Groom's 12 Month Checklist

10 TO 12 MONTHS PRIOR

Discuss the style of the wedding and the budget with your fiancée and ALL parents.

Participate with your fiancée in interviewing wedding consultants, advisors and coordinators.

Speak with all your friends - pick their brains - learn who knows what and who knows who.

Take your fiancée to every wedding show you can find - ask questions - learn from the professionals.

With your fiancée speak to your clergy - speak with other family members' clergy - ask questions.

7 TO 9 MONTHS PRIOR

Select all of your attendants together including your best man, groomsmen and ushers.

Together, begin compiling your guest list.

Go with fiancée to register with not less than three well known Bridal Registries for gifts (make sure you go along to avoid later surprises).

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 (actually you may just want to accept your future bride's choice).

By the end of Month 8 decide on a menu.

By the end of Month 7 schedule engagement photo session (this is NOT just for your fiancée - you should be included in these photos)

By the end of Month 7 select and order male attendants apparel.

4 TO 6 MONTHS PRIOR

Start shopping for wedding rings.

Finalize honeymoon plans with fiancée and book with travel agent.

Make sure you get your family's guest list and go over it with your fiancée.

Begin looking for a new place to live and start considering furnishings.

By end of Month 5 shop and order the men's formal wear.

Book wedding transportation - limousines, horse-drawn carriages, hot air balloons, boat, etc....

By the 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!! (If you are having these custom-made go back to 4 TO 6 MONTHS PRIOR and start again).

Finish guest list with your fiancée.

Shop for a wedding present for your bride.

Shop for any additional clothes you will need for the wedding events and the honeymoon (how about luggage??).

Shop for the groomsmen's keepsake.

STOP by the end on Month 3 get some serious business out of the way (if you don't do it now you may end up procrastinating into eternity.) Consider your will, life insurance, physical checkup, etc.

Reserve a block of rooms for your out-of-town guests (make sure you handle this for your fiancée).

4 TO 8 WEEKS PRIOR

Check finances and make final arrangements for payment on the items you (and you family) are responsible for.

Confirm that all fittings (clothes) are completed by groomsmen and father.

By week 4 PICK UP WEDDING RINGS.

2 TO 3 WEEKS PRIOR

Get marriage license with fiancée.

Reconfirm honeymoon reservations and (if leaving the country go to the bank and exchange at least $100 into foreign currency).

Confirm all transportation for all events (including reconfirming the honeymoon at the end of week 2).

Arrange to move your belongings and your bride's belongings to your new residence.

Make appointment to get hair cut (a manicure probably wouldn't hurt either). Try to set the appointment for about 5 days before the wedding.

1 WEEK PRIOR

First of all - remember that gift to your bride that you went shopping for during Month 2 or 3?? - Now is the time - give your bride the gift (and make a big deal out of it - this is important).

Second of all - remember those gifts to your groomsmen that you went shopping for during Month 2 or 3?? - Plans to give these out during the rehearsal dinner.

Third of all - reconfirm the rehearsal dinner plans with everyone.

Give the best man (at the rehearsal dinner) an envelope with the clergy's fee (he'll pass it on after the ceremony).

Sit down and go over a wedding day schedule with your fiancée.

At least 5 days prior get those little annoying chores out of the way:

Make sure wedding clothes are ready and then remind wedding party men to pick up their tuxedos.

Shine shoes.

Arrange now for going away clothes to be taken to the reception location.

Start packing early for your honeymoon (you will be surprised at how little time you have left as the week goes on).

Put marriage license and rings where you can easily find them.

THE WEDDING DAY

DON'T FORGET THE RINGS AND THE LICENSE!!!!!!!