Wedding Timeline & Checklist

Found this online somewhere. I thought this one to be pretty thorough but is also subject to change:

• Blue = Currently underway
• Red = Specifics
• Struck out = Done!
  

At Least One Year In Advance
First decide on the basics...

* Choose wedding date
* Decide type of wedding desired (traditional, big/small, etc.)
* Determine what religion the service will be performed in, if any (Catholic)
* Decide time of wedding and reception 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM
* Choose desired location for wedding ceremony St. Matthew's Catholic Church
* Choose desired location for reception Contemporary Art Center of Virginia
* Set wedding budget and decide how wedding will be financed

Then hire the individuals from whom you will need their services on the wedding day...

* See if ceremony and reception locations are available and book them
* Choose/hire individual who will perform your wedding ceremony if this is not included with your choice of ceremony site Father Joseph Facura
* Interview/Chooose photographer and then book him/her Regeti's Photography
* Interview/Choose Florist and then book him/her
* Interview/Choose Baker(for cake) and then book him/her - Jaime's Bakeshop
* Decide type of music desired for reception, if any
* Interview/Choose Band/DJ for reception and then book him/her/them - Seko Varner at Positive Vibes
* Choose reception format: buffet or sit-down dinner etc.
* Interview/Choose caterer and then book him/her/them

Ten to Twelve Months in Advance

* Determine a color scheme for the wedding/reception if desired Hunter green, plum/eggplant, and orange
* Registered for premarital classes
* Decide if all/part/any of vows will be written by bride/groom
* Decide how large/small wedding party will be
* Choose/order wedding dress
* Choose/order veil
* Buy wedding shoes - Bought two pairs!
* Buy undergarments for wedding attire (need prior to fittings)
* Begin looking at invitations
* Set honeymoon budget
* Announce engagement to friends and family

Six to Ten Months in Advance

* Begin writing vows
* Complete Catholic premarital classes
* Choose ceremony music (prelude, processional, solos, recessional, postlude, etc.)
* Choose attendants and ask if they'll accept the position
* Begin looking for bridesmaid dresses
* Pick out tuxes for groom and groomsmen/ushers/fathers
* Choose/book desired location for rehearsal dinner
* Look for and book (reserve) block of rooms at nearby hotel for out-of-town guests
* Choose invitations - I will probably just make them
* Decide if programs and/or personalized napkins will be purchased and select them - Again I'll be making them
* Make first draft of invite list
* Get directions to church, from church to reception, and from church to rehearsal dinner
* Make list of attractions/things to do (in town where wedding is) to include with directions
* Plan honeymoon and book all lodgings/transportation/event tickets
* Check passports/visas
* Discuss if a bridal registry is desired and what items would be on it A registry is desired

Four to Six Months in Advance

* Make appointment for bridal portrait
* Make hair/nail appointment for bridal portrait
* Find out from minister if flower girl can drop flower petals on floor in sanctuary
* Find out from reception hall if guests can throw birdseed or rice
* Buy/make favors to give guests, if desired
* Order bridesmaid dresses
* Hire limo driver or arrange other transportation to/from ceremony and reception
* Buy wedding attire accessories such as gloves, earrings, necklace, purse, shoes, cufflinks, etc.
* Pick out/order wedding bands - Mom picked mine up at the store!
* Select reception decorations such as candles, flowers, balloons, arches, etc.
* Buy/make basket for flower girl
* Buy/make pillow for ringbearer - I've asked Agnes to make me one!
* Meet with baker to choose flavor(s) and style of wedding cake
* Make/print directions and map for ceremony and reception to include with all wedding invitations
* Make 2nd draft of invite list
* Register gift preferences with one or more bridal registries at nearby and/or nationwide store
* Get measurements from groom/ushers/fathers/groomsmen for tuxedos

Three to Four Months in Advance

* Confirm bridal portrait appointment
* Confirm hair/nail appointments for bridal portrait
* Decide on living arrangement once married

Two to Four Months in Advance

* Get bridal portrait taken
* Choose reception food
* Design program layout
* Determine reception layout
* Choose reception music (1st dance, father/daughter dance, mother/son dance etc.)
* Make rough draft of list of duties of all involved (Mistress of Ceremonies, etc.)
* Finalize vows and memorize (if necessary)
* Make sure flower girl dress is purchased
* Make sure the mother's dresses are purchased and are complimentary
* Determine length of bridesmaid dresses At least tea length
* Determine hose color and shoes for bridesmaids
* Schedule bride's hair appointment
* Schedule nail appointment
* Finalize invite list
* Get addresses of all people on invite list
* Set date with fiance to get marriage license
* Get any immunizations you will need for the honeymoon

