Thursday, December 22, 2011

Wedding Planning Check List



                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..



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