The good news is it looks like we're ahead of schedule. The bad news is there's a ton to do, but I'm looking forward to doing it with you. Here's a checklist based on some wedding sites. Please update and revise if there's anything you think we're missing.
An X indicates the event has been taken care of.
12+ months (June 23rd and prior):X- Begin envisioning your wedding
X- Decide on a budget
X- Begin interviewing wedding consultants
- Pick your preferences for wedding date and time
- Think about the gown
9-11 months (June 23rd to September 23rd):X- Book reception/ceremony site
X- Start notebook/file to keep all paperwork in one place
X- Choose wedding party
X- Decide on color scheme
- Have engagement photos taken (are we too far past this?)
- Get ready for engagement party (should we have another or is this silly?)
- Finalize guest list
- Start auditioning DJs
- Set up meetings with florists
- Find officiant and discuss ceremony structure with them
- Interview and get price lists from photographers
- Book DJ, sign contract, send deposit
- Select gown
6-8 months (September 23rd to December 23rd):- Register for gifts (we really need to update this)
- Think about how I want to do my hair
- Reserve photographer, decide on package, sign contract, send deposit
- Select bridesmaid dresses (I'm not really worrying about this yet as I'm doing them a little differently)
- Reserve florist, send deposit
- Let best man and maid of honor know when you expect of them by providing them with a list of duties
- Send save the date cards to guests b/c the location requires travel (include hotel reservation, city/travel information)
- Select cake design and inform baker
- Order gown
- Plan rehearsal dinner (usually we don't host it - should I ask my parents to host it - esp. if we're asking them to pay for it...)
- Finalize invitation wording and design
- Finalize menu and service details
- Order invitations (order extra envelopes in case we screw up writing them out)
- Purchase wedding insurance
4-5 months (December 23rd to February 23rd):- Decide on floral scheme, negotiate prices, sign contract with florist
- Decide on where you are getting your kilt, shoes, etc. from
- Book honeymoon
2-3 months (February 23rd to March 23rd):- Give groomsmen the information they need to reserve their kilts
- Get kilt (or sign contract to have it sent to you on appropriate day) and accessories
- Make sure bridesmaids have picked up their dresses and accessories
- Purchase wedding bands and send them to be engraved
- Decide on ceremony decorations
- Make or buy favors (allow extra time for custom-made favors)
- Send invitations
- Talk to people who we want to have do a performance or read at the ceremony
- Confirm delivery date for gown and schedule fittings
- Arrange for insurance polices to include spouse
- Get anything needed for international honeymoon (vaccinations, etc.)
- Arrange transportation to airport
- Provide guest list to bridesmaids for bridal shower
6 weeks (April 23rd to May 12th):- Update registry as gifts come in
- Confirm reservations for out-of-town guests
- Purchase veil and shoes
- Write vows and ceremony program
- Submit wedding announcement to newspapers
- Buy guest book and nice pen
- Research marriage license requirements
- Make an appointment to visit hairstylist with veil
- Attend bachelor party (write thank-you to best man)
- Buy gifts for attendants
- Attend final gown fitting
3-4 weeks (May 13th to June 2nd):- Send rehersal dinner invites (can we include these with the regular invites?)
- Do trial runs of hair and makeup
- Schedule wedding day beauty appts.
- Print ceremony programs
- Get marriage license
- Confirm honeymoon reservations
- Wrap all gifts for wedding party and write notes to each attendant
- Have follow-up phone call or meeting with officiant to go over timing and details
- Pick up wedding wrings and check engravings
- Make sure renter's insurance covers rings and gifts
- Work on list of songs for DJ
- Sit for bridal portrait if doing one
- Do paperwork for name change
- Work out wedding day timing (where the wedding party will dress, etc.) and draw up schedule
- Make sure I have my garter and "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue"
- Contact wedding party to relay critical information related to rehearsal and wedding
- Pick up gown
- Get a head start on thank-you notes
- Finalize any special preferences, readings, or ceremony details in writing with officiant
1-2 weeks (June 3rd to June 16th):- Give final head count to Mark
- Pick up veil and headpiece
- Plan party or go out for cocktails to thank attendants for helping
- Call guests who haven't RSVP'd for wedding or rehersal dinner
- Determine order of receiving line if we're having one
- Determine wedding day assignments for wedding party and make lists/info sheets for them
- Put together seating plan for reception and give to Mark
- Make place cards
- Confirm delivery times, location, and final arrangement count with florist
- Touch base with officiant and give them rehearsal details and wedding schedule
- Try on kilt
- Fax transportation provides schedule and addresses for pickups on wedding day
- Confirm all final payment amounts with vendors
- Pack for honeymoon
- Confirm location, date, and time with photographer and must take photo list
Day before:- Give parents gifts to thank them
- Confirm with people who we expect to give/lead toasts and reception
- Arrange for bridesmaid to pick up wedding dress and other personal belongings after we leave for airport
- Rehearse ceremony with officiant and wedding party
- Confirm honeymoon plans
- Pull together gown, veil, shoes, garter and emergency kit (aspirin, makeup, mints, etc.)
- Drop off favors, guest book, and pen at reception site
Day of:- Give each other wedding gifts
- Thank parents
After wedding:- Make sure all vendor bills have been paid in full
- Arrange for gown and bouquet to be preserved
- Write thank-you notes
- Take film to be developed
- Freeze top layer of cake to be eaten at first anniversary
