First Things First…

1. Budget: Work out your budget and establish your top priorities—where to save/where to splurge.
2. Guest List: Start compiling your preliminary guest list to see your guest count. You’ll need a number while checking out venues!
3. Research: Get your creative juices flowing. Start browsing wedding blogs (such as Bridolog, The Knot) and magazines (like Brides, Vogue Weddings) to identify your wedding style, your dream season, and color palette. Don’t have the time? Check our blog “ Why Listen to Wedding Planning Podcasts?” on some great Wedding Planning podcasts to listen to!
4. Venue: Find the place where your dream wedding will take place! 
5. Find your vendors. Assemble an all-star vendor team. (Check out our “Interviews with Experts” blog page for inspirations.) We'd start with:
1. Wedding Planner
2. Florist
3. Hair & Makeup
4. Caterer
5. Photographer / Videographer
6. DJ / Entertainment Team
7. Officiant
6. Select your Maid of Honor, Best Man, Witnesses (applicable for Turkish weddings) and the rest of the Wedding Party, and let them know. 
7. Decide on the season, month, or the date of your big day and tell everyone to save it! Consider sending out Save-the-Date cards, messages, or emails. You can also create your own wedding website, and let your invitees know about it. Check our blog “Tips on What to Include on Your Wedding Website”!
8. Begin your search for your dream wedding dress and perfect accessories. Check out our blog “Bridal Accessories to Complete Your Wedding Day Look” for inspiration!

6–9 Months To Go…

1. Put together your guest list.
2. Decide on the venue and book a date!
3. Continue researching, interviewing and booking vendors:
1. Decide on arrangements with your Floral Designer.
2. Do a tasting and choose your wedding cake with your Cake Designer.
3. Hire the DJ / Entertainment for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception.
4. Discuss the style and wording of your wedding invitations with a Stationer or online invitation company.
4. Create your gift registry (and don't forget to update your wedding website!). Check our blog “Wedding Gift Registry Tips: What Every Couple Needs to Know”! 
5. Arrange hotel room blocks for out-of-town guests and book your own suite for the wedding night.
6. Shop for bridesmaid/flower girl dresses and/or groomsmen suits, and give your attendants clear instructions on how to place their orders.
7. Arrange and book any necessary transportation.
8. Go over bridal shower and/or beach party details, as well as the guest list with the person(s) hosting the party.

3–5 Months To Go…

1. If haven’t done so yet, decide on your Wedding dress!
2. Concentrate on finalizing 
1. The guest list and prepare your invitations!
2. Book the venue!
3. Decide on the menu, beverage, and catering details.
4. Timeline of the wedding day and reception formalities.
3. Send out your Save the Date emails and messages.
4. Reserve all necessary party rentals, decorations and linens. 
5. Decide on wedding favors for your guests. 
6. Book your hair and make up stylists. 
7. Do your own beauty and fitness regimen to be camera-ready and confident for the big day.
8. Shop for and purchase your wedding rings. Order engravings if desired. Check out our blog “The Elegance of Melis Goral Jewelry” for inspiration!
9. Finalize honeymoon plans and obtain all necessary documents (are you sure your passports haven't expired?).

6–8 Weeks To Go…

1. You're getting close…. Mail out those invitations! Have a game plan for recording the RSVPs and meal choices.
2. If you are hosting an outdoor wedding, talk to your venue coordinator about your contingency plan for a rainy day.
3. Touch base with your vendors to confirm date, deposits, and details.
4. Start researching marriage license requirements and name-change paperwork, if applicable.
5. Begin your dress/attire fittings. Be sure to buy the appropriate undergarments beforehand.
6. Give the wedding party a nudge—make sure they've ordered all necessary attire.
7. Finaliza the Wedding Favors for your guests.

3–5 Weeks To Go…

1. Send out those invitations if you haven't done so already. 
2. Finalize and confirm:
1. Wedding Officiant.
2. Shot list with your Photographer and/or Videographer.
3. Song list for ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception with your DJ and/or Band / Musicians.
4. Timeline for the reception.
5. Wedding night and honeymoon accommodations.
3. Do a Makeup & Hair trial 
4. Obtain marriage license and complete name-change documents, if applicable.
5. Pick up your wedding rings and proofread any engraving!
6. Organize and buy gifts/wedding favors for your guests.
7. Have your final wedding dress/suit fitting. Don’t forget to bring your shoes and accessories for the full impact.
8. Sigh. Hunt down whoever hasn't RSVP'd yet.

1–2 Weeks To Go…

1. Give your caterer/venue the final guest count.
2. Arrange seating and create the seating chart and/or place cards.
3. Pick up your wedding gown/suit. Swoon.
4. Confirm arrival times and finalize the wedding timeline with vendors and the wedding party.
5. Go over pickup times and locations with your transportation.
6. Finalize reception tables. Create the seating chart and/or place cards if you're having seating arrangements.
7. Hand over wedding favors, décor, paper, and ceremony items to your on-site coordinator or planner. Include any special set-up instructions.
8. Put together your own Wedding Emergency Kit.
9. Speaking of emergencies: Check the weather report, and if things look iffy contact your venue to go over the contingency plan.
10. Start packing for your honeymoon. 
11. In desperate need of a facial or massage? Now's the time to squeeze one in.

The Day Before…

1. Make sure all wedding-day items are packed/laid out and ready to go! *Don't forget the rings and your ID’s!
2. Figure out tips and final payments for vendors. Put them in clearly marked envelopes and give them to the Best Man or another person you trust to hand out at the reception.
3. Assign someone to pack up your gifts/belongings after the reception (don't forget the top tier of your cake!).
4. Wrap any gifts you'll be giving to your future spouse, family, or wedding party. Or simply write them heartfelt notes to open on the day-of.
5. Drop off welcome bags to guest hotels, if you're doing them.
6. Enjoy a mani-pedi.
7. Try to go to bed early…you need your beauty sleep tonight!

Wedding-Day Advice

1. Allow plenty of time to get ready.
2. Do the rounds at your wedding—greet everyone and thank them for coming.
3. Take a deep breath. Stop to appreciate your new spouse and the day that you spent so much time planning!

After the Honeymoon / Back to Reality…

1. Write and send thank-you cards. (Don't procrastinate!)
2. Complete your registry and exchange any unwanted or duplicate gifts.
3. Have your wedding dress cleaned and preserved by a reputable dry clean company.
4. Keep in touch with your Photographer/Videographer to work on albums, videos, etc.
5. Enjoy wedded bliss…