Brides Checklist Calendar
Nine to Twelve Months Before
- Determine the type of wedding you want, size, degree of formality, and setting.
- Select a wedding date and time.
- Notify your clergy and reserve date and time for wedding and rehearsal.
- Set a tentative budget.
- Decide how expenses will be shared.
- Shop together for wedding rings.
- Determine the size of the guest list.
- Plan reception and book reception location.
- Select and book caterer.
Book Mark's Photo and Gallery
Select and book videographers.
Select and book reception entertainment.
Select and book transportation for wedding day.
Compile names and addresses of your guests.
Decide on your color scheme.
Select wedding attendants, yours and his.
Determine sizes for all attendants.
Choose your dress and headpiece.
Schedule fitting and delivery date.
Choose bridesmaids' dresses and accessories.
Start planning for your honeymoon.
Discuss where you will live after the wedding.
Choose music for the ceremony.
Six to Nine Months Before
- Announce your engagement in the newspaper.
- Register your preferences at the bridal registries of your choice.
- Maintain records of all gifts received and send thank you notes immediately upon receipt of your gifts.
- Select florist and/or balloonist and discuss color schemes.
- Begin shopping for men's wedding attire.
Four to Six Months Before
- Start health and fitness program.
- Order invitations and other related stationery needs.
- Complete your guest list.
- Help both mothers coordinate and select their dresses.
- Ensure that all bridal attire has been ordered.
- Begin shopping for trousseau.
- Check blood test and marriage license requirements.
- Experiment with hair style and cut.
- Select baker and order wedding cake, groom's cake, and mints.
Two to Three Months Before
- Choose the men's wedding attire and reserve the right sizes.
- Start addressing invitations and announcements.
- Purchase accessories such as toasting goblets, ring pillow, garter, candles, etc.
- Confirm all details with your hired professionals.
- Confirm ceremony details with your officiant.
- Arrange rehearsal details.
- Plan rehearsal dinner.
- Plan attendants' parties.
- Choose responsible person to attend your guest book.
- Make appointment with your hairdresser.
- Arrange accommodations for out-of-town attendants and guests.
- Finalize honeymoon plans.
One Month Before
- Finish addressing invitations and mail them four weeks before the wedding.
- Get blood test and marriage license.
- Have your final dress fitting.
- Have formal bridal portrait done.
- Have final fitting for wedding attendants.
- Purchase gifts for wedding participants.
- Purchase gift for fiance.
- Complete shopping for your trousseau.
- Have attendants' parties.
- Purchase going-away outfit.
- Ensure that your accessories are in order_toasting goblets, garter, candles, ring pillow, etc.
- Finalize rehearsal dinner details.
- Make a calendar of events for your wedding day.
- Draw a map to direct guests to the ceremony and reception sites if necessary.
Two Weeks Before
- Finish addressing announcements to be mailed on your wedding day.
- Contact guests who have not responded.
- Pick up the wedding rings and make sure they fit properly and that engraver's inscriptions are correct.
Meet with Mark's Photo and Gallery and give him a list of special pictures you want taken.
Meet with videographers and give him a list of special events or people you want in the videotape.
Meet with disc jockey or band and give tehm a list of special music to be played that night.
Continue writing thank-you notes for gifts received.
One Week Before
- Provide the caterer with the total guest count and confirm all details.
- Provide your wedding party and out-of-town guests with timetables and maps, if necessary, for the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception.
- Review details of last-minute arrangements and timetables with all service companies.
- Plan seating arrangements, if used.
- Confirm all honeymoon reservations and accommodations, pick up tickets and traveler's checks.
- Discuss the details of the reception with your host and hostess.
- Assign tasks to be done on the wedding day to your wedding party.
- Practice applying makeup and styling your hair and determine the amount of time needed to do this on your wedding day.
- Make sure you have your marriage license.
- Pick up wedding attire and make sure everything fits properly.
- Keep writing thank-you notes for gifts received.
- Pack your suitcase for your honeymoon.
- Rehearse wedding ceremony with all participants in attendance.
- Attend rehearsal dinner.
- Give the best man the officiants's fee and instruct him to deliver it on the day of the wedding.
- Get a good night's sleep the night before your wedding day.
On the Wedding Day
- Remain calm and try to relax.
- Don't forget to bring your wedding rings and marriage license.
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Check with florist to ensure flowers will arrive on time.
- Apply makeup and style your hair slowly.
- Start dressing 1½ hours before the ceremony; the entire wedding party should be dressed and ready about two hours before the ceremony.
- Have music start thirty minutes before the ceremony begins.
- Have guests seated as they arrive.
- Groom's parents should be seated five minutes before the ceremony begins.
- The bride's mother should be seated immediately before the processional and before the aisle runner is rolled out.
After the Wedding
- Write and mail all thank-you notes as soon as possible.
- Take care of business and legal affairs. Change name if necessary on records and legal documents.