FOR THE BRIDE
Your wedding is one of the most
important and exciting days of your life. It also will require a
great deal of planning and attention to detail to fulfill your
expectations. Here is a checklist to help you remember all the
details: (A Checklist for the Rest of the Wedding Party follows!)
9-12 Months
before the Wedding
Decide on the type of wedding.
How big? How formal?
Set a tentative budget.
Choose the date and time of
ceremony and reception.
Select the locations and make
reservations.
Make an appointment with the
person who will perform the ceremony.
Plan a guest list with names and
addresses.
Shop for your wedding rings.
Shop for your dress and
accessories.
Pick your colors for the
ceremony and reception.
Choose your attendants, their
dresses and accessories.
Select photographer,
transportation and caterer (if separate from reception location).
Plan your honeymoon.
Select Big K Sound as
your DJ.
6-9 Months
before the Wedding
Announce your engagement.
Register your gift preferences
with a Bridal Registry.
Choose a florist; consult with
florist on floral needs and preferences.
3-6 Months
before the Wedding
Order invitations and personal
stationary. (Allow four to six weeks for delivery.
Keep a record of all gifts
received. Send thank you notes immediately.
Help mothers select their
dresses.
Check that all bridal attire has
been ordered.
Shop for your trousseau.
Choose a baker for the wedding
cake and groom's cake.
Meet with DJ to arrange events
at Reception (first meeting)
2-3 Months
before the Wedding
Start addressing the wedding
invitations.
Shop for such wedding
accessories as toasting goblets, ring pillow and a garter.
Confirm all ceremony and
reception reservations.
Arrange for the wedding
rehearsal. If DJ is to perform at ceremony, contact him.
Ask friends to help at the
reception with the guest book or gifts.
Confirm honeymoon plans; get
passport or visa if needed.
Confirm flower orders with
florist.
1-2 Month
before the Wedding
Mail the invitations.
Have the final fitting on your
wedding attire.
Have your portrait taken and
announcement to the newspaper.
Choose gifts for attendants.
Arrange lodging for out-of-town
guests.
Purchase wedding album, guest
book.
Select the groom's wedding gift.
Apply for marriage license with
fiancé and witnesses.
Meet the actual DJ to perform
for you at your reception and Review Reception Plans!
The Week of
Your Wedding
Give the final estimate of
guests to the caterer.
Check all final details; Baker,
florist, photographer/videgrapher, etc.…
Have your bridesmaids' luncheon;
present bridesmaids' gifts.
Pack for your honeymoon.
Provide maps for out-of-town
guests.
Final meeting with DJ to cover
all remaining details. Everything should be done at this point.
The Day of the
Wedding
Have your hairdresser style your
hair.
Begin dressing one to three
hours before the ceremony.
RELAX…AND ENJOY YOUR SPECIAL
DAY!
After the
Honeymoon
Finish thank you notes.
If you are taking your husband's
name, change driver's license, social security card, bank accounts
and credit cards.
Make an appointment with your
Registry's bridal consultant to make any needed exchanges.
***********************************************************
The Bride is not the only one
with responsibilities in a Wedding, The Groom is also a big part of
the planning and organization of the Day. He too has many things to
get accomplished. This is just a checklist to help him out.
Groom's
Checklist
A one Year Plan
9-12 Months
before the Wedding
· Buy the engagement ring, and
arrange for a special presentation.
· Discuss the wedding date and
budget with your fiancée.
· Choose your best man and
ushers. (one usher per 25 guests)
· Select your wedding rings
together.
· Plan the honeymoon. (Together
- unless you are planning separate trips)
· Help with the guest list.
6-9 Months
before the Wedding
· Join your fiancée as she
registers your gift preferences at a registry.
· Together with your fiancée,
select formal wear for you and your groomsmen.
3-6 Months
before the Wedding
· Check the requirements for
blood tests and the marriage license.
· Finalize honeymoon plans: get
a passport or visa if needed.
2-3 Months
before the Wedding
· Start addressing your share of
the wedding invitations.
· Reserve your wedding attire.
