Planning a successful wedding requires careful planning. We have created timeline for some of the most important elements of your wedding planning process. 1 year before your wedding day (or anytime after your engagement) ? Announce your engagement ? Determine the wedding date ? The bride and groom should introduce the parents, if they haven't already met ? Set your budget ? Hire the wedding planner ? Research possible reception sites ? Make a rough draft of the guest list ? Join a fitness club if you aren't already a member at one. Planning and going through your wedding is going to be a lot of fun, but you will need to be in good shape to handle the demands of the wedding planning process. ? Research your bridal shower favors and wedding favors 6-9 months before ? Decide on your caterer ? Hunt for your wedding gown ? Select your wedding party ? Book a DJ or a band ? Sign up with a bridal gift registry ? Shop for the bridal attendants' dresses ? Choose a florist ? Hire a photographer and a videographer 4-6 months before ? Finalize your wedding guest list ? Search for a hotel for your out of town guests ? Order your wedding invitations ? Purchase your wedding gown ? Call the bakeries or cake decorators in your area to check for date availability. ? Make travel arrangements for your honeymoon 2-4 months before ? Order your wedding favors ? Shop for your wedding bands ? Find out about your state's marriage license procedures ? Reserve or purchase the tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen ? If required by your state, get a blood test ? Finalize your wedding reception menu with your caterer ? Order you wedding cake ? Contact your ceremony site about your ceremony music ? Make arrangements about your reception music (DJ or band) ? Organize the rehearsal dinner ? Reserve tables and other necessary items with a party rental company 1-2 months before ? Run a complete test of your wedding makeup and hairdo. Invite some friends with you. ? Mail or deliver the wedding invitations 1-3 weeks before ? Complete the final seating chart for the wedding reception ? Contact photographer with the details of the ceremony and reception sites ? Provide your reception venue with a final head count based on the RSVPs received ? If necessary, make final adjustments to your wedding gown ? Facials should be booked for the bride, groom and bridesmaids ? Get your luggage ready for the honeymoon ? Your bridesmaid or a reliable friend should make sure the following items are promptly delivered: Toasting glasses, Band-Aids, Nail clippers, Cake knife, Emergency sewing kit Last minute ? Most importantly, relax. This is supposed to be a fun experience. ? You are about to experience one of the best days of your life. ? Welcome your out-of-town guests ? To help you relax, do some light physical exercise ? Have your hairstylist and makeup artist do their magic on you ? Keep smiling, it's your special day!