This checklist
provides some ideas about most of the things you will do in preparation
for your wedding. Remember, these are only ideas of things to consider,
and many items may not be applicable to you. Some duties apply strictly
to the bride and others to the groom. However, the majority of the tasks
can be accomplished by BOTH the bride and groom!
10 to 12 months prior -- decide on the basics...
Discuss the style
of the wedding and the budget with your fiancée and ALL parents.
Participate with
your fiancée in interviewing wedding consultants, advisors and
coordinators.
Speak with all
your friends - pick their brains - learn who knows what and who knows
who.
Take your fiancée
to every wedding show you can find - ask questions - learn from the
professionals.
With your fiancée
speak to your clergy/officiant.
7 to 9 months prior
Select all of your
attendants together including your best man, groomsmen and ushers.
Together, begin
compiling your guest list. Go with fiancée to register with not less
than three well known bridal registries for gifts (make sure you go
along to avoid later surprises).
Begin looking at
honeymoon options with your fiancée - visit a travel agency or
professional specializing in leisure travel - if you plan to leave the
country check on your passports.
Reach agreement
with bride on wedding officiant.
Reach agreement
with bride on the menus.
Reach agreement
with bride on engagement photo session (this is NOT just for your
fiancée - you should be included in these photos)
Select and order
male attendants' apparel (with bride's consensus on choice)
4 to 6 months prior
Start shopping for
wedding rings.
Finalize honeymoon
plans with fiancée and book with travel agent.
Make sure you get
your family's guest list and go over it with your fiancée.
Begin looking for
a new place to live and start considering furnishings.
By end of Month 5
shop and order the men's formal wear.
Book wedding
transportation - limousines, horse-drawn carriages, hot air balloons,
boat, etc....
Have the rehearsal
dinner plans in place (make sure you coordinate this with your fiancée).
2 to 3 months prior
Order the wedding
rings!! (If you are having these custom-made go back to 4 to 6 months
prior).
Finish guest list
with your fiancée.
Shop for a wedding
present for your bride.
Shop for any
additional clothes you will need for the wedding events and the
honeymoon (how about luggage??).
Shop for the
groomsmen's keepsake.
Change
beneficiaries in your will, life insurance, mutual funds, etc..
Get a physical
examination.
Reserve a block of
rooms for your out-of-town guests (make sure you handle this for your
fiancée).
4 to 8 weeks prior
Check finances and
make final arrangements for payment on the items you (and you family)
are responsible for.
Confirm that all
fittings (clothes) are completed by groomsmen and father.
Pick up wedding
rings.
2 to 3 weeks prior
Get marriage
license with fiancée.
Reconfirm
honeymoon reservations and (if leaving the country go to the bank and
exchange at least $100 into foreign currency).
Confirm all
transportation for all events (including reconfirming the honeymoon at
the end of week 2).
Arrange to move
your belongings and your bride's belongings to your new residence.
Make appointment
to get hair cut (a manicure probably wouldn't hurt either). Try to set
the appointment for about 5 days before the wedding.
1 week prior
Remember that
gift to your bride that you went shopping for? - Now is the time - give
your bride the gift( and make a big deal out of it - this is
important).
Remember those
gifts to your groomsmen that you went shopping for? - Plan to give these
during the rehearsal dinner.
Reconfirm the
rehearsal dinner plans with everyone.
Give the best man
(at the rehearsal dinner) an envelope with the officiant's fee (he'll
pass it on after the ceremony).
Sit down and go
over a wedding day schedule with your fiancée.
At least 5 days
prior get those little annoying chores out of the way:
Make sure wedding
clothes are ready.
Remind wedding
party men to pick up their tuxedos.
Shine shoes
Arrange now for
going away clothes to be taken to the reception location.
Start packing
early for your honeymoon
Put marriage
license and rings where you can easily find them.
1 day prior
Don't do anything
you could regret at your bachelor party. If your bride says "anything
goes", don't believe it! And don't drink too much because you'll want to
be alert for the wedding and reception.
Wedding Day
EAT!
Allow 1-2 hours
for getting dressed.
Give the best man
the bride’s wedding ring.
Place the
officiant's fee into an envelope and give it to the best man.
Take the license,
or see that the best man has it.
Have the Maid of
Honor and Best Man witness the license (where legally required
).
Dance first with
your new bride.
Dance second with
both moms.
Dance third with
the bridesmaids.
Be sure to thank
the bride’s parents and say good-bye to yours before you leave.
