help to you throughout this process and who will stand with you on your special day. Gifts for parents are also a nice gesture. Find something unique for each person, or present everyone with a gift that is a variation on a theme, such as necklaces with different-colored gemstones for the bridesmaids.

All response cards should have been returned by now. Check your numbers and give a final head-count to your caterer, bartender, and location coordinators.

A time to cut loose and have some fun with friends before the big day. Moving the “last hurrah” to the week before instead of the night before ensures that you’ll be fresh and wide-awake on the actual wedding day. Whether your plan is to party hard, to have a family get-together, or even to party co-ed style, make sure to forget about what’s left on your to-do list and enjoy yourself.

Arrange to have your luggage (and a vehicle, if necessary) ready to go for when you leave the reception. That way, you can head directly to your hotel room or the airport afterward, with no worries about where your things are or how you will get where you need to go. If you have rented a car for the wedding day, arrange to have someone pick it up and turn it back in for you.

By now, you probably have a whole new wardrobe just for the honeymoon. Get it all together and pack it for your honeymoon getaway. Don’t forget the lingerie from your shower!

Because the wedding can be long and sometimes hectic, meals tend to get overlooked. Hunger plus nerves is a recipe for disaster. Keep fainting to a minimum by arranging to have refreshments at your ceremony site for both the guys and the gals to enjoy prior to the ceremony.

Take a break, get a massage. Have a manicure or pedicure and touch up your hair. Take a nap.

It’s time to get everyone together to learn their responsibilities for the wedding day. Don’t forget to bring the bouquet you made from your shower gift ribbons. The rehearsal dinner is a great time to give out the wedding party gifts. Enjoy the company of family, friends, and out-of-town guests.

The day has finally arrived! Don’t be overwhelmed by stress, or excitement – start your day with a relaxing bath. You’ve put in your planning time … now it’s time to watch your masterpiece unfold.

Take your time and have a nutritious breakfast. Toast, yogurt, oatmeal, and fruit are all good ideas. Do NOT skip this step. You’ll need the fuel, because today will be long.

If you didn’t do this the day before, do it now. The theme for today is relax … and enjoy yourself. You’ve earned it!

You had your practice run; now it’s time for the real thing. Wear a button-up shirt, so that you can avoid messing up your ’do or smudging your make-up when it’s time to change into your dress.

Get to the ceremony nice and early. Enjoy the refreshments while getting dressed. Take in the rest of the day … you’ll be ‘husband and wife’ before you know it!