|
|
Wedding Planning: Calendar Checklists
You have decided upon a wedding date, now you need to address all the planning aspects. Wedding planning can be overwhelming and frustrating at times. Consider the guideline below to help devise yours and your grooms timeline of tasks to help alleviate any frustatrations or headaches before they start.
12-6 MONTHS BEFORE
- Send engagement announcement to newspaper(s)
- Devise a budget
- Determine the size of your guest list
- Compile a list of guest's names and addresses
- Determine a wedding theme or style
- Decide upon a color scheme for your bridal attire and wedding decor
- Decide upon and formally ask those you wish to be your bridal attendants
- Select and book your ceremony and reception sites
- Become familiar with any rules or restrictions of your planned sites
- Start planning reception
- Determine and book the ceremony officiator
- Hire a wedding consultant (if you plan to use one)
- Plan reception menu
- Select and book a caterer (if one is necessary)
- Select and book a photographer and videographer as needed
- Determine your floral plans and select and book an appropriate florist
- Decide upon and order/purchase your bridal gown, veil, and headpiece as needed
- Determine upon your bridal party attire and have each attendant arrange a fitting appointment
- Determine upon your planned mode(s) of transportation for the day and book accordingly
6-4 MONTHS BEFORE
- Finalize arrangements for ceremony
- Make sure all bridal attire has been ordered (inclduing the men's wedding attire)
- Have any mothers on both sides coordinate and select their dresses
- Decide upon and complete your registries (be sure that a registry is accessible to each invited guest)
- Select and order invitations and personal stationary
- Finalize guest list with complete mailing information for each guest
- Check state marriage requirements, including license (blood tests are not currently required in Maryland)
- Shop for wedding bands
- Start honeymoon planning
- Start shopping for wedding trousseau
- Decide upon after-wedding living arrangements
4-2 MONTHS BEFORE
- Make sure invitations and announcements are ready for mailing (which should be mailed 4-6 weeks before date of wedding)
- Arrange fittings and any necessary alterations for your and bridal attendants' gowns
- Finalize all details with reception coordinator, photographer, forist, entertainment, transportation, etc.
- Select and order wedding cake, if not already being supplied
- Make sure all ceremony details have been finalized with officiant (make rehearsal arrangements at this time)
- Make any necessary beauty appointments, such as hair, nails, and make-up
- Finalize honeymoon plans, and pay deposit
- Arrange accommodations for out-of-town guests
- Plan rehearsal dinner and bridesmaids' luncheon
- Schedule any necessary physical or health appointments
2-1 MONTH(S) BEFORE
- Arrange final fitting for your and bridal attendants' gowns
- Complete physical or dental appointments
- Select and purchase gifts for attendants, parents, and fiance
- Have bridesmaids' luncheon
- If necessary, purchase going-away attire
- Record all gifts received (write and send thank-yous as you receive each gift)
- Finalize selection of and purchase all necessary accessories, such as ring pillow, candles, garters, toasting flutes
- Plan rehearsal dinner and bridesmaids' luncheon
4-2 WEEKS BEFORE
- Make arrangements to complete all legal details, such as name change forms for social security card, driver's license
- Decide with finance bank account and insurance arrangements after the wedding; prepare accordingly
- Make a will
- Prepare wedding annoucements to be sent to newspaper
- Make any necessary moving arrangements to new home; Fill out change of address form at local post office
2-1 WEEK(S) BEFORE
- Contact any quests that have not responded to finalize guest attendance number to submit to reception and catering services as necessary
- Decide with finance bank account and insurance arrangements after the wedding; prepare accordingly
- Confirm final arrangements with all professional services contracted
- Give photographer a list of pictures you want
- Give videographer a list of shots you want included
- Give ceremony musicians list of desired music
- Give reception musicians list of desired music
- Plan and submit seating arrangement to reception coordinator
- Practice hairstyling and make-up to acheive desired look (note time it takes if doing it yourself)
- Pack for honeymoon
- Make sure marriage license has been attained
- Make sure all bridal attire has been picked up and fits
- Make sure wedding bands have been picked up and fit
- Attend rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner
- Arrange for attendants to meet with you one hour before ceremony for pictures
- Go to bed early
WEDDING DAY
- Eat something
- Shower
- Style hair (by you or hairdresser as arranged)
- Make sure nails are done
- Dress 2 hours before ceremony
- Have make-up applied
- Have pictures taken with bridal attendants one hour before ceremony
- Leave for ceremony
AFTER WEDDING
- Send announcement and wedding picture to newspaper
- Mail announcements
- Write and mail thank you notes within 3 months
|
|
|
