 |
|
|
|||
The Countdown Begins... (Wedding Checklist)
Special Exclusive for www.costofwedding.com By: Sharon Naylor, author of 35 wedding books www.sharonnaylor.net ONE YEAR BEFORE THE WEDDING _____ Announce your engagement _____ Place engagement photo and announcement in local newspapers _____ Attend engagement parties _____ Discuss with your parents and other planners what your wishes are for the wedding _____ Meet with any family members who will participate in planning (or paying for) the wedding - this could be a casual dinner at your place _____ Begin looking through bridal magazines and wedding tips books for ideas _____ Talk to your recently married friends to get their vendor and site recommendations _____ Hire a wedding coordinator (optional) _____ Choose the wedding date and backup dates for site-booking coordination _____ Inform your family and friends of the wedding date _____ Create your wedding budget _____ Decide who will pay for which elements of the wedding _____ Decide on your top budget priorities (i.e. which will get the most money - your gown, the caterer, flowers, photography, etc.) _____ Request brochures for wedding vendor research, or visit experts' Web sites _____ Decide on your desired level of formality _____ Select the members of your bridal party and inform them of their roles _____ Make up your own personal guest list _____ Request guest lists from your parents and siblings _____ Create your final guest list, and get your final headcount for wedding size parameters _____ Tour possible ceremony sites _____ Select and book your ceremony location _____ Select and book your ceremony officiant _____ Discuss your ceremony plans with your officiant _____ Audition potential ceremony musicians _____ Hire your ceremony musicians and give them your play list _____ Tour possible reception sites _____ Select and book your reception site _____ Research and book rental item agency, if necessary _____ Create rental item needs list _____ Visit with rental agency planner to look at their supplies, choose linen colors, china patterns, chair styles, etc. _____ Start shopping for your wedding gown _____ Order your wedding gown and veil _____ Start researching bridesmaid gown options _____ Collect bridesmaids' size cards and ordering information _____ Select and order bridesmaids' gowns _____ Start researching florists _____ Choose your florist and meet with the floral consultant to share your wishes _____ Research caterers, attending tastings _____ Select and book your caterer _____ Research cake bakers, attending tastings _____ Select and book your cake baker _____ Choose and book a photographer _____ Choose and book a videographer _____ Choose and book your reception entertainment: DJ, band, or musical performers _____ Choose and book a limousine or classic car company _____ Start looking at invitation samples, and select desired designs and wording _____ Notify your boss about your wedding date and arrange for time off for the wedding and honeymoon week(s) _____ Create your personalized wedding Web site All the Legalities Don't forget to discuss the legal issues pertaining to your upcoming wedding, such as: _____ Finding any previous-relationship divorce or annulment papers the town will need to see before granting you a marriage license, or that your house of worship needs to see _____ Talking to an attorney about prenuptial agreements _____ Talking to an attorney about creating wills and other important documents _____ Talking to a financial advisor about your money goals NINE MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING _____ Find out your local marriage license requirements _____ Schedule the date you'll go together to apply for your marriage license _____ Schedule any medical tests necessary for your license to be granted _____ Meet with your officiant about your ceremony plans and pre-wedding classes _____ Meet with your caterer to discuss your menu, wedding setup, requirements, etc. _____ Plan beverage requirements, bartenders needed and bar set-up _____ Select packages with your photographer _____ Select packages with your videographer _____ Select packages with your entertainers _____ Meet with your florist to design bouquets, boutonnieres and floral decor _____ Meet with a travel agent to plan your honeymoon _____ Book your honeymoon _____ Apply for passports and travel visas, if you will be attending an international destination wedding or honeymoon _____ Order your wedding invitations _____ Order your wedding programs _____ Order any additional printed items _____ Shop for and order your wedding rings _____ Have your wedding rings engraved (if applicable) _____ Reserve all rental equipment (tents, chairs, etc.) _____ Choose and reserve a block of rooms for your guests at the hotel _____ Book your honeymoon suite for the wedding night SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING _____ Choose and rent men's wedding wardrobe _____ Begin writing vows _____ Select ceremony music _____ Select ceremony readings _____ Register for wedding gifts _____ Send for name-change information, if necessary _____ Arrange for transportation for guests _____ Order pre-printed napkins, matchbooks, coasters, etc. _____ Create maps to ceremony and reception locations for enclosure in the invitations _____ Start scouting for wedding photograph locations _____ Start planning the rehearsal dinner _____ Book rehearsal dinner site and caterer _____ Plan 'wedding weekend' activities, such as brunches, sporting events, barbecues, children's events, tours, breakfasts, etc. _____ Begin pre-wedding beauty treatments: skin care, massage, tanning, etc. _____ If holding an at-home wedding, hire a landscaper to do lawn, trim shrubs, add extra plants or flower beds, mulch, etc. _____ Make additional changes to home, such as painting rooms, installing carpet, etc. THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING _____ Apply for your marriage license, according to the state's requirements _____ Go for your blood tests, according to the state's time requirements _____ Attend any pre-marital classes or counseling as required by your chosen faith _____ If summer, holiday or destination wedding, send invitations to guests now _____ Assemble invitation packages with all inserts _____ Buy 'Love' stamps at the post office _____ Begin your wedding gown fittings _____ Choose and purchase your shoes and accessories for wedding day _____ Bridesmaids' and mothers' fittings begin _____ Choose and purchase children's wedding day attire _____ Consult with your wedding coordinator for any updates, confirmations, or changes _____ Consult with caterer or banquet hall manager for updates _____ Ask honored relatives and friends to perform readings at the ceremony _____ Ask a relative or friend to serve as your emcee, and give him/her specific instructions _____ Practice your wedding vows! _____ Finalize your selections of ceremony readings and music _____ Submit your song "wish list" to DJ or band, along with your list of spotlight dances _____ Submit picture "wish list" to photographer _____ Submit video "wish list" to videographer _____ Arrange for babysitters to watch guests' kids on the wedding day _____ Finalize and confirm plans for the rehearsal dinner TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING _____ Wedding gown fittings continue _____ Purchase your "going away" outfit and honeymoon clothes _____ Address invitations to guests (for non-holiday, summer or destination weddings) _____ Assemble invitation packages _____ Buy 'Love' stamps at the post office _____ Mail invitations to guests six to eight weeks prior to the wedding _____ Order or make your wedding programs _____ Order or make your wedding favors _____ Meet with ceremony musician about song list _____ Have attendants' shoes dyed in one dye lot _____ Ask friends to participate in wedding, such as attending the guest book, transporting wedding gifts from reception to home, etc. _____ Send for all name-change documents, such as passport, credit cards, driver's license, etc. ONE MONTH BEFORE THE WEDDING _____ Apply for marriage license _____ Meet with officiant to get the final information on ceremony elements, location rules, etc. _____ Invite officiant to rehearsal dinner. _____ Plan the rehearsal _____ Invite bridal party and involved guests to the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner _____ Confirm honeymoon plans _____ Confirm wedding-night hotel reservations _____ Make beauty appointment for wedding day _____ Visit your hairstylist to 'practice' with hairstyles for the big day _____ Visit your makeup artist for a 'practice run' _____ Get pre-wedding haircut, dye or highlights _____ Fittings for your dress continue _____ Pick up your wedding bands _____ Have your rings appraised and insured _____ Attend bridal showers _____ Send thank you's for bridal shower gifts _____ Call wedding guests who have not RSVP'd to get the final headcount _____ Create your seating chart for reception _____ Write up seating place cards and table numbers _____ Pick up honeymoon travel tickets and information books _____ Make up welcome gift baskets for guests _____ Purchase gifts for family members and bridal party _____ Wrap and label gifts _____ Purchase unity candle _____ Purchase garters (get two - one for keeping, one for tossing) _____ Purchase toasting flutes _____ Purchase cake knife _____ Purchase guest book _____ Purchase post-wedding toss-its (birdseed, flower petals, bubbles, bells, etc) and decorate or personalize small containers, if you so choose _____ Purchase throwaway wedding cameras _____ Work on any do-it-yourself crafts you'll make for the wedding ONE WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING _____ Confirm all wedding plans with all wedding vendors _____ Caterer (give final headcount now!) _____ Florist (give delivery instructions now!) _____ Cake baker _____ Photographer _____ Videographer _____ Lighting technician _____ Ceremony musicians _____ Reception entertainers _____ Officiant _____ Ceremony site manager _____ Reception site manager _____ Wedding coordinator _____ Limousine company (give directions now!) _____ Rental company agent _____ Pay final deposits for all services _____ Place tips and fees in marked envelopes for such participants as the officiant, ceremony musicians, valets, etc. _____ If supplying your own beverages, conduct a shopping trip to the local discount liquor and beverage supply house for stocking up _____ Visit a warehouse superstore to stock up on any items you'll need for the wedding weekend (supplies to have at home, barbecue food, snacks, etc.) _____ Drop off guest welcome baskets at hotel _____ Groom picks up tux _____ Groom and ushers pick up tux accessories, socks, shoes, etc. _____ Arrange for house- and pet-sitters _____ Notify the local police department of your upcoming absence, so that they can patrol your neighborhood _____ Get travelers' checks (if you so choose) _____ Plan wedding day brunch, and inform bridal party and guests about it _____ Plan your special toasts _____ Ready wedding announcements to be mailed the day after the wedding _____ Attend bachelor's and bachelorette's parties THE DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING _____ Supervise delivery of rental items to wedding location _____ Supervise setup of all items at wedding location _____ Finish packing suitcases and carry-ons for wedding night and honeymoon _____ Stock your bag with your car keys, house keys, passports, ID's, marriage license, wedding night and honeymoon hotel confirmations, medications, ATM card, etc. _____ Arrange to have your car, with your honeymoon suitcases in the trunk, left securely in the wedding night hotel's parking lot for use the next day or suitcases brought to the suite ahead of time _____ Lay out all wedding day wardrobe and accessories _____ Very important: plan your shower-time schedule for the next day! _____ Hand out printed directions to all family members and bridal party members _____ Confirm times for all attendants to show up on the wedding day, and where to go _____ Arrange for someone to be in charge of handing out payment envelopes _____ Hit the ATM to get cash on hand for emergencies, tips, valet, etc. _____ Assemble your emergency bag with extra stockings, lipstick, pressed powder, emery boards, etc. _____ Put a charged cell phone in the emergency bag _____ Gas up the cars, just in case _____ Go to the beauty salon to get waxed and tweezed _____ Stock up on supplies for the wedding-morning breakfast, or call in your catering order _____ Place last call to caterer or coordinator to finalize plans _____ Attend the rehearsal _____ Attend the rehearsal dinner _____ Get a good night's sleep! ON THE WEDDING DAY _____ Set out favors and place cards at reception site, if manager will not be doing it [some sites ask you to drop off your items a week ahead of time] _____ Set out post-wedding toss-its where appropriate at ceremony site _____ Set out guest book and pen _____ Attend bridal breakfast _____ Have a wedding day breakfast sent to where the men are getting ready _____ Have hair and nails done at beauty salon _____ Have makeup done _____ Be dressed early! _____ Have photos taken at home _____ Double-check that someone responsible has arranged for your honeymoon suitcases to get into your car or to your hotel room. _____ Double-check that the appropriate people have the wedding rings for transport to the ceremony _____ Make sure the bag with your car keys, house keys, ID's, passports, etc. comes with you to the wedding _____ Relax as you leave for the wedding! _____ Attend the wedding _____ Have the time of your life! _____ Attend the after-party _____ Have a safe ride home! THE DAY AFTER THE WEDDING - Chores to Assign _____ Have someone supervise the return of rental company items _____ Have someone supervise clean-up of the site, if necessary _____ Get a signed receipt for the return of all rented items _____ Have tuxes returned to rental store _____ Hold day-after breakfast for guests _____ Transport guests to airports, train stations etc. for their rides home _____ Hire cleaning service if your home was the site of the wedding festivities Additional planning checklists found in The Busy Bride's Essential Wedding Checklists, by Sharon Naylor www.sharonnaylor.net |
|||
|
|||
