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Wedding
Planning Calendar
Bride's
Checklist
Groom's Checklist
Use the following check list
and calendar to organize your time and planning and to
make sure you take care of all the details of your
wedding.
Bride's Check
List
Six to Twelve Months
Before
Select a wedding date and time
Make a preliminary budget
Determine your wedding theme or style
Reserve your ceremony and reception location
Determine who will officiate at the ceremony
Hire a wedding consultant, if you plan to use
one
Decide on your color scheme
Determine the size of the guest list
Start compiling names and addresses of your
guests
Select bridal attendants
Have fiancée select his attendants
Plan reception
Check catering facilities, if at a club or hotel
Select a caterer, if one is necessary
Select a professional photographer and
videographer
Select a professional florist
Select your dress and headpiece
Announce your engagement in the newspaper
Select bridesmaids' dresses
Select engagement ring with fiancée, if he has
not already done so
Four months before
Make final arrangement for ceremony (deposits should be
paid, contracts signed).
Make sure all bridal attire is ordered
Have both mothers coordinate and select their dresses
Register at a bridal registry in the towns of both
families
Order invitations and personal stationery
Complete the guest lists and compile them in order
Select the men's wedding attire and reserve the right
sizes
Check requirements for blood test and marriage license
in your state
Make an appointment for physical exam
Shop for wedding rings
Start planning the honeymoon
Decide where you will live after the wedding
Begin shopping for trousseau
Two months before
Address invitations and announcements.They should be
mailed 6 to 8 weeks before wedding
Finalize all details with caterer, photographer,
florist, reception hall manager, musicians, etc.
Order wedding cake, if not supplied by a caterer
Finalize ceremony details with officiant
Make rehearsal arrangements
Plan rehearsal dinner
Plan bridesmaids luncheon
Make appointments with hairdresser
Arrange accommodations for out-of-town attendants or
guests
Finalize honeymoon plans
One month before
Have a final fitting for your and bridal
attendants gowns
Have a formal bridal portrait done
Get blood test and marriage license
Make transportation arrangements for wedding day
Purchase gifts for attendants
Purchase gift for fiancée, if gifts are being exchanged
Have the bridesmaids luncheon
Purchase going away outfit
Keep a careful record of all gifts received (write
thank-you notes immediately instead of letting them pile
up)
Make sure you have all accessories, toasting goblets,
ring pillow, garter, candles, etc.
Select responsible person to handle guest book and
determine its location
Two weeks before
Attend to business and legal details.
Get necessary forms to change names on Social Security
card, driver's license, insurance and medical plans,
bank accounts; make a will.
Prepare wedding announcements to be sent to newspaper
Reconfirm the accommodations for out-of-town guests
Arrange to have possessions and gifts moved to your new
home. Give a change of address card to the post office
Finish addressing announcements to be mailed on the
wedding day
One week before
Contact guests who have not responded
Give the final count to caterer and review details
Go over final details with all professional services you
have engaged. Inform them of any changes
Give photographer the list of pictures you want
Give the videographer a list of shots you would like
included in the video
Give all musicians the lists of music for the ceremony
and reception
Plan the seating arrangements
Arrange for someone to assist with last minute errands
and to help you dress
Practice having your hair done to make sure it comes out
properly and determine the time it will take
Practice using your make-up in the same type of lighting
you will have on the wedding date
Keep up with the writing of your thank you notes
Pack your suitcase for the honeymoon
Make sure you have a marriage license
Make sure you have the wedding rings, an they fit
Make sure all wedding attire is picked up and fits
Have a rehearsal with all participants, reviewing their
duties
Attend rehearsal dinner party. Stay calm and enjoy
yourself
Stay with the family the night before the wedding. Get
to bed early. You will want to look and feel great the
next day.
On the Wedding Day
Fix hair or have an appointment to have
it done at least 3 to 4 hours before the ceremony
Make sure nails are done
Start dressing one to one and a half hours before
ceremony. Or earlier of pictures are being taken before
ceremony
Have the music start thirty minutes before ceremony
Have guests seated
After the ceremony
Send announcement and wedding picture to
newspapers
Mail announcements
Write and mail thank you notes
Groom's
Check List
Six to twelve months before
Purchase the bride's engagement ring
Discuss with fiancée the date and type of wedding
Start on your guest list
Choose best man and ushers
Start planning and making necessary arrangements for the
honeymoon
Four months before
Shop with fiancée for wedding rings
Complete your guest list
Check requirements for blood test and marriage license
in your state
Select and order men's wedding attire
Finalize all honeymoon plans and send in deposits if
required
Two months before
Meet with officiant to finalize ceremony
details
Assist parents with plans for rehearsal dinner
party
Discuss the amount and the financial arrangement for the
flowers which are the groom['s responsibility
Arrange accommodations for out of town attendants
One month before
See that all attendants have been fitted
and wedding attire has been ordered
Purchase gifts for the best man and ushers
Purchase wedding gift for fiancée, if gifts are being
exchanged
Pick up wedding rings. Make sure they fit
Take care of business and legal affairs (insurance
pollicies, wills, checking accounts, etc.)
Two weeks before
Together with fiancée, gather necessary
documents and get your marriage license
Arrange wedding day transportation
Reconfirm accommodations for out of town guests
Have your hair cut
The week before
Discuss all final details with fiancée
Pick up and try on wedding attire
See that attendants get their wedding attire
Pack clothes for honeymoon
Reconfirm all honeymoon reservations
Of flying, make sure you have plane tickets
See to it that you and your attendants are at the
rehearsal and that they know their duties
Go over special seating or pew cards with ushers
Arrange for gifts brought to the reception to be taken
to your new home
Make sure luggage is in the car or the hotel where you
will stay your first night
The Wedding Day
Allow plenty of time to get dressed
Get to ceremony location on time
Give the best man the brides wedding ring
Place the officiants fee in a sealed envelope. Give it
to the best man to present after the ceremony.
Bring marriage license to ceremony or have the best man
do it.
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