CHEAP WEDDINGS
    That Look Like a MILLION














Your FREE Wedding Planner
Schedule, Plans and Calendar for a Romantic Wedding

Here is a Free Wedding Planner for you to use. Plan your wedding with confidence. For a printer-friendly version of your Free Wedding Planner, click here.

12 to 24 Months before the Wedding

  • Propose and purchase the engagement ring
  • Announce your engagement to family and friends
  • Post your engagement news on Facebook and other social networks
  • Introduce your true love to family members
  • Decide who will pay for the wedding.
  • Set a budget for your wedding
  • Determine the number of guests to invite
  • Set your wedding date
  • Make sure important family members are available on your date
  • Decide the place you will be married and in what city
  • Schedule the church, synagogue, garden, hotel or other site for the ceremony
  • Find a celebrant, minister, rabbi or priest who is free on the date you choose
  • Choose and hire a wedding planner, if you need one
  • Decide if your wedding be traditional, formal or casual
  • Begin religious instruction if required
  • Reserve the venue for the reception
  • Plan an engagement party
  • Schedule your engagement photo
  • Send your engagement announcement to newspapers

9 to 12 Months Before the Wedding

  • Choose your wedding theme and color scheme
  • Finalize your guest list
  • Mail Save the Date postcards
  • Set up files for paperwork, vendor contracts, schedules, contact information, appointments, lists and clippings
  • Choose your bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls and ring bearers
  • Decide on the style of dresses, shoes, suits and accessories, for the bride, groom and wedding party
  • Order the bridal gown, veil, shoes and accessories
  • Order the bridesmaids' dresses and the groomsmen's tuxedos
  • Arrange dress and tuxedo fittings for the wedding party.
  • Choose music, performers and special services for the ceremony
  • Choose a band, disc jockey, or recorded music for the reception.
  • Decide on music for the first dance, and the father-bride dance and mother-son dance
  • Decide on the caterer, the menu, champagne, wines and beverages for the reception
  • Decide on the seating plan for the reception
  • Hire the wedding photographer
  • Hire the wedding videographer
  • Choose your flowers and hire the florist
  • Take dancing lessons
  • Plan your honeymoon with a travel agent
  • Arrange for passports, visas, passport photos and travel necessities
  • Reserve a hotel room for the wedding night
  • Schedule time off work
  • Order the wedding stationery, invitations, thank-you notes, programs, and printed menu.
  • Select a calligrapher
  • Schedule the special get-togethers
    • Wedding Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner
    • Bachelor Party
    • Bridesmaids Party
    • Bachelorette Party
  • Rent items needed for the ceremony and reception, such as Tents, Arches, Lighting, Tables, Chairs, Table Linens, Dishes, Glasses and Utensils
  • Make or buy accessories for the wedding, such as aisle runner, bubbles, confetti, candles, prayer books, programs, music, doves, ring pillow, flower girl basket.
  • Make or buy decorations for the reception, such as guest book, favors, champagne glasses, cake knife, guest book, candles balloons, and the brides garter for the reception

3 to 6 Months Before the Wedding

  • Buy the wedding rings
  • Hire a limo, a horse and carriage, a vintage car or other transportation for the wedding party.
  • Address and mail invitations
  • Set up bridal registries at the stores for wedding gifts
  • Buy gifts for the wedding party
  • Buy the bride's and groom's gifts

1 to 3 Months Before the Wedding

  • Get the marriage license. Arrange for blood tests and birth certificates if required
  • Prepare a printed schedule of events, date, time, locations, place to meet, maps and transportation for the wedding party. Include these events
    • Wedding Day
    • Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner
    • Bachelor Party
    • Bridesmaids' or Bachelorette Party
    • Final Fittings for Tuxedos and Dresses
    • Date to pick up tuxedos and dresses
  • Address and Mail invitations
  • List the guests who sent RSVPs. List wedding gifts and the name of the sender
  • Contact guests who did not RSVP
  • Order the wedding cake and topper
  • Confirm all arrangements with the vendors, clergy, hotels and venues, including date, arrival time, delivery, locations, and payment.
  • Arrange final fittings, and pick up or delivery, of gowns and tuxedos
  • Order food for the reception
  • Confirm honeymoon arrangements and transportation to the airport
  • Make arrangements with a mover to move to your new home.
  • Place your wedding announcement in local newspapers
  • Make appointments for hair, nails, makeup and massage.
  • Visit photographer for a formal wedding portrait

3 to 4 Weeks Before the Wedding

  • Set up a financial agreement for your married life
  • Sign a prenuptial agreement
  • Change the name and address on your
    • Bank Accounts & Loans
    • Credit Cards
    • Driver's License
    • Social Security
    • Insurance policies
    • Apartment lease
    • Passports
  • Change your wills
  • Change the beneficiaries on your insurance policies, bank accounts, retirement plans and investment accounts.
  • Send thank-you notes for engagement gifts
  • Begin writing thank-you notes for wedding gifts
  • Make seating plans for the reception and ceremony
  • Make hotel reservations for out-of-town guests
  • Wrap gifts for the bridal party
  • Review the menu with the caterer. Notify the caterer of the final guest count
  • Confirm events and dates with the bridal party, drivers and ushers
  • Write your wedding vows
  • Write your toast for the rehearsal dinner
  • Delegate selected people to help with the tasks of decorating, greeting guests, organizing dances, providing transportation, ushering, seating, parking and vendor contacts

1 Week Before the Wedding

  • Pack for the honeymoon
  • Pick up tickets for the honeymoon
  • Pack everything to take the rehearsal, reception and ceremony, such as wine, place cards, programs, menus, favors, cake knife, glasses, pictures and decorations
  • Have the fees and gratuities ready for all service people, the celebrant and vendors. Prepare checks to pay all vendors and review last minute details with them
    • Band, Disc Jockey and Other Entertainment
    • Ceremony Musicians
    • Reception Site
    • Caterer
    • Gratuity for servers
    • Photographer
    • Videographer
    • Limousine Service
    • Florist
    • Baker
    • Tuxedos
    • Bridal Gown & Dresses
    • Gratuity for the Officiant, Clergyman or Judge
    • Rehearsal Site
    • Rehearsal Dinner Site
    • Salon Hair, Nails and Make-Up Stylist
  • Prepare an emergency kit with
    • Aspirin or Ibuprophen
    • Tissues
    • Breath Mints or Gum
    • Safety Pin
    • Extra Lipstick & Make-up
    • Brush and Comb
    • Hair Spray and Gel
    • Mini Sewing Kit
    • Stain-Fighting Spray or Cleaning Solution
    • Extra Pairs of Pantyhose
  • Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa for a massage, facial, and nail care
  • Attend wedding parties
  • Enjoy the wedding rehearsal and dinner
  • Take lots of photographs
  • Share your love. Glow with happiness. Celebrate your bright future

MORE GREAT WEDDING PLANNING IDEAS

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Free Wedding Planner