Example Wedding Planning Checklist
1 to 2 months before the wedding:
If you're writing your own ceremony, send a copy of the draft ceremony to the officiant, or bring it to a meeting with the officiant. |
Make sure the bridesmaids have their outfits and any accessories. |
Bride and Groom: If you have wills, update them to include each other. If you don't have wills, think about writing them. |
Bride: Begin fittings for your gown. |
If you'll be moving, send out change-of-address notices. |
Bride: Consider planning a luncheon or party for your attendants to thank them. |
Assemble the wedding announcements after you've mailed the invitations. |
Use the Gifts section of The Organized Wedding to keep track of gifts as you receive them (and thank-you notes as you write them). |
Start writing thank-you notes as soon as you receive gifts, so that you don't have as many to write after the wedding. |
Draft a detailed schedule for the day of the wedding (and maybe the day before). Keep it handy, and update it whenever anything changes. |
If you want to create a printed wedding program to give to guests, click here to see the list of related tasks the wedding software can add to your tasklist. |
Announce your wedding in the newspaper(s). |
Ask the wedding site manager whether you need to make any arrangements for parking, and if so, make them. |
Ask the reception site manager whether you need to make any arrangements for parking, and if so, make them. |
Estimate how much liquor, beer, wine, and/or champagne you'll need for the Reception, and tell the caterer. |
Bride: Buy thank-you gifts for your maid of honor, bridesmaids, and parents. |
Groom: Buy thank-you gifts for your best man, groomsmen, ushers, and parents. |
Bride: If you want a special hairstyle, schedule a "trial run" with the hairdresser to figure out exactly what you want. |
Bride: If you're hiring a makeup artist, schedule a "trial run" to make sure you're happy with the results. |
Bride: If you're having hair, makeup, or nails done professionally the day before or the day of the wedding, schedule the appointments. |
Bride: Buy any other accessories you want, such as earrings, necklace, stockings, and a purse if you want to carry one. |
Make sure you have written contracts with all of your paid vendors. |
Bride and Groom: Wrap the thank-you gifts you bought and write thank-you notes for each. |
Bride and Groom: Get blood tests, if required. |
Bride: Start wearing your wedding shoes occasionally to break them in. |
If you're writing your own ceremony, finish the final draft of your ceremony and/or vows. |
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