Kiki
07-12-2006, 06:23 PM
The Never Ending TO DO List of an Engaged Couple!
The Basics
Set the date for the Big Day!
Decide type of wedding desired (traditional, big/small, etc.)
Determine what religion the service will be performed in, if any
Decide time of wedding and reception
Choose desired location for wedding ceremony
Choose desired location for reception
Set wedding budget and decide how wedding will be financed
Set honeymoon budget
Announce engagement to friends and family
Make first draft of invite list
Determine a color scheme for the wedding/reception if desired
Book the professionals!
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
Interview/Choose photographer and then book him/her
Interview/Choose Videographer and then book him/her
Interview/Choose Florist and then book him/her
Interview/Choose Baker (for cake) and then book him/her
Decide type of music desired for reception, if any
Choose reception format: buffet or sit-down dinner etc.
Interview/Choose caterer Done and then book him/her/them
Your Slaves: The Wedding Party
Decide how large/small wedding party will be
Choose attendants and ask if they'll accept the position
Choose/order bridesmaid dresses
Choose/buy/book bridesmaid’s accessories and hair (or let them choose their own)
Pick out tuxes (or other attire) for groomsmen/ushers/fathers
Get measurements from groom/ushers/fathers/groomsmen for tuxedos
Order tuxedos (or other attire)
Choose/order attire for other attendants (flower girl, ring bearer)
Buy/make basket for flower girl
Buy/make pillow for ring bearer
Buy gifts for bridesmaids, parents, groomsmen, ushers, etc
Buy wrapping paper for attendant, etc. gifts
Wrap Wedding Party Gifts
Determine where bride and attendants will get dressed (at home/hotel or ceremony site?)
Determine where groom and attendants will get dressed (at hotel or ceremony site?)
The Glowing Bride
Choose/buy Wedding Dress
Arrange fittings
Buy undergarments for wedding attire (need prior to fittings)
Buy wedding attire accessories such as gloves, earrings, necklace, h_andbags, shoes Done, cufflinks, etc.
Hairstyle (pick style and book appointment)
Makeup (pick style and buy makeup or book appointment)
Buy gift for Gift for Groom
Wrap Gift
Determine the "something borrowed, ...blue, ...old, and ...new" to wear on wedding day
The Handsome Groom
Pick out tux (or other attire) for groom
Get measurements from groom
Order tuxedo (or other attire)
Buy gift for Gift for the Bride
Wrap Gift
Killing 100 000 Trees: Paper Products
Choose invitations
Pick Wording for invitations
Make/Order Invitations
Get addresses of all people on invite list
Buy stamps for invitations, response cards, and some to get started on thank-you notes
Get directions to church, from church to reception, and from church to rehearsal dinner
Make/print directions and map for ceremony and reception to include with all wedding invitations
Design program layout (or have a printer do it)
Order/Make programs
Mail Invitations
Do You? The Ceremony
Determine how attendants will process and stand at ceremony
Select/buy/make ceremony decorations such as pew bows, alter arrangements, etc.
Take marriage certificate to minister/officiant
Determine wedding band inscriptions
Get wedding bands inscribed
How much for Flowers?
Decide on bouquets for bride and bridesmaid.
Decide on boutonnieres for groom, groomsmen, and fathers
Ask mothers if they want to wear a flower corsage or carry a single flower instead and inform florist
Decide on corsages and boutonnieres for other special people.
Decide if roses will be given to the mothers at the end of/during the ceremony
Decide on alter arrangements
Meet with florist to choose amount and type of flowers for ceremony and reception and any other accessories (ex. pew bows, c*andelabras, etc)
Sign up to donate ceremony flowers for Sunday's service, if desired
Eat, Drink and be Merry
Reserve rental items: c*andelabra, linens, canopy, tables/chairs, etc.
Choose reception food
Determine reception layout (i.e. how many tables, chairs, etc.)
Determine seating arrangement at reception if it's a sit-down dinner
Meet with baker to choose flavor(s) and style of wedding cake
Buy/make favors to give guests, if desired
Select reception decorations such as candles, flowers, balloons, arches, etc.
Buy/make centerpieces for guest tables at reception
Determine how many d*isposable cameras should be purchased, if any
Buy d*isposable cameras
Write/choose disposable camera poems if desired
Buy c*ake knife and server
Buy/make a card box/wish well
Choose reception music (1st dance, father/daughter dance, mother/son dance etc.)
Make a play/do not play list for the DJ or band.
Determine order/timing of events at reception (cake-cutting, etc.)
Buy guest book.
I’m not walking in these heels: Transportation
Hire limo driver or arrange other transportation to/from ceremony and reception
Determine transportation arrangements for the newlyweds or attendants and parents to and from the ceremony.
