Wedding Planning Checklist

Wedding planning is like any other project: it requires organization, consistency, and a reasonable amount of sanity. Keep this checklist on-hand over the next twelve months and you'll be the calmest bride and groom in town.

9-12 Months Before the Big Day
Announce your engagement. This does not mean that you have to throw a party or put a giant ad in the newspaper. Just call up your friends and family and let them know the good news.

Choose a wedding date. Avoid immediate family members birthdays, anniversaries, or special events, but feel free draw the line at your second cousin Billy's seventh birthday.

Set a budget. Now add ten percent to that number, because that's what you're probably going to spend. Keep that extra ten percent in high-yield savings account until you need it.

Choose your wedding party. Remember, once you ask someone, you cannot retract your invite, no matter how much you want to do it.

Hire a wedding planner. Unless you have endless free time on your hands, hiring someone to coordinate your wedding is one of the best wedding decisions you will make.

Create a guest list. Good rule of thumb: only include people you've communicated with in some fashion over the past two years.

Find a location. Caution: some locations may already be booked for the date you've chosen. If your location matters more than the date, switch the date.

Try on and order a wedding dress. Make sure to bring friends who will tell you how you really look in that Cinderella ball gown. You'll thank them later.

Choose your colors. Try not to choose something that will make your entire bridal party loath you (i.e.: hot pink).

Get a passport. If you're planning on honeymooning in another country, make sure all of your documents are up to date.

Choose an Officiant. In some states, any one of your friends and family members can marry you, provided they are licensed.

6-9 Months before Your Wedding
Select a caterer. Make sure to try the food first.

Choose a photographer. Always meet in person and never rely on word of mouth or online samples.

Decide if you want flower children or ring bearers. Remember, if you're having an adults-only reception, this might not fly with parents who have to find babysitters for their children.

Book ceremony musicians. Make sure your choice of music suits your ceremony location before booking.

Book your reception DJ. Always watch a video or an in-person performance by your DJ prior to booking to make sure you are comfortable with his or her style and personality.

Book your videographer. Make sure to view a sample of a finished video from a past wedding.

Book your florist. Always get personal recommendations before booking.

Register for gifts. Note: no one really needs three, two-thousand-dollar cappuccino makers, so hold off on being greedy. Wedding planning has obviously gone to your head.

4 to 6 Months Before Your Wedding
Finalize your guest list. Remember, once you've told someone the date, you can't take back his or her invite without causing serious turmoil.

Reserve hotel blocks. Try to find both a luxury option and a budget option for your out-of-town guests.

Order your bridesmaid dresses. Think of all the weddings you've been in and try not to inflict the same pain on your friends.

Select and order invitations. Consider doing your save-the-dates via email to save a little cash.

Send out your save-the-dates. Include any rehearsal dinner information for out-of-town guests who may need to plan ahead.

Start planning your honeymoon. If you're feeling overwhelmed, consider passing the job on to a local travel agent or a wedding planning company.

Book your hair and makeup. It might be smart to have a trial run with any stylists who you haven't worked with in the past.

Book an engagement session with your photographer. Getting comfortable with your photographer is a must-do before your big day.

2 to 4 Months Before Your Wedding
Select and order your wedding bands. Make sure to get insurance, as one of you is bound to drop your ring down the sink at some point.

Select and order the wedding cake. Schedule tastings to get a free sugar high and to make sure you like the style of cake you're ordering.

Obtain your marriage license. Rules differ from state to state, so make sure you know when yours will expire.

Send out your invitations. If you want special "love" stamps, make sure to order them online ahead of time from the post office.

Organize your tux rentals. Groomsmen who can't attend in person should send their measurements to the groom via email.

6-8 Weeks Before Your Wedding
Purchase all decorations. Make sure you have candle permits for any flammable accessories.

Finalize rehearsal dinner details. Set the menu, making sure to let the restaurant know of any dietary concerns.

Call all guests who haven't sent an RSVP. Confirm all guest names and give the list to whomever is helping you with the wedding planning.

2 to 6 Weeks Before Your Wedding
Finalize food and beverage. If you're over budget, consider cutting out the extra dessert in favor of just serving wedding cake.

Meet with your Officiant. If you're planning on writing your own vows, you should start thinking about them at this point.

Create a wedding day itinerary. Send it out to your entire wedding planning team, including your VIPs and vendors.

Finalize details with the rest of your vendors. Make sure you know exactly when final payments are due to avoid extra charges.

Make a shot list for your photographer. Go over the list with him or her to ensure that everything makes sense. Sit down with your wedding planning consultant and make sure she understands what you need as well.

Get your final fitting. Cross your fingers that you've gotten smaller and not bigger over the past few months.

Create a seating chart. Don't sit your single friends at the children's table and try to pair couples up in groups that make sense.

Select all of your music. Tell your DJ if you don't want a certain song or type of music played during your reception.

1 Week Before Your Wedding
Give your caterer the final guest count. Make sure to indicate how many of the meals will be for children and vendors.

Make sure you have all of your final payments ready. If possible, assign a member of your bridal party to hand over the payments on your wedding day.

Prepare your wedding favors. Enlist a few friends to help you using bribes like champagne and chocolate.

Pack for your honeymoon. Go shopping for a new swimsuit, dress or pair of board shorts- you've earned it!

Day of Rehearsal Dinner
Bring gifts for your attendants. If you aren't too shy, make sure to prepare a short thank you speech- your attendants will appreciate it.

Rehearse your ceremony. Ask other attendants to take notes for groomsmen or bridesmaids who could not attend.

Go over VIP seating with ushers. If your ushers haven't met your parents or grandparents, now's the time to introduce them.

Rate This Article

OVERALL RATING Be first to rate this article!

YOUR RATING

Saving Rating...

Log-in to save your ratings!

Recommend This Article

Digg
Reddit
Del.icio.us

ServiceMagic Articles To-Go