· Plan and make reservations for
the rehearsal dinner. (The groom's family usually hosts this event.)
· Meet with the florist. (The
groom traditionally pays for the bride's bouquet, all corsages and
boutonnieres.)
6-8 Weeks
before the Wedding
· Choose gifts for groomsmen.
· Purchase a wedding gift for
your bride.
· Purchase a marriage license
with fiancée and witnesses. (It's the groom's job to check on all
details and requirements.)
· Adjust insurance policies to
reflect new marital status.
· Pick up wedding rings.
2 Weeks before
the Wedding
· Check on honeymoon
reservations and tickets.
· Purchase traveler's checks if
needed.
· Arrange to move belongings to
your new home (after you return from your honeymoon).
1 Week before
the Wedding
· Give your marriage license and
officiating person's fee to the best man.
· Present groomsmen's gifts at
rehearsal dinner.
The Day of the
Wedding
· Give wedding rings to the best
man.
· Be sure travel tickets are
with your change of clothes.
· Be sure both of you sign the
wedding certificate and put it in a safe place.
***********************************************************
The Bride has chosen someone who
is special to her to support and assist The Bride on her Wedding
Day. This checklist is for that person, who, as the Bride, has
duties on the Wedding Day.
Guidelines for
the Maid/Matron of Honor
· Being asked to be Maid/Matron
of Honor or one of the Bridesmaids is meant to be an honor. Since
you are thought of as one of the bride's closest friends, it is only
natural that you would be willing to help. Offer your assistance
whenever possible, do not complain that you do not like the dresses,
and offer moral support whenever possible! The bride will appreciate
your assistance and cooperation!
· Assist Bride in choosing a
dress.
· Assist Bride in choosing
Bridesmaid dress.
· Confirm timely delivery of
bridesmaid dresses *.
· Help with little
organizational details if asked.
· Help with invitation
addressing.
· Help with making favors.
· Maid/Matron of Honor and
bridesmaids host a bridal shower.
· Let guest know where couple is
registered *.
· Help the bride get dressed on
her wedding day *.
· Hold the groom's ring on
wedding day *.
· Straighten the bride's veil
and train when necessary *.
· Help bride in any way
possible, before and during the wedding.
· Offer moral support whenever
necessary.
· Assist bride with bustle
(bustling of her dress at reception) *.
· Assist bride with any personal
needs during the day *.
· Assist DJ with the guests.
(Unless you have a coordinator)
· = Traditionally Maid/Matron of
Honor responsibilities.
***********************************************************
Guidelines for
the Best Man
Here are some guidelines to help
the Best Man. Please remember, these are just some of the standard
duties. You may be asked to help in other ways, you may be asked to
simply offer moral support…
· Arrange for a Bachelor Party:
whether it is a dinner, a weekend, or a wild night out, you are
responsible for arranging the plans as well as the guests. Please
keep the tastes and morals of others in mind. Have fun, but DO NOT
do something that you'll be sorry for later.
· Help the groom with the formal
wear arrangements. What size does everyone need, where can you pick
it all up, etc.…
· Assist with the many details
of the day. Chances are, the Groom will be too nervous to remember
everything.
· Keep the bride's ring until
the ceremony.
· Ensure the groom's timely
arrival at the ceremony.
· Offer to arrange payment for
the officiate.
· Offer to arrange payment for
the Transportation Company.
· Offer the first toast to the
couple. A good idea is to write it down and have it rehearsed. Make
it flattering to the bride, romantic, and witty!
· Offer to help in any way. Calm
anyone who seems stressed.
· Arrange the bride and groom's
departure. Make sure it goes smoothly.
· Offer to return the groom's
formal wear if necessary.
· Assist DJ with dollar/wine
dance if applicable.
· Check with DJ for
announcements.
· Deliver a message to the
brides parents from the newlyweds thanking them for the fantastic
celebration.
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USHERS
Parents of the groom should be
seated five minutes before the ceremony.
The bride's mother should be
seated immediately before the processional and before the aisle
runner is rolled.
