|
If you would like to use a more detailed Wedding Planning Checklist, feel free to print out this reference but it is handy to keep coming back to this online document and follow the links to help you in your planning. This detailed Wedding Planning Checklist will help you wade through all the important details that will make up your wedding. I've included links to take you to pages with more information on the different subjects. Please use these links to skip down to the section in the Wedding Planning Checklist you would like to see:
Skip to "Wedding Checklist Six Months or More Ahead" Skip to "Wedding Checklist Four to Six Months Ahead" Skip to "Wedding Checklist Two to Four Months Ahead" Skip to "Wedding Checklist One to Two Months Ahead" Skip to "Wedding Checklist Two Weeks Ahead" Skip to "Wedding Checklist One Week Ahead" Skip to "Wedding Checklist The Day Before" Skip to "Wedding Checklist On The Day Of"
| Completed yes/no | What Needs to Be Done |
|---|
| | Announce your engagement. This can be done with formal mailed announcements, in a newspaper or website, verbally, or through an engagement party | | | Think about the type of wedding you want, whether it be formal or informal, big or small, and the time of the year you want it to take place. Go to the Wedding Reception Planning Guide to start you thinking about your wedding then come back to the Wedding Planning Checklist. | | | Create and set your budget. If you need help with this go to the Wedding Budget Planner then return to the Wedding Planning Checklist | | | Attend a Bridal Show | | | Hire a Wedding Consultant or Coordinator, if desired or needed. | | | Compile your guest list, and organize addresses. | | | Finalize your wedding date. | | | Reserve your ceremony and reception sites. | | | Discuss attendants with your partner. Decide together who you'd like to do the honors and then contact these people. | | | Order your wedding dress and accessories, including your veil and shoes. | | | Begin searching for an officiant who complements both partners personalities. Book your officiant. | | | If your reception site does not provide food, find and book a caterer. Finalize your receptions food with the caterer or on-site food-service team, or with whoever else is responsible for feeding your guests. | | | Find someone to make your wedding cake, or wedding dessert, if you don't want a cake. This can be a professional wedding cake designer, student, or talented friend or family member. | | | Book music for the ceremony and reception. If you'd like a band or DJ, find one now. | | | Book your photographer and videographer. | | | Talk about what kind of honeymoon you'd like. | | | Send save the date cards, if you're using them. | | | Start to think about how you'll be decorating your wedding and reception. Make a list of the elements you need, and go about securing what you can. | | | If you'll be needing a florist, find one whose work you like and who you would like to work with. Think about the types of flowers you'd like and what will be in season. |
| Completed yes/no | What Needs to Be Done |
|---|
| | Reserve rental equipment, such as tables, chairs, and tents. | | | Arrange transportation for the wedding day. | | | Order your stationery, including invitations and thank-you notes. Book a calligrapher, if required, to address your wedding invitations. | | | Register for gifts. | | | Purchase wedding rings. | | | Purchase or reserve groom's attire. | | | Choose attendant's attire. Get attendant's measurements, or give necessary information to your attendants so they can order their own dresses. Decide on your bridal attendants' accessories. Make sure you give your attendants the necessary information so they can order the desired shoes, gloves, and so on. | | | Make final decisions on grooms men's accessories, including shoes, vests, neck wear, cummerbunds, etc. Give groomsmen the necessary information so they can order these items. | | | Now is the time to get any specific ceremony decorations or elements that you need but haven't arranged for yet. | | | Buy stockings and any special lingerie your dress requires. | | | Choose favors. | | | Book a room for your wedding night. | | | Choose gifts for the wedding party. | | | Call out-of-town guests to remind them of your wedding date and to ask if they'll be needing lodging. Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests | | | Sign up for dance lessons, if desired. | | | Book your hair stylist and makeup artist | | | Finalize honeymoon details and book the trip (make sure your travel papers, such as passports, etc. are in order and up to date) |
| Completed yes/no | What Needs to Be Done |
|---|
| | Finalize plans with all service providers, such as the caterer, florist, DJ or band, photographer, etc. | | | Discuss details of menu with caterer. | | | Check to see your bridesmaids have received their dresses and accessories. Do the same with groomsmen and their attire. | | | If there is someone you would like to read a special poem, perform a musical number, or read a meaningful bit of verse, now is the time to ask. | | | If you would like your wedding bands engraved, send them out now so they'll be ready in time. | | | Discuss service with officiant. | | | Choose readings for the ceremony | | | Write your wedding vows, if you are doing so. | | | Schedule rehearsal time and rehearsal dinner. Book a rehearsal dinner site and decide on the menu, if needed. | | | Mail out invitations (please see the Wedding Reception Planner for more details). | | | Write thank-you notes as gifts arrive. | | | Have first dress fitting, remember to bring your shoes and any special lingerie needed to wear under your gown. |
