Wedding Checklist

Gazette Staff Writer · Keep your wedding planning on track with these tips:

10-12 Months Before
· Introduce both families and announce your engagement.
· Begin a budget.
· Create a guest list.
· Select a tentative date.
· Choose your wedding party.
· Create a wedding Web site.
· Send your engagement photo to the local paper.
· Book your reception site, and arrange for parking.
· Book your ceremony location, including rehearsal time.

6-9 Months Before
· Alert out-of-town guests of wedding date.
· Book a florist.
· Sign a caterer.
· Order your gown and veil.
· Select bridesmaid dresses.
· Book your honeymoon.
· Book a wedding photographer/ videographer.
· Book your DJ/band.
· Purchase wedding-dress accessories.
· Choose your officiant.

4-5 Months Before
· View wedding invitation styles and research proper wording.
· Meet with bakers to sample cakes and look at styles.
· Look for the groom's tux and decide what groomsmen will wear.
· Confirm your bridesmaids ordered their gowns and choose their accessories.
· Compare pricing, place your wedding invitation order and book your calligrapher.
· Purchase your wedding rings.
· Choose your baker and finalize wedding cake.
· Reserve rental equipment.
· Research and book your rehearsal-dinner location.
· Notify any family or friends whom you would like to give readings, sing solos, etc.

2-3 Months Before
· Finalize guest list and submit invitations to calligrapher.
· Book makeup artist and hairstylist.
· Order your wedding favors.
· Purchase wedding accessories (candles, ring pillow, etc.).
· Schedule your last tasting and finalize menu.
· Find gifts for each other, your attendants and your parents.
· Confirm tuxes have been ordered for groom/groomsmen.
· Finalize wedding transportation.
· Look into joint bank accounts and insurance.
· Select your music and review with musicians, singers.
· Update your registry.
· Finalize rehearsal dinner plans.
· Mail invitations eight weeks before your wedding day.

1-2 Months Before
· Have your first bridal-gown fitting.
· Finalize ceremony readings and songs.
· Order liquor/beverages not handled by caterer.
· Meet with your officiant to finalize ceremony.
· Research where to get your marriage license.
· Prepare a photo and video shot list, naming important family members and guests.

3-4 Weeks Before
· Finalize your jewelry.
· Finalize your "must play" and "don't play" music lists.
· Design and order your wedding program.
· Confirm honeymoon arrangements.
· Call guests who haven't RSVP'd.
· Pick up your wedding rings.
· Get your marriage license.
· Research how to change your name.
· Mail your rehearsal-dinner invitations.
· Meet with your stylist to test your bridal makeup and hair.

1-2 Weeks Before
· Have your final gown fitting.
· Finalize your wedding-day schedule and share with attendants, parents and vendors.
· Confirm all of your beauty appointments.
· Confirm pick-up times, schedules, and addresses with your wedding-day transportation.
· Pick up your wedding dress and gather your accessories.
· Pick up the groom's outfit and gather his accessories.
· Finalize your vows for the ceremony.
· Give final attendance numbers to vendors and confirm final date/time for deliverables and pick-ups.
· Pack for your wedding night and honeymoon.
· Create separate "wedding boxes" to gather your wedding favors and ceremony and reception accessories, and assign people to transport.
· Finalize your seating arrangements and submit to caterer.
· Prepare place cards.
· Confirm dates/times/locations with all vendors and for all photo and video sessions the day of the wedding.

The Day Before
· Prepare a list of payment envelopes earmarking who is responsible for distributing to vendors.
· Hand out ceremony, reception, and favor boxes to appropriate people.
· Rehearse ceremony with officiant and wedding party.

The Wedding Day
· Try to eat breakfast and drink plenty of fluids.
· Be sure to wear a button-down shirt for your hair and makeup appointments.
Courtesy of www.weddingchannel.com

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