Wedding Invitations - Wedding Favors - Announcements

Bride and Groom Checklist - Twelve Month Planner

Now that you have decided to take the PLUNGE, you will have what seems like a million decisions to make. I hope this Planner and Check list will help put some of the pieces together for you. Feel free to make as many copies as you like and cross out the things you know you won’t need, and make notes next to the ones that are important or where decisions have already been made.

12-7 Months

Set the Date:

If you choose, place an Announcement in your local paper. You don’t necessarily have to have your date set in order to place the ad. The newspapers will usually run the ad at no charge.

Decide what type of Wedding you would like:

Decide who you would like to have Officiate:

If this will be an Interfaith Union – See if both Clergy would consider Co-Officiating. This can be a very nice gesture for both families and a beautiful service.

Budget how much you want to spend on each aspect of the Wedding:

This is where you want to determine who will be financially responsible for specific things. Bride and Groom, Parent(s) of the Bride, Parent(s) of the Groom

The above two items should be done as soon as possible because dates can fill up as much as one year in advance. The Wedding Date may depend upon what is available for the top two.

The Photographer and Videographer also book dates as early as one year in advance, so be sure to contact these people early. Always get referrals from friends or ask the Vendor if they have a list of Testimonials you can see or contact. If they refuse to share any of this information, move on to the next person or company.

Get referrals from friends or Testimonials from the Vendor. If possible be sure to go see how they perform at other Receptions and how they interact with the Guests.

6 Months

Contact Catering Manager / Coordinator for the Hall to decide menu items for Reception

You can also discuss the liquor needs for the Reception at this time.

More recently, Beer, Wine and Soda have been available at no charge, and Guests would pay for anything stronger, if you want to make it available.

If you haven’t done so already, finalize your list of Attendants

If you haven’t done so already, begin shopping for Wedding Gown and Attendants’ dresses

Select your Bridal Registry at Selected Stores

Make sure that anyone giving you a shower has this information. They can include the information in a Shower Invitation.

Discuss and finalize the Guest List with both families.

If there are guests from out of town, you might want to coordinate some activities for them, depending upon how long they will be in town and what the schedule for the weekend is.

4-5 Months

Order Your WEDDING INVITATIONS

You want to leave plenty of time for them to arrive, get them addressed and stuffed and mailed out. Invitations should be mailed out: 6-8 weeks in advance for Out of Town Guests and 4-6 weeks for In Town Guests.

Your Reply date should be three weeks prior to your Wedding Date. This will leave you time for those last minute stragglers, any phone calls you may have to make and still be able to pull all your final numbers together for the Caterer etc.

Arrange for speakers at the Reception and make a list of who you want to speak

Make sure the groomsmen attire are taken care

Consult a Travel Agent / Web sites to make travel and Hotel Reservations for the Honeymoon

Consult a Florist on the type of floral arrangements you want for the Ceremony and Reception

3 Months

Make an appointment with your Officiate(s) to plan your Wedding Ceremony

Begin to shop for your Wedding Rings (if this hasn’t already been done)

Order your Wedding Cake

Be sure to have samples available at the bakeries so you can make an informed decision.

Plan transportation for the Wedding Party to the Ceremony and Reception

Make sure that all the overnight accommodations are arranged for your Out-of-Town Guests

Plan the Ceremony Rehearsal and Rehearsal Party

1-2 Months

Select and purchase attendant’s gifts and a Wedding Gift for your Spouse

Be sure to finalize all arrangements with the Photographer and Videographer

GET ALL DETAILS IN WRITING INCLUDING ANY SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS YOU MAY WANT TO GIVE!!!

Finalize all transportation arrangements to the Ceremony, Reception and your Wedding Night Destinations

Confirm the delivery or pick-up dates and times for all attendants’ attire.

BE SURE TO WRITE DOWN WHO YOU SPOKE WITH AND WHEN

If you haven’t done so already – DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE

Confirm all Wedding Day Beauty / Make-up appointments

Begin planning your Honeymoon wardrobes and deciding on luggage needs

1-2 Weeks

Finalize all arrangements and numbers with the Catering Manager or Coordinator for Reception

Pick-up your Wedding Dress and be sure your Attendants pick-up their dresses as well

Be sure everyone tries their dresses on one more time to be sure everything is exactly as it should be.

Check with your local Cleaners for cleaning and preserving your Gown.

You can check with the Florist if you would like to have your Bouquet preserved as well

The Best Man should coordinate the final fittings for the Groom, Groomsmen and Ushers as well as arranging for pick-up of the rental attire.

Prepare the envelopes with payments or donations and gifts for Ceremony Officiate(s) and musicians.

1 Day

Pack everything you will need to take to the Ceremony and Reception Location

Pack for the Wedding Night and Honeymoon

Be sure to give all the Payment Envelopes to the Best Man, who will deliver them for you.

Great day for the Groom to get a Haircut

Your Wedding Day Is Here

The Bride and Attendants go to hair and make up appointments

REMEMBER TO TAKE:

Be dressed and ready for the Photographers and Videographers two hours before the Ceremony or when you have designated them to begin

The Bride should transfer her engagement ring to her right hand. You can place it back on your left hand after the Ceremony.

Now, just relax and let yourself enjoy the most wonderful and
memorable day ever!

Best Wishes from me to you as you begin this wonderful
new adventure in your lives.

Marjie Gibson
Personally For You
Invitations & Accessories