| Completed yes/no | What Needs to Be Done |
|---|
| | Have programs printed. | | | Check for requirements such as blood tests and make the necessary appointments. | | | Obtain marriage license, and requests certified copies. | | | If you are intending to change your name, start preparing the necessary documents. | | | Tryout hairstyles and makeup, with your veil and accessories. | | | Send change of address information to post office. | | | Contact your local newspaper about publishing wedding announcement. Enclose a picture of you and your partner if you would like. | | | Buy a guestbook and pen. | | | Arrange parking for the wedding and the reception. | | | If you are planning to write your own vows, or are altering existing vows, start now. This will give you enough time to look at your ideas with fresh eyes in a few weeks time. |
| Completed yes/no | What Needs to Be Done |
|---|
| | Have a final dress fitting with the accessories and lingerie. | | | Begin seating plan and writing place cards. | | | Contact anyone who hasn't replied to your invitation, so you have a final head count | | | Notify caterer of final guest count. | | | Write toasts for rehearsal dinner and wedding reception. | | | Address announcements. | | | Break in wedding shoes at home or take them to a cobbler to have them stretched. | | | Ask somebody to look after your home while you are on your honeymoon. | | | Confirm where your guests will be staying, if you plan to deliver welcome notes or gifts wedding their rooms | | | Write thank-you notes for any gifts you received at the bridal showers. | | | Give your band or DJ a list of songs you'd like to be played. If there are songs you feel are inappropriate, or that you find downright annoying, make a "do not play" list. | | | Confirm your own hotel room reservation for your wedding night. | | | Check in with your officiant to go over any last-minute matters, or just to calm your nerves. | | | If you are going to be using any traditional items in your ceremony or reception, such as a unity candle or a blue garter, make sure that you put them in a safe place and don't forget them. | | | Give your photographer a list of all the photos you would like to be taken. | | | It is a good idea to distribute wedding day directions, a schedule, and contact list to guests, attendants, and all your service providers. | | | Contact the reception site's location coordinator or manager to ensure all your service providers will have access and at what time so that you can convey the same to them. | | | Call your officiant and remind him/her of your rehearsal and wedding day schedule. |
| Completed yes/no | What Needs to Be Done |
|---|
| | Finalize your seating plan. | | | Assign specific responsibilities, such as handing out corsages and boutonnières, to members of your wedding party. | | | Put cash tips and final payments in specifically marked envelopes and give them to the best man (or whomever you choose to do the honors) to distribute on your wedding day. | | | Ask your maid of honor, or other responsible person, to collect the wedding gifts and wedding cash brought to the wedding. | | | Pickup dress or have it delivered. Check to make sure your gown fits and that you have all the necessary accessories. Call your attendants to make sure that their gowns fit and that they have all of their necessary accessories. | | | Grooms should check to see that your suit fits and you have all the necessary accessories. Call your groomsmen to make sure their suits fit and they have all the necessary accessories. | | | Confirm details with caterer. | | | Confirm honeymoon arrangements, and give your itinerary to a friend or family member in case of emergency. | | | Pack for your honeymoon, you can also put together an overnight case for your wedding night. | | | Update caterer with final guest and vendor meal counts. |
| Completed yes/no | What Needs to Be Done |
|---|
| | Confirm transportation arrangements for ceremony and reception. | | | Give announcements to an attendant for mailing after the wedding. | | | Have a manicure and pedicure, if needed. | | | Rehearse your ceremony. | | | Hold your rehearsal dinner; give gifts to the wedding party. If you choose, give gifts to parents to thank them for their support. | | | Drop off the guest book, pen, favors and anything else you need to the reception site. | | | Don't forget to get a good night's sleep |
| Completed yes/no | What Needs to Be Done |
|---|
| | Give presents to your parents and bridal party with a note of thanks for all their help and support. | | | Have a relaxing massage if possible. | | | Arrange to have a light snack and maybe just one glass of champagne (if you need it!). It's important that you have something to eat before the wedding. It's going to be one long day but just think...you are almost through this wedding planning checklist! | | | Allow at least two hours for hair and makeup. 30 to 45 minutes for dressing and 30 minutes for photos at home. | | | Smile and enjoy yourselves! Make sure that you spend time with family members, as well as your partner. Take a moment to step back and remember, while everyone is enjoying themselves at the wonderful wedding you both planned. Give yourselves a big pat on the back! You did it! I knew you could!!! |
Make sure that you stay on top of all things good in the World of Weddings by subscribing to my FREE Newsletter! Just fill in the form here...
Go back to the top Back To Wedding Planner page
Return from The Detailed Wedding Planning Checklist back to My Wedding Reception Planning Home Page
|
