Bride's 12 Month Checklist |
|
|
|
10 TO 12 MONTHS PRIOR |
|
Buy your wedding planner or good organizer |
|
Discuss the style of the wedding and the budget with your fiancée and ALL parents. |
|
Interview wedding consultants, advisors and coordinators. |
|
Speak with all your friends - pick their brains - learn who knows what and who knows who. |
|
Speak to your clergy - speak with other family members' clergy - ask questions. |
|
Begin looking for locations - ceremony - rehearsal dinner - reception - other planned events |
|
Begin interviewing Caterers, Bakers, Photographers, Florists, Videographers, Musicians |
|
By end of Month 12 select three of your key players: advisor/consultant - caterer and photographer |
|
By end of Month 11 select site for the ceremony |
|
By end of Month 10 select site for the reception and rehearsal dinner |
|
By end of Month 10 select the remaining key players; baker, florist, musicians, videographer |
|
7 TO 9 MONTHS PRIOR |
|
Select all of your attendants |
|
Together, begin compiling your guest list. |
|
Contact and visit clergy or justice of the peace |
|
Begin shopping for appropriate clothiers and (ladies) accessorize, accessorize, accessorize, accessorize |
|
Register with not less than three well known Bridal Registries for gifts |
|
Begin looking at honeymoon options with your fiancée - visit a travel agency or professional specializing in leisure travel - if you plan to leave the country check on your passports. |
|
By the end of Month 9 choose clergy |
|
By the end of Month 8 decide on a menu. |
|
By the end of Month 7 schedule engagement photo session |
|
By the end of Month 7 select and order attendant's apparel. |
|
4 TO 6 MONTHS PRIOR |
|
Begin review of details with all of your wedding professionals |
|
Finalize honeymoon plans with fiancée and book with travel agent. |
|
By end of Month 6 shop for and order invitations and announcements |
|
Finalize music selection for wedding and reception |
|
By end of Month 5 book calligrapher |
|
By end of Month 5 shop and order the men's formal wear |
|
Book wedding transportation - limousines, horse-drawn carriages, hot air balloons, boat, or whatever |
|
By end of Month 4 have the rehearsal dinner plans in place (make sure you coordinate this with your fiancée). |
|
2 TO 3 MONTHS PRIOR |
|
Order the wedding rings!! |
|
Finish guest list |
|
Lingerie |
|
Honeymoon Clothes |
|
Attendants' gifts |
|
Your gift for your fiancée |
|
Pre- & post-wedding party clothes you might need |
|
Finalize catering, bakery, floral arrangements (be a little flexible) |
|
Reserve a block of rooms for your out-of-town guests (good work for your fiancée) |
|
Finalize arrangements for any rental items you may need |
|
Candelabra & other silver pieces |
|
Special decorative screens & archways |
|
Special lighting (particularly if part of the event will be outside or in an unique area where normal lighting may not be possible) |
|
Make appointment with your hairdresser (a trial run for next month - also good for your bridal portrait) |
|
Make appointment with your hairdresser (final) |
|
Make appointment for your nails (hands and feet) |
|
Make appointment with a makeup artist for the day of your bridal portrait |
|
4 TO 8 WEEKS PRIOR |
|
Mail your wedding invitations and send either you preplanned special itinerary for early arriving out-of-town guests or an activity sheet from area chambers-of-commerce |
|
Final fittings (you and the attendants) |
|
Plan the bridesmaids' party & confirm the location & instructions |
|
By Week 6 have bridal portrait taken |
|
Send local paper and wedding publications your announcement and photograph |
|
Notes! Notes! Notes! Write Thank You Notes as you receive bridal and wedding gifts |
|
Reconfirm rehearsal events and rehearsal dinner reservations |
|
For your own peace of mind personally touch base with every key professional you and/or your coordinator have working on all your upcoming events |
|
By Week 4 Pick Up Wedding Rings |
|
Get marriage license with fiancée |
|
Reconfirm honeymoon reservations and (if leaving the country got o bank and exchange at least $100 into foreign currency) |
|
Submit request lists to your musicians, photographer and videographer |
|
Formally invite wedding party and guests to the rehearsal dinner |
|
Confirm all transportation for all events (including honeymoon) |
|
Address announcements to mail on your wedding day |
|
Prepare all the necessary forms for name address changes on social security card, credit cards, bank accounts, post office, driver's license, etc. |
|
Arrange to move belongings to new home |
|
By the last day of Week 2 plan a day to be alone with your family |
|
1 WEEK PRIOR |
|
On the very first day of the very last week begin packing for your honeymoon |
|
Check final details with all your wedding professionals - early in the week |
|
Give (or attend) the Bridesmaids' party |
|
Give final guest count to the caterer |
|
Create a wedding day schedule with your fiancée |
|
Remind wedding party men to pick up tuxedos |
|
Remind attendants of rehearsal dinner agenda |
|
Remind fiancée to double check rehearsal dinner plans |
|
Finish packing for your honeymoon |
|
Rehearsal Dinner (give wedding day schedule to all) |
|
Schedule the day prior to the wedding as a free day - and a day to visit with a few close friends |
|
