Countdown to your wedding: The to-do list

Here's our breakdown of approximately when you're supposed to do what between now and your big day. Remember, each wedding plan is different -- so use this as a guideline to make your own customised checklist to stay on top of all your wedding to-dos.

Six months prior (or as soon as you know you're getting married!)

Take the time to map out your dream wedding vision.

Tackle the building blocks of wedding planning decisions -- make your budget, pick your wedding date and draw up your guest list. Consider your pre-wedding parties at this time as well (if you're having any).

Decide if you're going to hire a wedding planner, and if so, hire one quickly so they can jump in to help right away.

Decide if you want to have a destination wedding -- since that will impact all of the other decisions to come.

Send out 'save the date' notices to any out-of-town guests who might need extra notice to make it to your events.

Make your plan for eating healthy, exercising and getting proper sleep to help you look your best for the wedding.

Start shopping for your trousseau and wedding outfits. Note that designer couture can take three to six months to execute. You can wait a few months if you're planning to buy readymade and won't feel the need to check out every store in town (or make shopping trips in multiple towns). But either way, you'll need two or three fittings per outfit to get alternations just right -- plus time to pick out the perfect jewellery, footwear and lingerie to match each ensemble.

Reserve hotel rooms or guest house accommodation for your out-of-town guests.

Five months prior

Find the priest (if applicable).

Research and book the vendors you'll need for each wedding event: venue, caterers, decorators/florists, stationery, designer/printer and DJ/band (you can start researching your photographer/video man, choreographer and mehendi artist as well, though you won't need to book them right away). If possible, you and each vendor should sign a contract and you might need to put down a deposit.

Four months prior

Meet with each of the vendors you've booked and make a plan for what needs to happen between now and the wedding. Create deadlines for both you and them in terms of when decisions have to be made, samples viewed and approved, and meetings held.

Three months prior

Begin shopping for gifts to exchange with the groom and his family at the wedding.

Work with your priest to plan an event flow for your wedding ceremony, including a list of all the gear you'll need to bring for the rites. Organise a document that explains the wedding day timeline for you, the groom and close relatives. You can use the same information to create a programme for your guests.

Two months prior

Have your first fittings with your tailor for all of your wedding outfits.

Order any jewellery you're having custom-made, as it takes at minimum a fortnight to produce.

Hire a stylist to do your hair and make-up on your wedding day (and for any other events as well). Schedule a trial to make sure you're happy with the look in advance.

Book a mehendi artist to do your henna at your mehendiparty. Ask for a trial if you've never seen their work before and can't get a good feel from their portfolio.

Book a DJ for any events that call for music.

Book a choreographer to bring dancers to one of your events, or if you want help learning a family dance for the sangeet, or a special first dance to perform with your groom. If you're the ones who'll be doing the dancing, make a schedule for rehearsals leading up to the performance.

Give your Notice of Intended Marriage in writing to the Marriage Officer in the district where you or your groom have been living for at least 30 days. If there are no objections to your union, you'll come back 30 days later with three witnesses to solemnise your marriage.

Six weeks prior

This is the latest you should make any drastic haircuts or try skin-brightening or polishing treatments (if your dermatologist recommends them). You don't want to do anything closer to your wedding day if you're not positive about how it will turn out.

Deliver your wedding cards to all of your guests 3-6 weeks before the wedding.

One month prior

Create your wish-list of gifts to share with your families, so they're prepared with good answers if anyone asks what you'd like as a wedding gift.

Your sisters or girlfriends may throw you a hen party or bridal shower this month. If so, enjoy, be a good sport and be sure to thank everyone.

Book you photographer/video man. Make sure they understand the schedule of events for your wedding, the shooting style you're looking for and who and what you want them to focus on.

Return this month to the Marriage Office with three witnesses to solemnise your marriage.

Confirm and approve any favours you're having a vendor produce to give away at your parties.

Three weeks prior

Check back with all of your vendors to remind them about your wedding plans and make any final preparations.

Two weeks prior

Have your final fittings for your wedding outfits. Your tailor should quickly make any last-minute small tweaks and then send you home with each masterpiece.

Confirm the number of out-of-town guests you have coming and make sure you have enough rooms to accommodate them. You may have to contact a few who are slow to respond to your invitation.

Meet your mehendi artist to go over the plan for your henna application.

Meet your DJ to set your plan for what he's going to play at your bash

One week prior

Start welcoming your out-of-town guests as they arrive. Make sure that have an itinerary of all the planned events and that a member of your extended family or friends circle can serve as a point of contact on call to help anyone who needs assistance.

Get all the parlour essentials out the way: facial, waxing, threading, bridal massage. Manicures/ pedicures can be done now if you're not going to be doing any work that can lead to chipping. Or move these appointments closer to the date of your first function. Indulge in a spa treatment or two as well. Though be careful not to try anything for the first time that could cause a rash or breakout on your face.

On the big day!

Hair and make-up: get help from a trusted parlour, or do them yourself.

Have a blast at your wedding!

Post-wedding

Enjoy your honeymoon.

Settle into your new home.

Send thank you notes.

Change your name and all documents/ pieces of identification that use your maiden name.

Organise your wedding photos and video and share them with family and friends.