Choose/Buy decorations for the car/limo/transportation
Wink-Wink Hubba-Hubba: The Honeymoon
Plan honeymoon and book all lodgings/transportation/event tickets
Check passports/visas
Get any immunizations you will need for the honeymoon
Buy honeymoon clothes and going away outfit if necessary
Delegating all those little things
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 who will put s*uitcases in limo at reception
Decide if gown will be preserved and where
Choose one person to take your gown to the dry cleaners or to be preserved
Decide if bouquet will be preserved and make arrangements
Choose a contact person for an wedding day vendors (i.e., some one for the caterer to call when they ran out of raspberry sauce and need you decide between blueberry or strawberry, or when the DJ wants an extra extension cord-you don’t need that stress on your wedding day!)
The Paperwork
Set date with fiancé to get marriage license (check restrictions on how long it's valid prior to wedding) Done
Obtain marriage certificate
Practice Makes Perfect: The Rehearsal
Set time and date for the rehearsal
Call to inform all people who need to be at rehearsal
Choose/book rehearsal dinner location and plan menu
Buy/decide on rehearsal/rehearsal dinner outfit
Make/print maps to rehearsal dinner to include with rehearsal dinner invitations and send to groom's mom (if his parents are hosting rehearsal dinner)
Organizing the Chaos
Create a list of duties with all involved in wedding
Make itinerary of wedding day for all involved
Determine personal wedding morning itinerary (time to wake up, ... time to leave for church, etc.)
Determine when items needed at reception will be taken there and by who.
Determine when items needed at ceremony will be taken there and by who.
Decide when the ceremony and reception sites will be decorated and who will help.
Guests
Call any guest who did not RSVP.
Gimme Gimme Gimme.
Discuss if a bridal registry is desired and what items would be on it
Register gift preferences with one or more bridal registries at nearby and/or nationwide store
Record gifts as you receive them and send thank-you notes
There’s 7 days left so you better….
Ensure formalwear shop has all tuxedo measurements
Ensure band/DJ has equipment/music needed to play your chosen reception music
Ensure groom's mom has addressed/mailed rehearsal dinner invitations if his parents are hosting it
Confirm nail/hair appointments
Confirm hotel reservations for wedding night
Remind groom/fathers/ushers/groomsmen to pick up tuxedos on day before wedding
All those extra things!
Change beneficiary to fiancé for will and life insurance policy
Inform car/home/renter's insurance of marriage (discounted rates may apply)
Make list of all places with whom bride needs to change name and submit changes
Submit wedding announcement to local newspaper for publishing day or weekend of wedding
The Basics
Set the date for the Big Day!
Decide type of wedding desired (traditional, big/small, etc.)
Determine what religion the service will be performed in, if any
Decide time of wedding and reception
Choose desired location for wedding ceremony
Choose desired location for reception
Set wedding budget and decide how wedding will be financed
Set honeymoon budget
Announce engagement to friends and family
Make first draft of invite list
Determine a color scheme for the wedding/reception if desired
Book the professionals!
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
Interview/Choose photographer and then book him/her
Interview/Choose Videographer and then book him/her
Interview/Choose Florist and then book him/her
Interview/Choose Baker (for cake) and then book him/her
Decide type of music desired for reception, if any
Choose reception format: buffet or sit-down dinner etc.
Interview/Choose caterer Done and then book him/her/them
Your Slaves: The Wedding Party
Decide how large/small wedding party will be
Choose attendants and ask if they'll accept the position
Choose/order bridesmaid dresses
Choose/buy/book bridesmaid’s accessories and hair (or let them choose their own)
Pick out tuxes (or other attire) for groomsmen/ushers/fathers
Get measurements from groom/ushers/fathers/groomsmen for tuxedos
Order tuxedos (or other attire)
Choose/order attire for other attendants (flower girl, ring bearer)
Buy/make basket for flower girl
Buy/make pillow for ring bearer
Buy gifts for bridesmaids, parents, groomsmen, ushers, etc
Buy wrapping paper for attendant, etc. gifts
Wrap Wedding Party Gifts
Determine where bride and attendants will get dressed (at home/hotel or ceremony site?)
Determine where groom and attendants will get dressed (at hotel or ceremony site?)
The Glowing Bride
Choose/buy Wedding Dress
Arrange fittings
Buy undergarments for wedding attire (need prior to fittings)
Buy wedding attire accessories such as gloves, earrings, necklace, h_andbags, shoes Done, cufflinks, etc.
