Read over, print out, use as a guide to help plan a wedding.
WEDDING CHECK LIST
12 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
Tell families you want to get married. Then have them meet each other. | |
Fully discuss type wedding, elopement, formal wedding, big, small, destination, etc.. | |
Think budget! Discuss what is important and how much to spend on things.. | |
Discuss with family who pays for what. | |
Create a wedding organizer (Binder, files, book). Use it to store all your information, contracts, ideas, photos, etc. | |
Speak with your clergy/officiant to learn what is expected and what to get done. Book facility and officiant if ready. | |
Visit wedding sites. Book if ready. Church, hall, hotel, home, get ideas off web. | |
For large wedding consider a wedding planner and talk with several to see who you can work with. |
9 TO 11 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
Line up, interview, and visit wedding service providers. | |
Photographer | |
Videographer | |
Caterer or Restaurant | |
Officiant, Clergy if not already booked. | |
Florist, decorations, chairs | |
Contact ones you like, book them, get written agreement, many of these vendors can be booked up to a year in advance. | |
Develop your preliminary guest list. Base it on wedding size. Talk with family about who must be there. | |
Use web to get wedding ideas, style, type, colors, destination. | |
Finalize plans with family and friends who are helping. | |
Pick and list attendants (bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, flower girl and ring bear) . Notify them of selection and what is expected of them. | |
Select your wedding rings. | |
Begin looking at honeymoon, use web to find a nice place. | |
Consider and get wardrobe, gown, tux, dresses. |
6 TO 8 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
Start planning ceremony and reception music choices. | |
Purchase your wedding gown,and accessories. | |
If you are having a prenuptial agreement, take care of that now. | |
Discuss ceremony with officiant, civil, religious, poems. | |
Start pre-marriage counceling (if required) | |
Start looking at invitations. | |
Sign up for your gift registry | |
Send save-the-date cards/newsletter |
4 TO 5 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
Work with your florist on decorations. | |
Place wedding announcement in local newspaper | |
Order wedding stationary (invitations, envelopes, programs, etc.) | |
Start shopping for bridal party tuxedos | |
Book limo/transportation | |
Start planning the wedding decorations | |
Select hotel. Arrange accommodations for out of town guests, if necessary. | |
Select wedding cake (and Groom's cake if you are having one) | |
Start making arrangement for rehearsal and rehearsal dinner | |
Book anyone not already booked. Get agreements. | |
Decide on wedding favors and gifts for family attendants. | |
If you decided not to use a Wedding Coordinator, consider asking a close friend not in the wedding party to be your Wedding Coordinator/Personal Assistant. |
3 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
Order your wedding cake and groom's cake | |
Meet with your officiant to discuss details of the ceremony | |
Finalize the guest list | |
Reconfirm the rehearsal dinner plans | |
Buy the cake knife, guest book, toasting glasses and garter | |
Choose gifts for your attendants, parents, helpers. | |
Have the male members of the wedding party, including fathers, fitted for tuxedos. | |
Reconfirm honeymoon arrangements. | |
Start writing your wedding vows, if you are doing them yourself. | |
Start addressing the invitations (or drop them off with calligrapher) |
2 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
Send out invitations | |
Schedule a hair and make up consultation to do a trial run. | |
Start making/buying wedding favors | |
Obtain wedding license | |
Schedule your first wedding dress fitting. | |
Write thank you notes for any gifts that may start arriving. | |
If you are having one, begin putting together your ceremony program. | |
Meet with vendors (caterer, florists, etc.) to finalize arrangements. | |
If you are changing your name, complete the proper documents. | |
Finalize music selections for the ceremony and reception and turn them in to the DJ/Band/etc. | |
Have formal wedding portrait taken. | |
Finalize music selections for the ceremony and reception and turn them in to the DJ/Band/etc. | |
Meet with your officiant to finalize ceremony details. | |
Reserve room for wedding night. |
1 MONTH BEFORE THE WEDDING
Confirm honeymoon your reservations. | |
Meet with photographer and/or videographer to discuss last minute details. | |
Start working on the reception seating chart. | |
Have final wedding gown fitting. | |
Arrange for a reception babysitter, if needed. | |
Finish (and print) the wedding program. | |
Finalize wedding vows | |
Confirm all final payment amounts with your vendors as well as date, time, etc. | |
Pick up marriage license. Be sure to have needed documents and cash for the license. |
2 WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING
Finalize reception seating chart. | |
Confirm delivery time and locations with florist. | |
Contact any guests who did not respond to the invitation. |
1 WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING
Pick up wedding gown, attendants' gowns and all accessories. | |
Give final guest count to reception venue/caterer. | |
Reconfirm everything with vendors one last time. | |
Make sure men get their final fitting for their tuxedos. |
1 DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING
Attend rehearsal. | |
Attend rehearsal dinner. Give attendants their gifts. | |
Have a manicure and/or a pedicure. | |
Put together the tip envelopes (for the vendors) and give them to the designated "tip person" - generally the best man. | |
Confirm wedding day transportation. | |
Confirm hair and make up appointments. | |
If you have access to the ceremony and/or reception venues, bring everything over there that you may need (decorations, guest book, etc). | |
Layout everything you need for the next day in a safe place (marriage license, dress, shoes, etc.). | |
Speak with everyone in the wedding party and make sure everyone knows where to be at what time. Give them a list or program with times and places. | |
Try to go to bed early, rest up the day before. |
YOUR WEDDING DAY
Relax, and eat. Stay calm. | |
Share a private moment with your fiance. | |
Have your hair and makeup done. | |
Give the best man the groom's ring and marriage license. He can give them when needed to officiant. | |
Begin dressing two hours before ceremony is scheduled to begin. | |
Spend time with parents before you go down aisle.. |