Bella Vita’s Wedding Countdown Checklist
9-12 months before:
Announce your engagement.
Print and mail engagement announcements.
Send an announcement to your local newspaper.
Arrange for parents to get together.
Decide on a date and time. (Be flexible)
Decide on a budget.
Discuss your budget with everyone who’ll be contributing to the event.
Interview wedding planners.
Pick the ceremony site and meet with the officiant.
Work on the guest list to get a rough head count.
Start compiling names and addresses of guests.
Visit reception sites and reserve one.
Determine type of wedding and reception: formality, colors and theme.
Put together a wedding website for guests to visit.
6-9 months before:
Choose your wedding party.
Select a professional caterer, if the facility doesn’t provide catering.
Register at the bridal registry stores of your choice.
Order the wedding gown (some manufacturers require up to six months for delivery.)
Shop for the bridal attendant’s dresses.
Pick a photographer and/or videographer
Select a professional florist.
Book the musicians and/or DJ.
Decide on a honeymoon destination; make necessary reservations.
Obtain passports for foreign travel.
Mail out save-the dates.
This is necessary if you are having a destination or holiday weekend wedding.
4-6 months before:
Order wedding invitations, envelopes, thank-you notes, wedding programs, etc.
Shop for and order the wedding cake.
Hire wedding-day transportation.
Book your favorite beauty pros for the big day.
Research lodging and transportation options for out-of-town guests; send them the pertinent information.
Complete the guest list.
Finish planning your honeymoon.
Arrange the rehearsal dinner.
2-4 months before;
Check marriage license requirements for your area.
Have the groom, groomsmen, fathers, and ushers fitted for formal wear.
Meet with the caterer or banquet manager to discuss menus, service style, wine selections, etc.
Select ceremony and reception music.
Purchase thank-you gifts for attendants.
Choose favors and welcome baskets.
Purchase your wedding rings.
Meet with party-rental companies, if necessary.
Book a room for your wedding night.
Meet with your officiant and start working on wedding vows.
Arrange for final fittings for your gown and bridesmaid dresses.
4-8 weeks before;
Address invitations and mail then six to eight weeks prior to wedding date.
Do a hair and makeup run-through (with headpiece.)
Decide on insurance-policy changes you’ll need.
Shop for lingerie and going-away outfit (if desired.)
Plan the ceremony rehearsal.
Send thank-you notes for gifts received early (this is easier than waiting until after the wedding!)
Purchase accessories (for example: garter, unity candle, toasting goblets, ring-bearer pillow, etc.)
2-4 weeks before:
Plot the seating for the reception.
Confirm details with your photographer, florist, etc.
Make any necessary lists for photographer and musicians.
Have your wedding gown steamed.
Make sure attendants have their dresses and accessories.
Decide where everyone will dress on the day of the wedding.
Change your name (if you choose) and address on your driver’s license and Social Security card.
Write your rehearsal dinner toast.
Delegate last-minute errands and details.
If you are not using a wedding planner, delegate someone to coordinate services and people on the wedding day.
Give them a list of who and what is supposed to be where and when.
Keep on writing thank- you notes, don’t let them pile up.
Pack a wedding day survival kit (if you are using a wedding planner, he/she will bring one.)
1 week before;
Get your final guest count to your caterer.
Place the fees due on the wedding day in envelopes.
Delegate a reliable person to transport the cake knife, toasting glasses or other heirlooms to and from the reception site.
Get last-minute beauty treatments (facial, waxing, brow-shaping, etc.) of your choice.
Pamper yourself; make sure you eat right and get enough sleep.
Pack for the honeymoon. (Ask someone to bring your luggage to the reception if you’re leaving from there.)
Make sure all payments have been made to your vendors.
Obtain your marriage license.
The Wedding Day;
Eat a good breakfast, a light lunch and take a short nap (depending on the time of your wedding.)
Relax and enjoy getting ready for your big day.
Try not to worry about what isn’t done.
If you have a wedding planner, he/she will take care of the details; if not, assign that duty to someone reliable.
Go to the hairdresser or start fixing your hair a few hours prior to the wedding.
Be sure to wear a button-down shirt so you will not mess up your hair when dressing.
If photographs are being taken before the ceremony, begin at least two hours prior.
Just enjoy the day! All your months of planning will be sure to make your day perfect!
After the wedding;
Resolve final wedding bills.
Send photograph to newspaper for wedding announcement.
Write and send thank-you notes for gifts (within one month.)
Have your gown cleaned and preserved.
Send thank-you notes to special helpers and vendors.
Take care of name and address changes.
Send change-of-address cards.
Tags: checklist, wedding, wedding countdown
