Wedding day countdown
Six Months or More Prior
- ___ Think about the type of wedding you want - how formal, how many guests, and the season
- ___ Create a budget.
- ___ Hire a wedding planner, if desired.
- ___ Compile a rough guest list and begin to organize addresses.
- ___ Set a wedding date.
- ___ Select wedding party.
- ___ Choose invitations.
- ___ Select gowns and accessories, including veil and shoes.
- ___ Register a name for your wedding Web site.
- ___ Visit and reserve ceremony, rehearsal dinner, reception sites.
- ___ Interview and book caterers, photographers, florists, bands.
- ___ Interview motorcoach companies.
- ___ Book officiant.
- ___ Order wedding cake.
- ___ Book music for ceremony and reception site.
- ___ Plan and book honeymoon. Check to see if passports or inoculations are required and if your passport needs to be renewed.
- ___ Send save-the-date cards, if using.
Three to Six Months Prior
- ___ Reserve rental equipment, such as tables, chairs and tents.
- ___ Contract photographer, caterer, baker, florist, musicians and motorcoach.
- ___ Order stationery, including invitations and thank-you notes; book calligrapher, if using.
- ___ Register for gifts.
- ___ Select tuxedos for groomsmen
- ___ Purchase or reserve groom's attire. Schedule fittings for you and your attendants.
- ___ Buy stockings and any special lingerie your dress requires.
- ___ Choose favors.
- ___ Book a room for the wedding night.
- ___ Choose gifts for the wedding party.
- ___ Reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests.
- ___ Sign up for dance lessons (if desired).
- ___ Finalize sites for ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner.
- ___ Select wedding rings.
- ___ Finalize honeymoon and music selection.
- ___ Begin flower selection.
- ___ Check motorcoach company references and safety records, then sign a contract.
Two to three months prior
- ___ Finish guest list.
- ___ Discuss details of menu with caterer.
- ___ Discuss service with officiant.
- ___ Choose readings for ceremony.
- ___ Write your own wedding vows, if you choose.
- ___ Schedule rehearsal time and rehearsal dinner.
- ___ Try out makeup and hairstyle.
- ___ Write thank-you notes as gifts arrive.
- ___ Send out invitations.
- ___ Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.
- ___ Update your Web site with directions and hotel information for out-of-town guests.
- ___ Set wedding day appointment for hair, nails, makeup.
- ___ Confirm wedding day itinerary with motorcoach company.
Three to eight weeks prior
- ___ Pick a guest book.
- ___ Have programs printed.
- ___ Obtain marriage license and required certified copies.
- ___ Final fittings for you and your attendants.
- ___ Finalize church logistics with clergy, wedding guild, musicians and florist.
- ___ If changing names, get forms for name change.
- ___ Confirm rehearsal events.
- ___ Pick up wedding rings.
- ___ Send change-of-address information to post office.
- ___ Contact local newspapers about publishing a wedding announcement.
Two weeks prior
- ___ Have final dress fitting with shoes, accessories and lingerie.
- ___ Begin seating plan and write place cards
- ___ Notify caterer of guest count.
- ___ Write toasts for rehearsal dinner and wedding reception.
- ___ Address announcements.
- ___ Arrange for someone to look after your home while you honeymoon.
- ___ Find out where your guests will be staying, if you plan to deliver welcome baskets.
One week prior
- ___ Finalize ceremony and reception seating.
- ___ Assign specific responsibilities, such as handing out corsages and boutonnieres, to members of your wedding party.
- ___ Pick up dress.
- ___ Check to be sure that you have the ring pillow, cake knife and toasting glasses.
- ___ Confirm honeymoon arrangements and give your itinerary to a friend or family member in case of emergency.
- ___ Pack for honeymoon.
- ___ Update caterer with final guest counts.
- ___ Finalize motorcoach details: Give motorcoach operator directions, get driver's name and assign a friend or relative as the wedding day contact.
The day before the wedding
- ___ Confirm transportation arrangements for ceremony and reception.
- ___ Pick up rented attire.
- ___ Have manicure and pedicure.
- ___ Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, giving gifts to wedding party and to parents, if you choose.
- ___ Prepare tip and payment envelopes for officiant and vendors, and make arrangements for someone to distribute them.
- ___ Get a good night's sleep.
Notes:
Return to the Planning Table of Contents.
