Marriage is one of the oldest rituals of humanity. And, as with every rite of passage, it is a very significant time, not just for those directly involved - in this case the bride and groom - but for everyone that accompanies the event - parents, relatives, and friends. Depending on the religion and customs of each country, the tradition unfolds according to a specific rule of etiquette.

Checklist - For a Perfect Ending - From the Engagement to the Altar

Regardless of your faith, remember that it is these rites of passage that give life significance. The wedding lasts for a few hours - but the memory will last forever. In order for everything to turn out perfectly, it is advisable to start the preparations one year in advance, so that you can in fact plan everything just the way you want it, starting with the date at the church and reception hall that must be reserved this far in advance. If you don't have this much time left, hurry to complete the checklist steps - a guarantee that no detail will be forgotten.
The wedding ceremony and reception involve an immense amount of items to be organized. For this reason, it is a good idea to follow the schedule below. Complete with every minute detail, this checklist will help you to plan this very special occasion.
Haste is an enemy to perfection.

One year before

  • Choose the wedding date
  • Begin to think about the type of reception you would like to have
  • Reserve the church
  • Set your budget
  • Start a file - a file folder or box - to keep all wedding paperwork in one place
  • Start to make a list of main vendors (photographers, musicians, florists, car rental agencies, hairdressers, etc.) whose work you would like to become acquainted with

Eight months before

  • Contract a wedding consultant
  • Define the type of reception and reserve the hall
  • Start the guest list
  • Choose the attendant couples, ring bearer and flower girl
  • Start planning the honeymoon, researching interesting destinations
  • Start shopping for dresses
  • Visit the main vendors and discuss ceremony options, this will give you a better idea of how to work with your budget

Six months before

  • Invite the wedding attendants
  • Decide on the wedding dress designer, choose the style and fabric
  • Define the reception menu and beverages

Five months before

  • Order the headpiece and flower bouquets (bride and bridesmaids)
  • Contract the photographer and videographer
  • Contract the choir or musicians for the religious ceremony and the DJ for the reception
  • Contract the church and reception decoration company
  • Start assembling the trousseau or purchase the missing items

Four months before

  • Finalize the guest list
  • Order the wedding invitations
  • Contract the calligrapher to address the envelopes
  • Go shopping with the groom to select and purchase the wedding rings
  • Decide on the outfits for the groom, female and male attendants, ring bearer and flower girl
  • Define the destination and reserve the honeymoon trip
  • Contract the parking attendants and security, if required
  • Select and invite the friends and relatives to make readings or speeches at the ceremony and reception
  • Grooms: decide where to purchase or rent outfits
  • Decide which friend will host the bar or kitchen shower

Three months before

  • Send invitations to calligrapher
  • Order sweets and cake
  • Make appointment with hair stylist or reserve a day for the bride package
  • Make appointments for trial run hair and make-up styles
  • Schedule the date and location of the civil ceremony and confirm the required documents
  • Start to pay more attention to personal care: diet, sleeping and exercise routines, everything to be your best on the wedding day

Two months before

  • Send the invitations
  • Contract a car to take you to the wedding, if required
  • Schedule a taste test of the food that will be served at the reception
  • Finalize the gift list for the wedding and bar or kitchen shower and register with at least two stores
  • Reserve lodging for out-of-town guests

One month before

  • Buy all accessories for your dress: shoes, lingerie, pantyhose...
  • Select and purchase negligee and lingerie for the wedding night
  • Schedule the bar or kitchen shower
  • Verify all required travel documents
  • Define the soundtrack for the religious ceremony with the choir or musicians
  • Meet with the DJ to select the reception music
  • Make reservations for the wedding night

One week before

  • Confirm all contracted services
  • Have final dress fitting, schedule final trial run for hairstyle and make-up
  • Confirm tickets and hotel reservations for the honeymoon
  • Go grocery shopping to buy a few items for your new home
  • Call guests that have not yet sent their RSVP
  • Groom: have hair cut
  • Pack for the honeymoon
  • Separate all required documents for the trip

Two days before

  • Wax your legs and have a pedicure
  • Pick up wedding dress
  • Break in wedding shoes
  • Set aside some time to relax, perhaps schedule a sauna and massage