Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Wedding Planning & Advice Wedding Checklists & Timeline The Ultimate 30-Day Wedding Countdown By Jaime Buerger Jaime Buerger Jaime is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 27, 2018 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Laura Murray A comprehensive checklist for the last month before your wedding. 01 of 29 Laura Murray It's easy to feel overwhelmed the closer you get to your day. The more you want to relax, the more the responsibilities mound on. There are dresses to be fitted, shoes to break in, and rings to pick up. Welcome bags, favors, and seating lists need to be made. And before you jet off to the honeymoon, night-of bags should be packed, wedding party gifts should be delivered, and cards from guests should be collected. Don't fret! Luckily, we're here to help, with expert advice on how to push through the final stretch of wedding planning. From arranging the rehearsal dinner to keeping tabs on your vendors, we've covered everything you need to know to be fully prepared before the wedding date. So keep calm and marry on with this common-sense checklist for the last month before "I do." You want to give your VIPS plenty of notice so they can clear their schedules. The Etiquette of Wedding Rehearsal Dinners 02 of 29 Four Weeks Out: Write Vows Weddings by Sasha Allow yourself time to write from the heart. Things will only get busier from here, and your ceremony isn't the moment to speak on the fly. What You Need to Know About Writing Your Wedding Vows 03 of 29 Four Weeks Out: Deliver Playlists Elizabeth Messina Photography A band may need to learn your first-dance songs and any special requests. While you're at it, share any do-not-play or must-play songs with your DJ. 100 Top Wedding Songs for the Party Playlist of Your Dreams 04 of 29 Four Weeks Out: Buy Attendant and Parent Gifts Christina Holmes It's not a must, but giving your supporting cast a token of appreciation is always a good move. Our Best Wedding Party Gift Ideas 05 of 29 Three Weeks Out: Nail Down Ceremony Discuss the details of the service with your officiant. Also, make sure the people doing the readings have a copy of the text so they can practice. The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Checklist 06 of 29 Three Weeks Out: Buy (or Make) Guest Book Jose Villa Don't forget to pick up pens, too. (We love the color options from Marvy Uchida LePen.) Super Creative DIY Guest Book Ideas 07 of 29 Three Weeks Out: Contact Outstanding RSVPs Elizabeth Messina Photography Phone or email invitees who missed the deadline; you'll need this info to pass on to your caterer and to devise a seating chart for the reception. 08 of 29 Three Weeks Out: Apply for Marriage License BernardaSv/Getty State laws differ, but typically a license is valid for at least 30 days; check usmarriagelaws.com to find the requirements for yours. 09 of 29 Three Weeks Out: Prepare a Day-of Shot List Aneta Mak Be sure to ID who's who in your families and the wedding party so your photographer and videographer know whom to capture. 10 of 29 Three Weeks Out: Finalize Day-of Printed Pieces Q Weddings Print ceremony programs, escort and place cards, menus, signature-drink signs, and the like (or commision someone else to do it). Amazing Wedding Program Ideas 11 of 29 Two Weeks Out: Create Seating Chart Pablo Béglez Make life easier by managing seating assignments online; try allseated.com. 12 of 29 Two Weeks Out: Put Together Welcome Bags Jose Villa Care packages for out-of-town guests can be simple or elaborate. Be sure to include a schedule of events. Welcome Bags We Love 13 of 29 Two Weeks Out: Make Favors Get them ready now unless you're giving edible wedding favors; those should wait until a day or two before the wedding. Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Favors 14 of 29 Two Weeks Out: Attend Final Dress Fitting Trent Bailey Photography Think of this as a dress rehearsal, and bring along your veil, accessories, shoes, and day-of undergarments. How to Get the Most Out of Your Wedding Dress Fitting 15 of 29 Two Weeks Out: Break-In Shoes Practice wearing your kicks around the house for a few hours at a time. Expert Tips for Walking in Heels 16 of 29 Two Weeks Out: Get Hair Cut and Colored Leo Patrone Photography Book this early enough that your hair can settle into its new shape, but not so early that roots have time to grow out. Beauty Treatments to Skip Before Your Wedding 17 of 29 One Week Out: Pick Up Your Dress Bryan Gardner Keep it on a padded hanger in a breathable muslin garment bag. The Art of Traveling with Your Wedding Dress 18 of 29 One Week Out: Pick Up Wedding Bands Corbin Gurkin And then promptly hand them off to your best man for safekeeping. A Guide to Caring for Your Engagement and Wedding Rings 19 of 29 One Week Out: Get a Spray Tan Mei Tao If you need some extra color, do this 48 hours before donning your dress to avoid stains. (We also suggest a test run a month ahead). How to Self-Tan—and Still Wear a White Dress! 20 of 29 One Week Out: Confirm Day-of Timeline With Vendors And provide directions to any transportation you've booked. Your Vendor Etiquette Questions Answered 21 of 29 One Week Out: Give Final Head Count to Caterer Caterers have their own guidelines, but most will need the exact number about three days out. Things Your Caterer Wished You Knew 22 of 29 One Week Out: Drop Off Welcome Bags Kirsten Ellis Leave them with the hotel's concierge. There may be a fee (around $7 per bag) to deliver them to guests' rooms; you might avoid the charge if desk clerks hand them out as guests check in. Hidden Costs to Watch Out for When Planning Your Wedding 23 of 29 One Week Out: Gather All Extras for Your Venue Give your coordinator any favors, place cards, cake servers, toasting glasses, and whatever else has been in your charge up to now. Things You Didn't Know You Needed on Your Wedding Day 24 of 29 The Day Before: Assign Someone to Collect Gifts/Cards Walter B. McKenzie Designating a point person before your wedding means no present will be left behind. A Guide to Your Wedding Gift Table 25 of 29 The Day Before: Give Itineraries to Wedding Party Corbin Gurkin This extra step is well worth it to ensure everyone is where they need to be at the right time. 26 of 29 The Day Before: Go for a Mani-Pedi Bryan Gardner It's a smart idea to buy the polishes, too, for any last-minute fixes. Flattering Nail Polishes 27 of 29 The Day Before: Pack a Wedding-Night Bag And ask a friend or attendant to make sure it gets to the right place. 28 of 29 The Day Before: Prepare Tips for Vendors Check contacts to see if gratuities are included; if not, place each tip in a marked envelope, and enlist your MOH or best man to deliver them. Helpful Tips for Tipping Wedding Vendors 29 of 29 The Day Before: Get Your Beauty Sleep A well-rested bride is a beautiful and happy bride. Beauty Products That Work While You Sleep Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit