• A year or more in advance: Set the date, determine the budget and who is paying, approximate the number of guests, pick a location, meet with an officiant or clergy member, select attendants and research vendors (e.g., florists, photographers and musicians).
• Nine to 12 months in advance: Order the bride's gown, shop for bridesmaid dresses, hire vendors, pick wedding attendants and assemble the list of guests along with their mailing information.
• Six to nine months in advance: Order bridesmaid dresses, rent or buy attire for the groom and ushers, shop for a mother-of-the bride dress, order invitations, schedule the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, make hotel reservations and attend religious counseling (if required).
• Three to six months in advance: Address invitations, order wedding rings, meet with the ceremony officiant and finalize the rehearsal dinner arrangements.
• One to three months in advance: Mail invitations, do final wardrobe fittings and obtain a marriage license.
• One week before: Confirm rehearsal and rehearsal dinner plans, finalize special ceremony seating arrangements and review duties with wedding attendants.
  

Planning many aspects of the wedding simultaneously will keep the couple on track and under budget. Choosing the location, professional services, attendants and attire are some of the bigger decisions. Organizing the rehearsal, selecting the rehearsal dinner site and ordering invitations are also essential planning decisions.