Chicago Wedding Planner

Are you planning a wedding in Chicago soon? This Chicago Wedding Resource Planner is a wonderful guide to help you outline what needs to be done and by what month. The following timeline will give you an idea of what you should be doing each month so that you are not stuck planning at the last minute!

Timeline for planning your wedding

12-18 Months before your wedding:
-Choose your wedding date.
-Establish a budget.
-Set the time for the wedding.
-Select the site for the wedding.
-Select and reserve your reception site.
-Set the time for the reception.
-Select and book all entertainment for the wedding: band, DJ, soloist, musicians, vocalist, pianist, etc.
-Prepare a first draft guest list.
-Interview wedding planners and decide on using professional help in planning your wedding or asking your family and/or friends for their assistance.

9-12 Months before your wedding:
-Announce your engagement in local newspapers.
-Send "Save the Date" information to out-of-town guests.
-Shop for your Bridal attire.
-Select wedding attendants.
-Choose Attendants attire.
-Review your budget and make a final determination regarding who is paying for what.
-Determine the theme, mood and colors to be used for your wedding.
-Interview and schedule your photographer/videographer.
-Choose the officiant for your wedding.
-Set up tasting appointments with caterers, make your final catering choice and schedule them for your wedding day. Set up a future appointment to discuss final menu selections.
-Select Groomsmen.
-Establish wedding website for keeping friends and out-of-towners informed of plans.

6-9 months before your wedding:
-Select and book a Florist.
-Finalize floral decisions for your wedding, reception, bouquets and corsages.
-Check on marriage license requirements.
-Shop for wedding rings.
-Set up tasting appointments with bakers and order the cake and/or sweet table.
-Assist mothers in selecting their dresses and accessories.
-Shop for the groom and groomsmen's attire.
-Select wedding invitations and personal stationary for "thank you" notes.
-Order any other imprinted items you may need for the wedding, paper guest towels for the bathrooms, matchbooks, etc.
-Decide on how your invitations will be addressed (by hand or by computer). If your choice is hand written invitations, set appointments with a calligrapher and choose the style for your invitations and reception placecards.
-Shop for any remaining accessories you need to complete your wedding day attire.
-Select a Hotel and reserve accomodations for out-of-town guests; be sure to visit the rooms to assure your guests' comfort.
-Make arrangements for a morning after the wedding brunch for out-of-town guests either at the hotel or the bride's and/or the groom's home. If the breakfast is scheduled at home be sure to hire a caterer and finalize a menu.
-Select a site for your prenuptial dinner and finalize menu and guest list.
-Decide on transportation for the bridal party for the ceremony and reception. At the same time, check on transportation for out-of-town guests and make any necessary arrangements.
-Reserve any rental items you may need: tables, chairs, tents, dishes for the prenuptial dinner, the ceremony, reception, and/or brunch the morning after the wedding.
-Select and order reception favors, candy, nuts and any other extras you may want such as: a dove release, bubbles, cameras for guests to take informal photos, rose petals in holders to shower the bride and groom after the ceremony, etc.
-Make honeymoon arrangements.

4-6 Months before your wedding:
-Register for gifts at one or more bridal gift registries.
-Select music for your ceremony and reception.
-Choose any readings for your wedding and/or write your wedding vows.
-Finalize all plans for your ceremony.
-Meet with officiant and discuss your ceremony plans.
-Make appointments for gown fittings.
-Double check all contracts and arrangements. Be sure everything is complete with all of your service providers.

3 Months before your wedding:
-Select a special stamp for your invitations and reception response cards at the post office.
-Address invitations or take them to the calligrapher for addressing.
-Carefully prepare directions including easy to follow maps to help guests find their way to the ceremony and reception.
-Secure all your honeymoon arrangements.
-Select any welcome packages you want to put together for out-of-town guests. Include information on things to do in the area including local restaurants. Include snacks, bottled water, fruit juice, fresh fruit, nuts, candy and any other items you feel they may enjoy. Choose decorative paper bags to put these items in or pretty baskets with a ribbon tied to the handle and make arrangements with the hotel to hand these out when the guests check in.
-Select gifts for attendants and groomsmen.
-Select gifts for each other.
-Shop for your trousseau: beautiful new lingerie for your wedding night and honeymoon, as well as any clothes you may need for the type of honeymoon you've planned.
-Double checks on attendant's attire and see that they have made appointments for fittings and have all their accessories purchased.
-Make a date with your photographer for any formal portraits you desire.
-Schedule an appointment to meet with your hairdresser to discuss how you will wear your hair on your wedding day. Be sure to bring your veil and/or headpiece.

