Our Wedding To Do List
Those in Silver are Completed!
(A thank you to futuremrs from theknot for her to-do list I plagerized)
12 + Months
Announce our engagement
Select a date for our wedding - October 09, 2011
Engagement Photo Shoot - September 16, 2010
Determine type of wedding we want: location, formality, time of day, number of guests, etc.
Determine the budget and who is paying for what
Develop a system to keep track of payments made
Get in wedding-day shape
9-11 Months
Scout and book ceremony/reception areas
If we're having an engagement party, set a date, draft a guest list and send out invites
Put together complete bridal party (ceremony readers, maid of honor, ring bearers, etc.)
Consolidate all guest lists: bride's, groom's, bride's family, groom's family, and organize
Choose wedding colors - Purple & Silver
Decide on a caterer and hash out menu options, put down deposit - Part of Package for Reception
Start wedding dress search
Finalize guest list
Design and Mail Save the Dates
Discuss flower options
Make appointments and head to bridal salon to start trying on dresses
Research, interview and get price lists from photographers
Start wedding registries at a few stores
6-8 Months
Book wedding photographer
Start scouting bridesmaids dresses and get girls' input
Make sure everyone in the wedding party is aware of what we expect of them.
Hand out To-Do lists if need be.
Send an engagement notice with a photograph to local newspapers
Narrow down gown choices and make a decision
Hire Florist
Book DJ
Start making decisions on ceremony music
Scout bakers for a cake - Included in Reception Package (Konditor Meister)
Start researching hair styles and hair stylists
Get a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests
Select bridesmaids' gowns
Finish wedding registry
Order and send out save-the-dates
Book the cake baker - Konditor Meister
Have bridesmaids get measured and order dresses
Start planning rehearsal dinner - Fiance's Mother
Order wedding gown
Order wedding invitations
Finalize caterer and menu options
4-5 Months
Decide on floral arrangements and put down deposit/sign contract
Choose and reserve tables, chairs and any other rentals we'll need for reception/ceremony
Book the rehearsal dinner site and finalize menu - Fiance's Mother
Book hotel room for wedding night - Included in Wedding Package
Make sure out-of-town guests know hotel information and all the details of the wedding
Start addressing invitations (send them out at three month mark)
Start looking at tuxes and get all GM/Ushers fitted
2-3 Months
Give all GM/Ushers info to get their attire
Shop for and purchase wedding bands
Put together wedding beauty plan (facials, spa treatments, etc.)
Make sure ceremony/reception decor is all set to go
Decide on wedding favors - Tea diffusers and tea
Make sure bridesmaids have ordered dresses and have gotten all accessories
Talk to MOH and BM about pre-party plans (bachelor/bachelorette party, bridal shower)
Gather all appropriate documents for honeymoon (visas, birth certificates, vaccinations, passports)
Make sure I have all appropriate under garments for first dress fitting
Finalize and confirm ceremony readings/songs with VIP
Confirm delivery of BM gowns
Confirm gown fittings (1st at six weeks; 2nd at 1 month; 3rd at 2 weeks before the big day)
Choose and purchase groom accessories
Provide a guest list to BM's for bridal shower
Arrange needed transportation
At 3 months send out wedding invitations
6 Weeks
Start writing ceremony program
Decide on veil, shoes, etc. to go with dress prior to final dress fitting
Finalize vows
Submit newspaper announcement
Have first dress fitting
Confirm hotel reservations for out of town guests
Make a hair trial appointment
Write thank-you's for Bridal Shower
Purchase gifts for entire wedding party
Attend final fitting
3-4 Weeks
Decide on a guestbook
Send out rehearsal dinner invitations
Finish ceremony programs
Finalize wedding day beauty appointments
Get the marriage license and make appointment for blood test
Work on a "must-play" playlist
Finalize ceremony music
Confirm honeymoon reservations
Wrap all gifts for wedding party
Pick up wedding bands
Work out wedding day timing and details (who will get the bride there, where the wedding party will dress, etc) and draw up a day-of schedule
Get a final haircut
Do all paperwork for name change
Pick up wedding gown
Make sure to have garter, something old, something new, etc.
Call or email wedding party to relay critical info related to rehearsal and wedding (dates, times, directions, duties)
Get a head start on those thank you notes
1-2 Weeks
Call your reception site manager and make sure your vendors all have access to the site when they need it
Determine any wedding day assignments for members of the wedding party, and make lists/info sheets as needed
Give a final head count to the caterer
Break in wedding shoes
Call guests who haven't RSVP'ed
Confirm head count, delivery time, and reception location with your cake baker
Treat your bridesmaids to a party at your place, or just cocktails to thank your attendants for all their help
Confirm all final payment amounts with vendors
Prepare toasts' for family members etc.
