A One Year Plan

Your wedding is one of the most important and exciting days of your life. It also will require a great deal of planning and attention to detail to fulfill your expectations. Here's a checklist to help you remember all the details:

9-12 Months Before the Wedding

• Decide on the type of wedding. How big? How formal?
• Set a tentative budget.
• Choose the date and time of ceremony and reception.
• Select the locations and make reservations.
• Make an appointment with the person who will perform the ceremony.
• Plan a guest list with names and addresses.
• Shop for your wedding rings.
• Shop for your dress and accessories.
• Pick your colors for the ceremony and reception.
• Choose your attendants, their dresses and accessories.
• Select photographer, transportation and caterer (if separate from reception location).
• Plan your honeymoon.
• Select Disc Jockey or Band.

6-9 Months Before the Wedding

• Announce your engagement.
• Register your gift preferences with Dillard's Bridal Registry.
• Choose a florist; consult with florist on floral needs and preferences.

3-6 Months Before the Wedding

• Order invitations and personal stationery. (Allow four weeks for delivery.
• Keep a record of all gifts received. (See the guest and gift lists in this section.)
• Send thank you notes immediately.
• Help mothers select their dresses.
• Check that all bridal attire has been ordered.
• Shop for your trousseau.
• Choose a baker for the wedding cake and groom's cake.
• Meet with Coordinator or DJ/Master of Ceremony.

2-3 Months Before the Wedding

• Start addressing the wedding invitations.
• Shop for such wedding accessories as toasting goblets, ring pillow and a garter.
• Confirm all ceremony and reception reservations.
• Arrange for the wedding rehearsal.
• Ask friends to help at the reception with the guest book or gifts.
• Confirm honeymoon plans; get passport or visa if needed.
• Confirm flower orders with florist.

One Month Before the Wedding

• Mail the invitations.
• Have the final fitting on your wedding attire.
• Have your portrait taken; send announcement to the newspaper.
• Choose gifts for attendants.
• Arrange lodging for out-of-town guests.
• Purchase wedding album, guest book.
• Select the groom's wedding gift.
• Apply for marriage license with fiance and witness.
• Meet with Coordinator or DJ/Master of Ceremony.

The Week of Your Wedding

• Give the final estimate of guests to the caterer.
• Check all final details: Baker, florist, photographer.
• Have your bridesmaids' luncheon; present bridesmaids' gifts.
• Pack for your honeymoon.
• Provide maps for out-of-town guests.
• Finale meeting with Coordinator or DJ to cover all the remaining details. Everything should be done at this point.

The Day of the Wedding

• Have your hairdresser style your hair.
• Begin dressing one and one-half hours before the ceremony.
• Parents of the groom should be seated five minutes before the ceremony.
• The bride's mother should be seated immediately before the processional and before the aisle runner is rolled.
• Relax . . . and enjoy your special day.

After the Honeymoon

• Finish thank you notes.
• If you are taking your husband's name, change driver's license, social security card, bank accounts and credit cards.
• Make an appointment with your Dillard's bridal consultant to make any needed exchanges.