Wedding Checklist

NINE MONTHS AND EARLIER

• Choose a date.
• Announce you engagement. Send photo and announcements to to your hometown newspaper.
• Decide whet 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 date/time of the ceremony.
•  Choose and reserve a reception site.
•  Select 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 guest “save the date” cards.
•  Check the requirements for a marriage license at the location of your ceremony. Some might require 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; 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 baker)
•  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 have 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 pecial 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.