checklist

One year to Six Months
o        Set wedding date and the time of the ceremony (Consider venue schedule).
o        Decide on the type and size of the wedding you want.
o        See your clergyman for a personal interview for pre-marital counseling.
o        Talk with your fiancé about attendants, and ask them to participate.
o        Begin shopping for your wedding dress, veil and accessories.
o        Begin selecting bridesmaids’ dresses. Ask attendants to order accessories.
o        Agree on number of guests. Begin compiling guest list.
o        Select location for wedding and reception. Make reservations.
o        Select invitations, announcements.
o        Start planning your reception. Consider: Caterer, Decorator, Florist, Musicians,Reception      Manager,
and Photographer/Videographer.
o        Start shopping for your Trousseau.
o        Select music for your wedding.
o        Buy notepaper for thank you notes.
o        Start looking for your new home and begin household items list.
o        Begin your honeymoon plans with your groom.
o        Order your wedding cake and grooms cake.

Three Months
o        Complete your guest list.
o        Order invitations, announcements, and thank you notes. (Have the envelopes sent to you early so you
can start addressing them.
o        Make honeymoon reservations for lodging and transportation.
o        Tell the mothers your wedding color scheme so they can look for dresses.
o        Select your wedding rind and a rind for the groom. (Discuss engraving)
o        Confirm photographer. Arrange for the wedding, reception, and your personal portrait.
o        Discuss the reception details with the reception manager.
o        Plan the details of your wedding ceremony and confirm music selections.

Two Months
o        Consider a personal gift for the Groom; keepsake for bridesmaids.
o        Arrange for rehearsal dinner and make reservations.
o        Buy place cards for rehearsal dinner.
o        Select reception party items such as napkins, matches, etc.
o        Final fitting for your wedding dress.
o        Arrange for Limousine service.
o        Finish reception plans: Menu, Entertainment, Decorations, Seating, and Parking.
o        Make appointment with Hairdresser and decide upon a style.
o        Address the invitations.
o        Purchase ring pillow and garter.
o        Choose: Wedding Album and Guest Book.
o        Select and make reservations for hotel for out of town guests.
o        Mail invitations four to six weeks before the wedding.
o        Finalize Details with Florist: Bride’s flowers, boutonnières, bridesmaids’ flowers, altar, corsages for
mothers, pews, reception tables, and rehearsal dinner.
o        Arrange for Pet care during Honeymoon.
o        Arrange for engagement announcement to be sent to newspapers.

One Month
o        Buy bridesmaids gifts.
o        Sit for bridal portrait.
o        Arrange for portrait and wedding announcement to be sent to the newspapers.
o        Shop for your trousseau.
o        Plan Bridesmaids party, luncheon or brunch.
o        Send thank you notes as gifts arrive.
o        Confirm accommodations for out of town guests.
o        Finish planning the rehearsal dinner.
o        Buy personal gift for the groom.
o        Check on reception and honeymoon details.

Two Weeks
o        Obtain marriage license. (Must be obtained between 30 days and 72 hours prior to ceremony, requires
ID, Fee, and Social Security Numbers)
o        Arrange transportation for bridal party to wedding and reception.
o        Discuss photos you want of wedding, reception, and bridal party with Photorapher/Videographer.

One Week
o        Pack for Honeymoon.
o        Be sure announcements are ready to mail after the ceremony.
o        Finalize plans for rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
o        Host bridesmaids party (Present their gifts)
o        Final guest estimates to reception manager and/or caterer.
o        Review final details with florist, photographer, and musician.

Grooms Checklist:

Six months
o        Visit Clergyman with bride.
o        Select Best man, Groomsmen, and ushers. (One usher to 50 guests)
o        Select wedding and engagement rings.
o        Obtain families’ guest lists and combine them with your own.
o        Consider your honeymoon plans (especially if passports are required).
o        Look for new house/apartment and shop for furnishings.

Three months
o        Decide on wedding clothes, for you, groomsmen, and fathers. (Allow a month for fitting)
o        Finalize honeymoon plans and make reservations
o        Decide on a gift or keepsake for the groomsmen.

One month
o        Pick up brides wedding ring
o        Confirm groomsmen and fathers’ clothing fittings are completed.
o        Arrange payment for wedding flowers that you are responsible for: brides bouquet, boutonnieres, and
mother’s corsages.
o        Arrange lodging for groomsmen and out of town guests
o        Confirm honeymoon details, airlines, rental, travelers checks, etc.

Two Weeks
o        Marriage License
o        Make appointment for hair cut 1-2 weeks before the wedding.

One Week
o        Personal gift to Bride.
o        Select a time to give personal gift to groomsmen. Bachelor’s party or Rehearsal dinner.
o        Make sure wedding clothes will be ready and properly fitted.
o        Pack for Honeymoon.
o        Clergyman’s fee ready in an in an envelope and given to the best man (who will give it to clergyman).
o        Confirm rehearsal plans with attendants.
o        Arrange for going away clothing to be at the reception site.
o        Don’t forget the rings.