To start off I'm going to copy some checklist on here so I have something to work with. Here we go:
One Year Or More Before WeddingAnnounce your engagement to family and friendsIntroduce both sets of parents, if you have not alreadySelect a wedding date, time a possible alternate dateDetermine the style, size and degree of formality of your weddingCheck with your clergyman to determine any pre-marital requirementsReserve the church, temple or ceremony site.Plan the reception and book location as soon as wedding date is set.Hire a caterer, if not included with reception site. Discuss menu.Discuss how expenses will be shared with all relevant partiesEnjoy your engagement party and promptly send thank you notes for gifts receivedNine To Twelve Months Before The WeddingAnnounce your engagement in the newspaperReserve your photographer and video-grapherChoose the musicians, soloists and review music selection for ceremony/receptionSchedule ballroom dancing lessonsDetermine the number of guests for your family, his family, your friends, his friends and their friendsShop for your wedding dress and accessories. Schedule fittings and delivery date when buying or orderingSelect a travel agent and start planning for your honeymoonSix to Nine Months Before the WeddingSelect and order bridesmaids dresses and schedule fittings and delivery date.Arrange for limousines or other transportation.Select and reserve florist and discuss color scheme.Register your preferences with the bridal registries of your favorite stores.Begin shopping for the formal wear for the groom and male attendants.Four to Six Months Before the WeddingCheck requirements for blood tests and marriage licenses in your state.Make an appointment for an exam with your doctor and dentist.Select and order wedding rings.Ask both mothers to coordinate and select their dresses.Complete your guest list. (There should be no abbreviations).Order invitations and stationery, such as direction cards and wedding programs.Reserve rental supplies such as Bird cage, Mail box, wedding cake box.Purchase gifts for wedding attendants and look for favors for guests.Purchase accessories, such as toasting goblets, cake knives, flower girl basket, garter, ring pillow, candles, guest book and pen, etc.Engage a calligrapher to address invitations, envelopes and write place cards.Select baker and order wedding cake and groom's cake.Finalize honeymoon details and make reservations.Apply for a visa or passport, if necessary.Ensure that all bridal attire has been ordered.Experiment with hairstyle and cut, if your doing your own hair.Begin shopping for your trousseau.Two to Three Months Before the WeddingSend wedding announcements to the newspaper.Reserve accommodations for out-of-town attendants and guests.Choose the men's wedding attire. Be sure the sizes are correct.You or your calligrapher should start addressing invitation envelopes.Mail invitations six weeks before the wedding.Assist the groom's mother with making reservations and finalizing rehearsal dinner details.Finalize details with florist, photographer, videographer, musicians and baker.Set the date and time for the rehearsal with the officiate.Schedule a formal bride portrait appointment.Choose a responsible person to attend to your guest book.Make an appointment with hairdresser and makeup artist, if you are to have it done for you.Four to Six Weeks Before the WeddingInvitations should have been mailed out by now.Mail thank-you notes for shower gifts.Get your blood test and apply for marriage license.Have your final wedding dress fitting.Have the final fittings for your wedding attendants.Purchase a gift for your future spouse.Have attendants' parties.Finalize decor, food and beverage menu with the caterer.Purchase going away outfit.Two to Three Weeks Before the WeddingFinalize a time schedule of the day with your wedding consultant.Contact guests who have not returned respond cards.Address and stamp wedding announcements to be mailed on your wedding day.Arrange name change on documents for business, banking, insurance, etc.Send change of address notice to post office.Order travelers checks for honeymoon, if needed.Pick up wedding rings; check to make sure they fit and engraving inscriptions are correct.Meet with photographer. Give him/her a list of special events or props you want in the videotape.Meet with the entertainer and give him/her a list of the music to be played during special events such as bouquet and garter tossing.Continue writing thank-you notes for gifts received.One to Two Weeks Before the WeddingWrite or have calligrapher do the place cards or a reception seating chart.Provide the caterer with the final guest count and seating arrangements.Confirm honeymoon reservations, pick up tickets and travelers checks.Assign tasks for your wedding day; written out for each wedding party attendant.Pick up wedding attire and make sure everything fits properly.Finalize details of transportation for out-of-town guests and wedding day.
I'm not really sure why this copy and paste came out the way it did but it all got smashed together.. Don't worry though, I have another one too!
Well, I'm going to have a few more of these list... lets see.
9-12 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
• Decide on a ceremony site. Reserve the date.
