Wedding Checklist: 5 items to focus on that will free your mind in those last few months before the "Big Day" Item #1: Getting the word out (2 months out) Mail your wedding invitations. Whether or not you mailed Save the Dates, now is the time to send invites to your guest list (this gives them plenty of time to RSVP and make travel arrangements). Send wedding announcements. Plan to announce this special occasion in your local newspaper? Now is the time. Most, if not all, will do this at no cost. These are great pieces of memorabilia for your wedding album! Item #2: Rehearsal Venues (3-4 months out) Schedule your wedding rehearsal. Believe it or not, a large number of brides do not think to block off a time for their rehearsal until the last minute. Do this now and let your wedding party know ahead of time so they can make their travel arrangements without any surprises! Book your rehearsal dinner. Another item that commonly sits patiently in the back seat. Food for thought: many reception venues have rehearsal dinner packages available, at a lower price point than the reception. Think of customizing a more relaxed or even themed menu for this dinner (Fajitas, anyone?) Using a sister property or another of the wedding venue’s suggestions can cut costs and make your experience a much easier one. Ask your wedding venue for suggestions and ideas on where to hold your rehearsal dinner. Start thinking about who is invited to the rehearsal dinner. Do you want your bridal party only? Or will you extend an invitation to close friends and family outside of the bridal party? Send out invitations or keep it simple and send out an evite invitation to let everyone know the details once you’ve booked a venue. Item #3: Vendors (6 weeks-2 months out) Meet with your Officiant. Discuss your wedding ceremony and any details that are important for them to remember. Inform him/her of the date and time of your rehearsal once it is booked. Touch base with your photographer. Make them aware of certain moments or shots that are important to you. Have they visited the venue before? If so, can they show you some examples of work they have done at the site? Is there a landmark nearby that you'd like in a frame or two? These are all things to consider when creating your list of "must have" shots. Discuss/finalize your wedding menu with your caterer. There is no doubt that you've reviewed the menu options a handful of times by now, but have you communicated your selections? Are there any guests/kids that require special menus? Feel free to ask questions of how a particular item has gone over with crowds in the past, or if there are any top sellers that you shouldn't go without. Item #4: Marriage License (2-3 months out) Do you plan to change your name? If so, complete and submit these documents at least two months in advance. Does your state require blood tests for a marriage license? Go ahead and make these appointments now, allowing plenty of time for results and further steps that may come later in the licensing process. Item #5: YOU! (This one is up to you, but I recommend starting around 3 months out) Doing your own hair and makeup? Start trying out hairstyles and purchase any extra makeup you will need. What a great excuse to stock up a few bottles of wine and invite the bridesmaids over for a makeover party! If you plan to have your hair and makeup done (perhaps the makeover party didn't turn out like the pictures you found online?), book the hairstylist and makeup artist now. Meet with each of them to experiment with styles and colors. Figure out all of your accessories (veil, shoes, jewelry, clutch) and your “something old, new, borrowed and blue”. Do you want to take a shopping trip to get your accessories or are their family heirlooms you’d like to borrow for the big day? Start thinking about these items so you can bring them with you to your final dress fitting. Above all else, RELAX! As hectic as things may be, enjoy them. This day will come and go quickly, so close your eyes, take a deep breath, and enjoy the ride!