Wedding Planning Checklist

By: Alexine

Congratulations! You are engaged and ready to plan one of the most important days of your life. With all the expectations and childhood dreams of what you would like your wedding to be, there is so much on your mind. I’ve come up with a checklist to make sure you don’t forget the important parts of the wedding. Use this checklist as a guide to planning your wedding and add or subtract as necessary with details you like or dislike. Print the list and check things off as you finish them. This creates a fun and organized approach to planning your big day.

Budget: (6 months or more before wedding)
o The first and most important task is determining how much you can afford out of your annual budget for the wedding. (Set aside the money in separate checking account to help save it.)
o Is anyone helping out? If so, how much or what parts?

Guest List: (6 months or more before wedding)
o Create his list of potential guests and categorize them (yes, no, maybe).
o Create her list of potential guests and categorize them (yes, no, maybe).
o Add up all guests in each category and remove guests as necessary to fit your budget.

Venue and Church: (6 months or more before wedding)
o See when your church is available and choose the date.
o Find several venues that fit your budget and total number of guests.
o Set up tours at each of the venues you are considering.
o What do they offer? What do you want in a venue? (food, music, tables and chairs, linens)
o Choose your favorite venue and book the date selected for your church.

Set the Date: (6 months or more before wedding)
o Find and purchase “Save the Date” notes.
o Send out “Save the Date” notes to your final guest list.

Food and Beverages: (6 months or more before wedding)
o Choose several caterers in the area of your wedding.
o Choose the types of food you want served: (appetizers, main courses, deserts)
o Make food tasting appointments with each caterer according to your food decisions.
o Choose the types of soft drinks and alcohol you would like served. o Do you want an open bar (and pay for all the alcohol) or a cash bar?
o Have each catering company give you an estimated cost sheet.
o Make final decision on caterer based on taste and cost and book them for your date.

Wedding Cake: (6 months or more before wedding)
o Go to several bakeries and try their cakes (usually done in cupcake form).
o Choose a cake that fits your budget and number of guests.
o Be sure to add the top tier as extra if you want to save it for your one year anniversary.

Color and Theme: (6 months or more before wedding)
o What color(s) do you want at the wedding?
o How do you want to incorporate the color(s)? (Bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen vests, flowers, linens, wedding cake decorations)
o What theme would you like to do at the wedding? (Traditional, beach, country

Linens: (6 months or more before wedding)
o Color(s)?
o Chair covers
o Table cloths
o Napkins

Wedding dress: (6 months or more before wedding)
o Shop around and try dresses on.
o Order the one that fits your budget and looks the best.
o Have dress fitted.

Bridal Accessories: (3 months or more before wedding)
o Shoes
o Tiara
o Gloves
o Veil
o Jewelry: (earrings, necklace, bracelets)

Tuxedo and Shoes: (5 months before wedding)
o Shop around and have your fiancé try different tuxedos on.
o Choose your favorite tuxedo and order it.
o Have the tuxedo fitted once it arrives back at store.
o Choose matching shoes for tuxedo.

Bridal Party Participants: (6 months or more before wedding)
o Groomsmen list.
o Bridesmaid list.
o Choose maid of honor.
o Choose best man.
o Flower girl
o Ring bearer

Bridal Party Attire: (6 months or more before wedding)
o Choose tuxedos and set up wedding party at store
o Let groomsmen know where to order the tuxedos.
o Choose dresses and give instruction to bridesmaids on specifics and accessories.

Flowers: (6 months or more before wedding)
o Boutonnieres
o Corsages
o Bouquets
o Centerpieces
o Extra flowers: Church, Bar, Bathrooms, ect.

Invitations: (2 – 3 months before wedding)
o Choose your invitations: make them yourself or have them done at a printing store.
o Purchase or order invitations based on guest lists you and your fiancé created.
o Send invitations to guests.

Favors: (2 to 3 months before the wedding)
o Are you doing them?
o Order number of favors based on RSVP count.

Hopefully your wedding planning won’t be stressful now that you have an idea of what to do and the time frame. There may be small details that you want to add on in different categories and feel free to plan to your liking. Enjoy the process and don’t wait till the last minute to get things done. Good luck planning and I hope you have a wonderful wedding.