Wedding checklist

ㅤ Figure out your budget. How much will you and your spouse-to-be contribute? Will your families be chipping in? (Be prepared—those with a financial stake often want a say in things like the guest list and menu.) ㅤ Choose an officiant. You can book one, or you can talk a friend or loved one into getting licensed and ordained. (Josie Luciano has put together a guide for would-be officiants on page 12.) ㅤ Pick your date and book your venue(s). The earlier you decide, the better your chances of getting both the date and location you want. ㅤ Pick the people who will be in your wedding party.

People are going to start wondering about this as soon as they hear you’re engaged. Having these details ironed out will make planning for lead-up events like bachelor and bachelorette parties and the rehearsal dinner easier. ㅤ The guest list can be a source of infinite stress—and even combat—between future spouses. A spreadsheet can help you keep things in perspective. Use it to track names, contact info, RSVPs and the like. ㅤ If you’re going to hire a wedding planner, this is the time to start shopping around for one. If you don’t want one, that’s your call—just make sure you consider all of the hypotheticals before you decide.

For example, what if you plan to decorate your venue the night before but find out that there’s been a last-minute booking for that night, and now you can’t decorate till the morning of—can you deal?

12-8 months out

ㅤ Book your photographer and, if you’re having one, a videographer. ㅤ Will you book a band or a DJ? Either way, it’s time to get this done. ㅤ If you’ve got a bunch of guests coming from out of town, you might want to see about reserving a block of hotel rooms. This, of course, also applies if you’re having the wedding out of town. ㅤ It’s time to make some decisions concerning the menu for your big day. Does the venue offer catering? If not, this is a good time to start meeting with caterers. ㅤ It’s time to buy the dress, or pantsuit, or whatever you want to wear to your wedding. Between ordering and altering, a wedding getup may take upwards of six months to be ready. ㅤ Get your wedding registry up and running. Maybe you’d like to consider something in lieu of a registry?

How about a “honey fund” to help pay for your honeymoon? ㅤ Speaking of which, it’s probably about time to start planning your honeymoon.

7-6 months out

ㅤ If that honeymoon you just planned involves a great escape to foreign shores, it’s time to get your passports up-to-date and make sure you’ve got any immunizations you may need. ㅤ It’s time to get your groomsmen, bridesmaids, bridesmen and groomsmaids outfitted. It’s important not to put this off, because they may need multiple fittings to get their outfits just right. But here’s a thought.

If you’re super busy, why not choose a color and material and let your wedding party choose their own outfits? (See page 6 for a story about this.) ㅤ It’s time to send out “save the date” cards, emails, texts or whatever you choose. You should also probably choose the actual invitations for your wedding and get them ordered. ㅤ Meet up with your officiant to plan out the ceremony.

This is especially important if your officiant is a friend or family member who doesn’t have experience in the wedding arena. You’ll want to make sure the person who’s doing you the honor is confident and comfortable with leading the ceremony. ㅤ Book your florist. By now, you should know what your wedding colors and theme will be.

Sounds like a plan

Get your wedding planning underway underway with this checklist with this checklist

emails, prob-

5-4 months out

ㅤ Book the venue for your rehearsal dinner. ㅤ Choose your cake and get it ordered. Or you could buck tradition and choose tasty individual desserts. (See Todd South’s story on page 9.) ㅤ If you’re having your hair and makeup done, now’s the time to start shopping around for the right person(s) to do it. ㅤ Start making lists of music. Decide what you want playing during key parts of your wedding day. Make sure you also have a list of songs you don’t want to hear. Send this off to your band or DJ when done.

3-2 months out

ㅤ It’s time to start double-checking things on your list, starting with your rehearsal and reception menus and the flowers you’ve ordered. Make sure the foods and flowers you want are in season. ㅤ Give a heads-up to anyone you’d like to have speak during the ceremony or reception. ㅤ If you haven’t already, now’s the time to buy your wedding rings. This should leave enough time for them to be sized, if necessary. ㅤ Write out a provisional schedule for your ceremony and reception—as in what will happen when. Give copies of this to the people who will be providing food, music and flowers. This will give you plenty of time to make adjustments and answer any questions they have. ㅤ Send out your invitations about two months before the wedding, and ask everyone to RSVP within two or three weeks. ceremony when. be music will give you of time make adjustments and answer any questions they have.

Send out your invitations about two months wedding, and everyone to RSVP

1 month out

ㅤ By this time, you should send out as many final payments as you’re able. ㅤ It’s time to get your marriage license. If you’re changing your name, get several copies. ㅤ Send out the invitations to your rehearsal dinner. ㅤ You should have the number of guest nailed down by now, so—assuming you’re having booze—go ahead and order it! ㅤ If you’re assigning seating at the reception, you’ll want to take care of that soon. ㅤ Don’t forget about bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts.

1 week out

ㅤ Pick up your outfit(s). ㅤ Call all of your vendors to make sure they’re all set. ㅤ Send your final guest list to the caterer. ㅤ Don’t let little worries stress you now. This is it.

Take a deep breath. Take a nap. Take a Valium—we won’t judge. ❑