Wedding Planning Checklist

      Spring and summer are the busiest seasons for weddings. For that reason, you need to start planning early. If you start early, get organized, and simplify the entire “wedding planning” process, you can enjoy this special time in your life and eliminate most of the stress. I’ve been doing a lot of research lately. My daughter is getting married next spring, so I’m also trying to simplify this process for myself and my daughter. The following is a checklist that I put together to stay organized and get ready for the “big event”.

ONE YEAR AHEAD

• Announce engagement to family and friends.
• Plan a budget and prioritize the most important things you want to splurge on.
• Start a filing/organizing system for paperwork and information. Keep a detailed record of vendor contracts, details, and deposits.
• Set a tentative wedding date.
• Choose the style of wedding – church, garden, theme?
• Meet with your officiant or clergy to verify their availability and required counseling sessions.
• Reserve wedding ceremony and reception venues.
• Interview and book the caterer, florist, photographer, baker, musicians, and rental equipment. Get everything in writing.
• Decide the exact date and time of wedding.
• Decide on the number of attendants and number of guests.
• Select and ask all your attendants to be in the wedding.

9 MONTHS BEFORE

• Create a wedding website (optional).
• Get wedding insurance, if needed. Some venues require liability insurance.
• Choose wedding colors and styles and discuss with florist.
• Select and order wedding gown and accessories.
• Start looking at bridesmaid dresses and order them as soon as possible.
• Book the caterer, baker, florist, photographer, and musicians, if not done already.
• Decide the menu for the caterer.
• Reserve rental equipment (tents, tables, chairs).
• Discuss with musicians the type of music and song choices.
• Create a master guest list. Get addresses for all guests.
• Open gift registries and select items.
• Have engagement pictures taken.

7 MONTHS BEFORE

• Order bridesmaid dresses and accessories, if not done already.
• Mothers of bride and groom coordinate and buy dresses and accessories.
• Select groom, groomsmen, and usher’s attire.
• Order invitations, thank-you cards, and table place cards.
• Pick out and order centerpieces.
• Finalize guest list. Reserve hotel rooms for out-of-town guests and wedding party.
• Schedule the rehearsal dinner locations and menu, and put together guest list.

6 MONTHS BEFORE

• Send “save the date” cards.
• Finalize all decisions about ceremony and reception, especially menus.
• Finalize rentals for reception – tents, tables, and chairs.
• Finalize all flowers with florist.
• Interview and book the cake decorator.
• Get alterations done on bridal gown.
• Order groom, groomsmen, ushers, and fathers’ attire.
• Order wedding rings.
• Buy gifts for wedding attendants.
• Start pre-wedding counseling sessions, if required.
• Finalize plans for any bridal showers. Check dates with shower hosts, give a guest list, and help with any other details.
• Start planning honeymoon and get passport, if needed.
• Apply for marriage license and get blood tests.

3 MONTHS BEFORE

• Have a final fitting of your gown and finish buying accessories.
• Make sure bridesmaids dresses are in and start getting alterations.
• Confirm attire rental for groom, groomsmen, ushers, and fathers.
• Make appointments for hair and nails for bride and bridal party.
• Visit reception site with site manager to finalize all ceremony and reception details, and choose table linens and place settings.
• Make all final decisions about reception decor and discuss with site manager, caterer, and florist.
• Make sure wedding cake is ordered and finalize details for delivery.
• Buy or rent other decorations for reception, such as guest registry, aisle runner, and other miscellaneous items.
• Rent limo (optional).
• Get invitations ready to be mailed out 8 weeks before wedding.
• Attend bridal showers and keep a list of gifts for thank you cards.
• Work on final honeymoon plans and confirm reservations.

2 MONTHS BEFORE

• Mail invitations for wedding and invitations for rehearsal dinner.
• Make sure wedding rings will be ready, and get sized, if necessary.
• Confirm hotel reservations for out-of-town guests.

1 MONTH BEFORE

• Have final gown fitting with all accessories. Get dress steamed.
• Have final fittings of bridesmaid dresses.
• Make final plans for reception seating arrangements.
• Confirm all plans with caterer, florist, photographer, and musicians.
• Confirm with venue site manager the availability of a dressing area for wedding party.
• Confirm rehearsal dinner plans with mother of groom and wedding party of the location and time.
• Discuss travel arrangements with wedding party and parents for the day of wedding.

2 WEEKS BEFORE

• Check RSVP list and give final number to caterer.
• Discuss with photographer any particular shots you want taken.
• Check weather forecast and, if necessary, call vendors about a weather emergency plan.
• Write out a “wedding day” schedule and give to wedding party and parents, including travel arrangements.
• Start packing for honeymoon and plan a “going away”outfit.

1 WEEK BEFORE

• Give site manager any special vendor requests, such as special tables for florist “set-up” space, or tables for DJs or musicians.
• Give site manager a schedule of vendors deliveries and contact information.
• Call ALL wedding vendors and confirm arrangements.
• Confirm transportation for the bride, groom, parents, and wedding party.

2-3 DAYS BEFORE

• Give the venue site manager all table place cards, and other reception decor that won’t be provided by florist.
• Confirm details and times with caterer, florist, photographer, cake decorator, musicians, and rental companies and give them an emergency contact number.
• Confirm florist delivery. Make sure they know where and when to deliver.
• Confirm limo rental (optional).
• Groom, groomsmen, ushers, and fathers, pick up tuxes or other attire. Make arrangements to have all rentals returned and bridal gown cleaned and preserved.
• Give out-of-town guests directions to ceremony and reception and make sure they have transportation. Let grandparents know about specific times for pre-wedding photos.

DAY BEFORE WEDDING

• Remind parents of any final balances that need to be paid at the end of the reception.
• Make sure all wedding attire is ready and set aside, with accessories.
• Make sure everything is packed for honeymoon.
• Remind wedding party and clergy officiant of rehearsal time and locations.
• Get manicures/pedicures. Include maid of honor and bridesmaids.

NIGHT BEFORE WEDDING

• Have rehearsal with officiant, wedding party, and parents. Figure out all last-minute details for ceremony.
• Give marriage license to your officiant.
• Take ceremony accessories to ceremony venue.
• Attend rehearsal dinner.
• Give gifts to wedding party.
• Remind everyone of what time to be at wedding and where they can get dressed.

WEDDING DAY

• Get hair and make-up done.
• Give wedding rings to best man and maid of honor to hold for ceremony.
• Make sure maid of honor and/or parents check on vendors (caterers, cake decorator, florist, photographer), and make sure they are on schedule and details are according to plan.
• Allow yourself plenty of time to get dressed and ready and spend a few spare minutes with family and bridesmaids.

 

     By your wedding day, I hope you’ll be able to look back at this year as a special time with family and friends. These are the times you’ll remember. Some things won’t go exactly as planned, and in the future, you’ll see that they weren’t worth the stress. 

     Take lots of pictures this year, consider keeping a journal, and get ready to make lots of memories with your family and friends. I hope this checklist helps you to stay organized, stay calm, and enjoy the process.

     Have a wonderful year of wedding planning!