Wedding Planning Checklist
9-12 months before the wedding:
Announce your engagement to friends and family.
Arrange for parents to get together and meet each other if they haven't already.
Pick a special date to begin your lives together.
Discuss what your budget will be and who'll be contributing what to the event.
Interview wedding planners if you're using one.
Pick the ceremony site and meet with the officiant.
Work on the guest list to get a rough head count.
Visit reception sites and reserve one.
Begin shopping for your wedding gown.
If you want to drop a few pounds for the wedding start now.
6-9 months before the wedding:
Choose the members of your wedding party.
Select a caterer.
Enroll in a bridal registry.
Order your wedding gown.
Shop for bridesmaids dresses.
Pick a photographer and videographer.
Hire a florist.
Start thinking about where you'd like to go for your honeymoon.
Send out save-the-date cards, especially if your wedding is on a holiday weekend.
4-6 months before the wedding:
Order wedding stationary (place cards, thank you cards, etc.).
Shop for the perfect wedding cake.
Hire your wedding-day transportation (carriage, limousine, etc.)
Book your favorite hair stylist and makeup artist.
Check on hotels for any out-of-town guests.
Finalize the guest list.
Get definite plans for your honeymoon, make airline and hotel arrangements.
Plan the rehearsal dinner.
2-4 months before the wedding:
Purchase the marriage license from your cities county clerk.
Order tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen.
Meet with the caterer to go over menus, wine selections, etc.
Order the wedding cake.
Select wedding ceremony and reception music.
If you plan on writing your own vows start writing them now.
4-8 weeks before the wedding:
Mail wedding invitations 6 to 8 weeks ahead of your wedding date.
Do a hair and make up run through with your wedding veil on.
2-4 weeks before the wedding:
Work on the seating arrangements for the reception.
Confirm details with the photographer, florist, and other vendors.
Have your final wedding dress fitting.
Write your rehearsal-dinner toast.
Purchase gifts for the wedding attendants.
Compile a list of all of the wedding vendors and wedding party. Carry this list with you everywhere you go just in case.
1 week before the wedding:
Place any amounts due on the wedding day in envelopes for easy distribution.
Give the caterer a final head count.
Find a trustworthy person to take the cake knife, toasting glasses, etc. to the reception.
Get final beauty treatments (manicure, facial, massage, waxing, brow shaping, etc.).
Pack for the honeymoon.
The day before the wedding:
Get something old - symbolizes continuity with the bride's family and the past.
Get something new - means optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead
Get something borrowed - an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in
marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride.
Get something blue - to symbolize love, modesty, and fidelity.And a silver sixpence in her shoe - represents wealth and financial security. For optimum fortune, the sixpence
should be in the left shoe. These days, a dime or a copper penny can be substituted.
The day of the wedding:
Relax and remain calm.
Remember to eat something. You may be so busy with things that you forget.
Allow yourself at least two hours to get dressed.
Enjoy yourself at this once in a life time event!
Rate the following in order of importance (put a 1 next to the thing that is most important to you, through a 10 next to the thing that is least important to you):
___Food
___Liquor
___Apparel
___Aesthetics/Appearance (flowers, decorations, centerpieces, ambiance)
___Music
___Convenience
___Spirituality
___Photography
___Family and Friends
When I look back on our wedding, I want to most remember: (choose 1)
___How exciting everything was
___How romantic it was
___How beautiful it was
___How proper everything was
___How smoothly and easily everything went
___How happy my parents and family were
Circle two to three words that you think will describe your wedding:
Fun -- Romantic -- Classic -- Unique -- Loving -- Classy -- Tasteful -- Glamorous -- Elegant -- Funky -- Casual -- Relaxed -- Formal -- Themed -- Well-appointed -- Luxurious -- Decadent -- Old-fashioned -- Kitschy -- Preppy -- Sporty -- Morning -- Afternoon -- Evening -- Coordinated -- Cute -- Solemn -- Religious -- Secular -- Traditional -- Other _________________
Even though you may not yet have put together a budget, or know who is contributing to your wedding, select how much you think your wedding should cost: (choose 1)
___Less than $5000
___$5000-$10000
___$10,000-$20,000
___$20,000-$30,000
___$30,000-$50,000
___$50,000-$75,000
___more than $75,000
I want to get married: (choose 1)