• Decide on the reception site. Reserve the date. Decide on a caterer if catering onsite is unavailable.
• Begin shopping for your gown. Order the gown in the size that fits you now.
• Start shopping for bridesmaid gowns.
• If using a wedding consultant, meet and provide her/him with your vision of the wedding day.
• Begin search for wedding bands.
• Hire florist.
• Hire photographer and a videographer.
• Look into wedding day transportation. Do you want a limo, horse and carriage, limo bus?
• Continue to refine your refine your preliminary guest list.
• Decide with your fiancé ways to deal with stress from the
wedding planning process.
WEDDING WISDOM
You will feel a huge sense of accomplishment by first tackling what is most significant for you.
• Ideas for wedding favors.
• What do you want your bouquet to look like? Discuss with your florist.
• Will you need flowers for décor and centerpieces?
• How long will you need the photographer?
• Who will choose the design of the bridesmaid dresses?
• Do you want a live band or a DJ service?
• As you go on regular shopping trips, if you notice anything that may be used for the wedding, don’t wait. Pick it up and tore it,
especially if it’s on sale! Think: gifts for the bridal party, centerpieces, or even favors.
• What would you like to have on the registry? Register later, but visit stores now.
• Maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.
• Try to do something wedding related 30 minutes a day.
• Remember to implement the stress-buster techniques you and your fiancé agreed to use.
• Tell your fiancé something you really like about him.
6-9 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY
• Discuss menu plan with caterer.
• Decide on wedding day transportation.
• Book band, musicians or DJ service.
• Purchase wedding bands and engrave a special saying.
• Complete your bridal registry.
• Attend pre-marriage courses, if applicable.
• Take mothers to go shopping for gowns.
• Purchase accessories, shoes, and undergarments for first fitting.
• Ask friends to be key players. Key players are trustworthy pals you can rely on for crucial tasks. The key players are not part of the immediate wedding party since they will be mostly involved in photo shoots.
• Fine tune guest list.
• Compile addresses of guests. Mail save-the-date cards to out-of-town guests.
• Search for wedding favors.
4-6 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY
• Begin search for hair and makeup artist.
• Complete and finalize the guest list.
• Order wedding invitations, envelopes, and other stationary.
• Book wedding day transportation.
• Consider honeymoon spots. Call travel agencies for best packages. Book the honeymoon.
• Book hotel for wedding night, if applicable.
• Continue to compile list of duties for key players.
• Mail out hotel and city information to out-of-town guests.
• Complete insurance issues, as needed (e.g. for therings).
• Remind your fiancé to order tuxedo.
• Let DJ/live band know of special songs you would like played at the ceremony/reception.
• Purchase wedding favors.
2-4 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY
• 3 months before the wedding: get your marriage license application.
• Write invitations. Mail out at 8 - 10 weeks.
• Gather all necessary travel documents (e.g. passports, visas, etc.) and immunization for honeymoon.
• Finalize menu items for reception.
• Finalize ceremony and reception music.
• Finalize favors or create your own.
• Buy thank you gifts for wedding party and key players.
• Book your hair and makeup artists.
. Book times for fittings. Bring your accessories. Aim to schedule hair and makeup trial on the same day to get a look at the complete package.
• Write thank you notes for any gifts received.
• Begin finalizing seating arrangements.
• Begin to plan receiving line, timeline, and itinerary of the day.
• Purchase guest book, cake knife, champagne glasses, garters, etc.
WEDDING WISDOM
• Remember to keep all vendors informed.
• Begin considering the rehearsal dinner.
• Will you be writing your own vows?
• A simple thank you goes a long way. Take a quick moment to express your gratitude with a little surprise.
• Remember to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• Maximize use of those stress-buster techniques.
• Stress = frowns so put on a smile. It will make a difference especially when it is returned in kind. Treat your fiancé and yourself to a massage.
6-9 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY
• Discuss menu plan with caterer.
• Decide on wedding day transportation.
• Book band, musicians or DJ service.
• Purchase wedding bands and engrave a special saying.
• Complete your bridal registry.
• Attend pre-marriage courses, if applicable.
• Take mothers to go shopping for gowns.
• Purchase accessories, shoes, and undergarments for first fitting.
• Ask friends to be key players. Key players are trustworthy pals you can rely on for crucial tasks. The key players are not part of the immediate wedding party since they will be mostly involved in photo shoots.
• Fine tune guest list.
• Compile addresses of guests. Mail save-the-date cards to out-of-town guests.
• Search for wedding favors.
