Wedding Checklist

NINE MONTHS AND EARLIER

  • Choose a date.
  • Announce your engagement. Send photo and announcements to your hometown newspaper.
  • Decide what type of wedding you want.
  • Create a wedding folder.
  • Make a budget.
  • Create a calendar of important dates.
  • Start, and organize, your guest list.
    Ask family and friends to help you make sure that you don’t forget anyone.
  • Choose your ceremony site.
  • Make an appointment with your officiate.
  • Reserve the date and time of the ceremony.
  • Choose and reserve a reception site.
  • Select a theme and define your colors.
  • Start shopping for your gown. If you are special-ordering a gown, place your order now to allow time for fitting or alteration.
  • Find a photographer.
  • Start thinking about honeymoon spots. Planning well in advance will assure you better prices on hotel and airfare.
  • Order or update your passport.
  • Send your guests “save the date” cards.
  • Check the requirements for a marriage license at the location of your ceremony. Some might require a blood test, birth certificates or other documents.

SIX TO NINE MONTHS

  • Pick out the bridesmaids’ gowns and order their accessories
  • Hire a caterer.
  • Select the ceremony music and hire musicians.
  • Decide on a florist.
  • Choose a videographer.
  • If you plan to rent equipment for your reception or ceremony, book a rental provider now.
  • Research accommodations for out-of-town guest and look for your bridal suite.

FOUR TO SIX MONTHS

  • Order invitations and stationery items.
  • Shop for the groom’s party formal wear.
  • Choose your wedding-day transportation. Reserve limos; shop for rental cars.
  • Plan the rehearsal dinner.
  • Finalize the reception menu.
  • Register at gift registries.
  • Book out-of-town guest rooms.
  • Shop for wedding rings.

TWO TO FOUR MONTHS

  • Finalize guest list. Ask the people whom you want to become members of the wedding party, and explain their roles.
  • Choose a wedding-cake style (and bakery).
  • Confirm your decorating details.
  • Schedule your bridal portrait.

SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS

  • Mail out invitations.
  • Meet your stylist and choose your hairstyle and make-up.

FOUR TO SIX WEEKS

  • Organize the reception seating. Fill out place cards.
  • Confirm the playlist with musicians.
  • Plan and hold the bridesmaids’, bachelor and bachelorette parties.
  • Pick the wedding rings.
  • Confirm times and dates with all wedding vendors. Give all vendors a copy of the wedding-day schedule.
  • Call any guest who has not RSVP’d; confirm their attendance.

ONE WEEK

  • Make sure you have all the marriage documents you need.
  • Pick up all the wedding attire. Make sure everything fits.
  • Give the final guest list to your caterer and to the reception site.
  • Confirm the details of your honeymoon.
  • Pack for the honeymoon.
  • Stop delivery of mail and newspaper for the time you will be on your honeymoon.

DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING

  • Confirm that members of the wedding party have all necessary accessories.
  • If someone is helping you pay for vendors and gratuities, prepare the envelopes.
  • Put someone you can trust in charge of bringing everything you will need: guestbook, pen, ring bearing pillow, etc.
  • Pass out schedules to members of the wedding party.
  • Meet with ushers and discuss seating.
  • Go to rehearsal.
  • Go to rehearsal dinner. Smile!

DAY OF THE WEDDING

  • Give the groom’s ring to the maid of honor and the bride’s ring to the best man.
  • Bring the wedding license. You’ll need it for the officiant to sign.
  • Eat something. Have the caterer pack you a to-go box, in case you don’t actually get to eat at the reception.
  • Take a deep breath, and remember to be grateful and have fun on your special day!

AFTER THE WEDDING

  • Arrange for someone to return rental items after the wedding.
  • Have the gown cleaned and bowed.
  • File your name change with the Social Security, banks and important institutions.
  • Send out change-of-address cards.
starfishdivider
Contact Us

We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Not readable? Change text. captcha txt