A brides checklist

Mark Williams·April 3, 2015·0 comments

To prepare for your wedding ahead of time, requires being practical. It is critical to recognize, that as the bride, you cannot oversee all of the logistics to your wedding while it is occurring. Consider appointing a friend, or friends, or hire a paid consultant to oversee the event for you. We recommend making this decision in advance so that any of the vendors that you hire will be informed of who will be in charge on the wedding day. Our Wednet team has not only provided you a detailed Wedding Planner Checklist, but we have outlined a few questions to help you plan ahead. Try to think of the responsibilities for each of your selected professional wedding vendors. This will help in adding to this checklist we’ve provided below.

Do I want the photographer to come to my home? When?
How will I get to the wedding site? To the reception?
Will I get dressed at the wedding site or home?
How will the out of town guests get around? Where will they stay?
How, when, and where will the wedding vendors deliver their goods? Who do they report to?
Will we need storage or a holding/storage area at the wedding or reception sites?
What electrical or kitchen needs are there?
What kind of delivery needs do the musicians and caterer have and can we accommodate them?
Will there be a need for security?
Parking for the guests?
Where can the professionals store their equipment when it’s not in use (i.e. photographers…)?
Who can I rely upon to act as a coordinator/facilitator for the day? Should I hire a professional?

Wedding Planner Checklist

12 – 16 Months Before the Wedding

Set the Wedding Date. Take into consideration Holidays, School, Major Sporting Events, Weather, Work, Honeymoon Plans
Discuss and decide on the style and type of wedding. Formal/Informal ~ Traditional/Unconventional
Choose a Wedding Motif, Color theme and style
Select and Reserve the Church, Temple or Wedding site
Contact a Wedding Consultant
Research and Retain the Following:
- Photographer____________________________
- Videographer____________________________
- Entertainment___________________________
- Ceremonial Musicians______________________
- Reception Facility_________________________(see Reception Ideas)
- Caterer_________________________________(see Selecting A Caterer)
- Beverages_________________________________

6 – 12 Months Before the Wedding

Choose the members of the Bridal Party
- Maid of Honor
- Attendants
- Best Man – groom selects (see our Best Man Checklist)
- Attendants – groom selects
Decide upon the number of invitees and select the accommodations for out of town:
- Wedding Attendants
- Family
- Guests
Search and select a Wedding Gown and Veil
Search and select the Dresses for the Attendants
Schedule a Photo Session for the Engagement Announcement
Mail Photo and Engagement information to the selected Newspaper(s)
Begin making preliminary Honeymoon Plans
Phone interview visit the Rental Company to review and select options
Phone interview visit the Caterer to review and select a menu.
Phone interview visit the Florist to discuss Floral Arrangements.
Phone interview visit the Reception location to discuss arrangements.

3 – 6 Months Before the Wedding

Complete a Bridal Registry
Select and order Wedding Invitations and Thank you Notes
Select and order the Wedding Cake
Select and order Wedding Bands and have them engraved
Finalize Honeymoon Plans and Destination
Select a Travel Agent and Make Honeymoon Reservations
Plan a Rehearsal Dinner and Make Reservations
Deposits for Services. See the Vendor Checklist below for details

2 Months Before the Wedding

Select and Reserve the Men’s Formal Wear
Arrange for the first fitting of Wedding Gown
Determine and Order the Party Favors for the Reception
Determine and Order the Wedding Favors for the Ceremony (see Wedding Ideas)
Create a song list or select music genre for the Band or the DJ (see Wedding Songs)
Appoint a friend(s), (if no wedding coordinator is hired) to be your wedding coordinator/facilitator
Hire a Calligrapher to Address Invitations or Begin Addressing yourself
Mail Invitations
Arrange Formal Portraits
Purchase gifts for:
- Maid of Honor
- Your Attendants
- The Groom
- Your Mother
- Any special person who is making major contributions

1 Month Before the Wedding

Physical examination
Confirm the Rehearsal Date with the Wedding Ceremony Site
Make any Rehearsal Dinner arrangements/reservations
Arrange for a Hair & Make-up pro to come the morning of the wedding day (see Hair Ideas)
Purchase any needed Party/Decoration supplies
Write and mail thank-you notes for the Shower Gifts
Arrange for the Wedding Bouquet to be preserved
Arrange for Wedding Memento’s to be saved (see Capturing the Magic)
Arrange to pick-up Honeymoon tickets or have them mailed

1 -2 Weeks Before the Wedding

Make arrangements for any Reception or Wedding favors to be delivered respectively
Finalize Flowers and make arrangements for delivery
Give all appropriate vendors final guest count
Apply for the Marriage License
Prepare and plan seating for the Reception
Prepare Place Cards for the Reception
Pick up Formal Wear for Attendants, etc.
Create a “guide/handbook” of how you want the wedding day to unfold.
Ensure that you have delegated the logistics and oversight of all the vendors and events
Confirm all services.