Wedding Worksheet

Twelve or More Months Before the wedding

©      Announce your engagement

©      Set a date (you may want a few backup dates)

©      Make a preliminary budget

©      Reserve your ceremony and reception location

©      Choose and notify wedding attendants

©      Decide on your color scheme for wedding

©      Determine size of the guest list

©      Begin shopping for gown and veil  (Make sure to check out Dream Wedding Boutique )

©      Determine  who will officiate at the ceremony

©      Meet with travel agent (Make sure to check out Class Act Vacations)

o       Start planning honeymoon details

Important tips:

During this time you will be planning the basis of your wedding day.  After announcing your engagement, you will probably have already decided on a wedding date.  Choosing several back up dates is highly recommended.   This is especially true if you decide to wed during a popular month.  June, September, December, and Valentine’s Day are the most frequently booked times of the year.

 

After you have set a budget, you can then decide the formality of the wedding.  It is advised that you book your reception site, ceremony site and who will officiate at this time.

Eight to Twelve Months Before the Wedding

©      Compile names and addresses of guests

©      Order gown, veil and accessories

©      Order attendants gowns

©      Select a reliable, creative florist

©      Book photographer and videographer

©      Book musicians for ceremony

©      Book entertainment for reception (DJ or live band)

©      Book caterer if one is necessary

©      Announce engagement in local newspaper

©      Begin discussing post-wedding living arrangements

Important tips:

Most of wedding professionals you choose should be booked at this time.  Please keep in mind that you will need to book a caterer if the reception site doesn’t provide this service.  It is a good idea to get a bridal book so you can keep all your important details and questions wrote down to discuss when you meet with each professional.

Six to Eight Months Before the Wedding

©      Order invitations, announcements, thank-you notes and other bridal stationery

©      Select a bakery and begin tasting different cake samples

©      Discuss and finalize Honeymoon details with travel agent

©      Meet with florist to discuss details for wedding

©      Book hair stylist and makeup professional

©      Reserve any rental equipment necessary

©      Discuss details and make reservations for lodging and transportation for out-of-town guests

©      Select and order formal wear for groom and his attendants

Important tips:

Allow plenty of time when ordering your invitations and announcements so you can return any invitations with discrepancies and receive them back in time for addressing and sending them out.

 

Please keep in mind that invitations of nonstandard weight and/or size will require extra postage.  Postage fees add up quickly, especially if you have an extensive guest list.

Three to Six Months Before the Wedding

©      Order wedding cake and cake top.  If using fresh flowers for cake, be sure to discuss details with florist.

©      Reserve limousine and /or other bridal transportation.

©      Meet with florist to discuss details for wedding

©      Reconfirm all honeymoon arrangements including plane tickets, passports (if necessary) and lodging with your travel agent.

©      Discuss rehearsal dinner arrangements

©      Shop for your trousseau

©      Have both mothers coordinate and select their attire

©      Purchase gifts for bridal party (Make sure to check out Cindy's Friends from the Ark and Dee Presents Park Lane Jewelry)

©      Register at  online bridal registry (Make sure to check out Princess House Products)

©      Order wedding favors or begin buying the materials to make favors if you wish to make them on your own

©      Choose and book room for your wedding night

©      You may wish to use this time to start a workout program and/or diet if you need to get in shape before the big day (Make sure to check out Cindyp's Million Dollar Body)

©      Make final arrangements for ceremony (deposits should be paid, contracts signed)

©      Shop for wedding rings

©      Check requirements for blood test and marriage license in your state

Important tip:

Take a moment to relax and enjoy the planning of your dream wedding.  Remember, all the planning you are doing now will ensure your wedding day is a beautiful one.

Two to Three Months Before the Wedding

©      Address invitations and announcements

o       They should be mailed 4 to 6 weeks before wedding

©      Make an appointment to visit your hair and makeup stylist to discuss the details for the wedding

©      Make sure you have chosen and ordered all accessories for you wedding day attire (including shoes, hosiery, slip, lingerie, jewelry (make sure to check out Dream Wedding Boutique), etc.)

©      Discuss all details of reception menu with your caterer

©      Confirm wedding details with florist, photographer, videographer and musicians (remember to discuss all music selections with musicians and/or DJ)

©      Finalize ceremony details with officiant

One to Two Months Before the Wedding

©      Purchase gift for fiancé if gifts are being exchanged

©      Have your final fitting for you and bridal attendants

©      Buy guest book and pen, toasting glasses, unity candles, ring bearer’s pillow and other wedding essentials you will need. (make sure to check out Princess House Products and Dream Wedding Boutique)

©      Select responsible person to handle guest book and determine its location

©      Mail out invitations

©      Plan gown preservation

©      Make sure to call and finalize any last minute details with all wedding professionals you have hired.

©      Be sure you are sending out thank-you notes for any gifts you receive (including shower gifts)

o       Write them up immediately instead of letting them pile up

o       Keep a careful record of all gifts received

©      Obtain your marriage license

©      Picked up wedding ring (make sure they fit)

©      Discuss with friends and/or family members any duties they agreed to help you with.

Two weeks Before the Wedding

©      Arrange to have possessions and gifts moved to your new house

©      Give a change of address card to post office

©      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 announcement to be set to newspaper

©      Reconfirm the accommodations for out-of-town guests

©      Go over any necessary details with attendants

©      Confirm all travel documents with travel agent

©      Go over rehearsal dinner times with wedding party

©      Make final confirmations with all wedding professionals

Important tip:

The big day is near, so take a moment to relax and be happy.  Your lifelong dreams of love and happiness are just around the corner

One Week Before the Wedding

©      Confirm final guest count with caterer and review details

o       Contact guests who have not responded

©      Pick up gown and veil

©      Make sure all attendants have picked up their dresses

©      Pack your suitcase for the honeymoon

©      Buy any last minute essentials for wedding day and night and/or honeymoon

©      Give photographer the list of pictures you want

©      Plan for the seating arrangements (including head table)

©      Go over final details with friends and family members if necessary

©      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

©      Spend some quiet time with your fiancé

One Day Before the Wedding

©      Have your nails done

©      Put together a small wedding day “Survival Kit”

©      Confirm pickup times with limousine and/or other wedding day transportation

©      Attend rehearsal dinner and present attendants gifts

©      Make sure to give the best man the ring.

©      Get to bed early and have a restful night

Important tips:

Some good items to put together in your wedding day “survival kit”

©      Lipstick (if having makeup done by a professional, you can purchase a tube from your makeup stylist so you can maintain the same color all day)

©      Powder and/or foundation

©      Hairspray

©      Extra pair of nylons

©      Some comfortable shoes to change into at reception

©      Mints or gum

©      Hairpins

©      Tissues

 

On Your Wedding Day

©      Fix hair or have an appointment to have it done at least 3 to 4 hours before ceremony

©      Allow plenty of time to apply makeup. Have all accessories together

©      Allow plenty of time to dress and enjoy getting ready

©      If pictures are being taken before the ceremony, then have yourself and attendants ready about two hours before the ceremony (photographer and bridal attendants should arrive forty-five minutes before the ceremony for pictures)

©      Have the music start thirty minutes before ceremony

©      Have guest seated

©      Smile as you walk down the aisle and enjoy your dream wedding day

CONGRATULATIONS!

After The Wedding

©      Send announcements and wedding picture to the newspapers

©      Mail announcements

©      Write and mail thank-you notes