Two Months in Advance

* Go over rough draft of duties with all involved in wedding
* Choose one person to whom the groomsmen can return their tuxes, and have that person return the tuxes to the rental place if desired
* Determine who will return the groom's tuxedo to the rental place
* Determine order/timing of events at reception
* Buy honeymoon clothes and going away outfit if necessary
* Get final order of prelude and processional music from organist
* Call for babysitter to watch children
* Call to inform all people who need to be at rehearsal
* Buy guest book and pen
* Obtain marriage certificate
* Determine where bride and attendants will get dressed
* Determine where groom and attendants will get dressed
* Buy/make throw and keepsake garters
* Buy wrapping paper for attendant, etc. gifts
* Make schedule of wedding day for all involved
* Buy stamps for invitations, response cards, and some to get started on thank-you notes
* Ensure formal-wear shop has all tuxedo measurements

One to One-and-a-Half Months in Advance

* Address/mail wedding invitations

One Month in Advance

* Determine when items needed at reception will be taken there
* Show final program to minister and organist to check for accuracy
* Box and wrap all gifts for attendants, etc.
* Ensure band/DJ has equipment/music needed tp play your chosen reception music
* Confirm honeymoon reservations
* Check registries to make sure shower gifts and/or early wedding gifts have been marked off as purchased
* Record gifts as you receive them and send thank-you notes
* Open joint checking and savings accounts
* Change beneficiary to fiance for will and life insurance policy
* Inform car/home/renter's insurance of marriage
* Make list of all places with whom bride needs to change name and submit changes

Two Weeks in Advance

* Final meeting with reception hall/caterer
* Final meeting with photographer
* Final conversation with band - overview of times & special songs, mail him/her/them map
* Mail directions to limo driver and confirm times
* Meet with rehearsal dinner caterers for final details
* Print programs
* Finalize and print list of duties for each person involved
* Print itinerary of wedding day
* Confirm nail/hair appointments
* Print list of reception dances for MC/band/DJ
* Confirm hotel reservations for wedding night
* Determine personal wedding morning itinerary (time to wake up, ... time to leave for church, etc.)

One Week in Advance

* Make bride's emergency kit
* Pack for honeymoon
* Get traveler's checks for honeymoon; exchange money to foreign currency now if desired
* Fill out first page of guest book
* Buy spare hose
* Remind attendants about rehearsal time
* Take marriage certificate to minister/officiant
* Give final guest count to reception facility and/or caterer
* Remind groom/fathers/ushers/groomsmen to pick up tuxedos on day before wedding
* Pick up gifts for attendants.
* Discuss seating with ushers.
* Confirm final guest numbers and seating arrangements with caterer.
* Practice toasts and speeches.
* Break in wedding shoes.
* Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
* Place fees in envelopes for services.
* Get manicure/pedicure.
* Confirm final details with vendors.
* Arrange for attendants to take care of wedding attire after reception.

Day Before Wedding

* Pick up wedding gown and veil
* Pick up tux
* Take favors, disposable cameras, centerpieces, cake knife and server, toasting glasses, CD's, and birdseed roses to reception hall
* Nail appointment
* Give mom lipstick to keep in purse on wedding day for bride (or prepare bride's purse)
* Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

Morning of Wedding

* Bride's hair appointment
* Give groom's wedding band to Maid of Honor and bride's wedding band to Best Man prior to ceremony
* Relax and let it all sink in!!
* Leave yourself off the things to do list today if there are any remaining items. You need to relax and enjoy the whole day, and in the long run, you won't remember the little things.

Wedding day order of events:

* Hair is styled.
* Bride, groom and attendants get dressed.
* Transportation for bride and bridesmaids arrives.
* Transportation for groom arrives.
* Groom leaves for ceremony.
* Groomsmen leave for ceremony.
* Bridesmaids leave for ceremony.
* Bride and her father (or escort) leave for ceremony.
* Guests arrive for ceremony.
* Ceremony begins.
* Ceremony ends.
* Wedding party arrives at reception.
* Photographs are taken.
* Guests arrive at reception; receiving line begins.
* Music begins.
* Food is served.
* Speeches and toasts.
* Cake is cut and served.
* Bride and groom depart.