Wedding Checklist
Twelve Months Before Your Wedding
- Select a wedding date and time with a few alternate dates as well.
- Visit a bridal show or two.
- Contact a wedding consultant if you’ll be using one.
- Determine the type of wedding you want in terms of size, formality, etc.
- Establish a basic budget; try to get an understanding as to who might pay for what. Secure any loans you might need.
- Choose your bridesmaids, groomsmen, maid or matron of honor and best man.
- Select and reserve your ceremony site.
- Select and reserve your reception site.
Nine Months Before Your Wedding
- Start contacting disc jockeys or musicians, photographers, videographers and florists.
- Shop for the wedding gown, veil, headpiece and accessories.
Select the attendants for your wedding party. - Consider premarital counseling.
- Check into health and exercise plans.
Six Months Before Your Wedding
- Select and book your rabbi, priest, minister or other ceremony officiant.
- Select a photographer and have engagement pictures taken.
Start assembling the guest list. - Register with bridal gift registries in your favorite stores.
- Choose and order the bridesmaids’ dresses and accessories.
Four Months Before Your Wedding
- Choose a travel agent and begin your big honeymoon plans.
- Make sure your passports are valid.
- Meet face-to-face with the person who will serve as your reception’s Master of Ceremonies — usually the disc jockey or band leader.
- Make appointments for a physical exam with your doctor and it wouldn’t hurt to see your dentist as well.
- Check requirements for getting a marriage license in your state — some states require blood tests.
- Shop for your wedding rings.
- Choose and order your invitations.
Three Months Before Your Wedding
- Select and book your transportation services (limos, rental cars, etc.)
- Select and order the men’s tuxedos.
- Order the Mothers’ dresses.
- Finalize guest list.
- Send your engagement announcement to your local newspaper.
- Complete honeymoon details and make reservations.
- Arrange hotel accommodations for out-of-town guests.
- Confirm the menu and catering details with your caterer.
- Establish a guest limit for the reception.
- Prepare maps and directions to the ceremony and reception sites.
- Mail invitations and announcements.
Two Months Before Your Wedding
- Purchase your wedding rings.
- Select and secure wedding favors.
- Plan a time and location for your rehearsal dinner.
- Check the rehearsal date/time with the officiant.
- Plan the bridal shower, bachelorette party and bachelor party.
- Handle any legal matters concerning name changes, address changes, employment records, etc.
- Confirm details regarding the florist, photographer, disc jockey, videographer, musicians, etc.
- Choose the music for your wedding ceremony and reception.
One Month Before Your Wedding
- Confirm your wedding cake order with your caterer or baker.
- If you plan to have a printed program for the ceremony, secure design and printing services.
- Send a portrait announcing your wedding to the local newspaper.
- Establish appointments with your beauty salon for hair and make-up.
- Track and record RSVPs.
- Select your menu for the reception.
- Schedule a final fitting for your wedding gown.
- Schedule final fittings for bridesmaids’ dresses.
- Get your marriage license and any required blood tests.
- Buy your name change kit.
Two Weeks Before Your Wedding
- Pick up your wedding rings.
- Purchase wedding gifts for each other.
- Purchase honeymoon outfits — including intimate apparel.
- Purchase or borrow personal wedding accessories: purse, ring pillow, toasting glasses, garter belt, cake knife, candles, guest book, tosses and releases, etc.
- Confirm the arrangements and delivery times for flowers.
- Establish seating arrangements for both the ceremony and reception and complete placement cards.
- Reconfirm out-of-town guests accommodations.
- Reconfirm the guest count.
- Have your bridal shower.
One Week Before Your Wedding
- Make sure all wedding attire fits correctly and you will be comfortable.
Review seating arrangements with the ushers. - Reconfirm your honeymoon reservations with your travel agent.
- Pick up your plane tickets, traveler’s checks, passports and visas.
- Start packing for your honeymoon.
- Phone any guests who haven’t confirmed their attendance.
- Arrange all the placement cards for the ceremony and reception.
- Make sure any hired vocalists, bands or orchestras are prepared.
- Give a complete guest count to the caterer.
- Complete rehearsal dinner arrangements.
- Break in your shoes at home so you’ll be comfortable on your wedding day.
- Finalize all the details with your DJ, band, florist, photographer, videographer, etc.
- Have a dry run with your hairdresser with your wedding veil.
- Wrap your wedding party gifts.
- Have the bachelor party.
- Have your bachelorette party.
One Day Before Your Wedding
- If you’re the bride, get a manicure or massage to ease any jitters.
- If you’re the groom, play some golf or do something fun.
- Go over all remaining details and loose ends.
- Get to bed early so you are well-rested.
On Your Wedding Day
- Allow at least two hours to dress.
- Be sure to eat properly.
- Prepare for your hairdressing/make-up appointments.
- Allow two hours before the wedding ceremony to have photographs taken.
- Make sure you have proper payments for all contracted services including any balance left on the catering facility, the officiant, the disc jockey or band, and the videographer.
- Don’t forget the rings!
- Relax and enjoy what will be one of the most memorable days of your life.
