Planning Guide > Wedding to do list

From Wedding Planning Guide

Soon after getting engaged

• Announce your engagement to family and friends.
• Place engagement announcement in newspaper.
• Set the wedding date.
• Establish who is contributing financially to the wedding, and fix up your budget.
• Nominate wedding party.
• Arrange engagement party.
• Decide approximate guest numbers for the wedding.
• Send out Save the Date invites.
• Select and book ceremony venue.
• Select and book reception venue.
• Decide on the style and theme for your wedding.
• Select and book photographer
• Select and book if there are other recorders (sound, video, event data)
• Plan alternate plans for your wedding if it is outside (if the weather is not good for the day).
• Get information about different honeymoon destinations.
• Develop a record-keeping system.
• Keep a diary of ideas.
• Create a scrap book of the wedding process.
• Start to think about ceremonial vows.
• Consider premarital counseling.

6-12 months before

• Shop till you drop for a wedding gown.
• Compile the guest list.
• Book entertainment.
• Plan and book honeymoon.
• Organize passports, visa and inoculations.
• Decide on the style of the cake, and book a cake maker.
• Book a wedding celebrant or a minister.
• Try different hairstyles now, instead of just before wedding.
• Start a health program.
• Obtain a birth certificate if necessary.
• Book necessary transport.
• Book a make-up artist.
• Book a hair stylist.
• Book a nail technician.
• Look for outfits for bridesmaids, flower girls, etc.

3-6 Months before

• Order or make wedding stationary
• Book all hire party equipment
• Select an MC.
• Finalize wedding guest list
• Finalize honeymoon details.
• Begin regular facial treatments.
• Start dancing lessons if necessary.
• Buy shoes, jewelry and other accessories.
• Select and buy wedding favors. (If you are making a wedding favor, start now.)
• Visit your wedding officiate, and complete the ‘Notice of intended Marriage’ form.
• Decide upon a gift registry, and compile a gift list.
• Choose the florist and the flowers you want.
• Book bridal suite for the wedding night
• Determine where you will be living after the wedding.
• Design and organize the wedding program.
• Make sure all deposits are paid, and contracts signed.

1-3 Months before hand

• Finalize flowers.
• Plan bachelor/buck’s/stag party
• Plan bachelorette/hen’s party
• Plan bridal shower/kitchen tea
• Arrange leave from work.
• Purchase a garter, a cake topper, a cake knife, toasting glasses and a guest book.
• Purchase or borrow a pillow for the ring bearer.
• Meet with your photographer.
• Send out invitations (at least 6-8 weeks prior to the wedding).
• Decide on the final wording for the ceremony vows.
• Bride and groom’s parents co-ordinate outfits
• Watch a wedding movie to get in the mood.
• Visit accountant to discuss post-wedding finical agreements
• Makes necessary changes to insurance polices.
• Make a new will.
• Organize name change, if applicable
• Select and confirm groom and groomsmen outfits.
• Schedule rehearsal dinner
• Shop for or design your wedding rings.
• Give a list of preferred songs to your DJ/singers.
• Have a hair and make-up trial.

1 Month before

• Follow up any late RSVP’s.
• Purchase gifts for wedding party.
• Organize marriage license
• Confirm reception, wedding, transport, flowers, DJ, MC, celebrant, hair stylist, etc.
• Finalize seating arrangements, and place cards.
• Sending wedding guest list to reception venue
• Schedule wedding gown fittings.

2-3 weeks before

• Have bachelor party/stag night
• Have bachelorette party/hens night
• Hair cut for groom
• Hold bridal shower
• Practice wearing wedding shoes.
• Rehearsal dinner
• Confirm all honeymoon details, and buy Travelers Cheques if needed.
• Confirm that all legal documents are in order (e.g. 'marriage license').
• Make sure that all in the wedding party are aware of what is required of them.
• Select music for the ceremony.
• Pick up wedding rings.

1 week before wedding day

• Pick up wedding outfits.
• Have nails manicured.
• Relax and have a massage.
• Pack bag/luggage for honeymoon.
• Have bridesmaids prepare an emergency key for wedding.
• Collect all hired and borrowed items.
• Pack for wedding
• Organize and confirm roles and responsibilities for the day.
• Final facial
• Give that final guest count to reception center and caterers.
• Write your speeches.
• Confirm that all services are booked and delivery times established.

Wedding Day

• Eat something.
• Relax and enjoy every minute of your wedding day.
• Thank everyone personally for their attendance and contribution to the wedding.

After the Wedding

• Open and record the wedding gifts.
• Name change (driver license, passport, etc.)
• Send out Thank You cards.
• Open joint banking account
• Enjoy the rest of your life together.