2 Months before your wedding:
-Mail out invitations to your wedding including response cards with pre-addressed and stamped reply envelopes.
-Mail out invitations to the prenuptial dinner to your attendants, family and out-of-town guests.
-Write thank you notes for any shower gifts you have received.
-Make an appointment to have your hair done on your wedding day, or you might also consider giving yourself and your attendants a day of beauty before the wedding with hair styling, manicures, pedicures, massages, facials, and makeup sessions.
-Make appointments for mothers' hair appointments.
-Send bridal portrait to local newspapers for publication.
-Plan a luncheon for your bridesmaids.
-Gather necessary birth and baptismal certificates you may need for your wedding license and/or your passport if traveling out of the country for your honeymoon.

1 Month before your wedding:
-Complete all necessary documents for changing your name.
-Get your wedding license.
-Have a final fitting of your gown.
-Double check with each attendant to make sure they have their dresses and accessories.
-Purchase a special book to keep track of wedding gifts as they arrive.
-Check out your menu selections and menu plans are locked in place with the caterer.
-Draw up seating charts for guests at the reception, number of tables and discuss with the florist how the numbers will be displayed on the tables.
-Write thank you notes for wedding gifts on a daily basis.
-Have your calligrapher add the table numbers to the place cards for reception guests.
-If place cards are required at the prenuptial dinner write those out with each guests name and table number.
-Confirm date and time of floral delivery with florist and order any flowers you need for the prenuptial dinner.
-Meet with your photographer to specify the formal shots you want taken of the bridal party and family, as well as specific candid shots you'd like taken during the reception.
-Make arrangements for flower preservations of your bouquet.
-Review plans for your video with your videographer.
-Pick up your wedding rings and check engraving.

2 Weeks before your wedding:
-Start packing for your honeymoon; don't forget those golf clubs, skis, sunblock, swimsuits, and other special items required for your destination.
-Wrap gifts for your attendants and groomsmen and for each other.
-Make that one last check with your vendors: officiant, musicians, florist, caterer, reception site, transportation providers, prenuptial dinner site, baker, etc.
-Have checks written for all vendors to hand out at the appropriate time.
-Check with hotel to make sure all of the out-of-town guests arrangements are secured.
-Ask a friend or family member to arrange wedding gifts that may be brought to the ceremony and/or reception site, and to then transport them to your home.
-Contact any guests that did not respond to your invitation.

1 Week before your wedding:
-Inform your caterer of the final guest count.
-Make final seating changes to your seating charts and make sure there is a place card for everyone.
-Wear your wedding shoes at home every evening to make sure they are comfortable on your wedding day. Check the bottom of the shoe and if it's smooth, rough it up with a little sandpaper to make sure you don't trip.
-Pick up your dress.
-Host your attendants' luncheon or party.
-Finalize your honeymoon packing.
-Make appointments for a facial, body wrap and any other special beauty treatments.
-Review the timetable for your wedding day.
-Make up a basket of personal items for the ladies washroom in case your guests need anything on the day of your wedding. Be sure to include breath mints, dental floss, safety pins, a small sewing kit, hair spray, mouthwash with small paper cups, sanitary items, aspirin, hand cream, antacid tablets, and any other small items needed in case of an emergency. You may also want to put something together for the men's room: include a shoe shine towel, antacid tablets, aspirin, safety pins, mouthwash with small paper cups, dental floss, breath mints, and any other items that will assure their comfort and convenience.

The Day before your wedding:
-Have a family member or friend take any imprinted items, i.e. towels for the washrooms, matches, and napkins to the reception site along with the emergency baskets for the washrooms.
-Relax, is the order of the day, enjoy a massage, a manicure and pedicure.
-Attend the rehearsal.
-Attend the prenuptial dinner, be ready to greet your guests with a big smile, and have fun!
-Turn in early to get a good night's sleep!

Your Wedding Day:
-Allow plenty of time to have your hair and make up done.
-Allow time for any photos before the ceremony.
-Make time to have a nice chat with your parents before the ceremony.
-Dress for your wedding. If you are able to dress at the ceremony site do so, but be sure to give yourself plenty of time. This is a day you don't want to rush.
-Relax, and remember: This is your special day, the result of your careful planning. Take a deep breath and savor every moment. Refuse to let any glitches get to you. Let your joy and happiness shine through.