PLANNING CHECKLIST

Wedding Planning checklist

7 - 10 MONTHS

Purchase your dress. Select your wedding party’s attire. Dress availability and alterations can take up to six months, so start this item as soon as possible. Have your guys fitted for their tuxedos as soon as possible as well. Set up your wedding website, hashtag and handles. Register at a minimum of three major retailers with online offerings and at least one local gift registry store. Plan for your out-of-town guests. Reserve a block of hotel rooms at several different hotels with varying price points. These hotels should be as close to reception location as possible. Settle on an invitation design and begin the proofing process. Your invitation may go through several renditions before it’s just right, so give yourself plenty of time. If you are planning on having your invitations hand addressed, hire a calligrapher now. Start planning the honeymoon. Make sure your passport and any necessary shots are up to date if you will be traveling out of the country.

5 - 6 MONTHS

Meet with the officiant and then plan your ceremony. If you are required to attend counseling or attend classes related to your particular faith, begin these as soon as your officiant says to. Arrange transportation for yourself and any guests. Order your cakes. Start your day-of timeline. Work with your planner and other vendors (DJ, photographer) to schedule any special moments you want to be sure are documented.

10 - 12 MONTHS

This timeframe is the most critical when it comes to planning your wedding. From a practical perspective if you are not an organized person, you should immediately hire a planner or a consultant to help guide you through the process. Many planners on the Coast also do full- service design so you can have your cake and eat it too by telling the designer what you want and letting them assist you with all of the details. In some cases, a caterer or reception venue coordinator can help you with some details (linen choices, rental items, room layouts or seating plans). But generally, you want your chosen vendors to focus on what they are good at. These are the items you should deal with immediately because in most cases, there are limited options depending on the size of your wedding. During this time period you should: Book your ceremony and reception venues. Select and inform your attendants. Begin developing your budget. Start your guest list. Interview and book the following: • Planner • Band/DJ • Caterer • Photographer • Videographer • Officiant

Meet with your planner for any last minute adjustments or confirmations you feel you need to be reassured about. Ask a trusted friend who is not in the wedding party to be your day-of “Helper.” This person is your planner if you’ve hired one. They will handle things like paying vendors, handing out tips and making sure your wedding party is on the dance floor. Send wedding timeline to wedding party. Pick up wedding dress. Write checks for vendors, put checks and tips in envelopes to be handed out at the event. Schedule mani’s and pedi’s for you and your girls the day before the wedding. Assemble and distribute welcome baskets. Pack for honeymoon.

AFTER WEDDING

Get your thank you notes out as soon as possible. You have up to a year. Be sure to update your personal documents if you are changing your last name: Driver’s license, passport, insurance paperwork, bank accounts, etc. Take a moment to call your loved ones and say how much you love them and appreciate how they helped you all through this process.

Mail invitations. RSVP cut off should be about 10 days before the wedding. Start writing those thank you notes. You’ll thank yourself for getting a head start on this! Change up date night with dancing lessons. Dancing to your first dance several times with some expert guidance can help ease those jitters. Plan your photography shoot list and then meet with your photographer to make sure he/she knows exactly what moments you want captured. Finalize your playlist with your band or DJ.

Buy the shoes you will wearing and bring them to your first dress fitting. Purchase your veil. Plan a hair and make-up rehearsal with your stylist. Make sure they are available for your big day. Visit your DJ’s website and peruse his or her playlist. Be sure to let him or her know what songs you definitely want (especially your first dances) and more importantly, those you don’t want to hear at all. If you are planning on live entertainment, make sure they can perform your first dances or have the availability to play them digitally. Plan the rehearsal dinner. Settle on the guest list and reserve the venue. Finalize invitations and place the order. Some processes can take up to four weeks to print, so give yourself plenty of time to mail.

1 MONTH

Track your RSVPs and call people who haven’t replied. No more than 30 days ahead, get your marriage license. Mail rehearsal dinner invitations. Third and final dress fitting. Pay your final fees to as many of your vendors as you can.

3 MONTHS

Don’t leave your toasts to chance. Ask a select list of people to give toasts or speak at the wedding or rehearsal dinner so they have time to craft a wellconsidered speech. Plan the program and readings so your readers will have time to rehearse. Second dress fitting. Plan to purchase your undergarments this same day. Finalize the order of the ceremony and reception. Print programs. Purchase wedding rings. Meet with your planner or other wedding pros and finalize your day-of schedule. Type up the timeline and send it to all of your vendors (this includes photographer, caterer, baker, decorator and church coordinator). The more you plan, the less stress and drama there is on the day of. Finalize the menu and flowers. If you are having a number of out-of-town guests, plan welcome gift bags. These need be as simple as a bottle of water, a few snacks and a list of some of the more popular tourist sites where you live.