Wedding Planner Checklist
Here it is—from start to finish, the whole wedding-planning shebang.
|
bride |
groom |
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
Announce your engagement |
|
|
|
Arrange for your two sets of parents to get together if they haven't already met. |
|
|
|
Decide on a date. |
|
|
|
Go over the budget (include both sets of parents or anyone else who'll be paying for any portion of the event). |
|
|
|
Interview wedding planners if you'll be using one. |
|
|
|
Pick the ceremony site and visit the officiant. |
|
|
|
Work on guest lists to get a rough head count . |
|
|
|
Visit reception sites and reserve one. |
|
|
|
Shop for your gown. |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Choose your wedding party. |
|
|
|
Choose a caterer. |
|
|
|
Enroll in a bridal-gift registry. |
|
|
|
Order your wedding gown. |
|
|
|
Shop for the bridal attendants' dresses. |
|
|
|
Choose a photographer and/or a videographer. |
|
|
|
Hire a florist. |
|
|
|
Book the DJ. |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Order the wedding invitations, envelopes, thank-you cards, and any other wedding stationery you need. |
|
|
|
Shop for the cake. |
|
|
|
Scout accommodations for out-of-towners so you can send guests a list of nearby hotels in various price ranges. (Most hotels offer lower rates if you tell them a group is coming.) |
|
|
|
Complete the guest list. (Assume 20 percent of the invitees probably can't come.) |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Call the county clerk's office to find out about requirements for the marriage license. Get a blood test, if necessary. |
|
|
|
Order the tuxedos for groom and groomsmen. |
|
|
|
Make your honeymoon reservations. Compile all the necessary travel documents (passport, visas, etc.). |
|
|
|
Meet with the caterer or banquet manager to discuss menus, service style, wine lists, etc. |
|
|
|
Order the wedding cake. |
|
|
|
Buy thank-you notes for attendants. |
|
|
|
Shop for wedding bands. |
|
|
|
Arrange the rehearsal dinner. |
|
|
|
Meet with party-rental companies, if necessary, for tables, chairs or other items. |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Mail invitations eight weeks ahead of the date. |
|
|
|
Do a hair and makeup run-through (with headpiece). |
|
|
|
Book your favorite beauty pros to prepare you for that all-eyes-on-you moment. |
|
|
|
Look over insurance papers with your fiancé (car, life, medical, home)—you may need to make changes in the policy when you go from single to married. |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Puzzle time: Do seating for the reception. |
|
|
|
Confirm details with the photographer, florist, DJ, etc. |
|
|
|
Send an engagement photograph with a wedding announcement to newspapers. |
|
|
|
Have your final dress fitting. |
|
|
|
Write your rehearsal-dinner toast. |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Place fees in envelopes to be given to the organist, soloist, minister, etc. on the big day. |
|
|
|
Give caterer the final head count. |
|
|
|
Appoint a punctual pal to bring the cake knife, toasting glasses or other heirlooms to the wedding site early (and be responsible for getting them home again). |
|
|
|
Get a manicure, pedicure, facial, massage or other beauty treatments of your choice. |
|
|
|
Pack for the honeymoon (arrange for someone to bring your luggage and going-away outfits to the reception site if you're leaving from the reception). |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Greet out-of-town guests. |
|
|
|
Go to the gym, take a long walk, or do some other stress-reducing activity |
|
|
|
Schedule time for beauty—a manicure touch-up or a hairstyling appointment—before the rehearsal dinner. |
|
|
|
Hit the wedding rehearsal and dinner following. |
