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Bridal Checklist

The Bride's 12 Month Checklist

Golden Rule - Plan Ahead - Way Ahead

10 TO 12 MONTHS PRIOR

  Buy your wedding planner or good organizer
  Discuss the style of the wedding and the budget with your fiancée and ALL parents.
  Interview wedding consultants, advisors and coordinators. Look at decorations.
  Speak with all your friends - pick their brains - learn who knows what and who knows who.
  Speak to your clergy - speak with other family members' clergy - ask questions.
  Begin looking for locations - ceremony - rehearsal dinner - reception - other planned events
  Begin interviewing Caterers, Bakers, Photographers, Florists, Videographers, Musicians
  By the end of Month 12 select three of your key players: advisor/consultant - caterer and photographer
  By end of Month 11 select site for the ceremony
  By end of Month 10 select site for the reception and rehearsal dinner
  By end of Month 10 select the remaining key players; baker, florist, musicians, videographer

7 TO 9 MONTHS PRIOR

  Select all of your attendants
  Together, begin compiling your guest list
  Contact and visit clergy or justice of the peace
  Begin shopping for your wedding gown and appropriate clothiers for your attendants (ladies) accessorize, accessorize, accessorize, accessorize
  Register with no less than three well known Bridal Registries for gifts
  Begin looking at honeymoon options with your fiancée - visit a travel agency or professional specializing in leisure travel - if you plan to leave the country check on your passports.
  By the end of Month 9 choose clergy
  By the end of Month 8 decide on a menu.
  By the end of Month 7 schedule engagement photo session
  By the end of Month 7 select and order attendant's apparel

4 TO 6 MONTHS PRIOR

  Begin review of details with all of your wedding professionals
  Finalize honeymoon plans with fiancée and book with travel agent
  By end of Month 6 shop for and order invitations/announcements
  Finalize music selection for wedding and reception
  By end of Month 5 book calligrapher
  By end of Month 5 shop and order the men's formal wear
  Book wedding transportation - limousines, horse-drawn carriages, hot air balloons, boat, or whatever
  By end of Month 4 have the rehearsal dinner plans in place (make sure you coordinate this with your fiancée).

2 TO 3 MONTHS PRIOR

  Order the wedding rings!!
  Finish guest list
  Shop till you drop
    Lingerie
    Honeymoon Clothes
    Attendants gifts
    Your gift for your fiancée
    Pre- & post-wedding party clothes you might need
  Finalize catering, bakery, floral arrangements (be a little flexible)
  Reserve a block of rooms for your out-of-town guests (good work for your fiancée)
  Finalize arrangements for any rental items you may need
    Candelabra & other silver pieces
    Special decorative screens & archways
    Special lighting (particularly if part of the event will be outside or in an unique area where normal lighting may not be possible)
  Make appointment with your hairdresser (a trial run for next month - also good for your bridal portrait) Have her help you with your veil.
  Make appointment with your hairdresser (final) Have her show you how to work with the headpiece you choose.
  Make appointment for your nails (hands and feet)-
  Make appointment with a makeup artist for the day of your bridal portrait

4 TO 8 WEEKS PRIOR

  Mail your wedding invitations and send either your preplanned special itinerary for early arriving out-of-town guests or an activity sheet from area chambers-of-commerce
  Final fittings (you and the attendants)
  Plan the bridesmaids' luncheon & confirm the location & instructions
  By Week 6 have bridal portrait taken
  Send local paper and wedding publications your announcement and photograph
  Notes! Notes! Notes! Write Thank You Notes as you receive bridal and wedding gifts
  Reconfirm rehearsal events and rehearsal dinner reservations
  For your own peace of mind personally touch base with every key professional you and/or your coordinator have working on all your upcoming events
  By Week 4 Pick Up Wedding Rings
  Get marriage license with fiancée
  Reconfirm honeymoon reservations and (if leaving the country got o bank and exchange at least $100 into foreign currency)
  Submit request lists to your musicians, photographer and videographer
  Formally invite wedding party and guests to the rehearsal dinner
  Confirm all transportation for all events (including honeymoon)
  Address announcements to mail on your wedding day
  Prepare all the necessary forms for name address changes on social security card, credit cards, bank accounts, post office, driver's license, etc.
  Arrange to move belongings to new home
  By the last day of Week 2 plan a day to be alone with your family

1 WEEK PRIOR

  On the very first day of the last week begin packing for your honeymoon
  Check final details with all your wedding professionals - early in the week
  Give (or attend) the Bridesmaids' luncheon
  Give final guest count to the caterer
  Create a wedding day schedule with your fiancée
  Reminder Day
    Remind wedding party men to pick up tuxedos
    Remind attendants of rehearsal dinner agenda
    Remind fiancée to double check rehearsal dinner plans
  Finish packing for your honeymoon
  Rehearsal Dinner (give wedding day schedule to all)
  Schedule the day prior to the wedding as a free day - and a day to visit with a few close friends
   
   
   

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