Confirm delivery locations, times, and final arrangement count with florist
Pick up tuxes
Pack for the honeymoon
Confirm location, date, and time with photographer and put together ideas for must take photos
Get final haircut for groom
Distribute wedding-day directions, schedule, and contact list to all parents, attendants, and vendors
Designate who (reception site manager, coordinator, close friend) will meet, greet, and handle each vendor on the wedding day
Put together an overnight bag for your wedding night (toothbrush, sexy lingerie, etc.) and designate someone to deliver it to the hotel for you
Designate someone to collect the wedding gifts (and any cash) brought to the party
Confirm date, location, time, and playlist with band/DJ and/or ceremony or cocktail hour musicians
Put final payments and cash tips for vendors in marked envelopes and give to a designated family or friend to distribute on the wedding day
Leave a copy of your honeymoon itinerary with someone in case of emergency
Get a manicure and pedicure and confirm wedding day beauty appointments
Day Before
Confirm all honeymoon plans
Arrange for someone to drop off guestbook at reception site
Give wedding announcements to your honor attendant to be mailed on the wedding day
Pull together wedding gown, veil, shoes, stockings, and an ER kit (aspirin, makeup, safety pins, mints, etc.)
Get Sleep
Have fun and relax at the rehearsal dinner
Rehearse the ceremony with officiant and wedding party
Day Of
Thank parents
Set aside a private moment with FI
Enjoy the day!
Confirm with those people you expect to give/lead toasts at the reception
After The Wedding
Arrange for a bridesmaid or mom to pick up your wedding dress and other personal belongings at the hotel after you depart
Freeze the top layer of the wedding cake
Preserve bouquet, etc.
Preserve dress, etc.
Put together an online photo albums from friends’ Facebook, Picasa, and other wedding albums. These will most likely be the first photos available, since professional proofs can take weeks
Mail gifts to parents to thank them for their help and support, if you didn’t give them out at the rehearsal dinner
Make sure bills are paid in full
Within two months of your wedding, set aside some romantic evenings to write that stack of thank-you notes.
(A thank you to futuremrs from theknot for her to-do list I plagerized)
12 + Months
Announce our engagement
Select a date for our wedding - October 09, 2011
Engagement Photo Shoot - September 16, 2010
Determine type of wedding we want: location, formality, time of day, number of guests, etc.
Determine the budget and who is paying for what
Develop a system to keep track of payments made
Get in wedding-day shape
9-11 Months
Scout and book ceremony/reception areas
If we're having an engagement party, set a date, draft a guest list and send out invites
Put together complete bridal party (ceremony readers, maid of honor, ring bearers, etc.)
Consolidate all guest lists: bride's, groom's, bride's family, groom's family, and organize
Choose wedding colors - Purple & Silver
Decide on a caterer and hash out menu options, put down deposit - Part of Package for Reception
Start wedding dress search
Finalize guest list
Design and Mail Save the Dates
Discuss flower options
Make appointments and head to bridal salon to start trying on dresses
Research, interview and get price lists from photographers
Start wedding registries at a few stores
6-8 Months
Book wedding photographer
Start scouting bridesmaids dresses and get girls' input
Make sure everyone in the wedding party is aware of what we expect of them.
Hand out To-Do lists if need be.
Send an engagement notice with a photograph to local newspapers
Narrow down gown choices and make a decision
Hire Florist
Book DJ
Start making decisions on ceremony music
Scout bakers for a cake - Included in Reception Package (Konditor Meister)
Start researching hair styles and hair stylists
Get a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests
Select bridesmaids' gowns
Finish wedding registry
Order and send out save-the-dates
Book the cake baker - Konditor Meister
Have bridesmaids get measured and order dresses
Start planning rehearsal dinner - Fiance's Mother
Order wedding gown
Order wedding invitations
Finalize caterer and menu options
4-5 Months
Decide on floral arrangements and put down deposit/sign contract
Choose and reserve tables, chairs and any other rentals we'll need for reception/ceremony
Book the rehearsal dinner site and finalize menu - Fiance's Mother
Book hotel room for wedding night - Included in Wedding Package
Make sure out-of-town guests know hotel information and all the details of the wedding
Start addressing invitations (send them out at three month mark)
Start looking at tuxes and get all GM/Ushers fitted
2-3 Months
Give all GM/Ushers info to get their attire
Shop for and purchase wedding bands
Put together wedding beauty plan (facials, spa treatments, etc.)
