Summer Brides: Here's Where You Should Be on Your Wedding To-Do List

Wedding checklists abound, but keeping on top of yours can be hard when you're dealing with other stuff like, you know, having a well-rounded life that involves hanging with friends and doing things other than obsessing over floral arrangements.
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By Leah Melby, Glamour

2015-04-22-1429718301-4463998-weddingcake.jpg
(Photo: Wendell Webber)

Whatever girl first uttered that planning a wedding was like having a second job, sister got it right. The process is exhilarating and exciting but time-consuming for sure. Wedding checklists abound, but keeping on top of yours can be hard when you're dealing with other stuff like, you know, having a well-rounded life that involves hanging with friends and doing things other than obsessing over floral arrangements.

To help, we're breaking it down with the ultimate cheat sheet. Summer brides, see what you should be doing right about now.

If you're getting married in May...
--Finish up organizing and tallying your RSVPs. If there's anyone you still haven't heard from, reach out directly.
--Confirm the time your hair and makeup will be arriving.
--Go ahead and get your marriage license. If you're having a destination wedding, double-check all the information you'll need to have with you and any pertinent deadlines.
--Handle seating assignments.
--Cut and color your hair if desired.
--Purchase gifts for your bridesmaids and parents (and help your guy out with items for groomsmen if he needs it).
--Sketch out a day-of schedule for yourself. What time do you want to wake up? How much time, realistically, do you want to be calm and peaceful before your busy day starts?
--If you don't want to spend the night before with your partner, figure out where you'll both be sleeping.
--Order any food you'll need in the bridal suite to nosh on while getting ready.

If you're getting married in June...
--Touch base with all your vendors to make sure you're on the same page. Share inspiration photos or a shot list with your photographer; go over must-play songs with the band or DJ.
--Submit information for newspaper announcements.
--If you're going to be making any crafty, DIY items, get the majority of them glued, glittered, and finished now.

If you're getting married in July...
--Finalize your menu, the order of your ceremony, and readings you're doing. Decide who you'd like to ask for the latter and see if they're up to be a part of your big day.
--Send a first draft of your day-of schedule to the vendors.
--Order programs and menus. If you'll be creating and printing them yourself, purchase the paper you need and find a local print shop that can handle the job.
--Purchase wedding bands.
--Schedule a wedding dress fitting (likely your second). Decide what sort of undergarments you want to wear and purchase them.

If you're getting married in August...
--Decide on and book locations for a rehearsal dinner and the rehearsal.
--Start the music conversation: What would you guys like as a first-dance song? Any crowd-favorites you definitely want played? Things you do not want to hear?
--Do hair and makeup tests to find the right person for the big day.

Any summer brides out there? How are you feeling? Any planning conundrums you're facing?

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