There’s more to planning a wedding than just showing up on your big day.

Your perfect day may take just a few days to plan if you are keeping it small and simple, or months if you want a fancy fairy-tale day.

No matter what your preferences are, you need to give yourself enough time to plan and execute all the things you want to include in your big day.

Here is a suggestion of when you should start looking at which aspects of your wedding.

While the time frame may not be to your liking, and there may be things you will not be including, it is a handy list of things to consider no matter how much time you still have to plan your wedding.

12 Months

• Announce your engagement.
• Choose a wedding theme and style.
• Work out a basic wedding budget and research the costs of reception venues.
• Determine the number of guests you would like to invite.
• Look through bridal magazines for attire ideas.
• Meet potential wedding consultants if you plan to use one and get quotes on the cost of their services and what these costs include.
• Research wedding professionals – photographers, videographers, reception bands, DJs. Set up appointments to meet and review their portfolios.
• Create a wedding website.

11 Months

• If you have decided to use a wedding consultant, meet with them to discuss wedding-planning details.
• Choose your wedding-party members and ask them to participate in your celebration.
• Determine the theme and colour scheme of your reception.
• Meet with several caterers and arrange tastings.
• Select and book a caterer.
• Reserve musicians or DJ for the reception.
• Decide on wedding ceremony musicians and make your musical selections.
• Book the wedding photographer and videographer.
• Make a list of must-have photos/video moments including traditional ceremony and reception shots and fun shots of the bride and groom and their attendants and families.
• Research and interview florists.
• Select and reserve your ceremony venue and schedule a rehearsal time.
• Select your reception venue, negotiate the contract and leave a deposit.
• Secure parking and/or transportation for your guests at the reception location.
• Visit local bridal/suit hire stores to browse their selection of gowns, suits or other wedding attire.
• Meet with your officiant to discuss the wedding ceremony.
• Mail save-the-dates 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 the necessary permits.
• Discuss the attendants’ duties with your maid of honour and bridesmaids/groomsmen.

Nine months

• Register for gifts.
• Co-ordinate vendors to incorporate your theme/style in all aspects of your wedding.
• Decide on the food and liquor to be served at your reception.
• Prepare a list of reception music selections.
• Select and order your headpiece, veil, shoes or any other accessories to your gown.
• Confirm orders of and delivery dates for your wedding attire.
• Research airline, hotel and rental car reservations for out-of-town guests.

Eight months

• Go for first gown fitting.
• Choose and order bridesmaid dresses and accessories.
• Research wedding ring styles.
• Select a florist and discuss ideas, themes and styles with them.

Seven months

• Review and finalise your wedding details with your consultant.
• Notify bridesmaids about dress fittings.
• Discuss attire with groomsmen and make referrals to a local formalwear store.
• Select attire for flower girl and ring bearer.
• Determine the design, wording, font and paper stock for your wedding invitations, stationery, table cards and thank-you notes. Finalise and order these.
• Arrange a printer or hire a calligrapher for table cards.
• Determine the order of ceremony events and choose appropriate wording for your programmes.
• Negotiate rates and book a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.
• Select and order your wedding rings.
• Purchase bridal accessories – jewellery, lingerie, etc.
• Choose and order something fun for guests to throw after your ceremony (rose petals, rice or birdseed).

Six months

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

Five months

• Order table cards and place print order for your programmes.
• Finalise the choice of honeymoon destination.
• Taste a variety of wedding cakes and select a baker, place your cake order and arrange delivery.
• Secure reservations for rehearsal dinner and select the menu.

Four months

• Determine how you will address your wedding invitations and hire a calligrapher if applicable.
• Hand-address – or have calligrapher address – wedding invitations and print labels.
• Choose or write wedding vows.
• Groom to visit formalwear shops to try on tuxedos.
• Purchase or rent groom’s wedding accessories including tuxedo, cuff links, shirt, shoes and socks.
• Make honeymoon reservations and place all deposits. Make sure you have a valid passport before committing to a trip out of the country.

Three months

• Review and approve printed programme proofs.
• Book venue and secure reservations for post-wedding brunch if applicable.
• Discuss bachelor/ette party plans with your attendants.
• Make appointment with stylist and/or hairdresser to discuss your wedding hairstyle.
• Take another look at your gift registry and update or add items.
• Create hotel information cards and maps to include with your wedding invitations.

Two months

• Secure wedding-day dressing room for your bridesmaids.
• Mail wedding invitations.
• Go for final gown fitting and arrange for pickup or delivery.
• Have groom’s formalwear fitted.
• If you are planning on having a prenuptial or ante-nuptial agreement, meet with your attorney to discuss it.
• Purchase gifts for all your wedding party members and your parents.
• Arrange transport for the bride and groom from the ceremony to the reception.
• Purchase ceremony accessories if applicable (unity candle, wine glasses, etc.).

Six weeks

• Purchase a new camera if necessary.
• Send rehearsal dinner invitations.
• Write thank-you notes as you receive gifts.
• Confirm music selection (playlist) with musicians/DJs.
• Select menu for post-wedding brunch.
• Purchase a gift for your spouse-to-be.
• Shop for wedding favours.
• Purchase honeymoon clothing, luggage and accessories.
• Apply for visas for foreign travel where necessary.
• Go for a practice hairstyle and make day-of-the-wedding appointment.

Four weeks

• Confirm floral order and arrange delivery times.
• Meet with ushers and assign duties for the ceremony and reception.
• Discuss details of your wedding ceremony with your officiant.
• Determine the placement and distribution of programmes at the ceremony venue.
• Arrange for preparation, storage and break areas for musicians/DJ at the reception venue.
• Determine seating arrangements for guests.
• If you colour your hair, make appointment for a touch-up the week before your wedding.
• Schedule an appointment with a professional make-up artist, go in for a dry run and make day-of-the-wedding appointment.
• Schedule an appointment for a manicure and pedicure and make day-of-the-wedding appointment.
• Finalise details with the wedding photographer and videographer, determining arrival times at each nuptial venue.
• Sign your prenuptial agreement if applicable.
• Finalise your honeymoon plans and itinerary and confirm all travel and hotel reservations.
• Arrange transport to and from the airport.
• Make all necessary arrangements for care of pet(s), plants and mail while you are on honeymoon.
• Post an announcement and photo on your wedding website.
• Arrange for table card setup at the reception venue.
• Schedule for pickup and return of groom’s formalwear.
• Groom to have hair trimmed if necessary.

One week

• Confirm your honeymoon travel arrangements.
• Start packing for your honeymoon.
• Get foreign exchange if necessary.
• 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/after honeymoon

• Take wedding gown and veil to a dry cleaner who specialises in gown preservation.
• Submit name-change forms for driver’s licence, passport, tax, bank account.
• Send thank-you notes.