___in the spring
___in the summer
___in the fall
___in the winter
___on our anniversary
___on a holiday (Valentine's Day, New Years, Etc.)
___on my parents' wedding anniversary
___on another special date _______________
Colors that might make good wedding colors (choose 3 or 4)
Red -- Green -- Yellow -- Blue -- Purple -- Lilac -- Amethyst -- Eggplant -- Lavender -- Wine -- Bordeaux -- Burgundy -- Sky blue -- Teal -- Royal Blue -- Navy -- Midnight Blue -- Raspberry -- Light Pink -- Hot Pink -- Fuschia -- Coral -- Magenta -- Peach -- Tangerine -- Apricot -- Pumpkin -- Orange -- Curry -- Mustard -- Brown -- Chocolate Brown -- Camel -- Tan -- Beige -- Apple Green -- Grass Green -- Kelly Green -- Mint Green -- Lime Green -- Moss -- Sapphire -- Deep Aqua -- Gold -- Silver -- White -- Black -- Bronze -- Copper -- Cream -- Champagne -- Vanilla -- Marigold -- Electric Blue -- Neon Yellow -- Blue Grey -- Grey -- Other _____________
Tableware Basics
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· Register for 8 to 12 place settings of your tableware pattern. For a formal pattern, each setting will probably have five pieces.· Even if you don’t have a lot of cabinet space, it’s a good idea to register for china—just limit the number of place settings. Add later.· To avoid duplication, think twice before registering for tableware at more than one store. | |
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Dinner plate | |
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Salad/dessert plate | |
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Bread-and-butter plate | |
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Cup | |
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Saucer | |
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Additional pieces you may register for include: |
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9" accent plate | |
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Rim soup bowl | |
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Soup/cereal bowl | |
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Medium-size platter | |
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Vegetable bowl | |
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Gravy boat | |
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Sugar bowl and creamer | |
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In addition, you can register for a casual, or transitional, pattern. It will probably have four pieces. |
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Dinner plate | |
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Salad/dessert plate | |
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Soup/cereal bowl | |
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Mug | |
Flatware Basics
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Register for the same quantity of place settings as dinnerware. Each includes: |
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Dinner fork | |
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Dinner knife | |
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Soupspoon | |
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Salad/dessert fork |
Glassware Basics
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Register for at least the same quantity of glasses as your dinnerware; it’s also a good idea to have extra for parties. Frequently used pieces include: |
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Goblets | |
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Iced-beverage glasses | |
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All-purpose wineglasses | |
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Champagne flutes | |
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Double-old-fashioned glasses | |
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Martini glasses |
Cookware Basics
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You can register for boxed sets or individual pieces. Remember, the better the cookware, the better the heat distribution, the better the cooking. Key pieces to register for include: |
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10" frying pan or skillet | |
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Grill pan or griddle | |
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Two-quart and three- quart saucepans | |
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Six-quart stockpot | |
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Roasting pan |
Kitchen Basics
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The basic small appliances to register for are: |
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Blender | |
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Coffeemaker | |
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Coffee grinder | |
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Electric can opener | |
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Food processor | |
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Hand mixer | |
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Microwave | |
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Toaster or toaster oven | |
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Cutlery to register for includes: |
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8" chef's knife | |
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Bread knife | |
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Paring knife | |
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Utility knife | |
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Sharpening steel | |
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Pair of kitchen shears | |
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Knife block | |
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Don’t forget the little |
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Garlic press | |
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Mixing bowls and spoons | |
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Spatulas | |
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Cheese grater |
Linen Basics
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Register for three sets of bed linens: |
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Sheets | |
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Pillowcases | |
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Bed accessories to register for include: |
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Comforter or duvet | |
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Bed skirt | |
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Pillows | |
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Blankets | |
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Register for two towel sets per bathroom: |
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Hand towels | |
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Face towels | |
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Bath towels | |
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Bath accessories to register for include: |
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Shower curtains | |
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Bath mats | |
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Guest towels |
