4 Months Before

*Finalize guest list. *Have first dress fitting. *Order wedding rings. *Schedule rehearsals. *Find out if blood tests will be required. *Get change-of-name forms. *Visit formalwear shop.

2 Months Before

*Shop for lingerie and honeymoon clothes. *Pick out shoes. (When you get them home, don’t forget to scuff up soles to prevent slipping.) *Mail wedding invitations. *Finalize vows and give copies to clergyman and groom. *Select gifts for attendants. *If necessary, get change of address forms from post office.

1 Month Before

*Have final dress fitting. *Pick up rings. *Have programs printed. *Confirm all reservations. *Send announcement to newspapers.

2 Weeks Before

*Get marriage license. *Make final arrangements with photographer. *Organize seating plans. *Begin writing thank-you notes. *Type up toasts for rehearsal dinner and reception. *Give final guest count to caterer.

1 Week Before

*Pack for honeymoon. *Make necessary banking arrangements. *Host bridesmaids’ party and distribute gifts. *Pick up wedding dress. *Confirm rehearsal dinner plans with attendants.

1 Day Before

*Have manicure and pedicure. *Attend rehearsal and dinner. *Mail announcements.

Wedding Day

*Eat breakfast. *Visit hairstylist and have nails touched up.

Best Wishes!

© Copyright 2005 Bachcroft.com. Permission to reprint this article, as is, is granted as long as proper attribution (author's biography) is given and all active hyperlinks remain intact.

What you should do

Since this will be your first written contact with most of your guests, it’s important that they make a good first impression. Make sure that you spell each guest’s name correctly. If you are unsure about spelling of someone’s name, look it up or contact someone reliable.

In your save-the-date, include date, time, and place of ceremony along with any other information that your guests will need.

Here is a sample of how your notice might read:

"Please save date of Saturday, June 25, 2005, 2 PM, for wedding of Karen Hinkley and Brian Nelson in Minneapolis, MN. Invitation and directions to follow."

Always follow up with expected wedding invitation, which should be mailed about six weeks before your wedding date.

A nice touch that can truly be helpful to your guests is to list your web site address—assuming you will be updating it with more details.

What you should not do

Keep in mind purpose of these cards. Don’t include unnecessary or inappropriate information such as directions, rehearsal dinner location and time, or registry information. (Incidentally, if you do list your name with a bridal registry, only place that information can be included is in a shower invitation. Generally, good etiquette demands that you rely upon friends and relatives to circulate such details by word of mouth and only if asked.)

Since you are not trying to elicit a response, do not include a reply card. And last but not least, you should not e-mail your save-the-date information. Of course, there is always an exception to every rule, but try not to break this one.

© Copyright 2005 Bachcroft.com. Permission to reprint this article, as is, is granted as long as proper attribution (author's biography) is given and all active hyperlinks remain intact.