Want to be well organized for your special day? To ensure you get everything done you want to get done and booked? Here’s a handing Planning Guide to help make the whole process easier.
— Announce engagement.
— Select wedding date.
— Hire wedding consultant/coordinator.
— Determine type of wedding: location, theme, number of guests, formality, time of day.
— Determine budget and how expenses will be shared.
— Buy a Day-timer to keep track of appointments and events.
— Develop a record-keeping system for payments.
— Create an approximate-number guest list.
— Decide if you will be inviting children or not.
— Select and reserve ceremony site.
— Select and book officiant/priest/minister/rabbi, etc.
— Select and book reception location.
— Select and order bridal gown.
— Determine colour scheme.
— If ceremony or reception is at a home, arrange for any home improvements.
— Select and book caterer, if needed.
— Obtain passports, visas, birth certificates, any documents needed for travel and/or marriage licenses.
— Select and book photographer.
— Select wedding party.
— Give wedding party a list of their responsibilities.
— Select and buy attire for bridesmaids and flower girl.
— Select and buy attire for mothers of the bride and groom.
— Select and book ceremony musicians.
— Select and book live band or DJ for reception.
— Select and book videographer.
— Select and book florist.
— Register for your wedding gifts.
— Schedule fittings for custom-made bridesmaids’ gowns.
—Arrange marriage preparation courses, if necessary.
— Reserve rental items.
— Select and book decorator.
— Finalize an A and B list of guests.
— Select and order invitations and other wedding stationery.
— Set date, time and location for rehearsal dinner.
— Select and book honeymoon night suite.
— Arrange accommodations for out-of-town guests.
— Start planning your honeymoon.
— Shop for your wedding gifts for each other.
— Shop for your wedding gifts for your wedding party.
— Shop for your wedding gifts for your parents.
— Buy shoes, lingerie and accessories for the bride.
— Buy shoes and accessories for the bridesmaids.
— Select and order wedding bands.
— Take formal engagement picture.
— Select and order wedding cake.
— Order party favours/bomboniere.
— Select and order decorations.
— Purchase honeymoon attire and luggage.
— Select and book wedding day transportation.
— Start addressing your invitations.
— Plan activities for out-of-town guests (optional).
— Obtain marriage licence (expires in three months).
— Go on trials and book wedding day hair and makeup.
— Bring your headpiece and wear a white shirt.
— Send out your invitations.
— Select ceremony readers.
— Select ushers to seat your guests.
— Select guest book attendant.
— Select your master of ceremonies.
— Mail invitations for shower.
— Get photography permit, if needed.
— Maintain a record of RSVPs and early wedding gifts.
— Maintain a record of shower gifts and send thank- you notes.
— Purchase all ceremony and reception accessories: guest book, toasting glasses, garter, ring pillow, etc.
— Select and reserve wedding attire for all gentlemen.
— Mail invitations to rehearsal dinner.
— Plan bridesmaid luncheon.
— Select your something old, new, borrowed, blue.
— Finalize all food and beverages for wedding.
— Finalize all ceremony details with officiant.
— Finalize all rehearsal arrangements.
— Finalize all floral arrangements.
— Final fittings for yourself and bridesmaids.
— Make a wedding day itinerary.
— Give a copy of the itinerary to your wedding party and vendors.
— Finalize all details with all your vendors.
— Decide order of receiving line and head table setting.
— Contact guests that haven’t replied.
— Pick up wedding rings.
— Give photographer a photo checklist.
— Visit reception site for floor plan.
— Create reception seating plan.
— Give musicians a list of your music selections.
— Inform attendants when and where to pick up attire.
— Determine VIP seating for ceremony seating.
— Print out seating cards.
— Pick up honeymoon tickets.
— Give caterer/reception venue final tally of guests.
— Pack for your honeymoon.
— Wrap reception favours/bomboniere.
— Arrange mail collection for when you are on honeymoon.
— Drop all wedding accessories and decor off at ceremony and reception locations.
— Make sure you bring all gifts that will be handed out at dinner.
— Make sure you have all final payments in envelopes for wedding day.
— Pack overnight bag for honeymoon suite.
— Make sure wedding party members have their itinerary.
— Make sure gentlemen have black socks.
— Go to church for rehearsal.
— Review VIP seating with ushers at ceremony location.
— Eat breakfast.
— Pack anything remaining on your “To Bring” list in cars.
— Maid of honour has groom’s ring
— Best man has bride’s ring.
— Make sure you have your marriage licence, photo permit and Special Occasions Permit, if needed.
— Put your engagement ring on your right hand.
— Use your wedding day itinerary to get you through the day.
— Remember to look around and soak in the views of the day for which you planned so long and hard. W
