Wedding Planning Checklist ~ for my vibride sisters!!!

12 Months:
1. Announce your engagement
2. Set the wedding date ~ take into accounts holidays, school and honeymoon plans.
3. Determine the religion the service will be performed in.
4. Choose time of wedding
5. Choose desired location for wedding ceremony
6. Choose desired location for Reception
7. Determine a color scheme for the wedding/reception
8. Decide on whether or not to go with traditional wedding vows or to write your own vows to each other.
9. Work out a basic budget
10. Research reception venues
11. Determine the minimum and maximun number of guests, including your wedding party.
12. Look through magazines, internet, bridal salons, and start thinking about your wedding gown and those of your attendants.
13. Research wedding pros ~ Photographers, Videographers, reception halls, church, DJs, Florists
14. Book a Wedding Planner/Coordinator
15. Set up appointments, and review portfolios of all vendors, tapes and recordings.

11 Months:
1. Determine theme of your wedding
2. Meet with caterers
3. Reserve Dj for Ceremony and Reception
4. Determine and make musical selections for both ceremony and recetion.
5. Book Wedding videographer and photographer ~ give deposit to both.
6. Make a list of must-have photos, such as ceremony and reception.
7. Research and interview florists
8. Select and reserve ceremony venue and schedule counceling and rehearsal time.
9. Choose reception venue ~ negotiate contract ~ leave a deposit.
10. Secure parking and /or transportation for your guests at teh reception location
11. Visit local bridal stores to browse their selection of gowns for yourself and your entire party.
12. Carefully choose your wedding party members and formally ask them to participate in your celebration.
13. Meet with the officiant to discuss the ceremony
14. Determine your honeymoon budget
15. Mail save-the-date cards.

10 Months:
1. Select and order your wedding gown.
2. Discuss attendant's duties with your wedding planner/coordinator, Matron of Honor and bridesmaids at your first (getting to know you) party.

9 Months:
1. Register for gifts
2. Coordinate with vendors to incorporate your theme/style/colors into all aspects of your wedding.
3. Decide on the food and liquor to be served at your reception
4. Pepare a playlist of wedding/reception musical selections for your DJ
5. Select and order headpiece, gloves, shoes, stockings, jewelry, etc...
6. Confirm orders of and delivery dates for your wedding gown
7. Research airline, hotel and rental-car reservations for guests
8. Start your wedding web page.

8 Months:
1. Go to first gown fitting ~ invite your Matron of Honor to attend
2. Choose and order all your attendants' gowns
3. Research a variety of wedding ring styles and make a selection according to your ring budget.
4. Select and book Floridst ~ discuss wedding theme, colors and style.

7 Months:
1. Notify bridesmaids about dress fittings
2. Discuss attire with groomsmen and make referrals to local formalwear store.
3. Select attire for flower girl, if not done so by now
4. If your invitation is a DIY project ~ determine the design, wording/font and paper stock for invitations, stationery, table cards and thank you notes and finalize order for paper.
5. Determine the order of ceremony events and choose appropriate wording for your programs
6. Negotiate rates and book a block of hotel rooms for guests ~ if necessary.
7. Select and order your wedding rings
8. Pruchase all bridal accessories, lingerie and so on.
9. Choose and order something fun for guests to throw after your ceremony (rose petals, bubbles, rice ~ check with your venue first for restrictions)

6 Months:
1. If you're ordering your invitations ~ review and approve proofs of invitations and stationery. If a DIY project, start working on preliminary design for your invitations and enclosures.
2. Discuss the type of honeymoon you want and start reading on potential destinations
3. Choose poetry/scripture readings for ceremony
4. Buy things to make centerpieces for guest' tables, If it's a DIY project for you.
5. Pick out and purchase wedding bands, if not done so already.
6. Decide to present the Mothers with flowers during the ceremony, after the lighting of the Unity Candles.
7. Buy baskets for flowergirls, if not being given by the florist
8. Buy or make ring pillow for Page
9. Meet with baker and choose flavors and style of wedding cake
10. Make/Print directions and map for ceremony and reception to include with all wedding invitations.

5 Months:

1. Order table cards - Place print order for programs
2. Finalize choice of honeymoon destination
3. Taste a variety of wedding cakes and select a baker ~ place cake order and arrange for delivery
4. Secure reservation for rehearsal dinner and select menu

4 Months:

1. Determine method of addressing invitations
2. Choose reception food
3. Design Program layout, if DIY
4. Determine reception layout by handling seating arrangements ~ ask your venue for a seating floor plan of your reception room and one will be provided.
5. Make sure flowergirl's dress (es) and all accessories are purchased
6. Make sure Mothers' dresses are purchased
7. Buy gifts for all of your attendants including a special gift for your fiance.
8. Print labels, and hand-address or have a calligrapher address invitations whether purchased or DIY
9. Have groom and male attendants visit formalwear shop and try on tuxedo.
10. Purchase or rent groom's wedding accessories, including tuxedo, cuff links, shoes, socks, and so on.
11. Make honeymoon reservations and place all deposits
12. Schedule bride's and Lady attendants' hair appointments ~ ask if salon could be closed down for the hours that you and your attendants will need to be taken care of.
13. Schedule nail appointment for wedding party ~ yes Men, this means you too, need a manicure and a pedicure.
14. Order programs from printer or Order program paper if DIY project.

3 Months:
1. Review and approve wedding announcement and printed program proofs
2. Book venue or secure reservations for post-wedding brunch (if doing so)
3. Plan your bridesmaids' dinner
4. Make appointment with stylist and/or hairdresser to discuss your wedding hairstyle.
5. Take another look at your registry and update or add items
6. Create hotel information cards and maps to include with your reservation.

2 Months:
1. Secure a wedding-day dressing room for you and your bridesmaids
2. Weigh, purchase postage for and mail invitations
3. Go to final gown fitting: Arrange for pick up or delivery
4. Have groom's formalwear fitted
5. Schedule engagement portrait
6. Ask people to do special performances or readings
7. Bride - confirm delivery date of gown
8. Groom and all male attendants ~ buy/rent accessories (shoes, cuff links, etc...)
9. Deadline for purchase gifts of all attendants including fiance, if not done already.
10. Arrange transportation of bride and groom from the ceremony site to the reception
11. Purchase ceremony accessories (Unity Candle, wine glasses and so on.
12. Schedule hair appointment for all male attendants
13. Determine order/timing of events at reception (cake cutting, gater toss, etc...)
14. Choose a person to be in charge of returning all rental tuxes and accessories
15. Buy honeymoon clothers and going away outfits
16. Determine the something borrowed, blue, old and new to wear on wedding day
17. Call and remind all who needs to attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
18. Buy wrapping paper for attendants' gifts ~ different paper for each group of attendants
19. Make itinerary of wedding day for all involved
20. Remember to pre-stamp your response cards prior to sending ~ make sure to have an extra book of stamps on hand for your thank you notes.
21. Ensure that formalwear shop has all tuxedo measurements.

6 Weeks:
1. Send rehearsal dinner invitations
2. Write thank-you notes for gifts received at bridal showers
3. Attend wedding gown fittings
4. Order liquor, wine and/or champagne
5. Arrange parking for the reception, if it's a concern
6. Begin on writing Programs
7. Buy a guest book and a nice pen, if haven't done so by now
8. Select menu for post-wedding brunch ~ if you're having one
9. Write newspaper announcement and gather photos
10. Make sure to purchase a gift for your spouse-to-be
11. Shop for wedding favors
12. Purchase honeymoon clothing, luggage and accessories
13. Go in for a practice hairstyle and make day-of-wedding hair appointment.

4 Weeks:
1. Confirm floral order and arrange delivery times
2. Order flower arrangements for rehearsal dinner tables ~ or plan on making a mock up if DIY
3. Ask caterer to make a basket of food to take to your hotel on your wedding day after the reception as you may not have time to eat much during the reception.
4. Determine who will be in which limo
5. Box and wrap all gifts for attendants
6. Find preservation companies to preserve your gown and wedding bouquet.
7. Confirm honeymoon reservations again
8. Record gifts as you receive them and send out thank you notes
9. Meet with ushers and assign duties for the ceremony and reception, if need be
10. Discuss the details of your ceremony with your officiant
11. Determine the placement or distribution of programs at the ceremony venue
12. Arrange for preparation, storage and break areas for DJ at the reception venue
13. Determine seating arrangements for guests
14. If you color your hair, make appointment for a touch-up the week before your wedding.
15. Go in for a dry run with a professional makeup artist and make a day-of-wedding appointment
16. Schedule an appointment for a manicure/pedicure for all bridal party members excluding young children.
17. Finalize details with photographer and videographer at each nuptial venue
18. Finalize honeymoon plans/itinerary and confirm all travel and hotel reservations
19. Arrange for transportation to and from the airport
20. Make all necessary arrangements for care of pets, plants and mail while away on your honeymoon
21. Post announcement and photo on your website
22. Arrange for table card setup at reception venue
23. Schedule pick-up or return of all formalwear

3 Weeks:
1. Send rehearsal dinner invitations
2. Do trial runs of hair and makeup; schedule beauty appointments
3. Arrange for delivery and placement of wedding flowers, candles and other decorations on the day of the ceremony
4. Discuss song list with ceremony musicians and agree on final choices.
5. Finish, proofread and print ceremony programs, if DIY
6. Get marriage license
7. Create list of play and do not play list of songs for DJ
8. Confirm wedding night and honeymoon reservations one last time
9. Bride ~ shop for stocking, earrings and all jewelry for the day of wedding, evening bags if necessary, etc...
10. Work out wedding day timing and details (who will get the bride there, where the wedding party will dress); relay assignments to wedding party
11. Bride ~ pick up your gown

