Wedding Planning Checklist

The following Wedding Planning Checklist is a very complete and detailed list which itemizes everything you need to do or consider when planning your wedding, and the best time frame in which to accomplish each activity.

This checklist assumes that you have nine months or more to plan your wedding. If your wedding is in less than nine months, just start at the beginning of the list and try to catch up as quickly as you can! Use the lines to the left of the items to check off the activities as you accomplish them. This will enable you to see your progress and will help you determine what has been done and what still needs to be done.

NINE MONTHS AND EARLIER_ Announce your engagement.
_ Select a date for your wedding.
_ Hire a professional wedding consultant.
_ Determine the type of wedding you want: location, formality, time of day, number of guests, etc.
_ Determine budget and how expenses will be shared.
_ Develop a record-keeping system for payments made.
_ Consolidate all guests lists: bride's, groom's, bride's family, groom's family, and organize as follows: those who must be invited, those who should be invited, those who would be nice to invite. Decide if you want to include children among guests.
_ Select and reserve ceremony site.
_ Select and reserve your officiant.
_ Select and reserve reception site.
_ Select and order your bridal gown and headpiece.
_ Determine your color scheme. (TIP: Try "Inspiration Boards" such as the ones you will find in our blog. They can give you an idea of what colors look good together and how you can incorporate them into the table linens, table decor, flowers, Bridesmaids dresses, Favors, etc.)
_ Check with your local newspapers for wedding announcement requirements. Send engagement notice with a photograph to your local newspaper. (Optional)
_ Buy a calendar and note all important activities: showers, luncheons, parties, get-togethers, etc.
_ If ceremony or reception is at home, arrange for home or garden improvements as needed.
_ Select and book photographer.
_ Order passport, visa, or birth certificate if needed for your honeymoon or marriage license.
_ Select Bridal Party: maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, ushers (approx. 1 usher per 50 guests), flower girl and ring bearer.

SIX TO NINE MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING_ Give the Wedding Party Responsibility Cards (also provided in this blog) to your wedding party.
_ Reserve wedding night bridal suite.
_ Select your and Bridal Party dresses, shoes and accessories.
_ Select and book caterer, if needed.
_ Develop a record-keeping system for payments made.
_ Select and book ceremony musicians.
_ Select and book reception musicians or DJ.
_ Schedule fittings and delivery dates for yourself, attendants, flower girl and ring bearer.
_ Select and book videographer.
_ Select and book florist.
FOUR TO SIX MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING_ Start shopping for each others wedding gifts.
_ Reserve rental items needed for ceremony.
_ Finalize guest list.
_ Select and order wedding invitations, announcements, and other stationery such as thank-you notes, wedding programs, and seating cards.
_ Set date, time, and location for your rehearsal dinner.
_ Arrange accommodations for out-of-town guests.
_ Start planning your honeymoon.
_ Select and book all miscellaneous services, i.e. gift attendant, valet parking, etc.
_ Register for gifts.
_ Begin to break-in your shoes.
TWO TO FOUR MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
_ Select bakery and order wedding cake.
_ Order party favors. *ESTER A CREATIONS offers unique, affordable, personalized, and a beautiful variety of favors! Live Help consultation is available to help you select your favors; to match your theme, color scheme, to fit your budget, and to help you pick which favors best represent you as a couple.*

_ Select and order Reception decorations and Centerpieces. *ESTER A CREATIONS has a large variety of centerpieces to choose from. Unique, affordable, engravable vases, photo frame vases, centerpieces to match any color scheme or theme, and much more!*_ Purchase honeymoon attire and luggage.
_ Select and book transportation for wedding day.
_ Check blood test and marriage license requirements; this will depend on which state you live in.
_ Shop for wedding rings and engrave them.
_ Consider having your teeth cleaned or bleached.
_ Consider writing a will and/or prenuptial agreement.
_ Plan activities for out-of-town guests both before and after the wedding.
_ Purchase gifts for your Bridal Party. *ESTER A CREATIONS has a wonderful variety of gifts (engraving available) for your Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Flower Girl, Ring Bearer, Best Man, Maid Of Honor, Parents, etc.*

SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS BEFORE WEDDING_ Mail invitations. Include accommodation choices and a map to assist guests in finding the ceremony and reception sites.
_ Maintain a record of RSVPs and all gifts received. Send thank-you notes upon receipt of gifts.
_ Determine hair style and makeup.
_ Schedule to have your hair, makeup and nails done the day of the wedding.
_ Finalize shopping for wedding day accessories such as toasting glasses, ring pillow, guest book, etc. *ESTER A CREATIONS has a wonderful variety of Wedding Accessories to match your wedding theme and add a personal touch to your wedding day.*_ Have your formal wedding portrait taken.
_ Select and reserve wedding attire for groom, ushers, father of the bride and ring bearer.
_ Plan a luncheon or dinner with your bridesmaids. Give them their gifts at that time or at the rehearsal dinner.
_ Find "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a six pence (or shiny penny) for your shoe."
_ Finalize your menu, beverage and alcohol order.

TWO TO SIX WEEKS BEFORE WEDDING
_ Confirm ceremony details with your officiant.
_ Arrange final fitting of bridesmaids' dresses.
_ Have final fitting of your gown and head piece.
_ Make final floral selections.
_ Pick up rings and check for fit.
_ Finalize rehearsal dinner plans; arrange seating and write names on place cards, if desired.
_ Make a detailed timeline for your wedding party.
_ Make a detailed timeline for your service providers.
_ Confirm details with all service providers, including attire. Give them a copy of your wedding timeline.
_ Start packing for your honeymoon.
_ Finalize addressing and stamping announcements.
_ Decide if you want to form a receiving line. If so, determine when and where to form the line.
_ Contact guests who haven't responded.
_ Meet with photographer and confirm special photos you want. We've included a detailed list of questions in this blog that can be printed out and used for each photographer you interview._ Meet with videographer and confirm special events or people you want videotaped.
_ Meet with musicians and confirm music to be played during special events such as first dance.
_ Continue writing thank-you notes as gifts arrive.
_ Remind bridesmaids and ushers of when and where to pick up their wedding attire.
_ Purchase the lipstick, nail polish and any other accessories you want your bridesmaids to wear.
_ Determine ceremony seating for special guests. Give a list to the ushers.
_ Plan reception room layout and seating with your reception site manager or caterer. Write names on place cards for arranged seating.

THE LAST WEEK_ Pick up wedding attire and make sure everything fits.
_ Do final guest count and notify your caterer or reception site manager.
_ Gather everything you will need for the rehearsal and wedding day as listed in the Wedding Party Responsibility Cards.
_ Arrange for someone to drive the getaway car.
_ Review the schedule of events and last minute arrangements with your service providers. Give them each a detailed timeline.
_ Confirm all honeymoon reservations and accommodations. Pick up tickets and travelers checks.
_ Finish packing your suitcases for the honeymoon.
_ Familiarize yourself with guests' names. It will help during the receiving line and reception.
_ Notify the Post Office to hold your mail while you are away on your honeymoon.
THE REHEARSAL DAY
_ Review list of things to bring to the rehearsal as listed in the Wedding Party Responsibility Cards.
_ Put suitcases in getaway car.
_ Give your bridesmaids the lipstick, nail polish and accessories you want them to wear for the wedding.
_ Give best man the officiant's fee and any other checks for service providers. Instruct him to deliver these checks the day of the wedding.
_ Arrange for someone to bring the accessories you purchased; such as flower basket, ring pillow, guest book and pen, toasting glasses, cake cutting knife and napkins to the ceremony and reception.
_ Arrange for someone to mail announcements the day after the wedding.
_ Arrange for someone to return rental items such as tuxedos, slip, and cake pillars after the wedding.
_ Provide each member of your wedding party with a detailed schedule of event/timeline for the wedding day.
_ Review ceremony seating with ushers.

THE WEDDING DAY_ Review list of things to bring to the ceremony as listed in the Wedding Party Responsibility Cards.
_ Make sure Gratuity Envelopes are handed out.
_ Give the groom's ring to the maid of honor.
_ Give the bride's ring to the best man.
_ Simply follow your detailed schedule of events. Relax and enjoy your wedding! CONGRATULATIONS!