4-6 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY
• Begin search for hair and makeup artist.
• Complete and finalize the guest list.
• Order wedding invitations, envelopes, and other stationary.
• Book wedding day transportation.
• Consider honeymoon spots. Call travel agencies for best packages. Book the honeymoon.
• Book hotel for wedding night, if applicable.
• Continue to compile list of duties for key players.
• Mail out hotel and city information to out-of-town guests.
• Complete insurance issues, as needed (e.g. for therings).
• Remind your fiancé to order tuxedo.
• Let DJ/live band know of special songs you would like played at the ceremony/reception.
• Purchase wedding favors.
2-4 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY
• 3 months before the wedding: get your marriage license application.
• Write invitations. Mail out at 8 - 10 weeks.
• Gather all necessary travel documents (e.g. passports, visas, etc.) and immunization for honeymoon.
• Finalize menu items for reception.
• Finalize ceremony and reception music.
• Finalize favors or create your own.
• Buy thank you gifts for wedding party and key players.
• Book your hair and makeup artists.
. Book times for fittings. Bring your accessories. Aim to schedule hair and makeup trial on the same day to get a look at the complete package.
• Write thank you notes for any gifts received.
• Begin finalizing seating arrangements.
• Begin to plan receiving line, timeline, and itinerary of the day.
• Purchase guest book, cake knife, champagne glasses, garters, etc.
WEDDING WISDOM
• Remember to keep all vendors informed.
• Begin considering the rehearsal dinner.
• Will you be writing your own vows?
• A simple thank you goes a long way. Take a quick moment to express your gratitude with a little surprise.
• Remember to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• Maximize use of those stress-buster techniques.
• Stress = frowns so put on a smile. It will make a difference especially when it is returned in kind. Treat your fiancé and yourself to a massage.
4-8 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
• Tackle outstanding legal matters if applicable (e.g. name change).
• Finalize list of must-have photos. Give a copy to photographer and key players.
• Complete seating plan as RSVPs arrive.
• Finalize songs for the ceremony and reception.
• Get a pre-wedding trim and spa treatment.
• Finalize styles with hair and makeup artist.
• Write your own vows, if you desire. Let the officiant know of any readings or other special requests.
• Confirm dates and times with officiant for rehearsal.
• Finalize list of responsibilities for key players and bridal party.
• Have a friendly get-together with everyone and distribute responsibilities.
• Book time for final dress fitting.
• Arrange rehearsal dinner for one week before the wedding. Invite bridal party and key players.
• Confirm honeymoon plans with travel agency.
• Make checklist of items to bring for the honeymoon.
• Finalize receiving line, timeline, and itinerary of the day.
WEDDING WISDOM
• Plan rehearsal dinner and any toasts you’d like to make. Would you like to make a little speech to each person as you give him/her the gift?
• Consider writing a special speech for the reception.
• Packing soon for the honeymoon. Is there anything you need to buy for the honeymoon?
• Remember to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• You and your fiancé are now pros at using those stressbusters.
• When in doubt, laugh. Rent a romantic comedy and spend the night snuggling with your fiancé. Bring on the popcorn.
2-3 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
• Finalize seating plan. Call guests who have not returned RSVPs.
• Have your final dress fitting.
• Pick up gown and hang in cool dry place, avoiding sunlight.
• Confirm details with all vendors.
• Arrange times for key players to pick up items they are responsible for (e.g. who will bring the wine, the favors, etc.).
• Confirm date for rehearsal dinner with the key players and bridal party.
• Write your toast for the rehearsal dinner.
• Write a special thank you for the reception, if you desire.
• Begin packing for the honeymoon.
• Leave honeymoon itinerary with someone in case of emergency.
WEDDING WISDOM
Make sure all gifts are wrapped and special notes are written for the key players and the bridal party.
• Make sure the rings fit.
• Remember to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• You and your fiancé are experts at using those stress buster skills. Give yourselves a big pat on the back.
• Admire yourself. Admire your fiancé. You two are wonderful, beautiful people in love. There’s definitely something
to smile about. Shower your fiancé with kisses.
THE DAY BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
• Your key players have all their tasks and contact numbers.
• Each person knows where they will need to be the next day.
• Double check that you have packed your clothes and other personal items for the next day.
• De-stress your body. Consider deep breathing and other relaxation exercises such as yoga.
• Make time to spend alone with your fiancé. Soak up the moment together.
LOVE IT!!! I love making list.. so this is just the start.