2 Weeks:
1. Call guests who haven't responded for the wedding and rehearsal dinner
2. Final meeting with florist ~ overview and give them map to ceremony and reception sites if need be ~ Pay balance
3. Final meeting with reception hall/caterer ~ overview and tell them name of florists, DJ and Baker ~ pay balance
4. Final meeting with photographer/videographer ~ overview and give them list of specific pictures you want, choose album style and color and give them a map to all sites ~ Pay balance
5. Final conversation with DJ ~ go over special songs and ask him/her to make a CD of the songs he played during your reception as a special momento to you both ~ pay balance
6. Mail directions to Limo company and confirm times and itinerary ~ Pay balance
7. Make sure to have all programs already printed and placed in a beautiful basket
8. Finalize and print list of duties of each person involved
9. Print itinerary of wedding day ~ e-mail copies to all and print copies to be given at rehearsal dinner ~ that way there's no excuses
10. Confirm hair and nail appointments
11. Final gown appointment, if necessary
12. Confirm hotel reservation for wedding night
13. Determine personal wedding day itinerary
14. Submit wedding announcements to local newspapers
15. Give final head count to caterer and baker. Confirm setup and menu
16. Confirm that all vendors will have access to the site
17. Confirm all setup and payment information with all your vendors
18. Bride~ practice walking in your wedding day shoes as often as possible.
19. Finalize seating chart and make place cards
20. Give seating chart to caterer, location manager and host/hostess
21. Give your officiant the rehearsal date and details of wedding day schedule
22. Go apply for marriage license, if not done so by now

1 Week:

1. Confirm your honeymoon travel arrangements
2. Start packing your bags for your honeymoon
3. Get traveler's checks and/or a very small amount of cash
4. Bride ~ Pick up your wedding gown
5. Make bride's emergency kit for day of
6. Fill out first page of Guest Book
7. Buy 2 additional pairs of pantyhose ~ same as originally chosen, if wearing one
8. Remind all of rehearsal time
9. Take marriage certificate/license to clergy
10. Give Best Man the clergyman's fee ~ may need to be paid this week, please find out for sure. Even if your clergy do not require a fee it is customary to offer a donation no less than $100.00
11. Remember to take all centerpieces with you, if you're traveling to your wedding state (if out of town wedding)
12. Confirm again with all vendors
13. Take your wedding gown to be pressed

Day before Wedding:
1. Rehearse the ceremony with officiant and entire bridal party
2. Bride ~ pull together wedding gown, shoes, veil/tiara, jewelry, stockings, and a last-minute emergency kit (aspirin, makeup, safety pins, mints, etc...)
3. Groom, Best Man, Groomsmen, Page, Usher ~ pick up your tuxedos and accessories
4. Groom,, Best Man, Groomsmen, Page, Usher ~ get your final hair cuts
5. Plan for any additional night-before activities with friends and/or attendants
6. Groom ~ prepare your toast and thanks to friends and family
7. Dop off your favors, guest book, and pen at the reception site
8. Get some much needed sleep ~ if you can
9. Prepare bride's wedding day purse and give to mother of the bride for safe-keeping
10. Have rehearsal and rehearsal dinner ~ don't stay out too late!!!

Weddig Day!!!
1. Eat a good breakfast
2. Have one of your Best Man deliver your fiance's gift to him
3. Give Matron of Honor the groom's wedding ring
4. Give Best Man the Bride's wedding ring
5. Thank both parents, tell them you love them ~ trust me such a small gesture goes a long way
6. Attend hairstyle appointment, nail and makeup appointment
7. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready
8. Relax, smile, and enjoy yourself and your perfect day!

Post-Wedding:
1. Arrange for the transport of all gifts ~ Matron of Honor and Best Man
2. Have a family or friend mail wedding announcement ~ preferably Matron of Honor or Best Man ~ you want to be sure it gets done.
3. Take wedding gown to a dry cleaner who specializes in gown preservation ~ Matron of Honor Duty
4. Take the bridal bouquet and other wedding momentos to be preserved ~ Matron of HOnor duty
5. Mail gifts to Parents to thank them for their help and support ~ Bride and Groom's duty
6. Within two months after wedding, send all thank-you notes
7. Upon return from honeymoon, Brunch for wedding party, special guests and parents of bride and groom to say thank you

*** After return from honeymoon ~ remember to submit name-change forms for driver's license, passport, social security card, banks, credit cards, etc...

I hope that this was helpful to all my vibride sisters!!! I have other information to share and will do so continuously.

Happy planning!!!

Thanks Bumble!!!

You're more than welcome Teresa!!!

I personally don't know where I would be without it!!!

You're more than welcome SWEETP!!!