Bride's To-Do List
Congratulations on your engagement and upcoming marriage! During the next several months, you will be busy making plans and decisions for that perfect wedding. This "TO DO LIST" has been designed to help you focus on the tasks you will need to do and how soon you need to start making those plans. We hope this will help you stay organized and on track.
Although the Bride is usually responsible for most of the wedding plans, several others help in this task. These days more and more Grooms are opting to play a more active role in the planning and decision-making. We have prepared a "GROOMS TO DO LIST" which lists the traditional responsibilities of the groom. This list may be especially helpful to him if he is unfamiliar with the wedding customs or what is traditionally expected of the groom. You might like to print these lists and plan how you will work through your Wedding Plans together.
Enjoy your Wedding Day. We hope you will have many Joyous Memories to Cherish.
Twelve Months Before The Wedding
- Discuss with your fiancé about the type of wedding you want.
- Select a wedding date. Determine the number of guests. Choose your wedding attendants.Visit a clergy person or judge with your fiancé to reserve ceremony site, ask about any specific guidelines that would apply such as music, decorations, etc. Reserve reception site and caterer and ask about any decorating guidelines. Select and reserve your wedding professionals. (photographer, florist, videographer, musicians, etc.) Start to look for your wedding gown.
- Plan the color scheme for your wedding.
Nine Months Before The Wedding
- Visit with your ceremony officiant, there may be pre-marriage classes to attend.
- Select and order your dress and accessories, such as jewelry, veil and shoes. Select and order attendants dresses and accessories. Begin your guest list, ask both families for their lists. Register with the bridal gift registries at your favorite stores.
- Visit your local travel agent for your information honeymoon destinations.
Six Months Before The Wedding
- Meet with the wedding professionals you've hired to go over details and confirm dates and times.
- Order your wedding invitations, thank-you cards, ceremony programs, etc. Make honeymoon reservations.
- Shop for and order wedding rings.
Three Months Before The Wedding
- Complete guest list.
- Check state requirements for blood testing. Make wedding day transportation arrangements. Call bridal shop to verify the delivery date of all dresses and accessories. Have your first fitting. See that attendants have arranged fittings. Get birth certificates. Order wedding cake. Assist Mothers in shopping for wedding attire. Select wedding attire for the groom, groomsmen and Fathers.
- Purchase guest book, unity candles, toasting glasses, garters, cake tops, etc.
Six to Eight Weeks Before The Wedding
- Address and mail your invitations.
- Select gifts for attendants and groom. Pick up your wedding rings from the jeweler. Submit your wedding announcement to newspapers. Make appointments for yourself, bridesmaids and mothers at beauty salon for day of wedding. Write thank-you notes for shower gifts. Arrange for lodging for out-of-town guests.
- Decide on floral arrangements, bouquets and corsages.
Two to Three Weeks Before The Wedding
- Go for your final dress fitting, don't forget to bring your shoes.
- Go with your fiancé to get your marriage license. Consult with your hair stylist about your wedding day hairstyle. Give request lists to the photographer, videographer, musicians, etc. Finalize rehearsal dinner plans. Finalize wedding day transportation arrangements. Decide on seating arrangements for reception. Write out place cards. Finalize and double check all arrangements.
- Decorate party favors for reception.
One Week Before The Wedding
- Supply caterer with final count of dinner guests.
- Confirm rehearsal dinner's dates, place and time with your bridesmaids. Begin packing for your honeymoon. Buy traveler's checks for honeymoon.
- Inform attendants of any special responsibilities.
The Day Before The Wedding
- Finish packing for honeymoon.
- Attend rehearsal and dinner and go home early.
- Relax and Enjoy!
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