Hairstyle (pick style and book appointment)
Makeup (pick style and buy makeup or book appointment)
Buy gift for Gift for Groom
Wrap Gift
Determine the "something borrowed, ...blue, ...old, and ...new" to wear on wedding day
The Handsome Groom
Pick out tux (or other attire) for groom
Get measurements from groom
Order tuxedo (or other attire)
Buy gift for Gift for the Bride
Wrap Gift
Killing 100 000 Trees: Paper Products
Choose invitations
Pick Wording for invitations
Make/Order Invitations
Get addresses of all people on invite list
Buy stamps for invitations, response cards, and some to get started on thank-you notes
Get directions to church, from church to reception, and from church to rehearsal dinner
Make/print directions and map for ceremony and reception to include with all wedding invitations
Design program layout (or have a printer do it)
Order/Make programs
Mail Invitations
Do You? The Ceremony
Determine how attendants will process and stand at ceremony
Select/buy/make ceremony decorations such as pew bows, alter arrangements, etc.
Take marriage certificate to minister/officiant
Determine wedding band inscriptions
Get wedding bands inscribed
How much for Flowers?
Decide on bouquets for bride and bridesmaid.
Decide on boutonnieres for groom, groomsmen, and fathers
Ask mothers if they want to wear a flower corsage or carry a single flower instead and inform florist
Decide on corsages and boutonnieres for other special people.
Decide if roses will be given to the mothers at the end of/during the ceremony
Decide on alter arrangements
Meet with florist to choose amount and type of flowers for ceremony and reception and any other accessories (ex. pew bows, c*andelabras, etc)
Sign up to donate ceremony flowers for Sunday's service, if desired
Eat, Drink and be Merry
Reserve rental items: c*andelabra, linens, canopy, tables/chairs, etc.
Choose reception food
Determine reception layout (i.e. how many tables, chairs, etc.)
Determine seating arrangement at reception if it's a sit-down dinner
Meet with baker to choose flavor(s) and style of wedding cake
Buy/make favors to give guests, if desired
Select reception decorations such as candles, flowers, balloons, arches, etc.
Buy/make centerpieces for guest tables at reception
Determine how many d*isposable cameras should be purchased, if any
Buy d*isposable cameras
Write/choose disposable camera poems if desired
Buy c*ake knife and server
Buy/make a card box/wish well
Choose reception music (1st dance, father/daughter dance, mother/son dance etc.)
Make a play/do not play list for the DJ or band.
Determine order/timing of events at reception (cake-cutting, etc.)
Buy guest book.
I’m not walking in these heels: Transportation
Hire limo driver or arrange other transportation to/from ceremony and reception
Determine transportation arrangements for the newlyweds or attendants and parents to and from the ceremony.
Choose/Buy decorations for the car/limo/transportation
Wink-Wink Hubba-Hubba: The Honeymoon
Plan honeymoon and book all lodgings/transportation/event tickets
Check passports/visas
Get any immunizations you will need for the honeymoon
Buy honeymoon clothes and going away outfit if necessary
Delegating all those little things
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 who will put s*uitcases in limo at reception
Decide if gown will be preserved and where
Choose one person to take your gown to the dry cleaners or to be preserved
Decide if bouquet will be preserved and make arrangements
Choose a contact person for an wedding day vendors (i.e., some one for the caterer to call when they ran out of raspberry sauce and need you decide between blueberry or strawberry, or when the DJ wants an extra extension cord-you don’t need that stress on your wedding day!)
The Paperwork
Set date with fiancé to get marriage license (check restrictions on how long it's valid prior to wedding) Done
Obtain marriage certificate
Practice Makes Perfect: The Rehearsal
Set time and date for the rehearsal
Call to inform all people who need to be at rehearsal
Choose/book rehearsal dinner location and plan menu
Buy/decide on rehearsal/rehearsal dinner outfit
Make/print maps to rehearsal dinner to include with rehearsal dinner invitations and send to groom's mom (if his parents are hosting rehearsal dinner)
Organizing the Chaos
Create a list of duties with all involved in wedding
Make itinerary of wedding day for all involved
Determine personal wedding morning itinerary (time to wake up, ... time to leave for church, etc.)
Determine when items needed at reception will be taken there and by who.
Determine when items needed at ceremony will be taken there and by who.
Decide when the ceremony and reception sites will be decorated and who will help.
Guests
Call any guest who did not RSVP.
Gimme Gimme Gimme.
Discuss if a bridal registry is desired and what items would be on it
Register gift preferences with one or more bridal registries at nearby and/or nationwide store
Record gifts as you receive them and send thank-you notes
There’s 7 days left so you better….
Ensure formalwear shop has all tuxedo measurements
Ensure band/DJ has equipment/music needed to play your chosen reception music
Ensure groom's mom has addressed/mailed rehearsal dinner invitations if his parents are hosting it
Confirm nail/hair appointments
Confirm hotel reservations for wedding night
Remind groom/fathers/ushers/groomsmen to pick up tuxedos on day before wedding
All those extra things!
Change beneficiary to fiancé for will and life insurance policy
Inform car/home/renter's insurance of marriage (discounted rates may apply)
Make list of all places with whom bride needs to change name and submit changes
Submit wedding announcement to local newspaper for publishing day or weekend of wedding