4 minute read
Wedding Planning Calendar Checklist
8 • Wedding Planning Calendar Checklist
www.miwedding.com
9 - 18 MONTHS
❒ Choose the tone of wedding you will have. (size, formality, style, color scheme, etc.) ❒ Select a wedding and reception date and time. ❒ Visit MIwedding.com and start planning your wedding. ❒ Discuss your budget and establish top priorities. Where to save/splurge and who will pay for what. ❒ Find a venue for your wedding and reception and reserve your date. ❒ Choose the bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, and honored roles. ❒ Compile preliminary guest list with fiancé and families. ❒ Have engagement photos taken. ❒ Mail out save the dates/announcements. ❒ Send announcements of your engagement to your fiancé’s and your local hometown newspapers. ❒ Begin shopping for your wedding dress, veil and accessories. As well as bridesmaids’ and flower girls dresses. ❒ Consider hiring a wedding coordinator. ❒ Choose your vendors: Officiant, Florist,
Photographer/Videographer, Caterer, DJ/
Entertainment. ❒ Contact rental coordinator for equipment reservations. ❒ Discuss honeymoon and reservations. (Traditionally the groom makes all the honeymoon arrangements) ❒ Arrange for time off work if necessary. ❒ Buy a wedding planner and envelopes to store brochures and notes. Develop recordkeeping system for invitations, gifts and thank you notes. ❒ Order your wedding dress and accessories.
10 • Wedding Planning Calendar Checklist
www.miwedding.com
6 - 9 MONTHS
❒ Finalize vendors. ❒ Do a tasting with your caterer and cake designer. ❒ Plan new living arrangements and home furnishings. ❒ Select and register for wedding gifts. ❒ Contact men’s formalwear specialist for men’s attire. ❒ Have parents select attire. ❒ Order invitations, programs, napkins, matchbooks and personal stationary. ❒ Make arrangements for lodging for outof-town guest and your own suite for the wedding night. ❒ Arrange for physical exams and dental appointments. ❒ Order unity candles. (Fancy ones can take six months) ❒ Book any necessary transportation. ❒ Finalize bridesmaids’ dresses and order, or give clear instructions how to place their orders.
3 - 6 MONTHS
❒ Go over bridal shower/bachelorette details and the guest list with your Maid of Honor/ hostess. ❒ Plan rehearsal dinner and bridesmaids’ luncheon. ❒ Shop for and order wedding bands. ❒ Order wedding and grooms’ cake. ❒ Check state/county marriage license requirements. ❒ Plan ceremony, reception, menu, master of ceremony, music and timetables. ❒ Finalize guest list and addresses. ❒ Purchase gifts for groom, bridesmaids and other attendants. ❒ Finalize honeymoon plans.
Wedding Planning Calendar Checklist
6 - 8 WEEKS
❒ Mail out invitations! Have a game plan for recording RSVP’s and meal choices. ❒ Confirm with vendors all dates, deposits and details. ❒ Begin dress fittings. Be sure to buy undergarments before hand. ❒ Have your hair and makeup done as you would like on your wedding day.
Schedule any tanning, manicures, etc. ❒ Purchase guest book, toasting flutes, cake servers and keepsake album. ❒ Contact insurance agent about naming your fiancé as beneficiary on your life insurance, will and auto policies; homeowners’ and floater insurances to protect wedding gifts. ❒ Open joint checking and savings accounts. Decide on budget and savings program. Discuss them with your financial representatives. ❒ Write thank-you notes as gifts are received.
3 - 5 WEEKS
❒ Mail out rehearsal dinner invitations. ❒ Pick up wedding rings and proofread. ❒ Do you have your something old, new, borrowed and blue? ❒ Final dress fitting. Bring your shoes and accessories for the full impact. ❒ Obtain marriage license and complete name-change documents, if applicable. ❒ Hunt down whoever hasn’t RSVP’d yet.
1 - 2 WEEKS
❒ Give caterer final guest count. Don’t forget the wedding party, photographer and DJ. ❒ Arrange to have your dress pressed and delivered. ❒ Arrange seating and create seating chart and/or place cards. ❒ Make arrangements for moving into your new home. ❒ Confirm arrival times and finalize the wedding time line with vendors and wedding party. ❒ Put together your own bridal emergency kit. ❒ Pack for your honeymoon. ❒ Give Bridesmaids’ luncheon/party. ❒ Brief head usher of any special seating arrangements. ❒ Arrange for rental returns. ❒ Figure out tips and final payments for vendors. Put them in clearly marked envelopes to be handed out at the reception.
THE DAY BEFORE...
❒ Pack all wedding-day items. Don’t forget the rings and marriage license. ❒ Assign someone to pack your gifts/ belongings after the reception. ❒ Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Now’s the time to give out the wedding party gifts. ❒ Find a quiet moment to give your fiancé his/her wedding gift.
YOUR WEDDING DAY!
❒ Have a nice relaxed breakfast, you will need it! ❒ Have your hair and make-up done. ❒ Take a deep breath. Stop to appreciate your new spouse and the day that you spent so much time planning! a
