Wedding Concierge 360° - Corporate News & Checklists

Wedding Planning Checklist

By Debi Kinney

One year to nine months out:
- Choose the date.
- Set the budget.
- Prepare a bridal file or binder where all details, contracts and ideas can be kept together.
- Draft the guest list.
- Hire a wedding consultant.
- Choose the ceremony site.
- Choose the reception site.
- Select the wedding colors.
- Start shopping for the wedding gown.
- Select Save the Dates.
- Check into marriage license requirements.
- Send personalized letter to wedding attendants outlining your expectations.
- Determine florist and select flowers.
- Select an officiant and make an appointment to review the ceremony.
- Shop for a photographer.
- Shop for a videographer.
- Research honeymoon locations.
- Select attendants.

Eight months to six months out:
- Purchase the wedding gown.
- Select caterer.
- Have engagement photos taken.
- Mail Save the Dates.
- Choose wedding rentals (decorations, tables, tents, etc.).
- Research and select rehearsal dinner site.
- Interview DJs/bands and hire your favorite.
- Book a wedding cake tasting and contract for your favorite.
- Reserve a block of rooms for out-of-town guests.
- Order the guest book.
- Determine honeymoon location and book travel and accommodations. Get a passport if necessary.
- Register for gifts at one to three stores.
- Pick out wedding rings.
- Get measurements taken for Groom.
- Start selecting ceremony and reception music.
- Order men's formalwear.
- Order invitations, RSVP cards, thank you notes and menus.
- Contact a makeup artist for a trial session.
- Schedule an appointment for the Bride to try out hair styles for the wedding.
- Review and finalize the guest list.
- Select bridesmaids' attire.

Five months to three months out:
- Shop for Bride's veil, shoes, undergarments and purse.
- Weigh a completed invitation before purchasing stamps, then purchase all stamps at once so they are all the same.
- Book the wedding-night hotel suite.
- Book stylist for bridal party hair, nails and makeup.
- Finalize the rehearsal dinner reservation.
- Finalize wedding day transportation.
- Finalize rehearsal dinner decorations.
- Schedule wedding dress fitting.
- Setup rehearsal at the ceremony location and notify all participants.
- Start shopping for and putting together welcome bags for guests (if applicable).
- Decide on wedding favors and purchase.
- Send out invitations.
- Select ceremony music, readings and vows.

Two months to one month prior:
- Call any guests who have not RSVP’d once the RSVP date has passed.
- Make confirmation calls to all hired vendors.
- Organize reception seating and order place cards.
- Send rehearsal dinner invitations.
- Obtain marriage license.
- Order gifts for families and wedding attendants.
- Make appointments for all personal services for the wedding (manicures, pedicures, massages, etc.)
- Purchase garter and ring pillow.
- Finalize something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.
- Ask someone trustworthy to pick up extra favors, toasting glasses, gifts and the guest book.
- Research name change protocol.
- Announce engagement in local newspaper.
- Confirm delivery dates of wedding dress and bridesmaids’ dresses.
- Make reservations for bridesmaids' luncheon.
- Prepare printed program for the ceremony.
- Order wedding accessories such as unity candle, toasting glasses, cake knife and server.

Three weeks out:
- Organize a timeline for the day of the wedding so you can envision how everything will flow and catch any details that may have slipped through the cracks.
- Purchase travel size toiletries for the honeymoon.
- Make a list of what to pack for the honeymoon.
- Wrap attendant and family gifts for the rehearsal dinner.

Two weeks out:
- Finalize schedule with DJ.
- Arrange for professional to preserve the bridal gown and bouquet.
- Put together favors and determine how to distribute them.
- Confirm payment schedule for vendors.
- Make sure you have the marriage license.
- Pack cake knife, guest book and toasting glasses along with other wedding accessories.
- Confirm guest count to caterer, reception site and rental company.
- Write rehearsal dinner and wedding toasts.

One week out:
- Pick up wedding attire.
- Schedule a final walk-through for the ceremony and reception.
- Have a final consultation with each vendor.
- Confirm honeymoon details – call airline and hotel to reconfirm bookings.
- Stop mail for the honeymoon dates.
- Get engagement ring cleaned.
- Pick up wedding rings.
- Put final payments for vendors in an envelope to distribute the day of the wedding.
- Host bridesmaids' luncheon.

Three days away:
- Confirm the schedule with all wedding attendants, family members and ushers.
- Pack for the night of the wedding.
- Check the weather forecast.

Day before the wedding:
- Fill cars with gas.
- Pack the marriage license.
- Give rings to appropriate attendants.
- Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

Day of the wedding:
- Enjoy!

Day after the wedding:
- Rest and relax!
- Have a family friend or wedding coordinator return all the rentals.
- Have a family friend or wedding coordinator take the bouquet in for preservation.

Upon returning from the honeymoon:
- Have wedding dress cleaned and preserved.
- Start the name change process.

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