Congratulations!

You're getting married! If you are planning a formal wedding, and even if you're not, these helpful guidelines, will take you step-by-step through the process.

9 to 12 MONTHS

Announce your engagement.
Create a wedding budget based on the style, scale, setting and degree of formality of the wedding you want.
Determine how wedding expenses will be shared, based on how much each couple will be contributing and how much each set of parents will be contributing.

Set the date, time and location for the wedding and reception. (Be prepared for a possible compromise. If the date is critically important, you may have to settle for a second-choice location. If location is more meaningful, keep an open mind about the date.) Remember that reception venues increase their prices and tend to book early around major holidays. Also keep in mind that the summer months (June, July, August, and September) are popular good-weather months. Outdoor spots during these months book quickly, sometimes as much as two years in advance. Plan and book your location early.

Once reception venues are reserved, sign a contract and send the deposit. If you have chosen an outdoor venue, you need to select a caterer that will accommodate outdoor dining, including proper refrigeration for the food.
Consider and research any ethnic or cultural traditions you'd like to incorporate into your ceremony.
Select color scheme.
Select wedding attendants and determine dress measurements.
Begin shopping for your gown and the attendants' dresses.
Ask your dressmaker to recommend the best undergarments ( bustier, stockings, panties, etc.) for your gown.
Select dress, headpiece and accessories. Schedule fittings and delivery date.
Hire a wedding coordinator, if you wish to do so.

6 to 9 MONTHS

Decide on the number of guests. Start compiling a list including addresses, phone numbers and emails, and ask both sets of parents to do the same.

Book the photographer, band / Dj, videographer and any decorators or designers you are using.

Book the florist. Consider Austin's flora abundance in spring, summer and early fall. To cut down on cost, use indigenous, seasonal flowers.
Interview pastry chefs and sample cakes. Choose cake design. Sign contract and send deposit.
Choose an officiate.
Select music for ceremony and reception. Begin a list of favorite music and songs to request from your band or DJ.


Arrange hotel accommodations and transportation for out-of-town guests. Send your guests information packets that include "save the date" cards with hotel, car rental, listings of local attractions and other visitor information. Call local hotels to find ones that offer discounts when blocks of rooms are reserved.

Interview and book potential caterers. Discuss price-per-guest estimates. Finalize contract once the guest list is completed and plan the menu.
Order any beverages not included in caterer's contract.
Select and order favors for guests.
Accompany the groom to a formal wear store or tailor. After the groom has chosen his attire, he should encourage the ushers and groomsmen to get fitted as soon as possible.
Begin maintaining a record of gifts for thank you notes.

Make arrangements for keeping children and/or pets occupied and supervised.

Verify that facilities are wheelchair accessible, if necessary.
If planning an outdoor wedding, prepare for the unexpected: wind, rain, snow, (this is Texas!) and cold. Get estimates from a rental company or ask caterer to do so. Reserve tents, waterproof furniture, heat lamps, fans, umbrellas, chairs, etc.


4 to 6 MONTHS

Order your invitations, matchbooks, napkins, programs, etc.
Choose your wedding rings. (A growing trend: "Surprising" the groom with your choice for his ring or choosing his ring from several that you know he likes. Isn't this what he did when you got engaged?)
Talk with both sets of parents to find out if you should reserve hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.
Ask your mother to shop for her dress. After she's bought her outfit, the groom's mother can choose her attire.

Arrange a time for and begin planning the wedding rehearsal.

Meet with a travel agent to plan the honeymoon. If traveling internationally, make sure birth certificates, vaccinations, passport, visas and traveler's checks are in order. Here's an extremely helpful link

Book wedding-night accommodations and transportation for the two of you. Some hotels offer wedding night accommodations if the reception is held at the hotel.

Call and confirm your order of bridal attire.

If you plan on taking your spouse's last name, update personal and financial records (driver's license, insurance, photo identification, social security card, passport, visas credit card, department store accounts, checking, savings, IRA accounts, business cards, personal letterheads). If traveling internationally, make sure your name on your passport matches the name on your ticket. This will cause havoc in customs.

2 to 4 MONTHS

If you plan on having a wedding shower, discuss dates and themes with maid of honor and best man.

Register for wedding gifts and include an announcement of your registry sites in your wedding shower invitations.
Book a final dress fitting. Have alterations completed on attendant's dresses.
Break in your shoes by wearing them around the house. Try on all of the accessories to be sure that everything "works."

Consult with florist, photographer, DJ, band, etc. to confirm contracts and be sure communication is clear and requests are understood.

If not working with coordinator, choose a special friend to handle the details-often the maid of honor for the bride and the best man for the groom. Duties include paying the vendors and ensuring guests are happy and well-cared for. Stay in close touch with this friend throughout the wedding plans-he or she will help orchestrate the day's events and make sure they flow as planned.

Go to the local ( Travis ) County office to apply for a marriage license or call (512) 854-9188 to receive an application by fax or mail

6 to 8 WEEKS

Mail the invitations. Include a map and travel and accommodation information.

Finalize the details of the rehearsal dinner.

Confirm hotel reservations for out-of-town guests and your own wedding night.
Confirm honeymoon travel plans.
Start delegating smaller tasks to your maid of honor or attendants if you don't have coordinator, such as picking up candles, clear nail polish, ribbon, balloons and emergency sewing kits.
Make appointments for hair, manicure and make-up. (Include at least one pre-wedding day appointment to "rehearse" your make-up and hairstyle.)

Shop for attendant's gifts. Ask the groom to shop for groomsmen's gifts. Great gift ideas: matching jewelry sets, personalized stationery or photo frames or a relaxing day in the salon or spa.

Begin addressing invitations. Have one weighed at the post office to ensure proper postage.

Set aside one day for personal pampering. Take a day off from work, get a massage or go to a coffeehouse. Relax-it may be the last time for a while that you can do so.

Shop for welcome gifts for out-of-town guests. Include a list of things to do and see in Austin or the Hill Country, in case visitors have allowed free time to explore.

Gather friends and family to help decide on and/or make accessories, such as party favors, ring pillow, toasting goblets, cake knives and servers, garter and candles.

Double-check all your contracts. When are payments due? Have all requirements and agreements been met?

If at all possible, indulge in a weekend getaway with your fiancé. Stay in a B&B. Watch the leaves change/snow fall/ (or the Austin bats fly?) sun shine. Frolic. Remember why you want to spend the rest of your life with this person. Don't fret about the wedding.

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