Make sure ceremony/reception decor is all set to go
Decide on wedding favors - Tea diffusers and tea
Make sure bridesmaids have ordered dresses and have gotten all accessories
Talk to MOH and BM about pre-party plans (bachelor/bachelorette party, bridal shower)
Gather all appropriate documents for honeymoon (visas, birth certificates, vaccinations, passports)
Make sure I have all appropriate under garments for first dress fitting
Finalize and confirm ceremony readings/songs with VIP
Confirm delivery of BM gowns
Confirm gown fittings (1st at six weeks; 2nd at 1 month; 3rd at 2 weeks before the big day)
Choose and purchase groom accessories
Provide a guest list to BM's for bridal shower
Arrange needed transportation
At 3 months send out wedding invitations
6 Weeks
Start writing ceremony program
Decide on veil, shoes, etc. to go with dress prior to final dress fitting
Finalize vows
Submit newspaper announcement
Have first dress fitting
Confirm hotel reservations for out of town guests
Make a hair trial appointment
Write thank-you's for Bridal Shower
Purchase gifts for entire wedding party
Attend final fitting
3-4 Weeks
Decide on a guestbook
Send out rehearsal dinner invitations
Finish ceremony programs
Finalize wedding day beauty appointments
Get the marriage license and make appointment for blood test
Work on a "must-play" playlist
Finalize ceremony music
Confirm honeymoon reservations
Wrap all gifts for wedding party
Pick up wedding bands
Work out wedding day timing and details (who will get the bride there, where the wedding party will dress, etc) and draw up a day-of schedule
Get a final haircut
Do all paperwork for name change
Pick up wedding gown
Make sure to have garter, something old, something new, etc.
Call or email wedding party to relay critical info related to rehearsal and wedding (dates, times, directions, duties)
Get a head start on those thank you notes
1-2 Weeks
Call your reception site manager and make sure your vendors all have access to the site when they need it
Determine any wedding day assignments for members of the wedding party, and make lists/info sheets as needed
Give a final head count to the caterer
Break in wedding shoes
Call guests who haven't RSVP'ed
Confirm head count, delivery time, and reception location with your cake baker
Treat your bridesmaids to a party at your place, or just cocktails to thank your attendants for all their help
Confirm all final payment amounts with vendors
Prepare toasts' for family members etc.
Confirm delivery locations, times, and final arrangement count with florist
Pick up tuxes
Pack for the honeymoon
Confirm location, date, and time with photographer and put together ideas for must take photos
Get final haircut for groom
Distribute wedding-day directions, schedule, and contact list to all parents, attendants, and vendors
Designate who (reception site manager, coordinator, close friend) will meet, greet, and handle each vendor on the wedding day
Put together an overnight bag for your wedding night (toothbrush, sexy lingerie, etc.) and designate someone to deliver it to the hotel for you
Designate someone to collect the wedding gifts (and any cash) brought to the party
Confirm date, location, time, and playlist with band/DJ and/or ceremony or cocktail hour musicians
Put final payments and cash tips for vendors in marked envelopes and give to a designated family or friend to distribute on the wedding day
Leave a copy of your honeymoon itinerary with someone in case of emergency
Get a manicure and pedicure and confirm wedding day beauty appointments
Day Before
Confirm all honeymoon plans
Arrange for someone to drop off guestbook at reception site
Give wedding announcements to your honor attendant to be mailed on the wedding day
Pull together wedding gown, veil, shoes, stockings, and an ER kit (aspirin, makeup, safety pins, mints, etc.)
Get Sleep
Have fun and relax at the rehearsal dinner
Rehearse the ceremony with officiant and wedding party
Day Of
Thank parents
Set aside a private moment with FI
Enjoy the day!
Confirm with those people you expect to give/lead toasts at the reception
After The Wedding
Arrange for a bridesmaid or mom to pick up your wedding dress and other personal belongings at the hotel after you depart
Freeze the top layer of the wedding cake
Preserve bouquet, etc.
Preserve dress, etc.
Put together an online photo albums from friends’ Facebook, Picasa, and other wedding albums. These will most likely be the first photos available, since professional proofs can take weeks
Mail gifts to parents to thank them for their help and support, if you didn’t give them out at the rehearsal dinner
Make sure bills are paid in full
Within two months of your wedding, set aside some romantic evenings to write that stack of thank-you notes.
