Bride's Check List and To Do's

When you are preparing for your wedding it is extremely important that you be realistic and practical but for many of us this is far easier said than done. Every bride wants everything to be perfect which means that you will inevitably feel the need to micro manage. I know many of you are Wonder Woman in disguise, especially in this day and age, but I hate to break it to you…you can’t be responsible for everything. As the bride, it is impossible to oversee everything for your wedding especially on your wedding day. We try to remind our brides that this day is YOUR day. Your wedding will be a once in a lifetime event and we at AYWP believe that you should enjoy it. In order to do so you may have to do something unthinkable. Ok, I know it sounds crazy but here it goes….delegate responsibilities! AND, do it before the big day. Some of you ladies can hire a consultant but most of the brides that we deal with are budget conscious and therefore may need to consider appointing a friend or family member to help oversee most matters. Make this decision in advance so that any of the vendors that you hire will be informed of who will be in charge on the wedding day.

There are a number of websites out there that offer wedding to do lists and wedding checklists. I came across one that was pretty helpful but have made a few modifications for it to be suitable for the Long Island and New York area Brides. Whatever site you are using should be able to incorporate some of this list since many of them are able to be personalized. If you are not using a website to help with the planning you can just print this as a guide or even input it into Outlook and set the reminder dates according to your needs. I hope you ladies find this of some help.

Try to think of the responsibilities for each of your selected professional wedding vendors. This will help in adding to this checklist provided below.

• Will I get dressed at the wedding site or home?
• Do I want the photographer to come to my home? When?
• Determine if the Photographer has a male or female photographer for preparatory shots (this is dependant on the bride's comfort level of having a man or woman there to capture moments where you may be only partially dressed).
• How will I get to the wedding site? To the reception?
• How will the out of town guests get around? Where will they stay?
• How, when, and where will the wedding vendors deliver their goods? Who do they report to?
• Will we need storage or a holding/storage area at the wedding or reception sites?
• What electrical or kitchen needs are there?
• What kind of delivery needs do the musicians and caterer have and can we accommodate them?
• Will there be a need for security?
• Parking for the guests?
• Where can the professionals store their equipment when it's not in use (i.e. photographers...)?
• Who can I rely upon to act as a coordinator/facilitator for the day? Should I hire a professional?

Wedding Planner Checklist

12 - 16 Months Before the Wedding
• Set the Wedding Date. Take into consideration Holidays, School, Major Sporting Events, Weather, Work, Honeymoon Plans
• Discuss and decide on the style and type of wedding. Formal/Informal ~ Traditional/Unconventional
• Choose a Wedding Motif, Color theme and style
• Select and Reserve the Church, Temple or Wedding site
• Decide on a Wedding Consultant (professional or otherwise – some Brides find it helpful to have someone other than the Groom to discuss wedding plans with)
• Research and Retain the Following:
◊ Photographer______________________________
◊ Videographer______________________________
◊ Entertainment______________________________
◊ Ceremonial Musicians_______________________
◊ Reception Facility___________________________
◊ Caterer___________________________________
◊ Beverages_________________________________

6 - 12 Months Before the Wedding
• Choose the members of the Bridal Party
◊ Maid/Matron of Honor
◊ Attendants
◊ Best Man - groom selects
◊ Attendants - groom selects
• Decide upon the number of invitees and select the accommodations for out of town:
◊ Wedding Attendants
◊ Family
◊ Guests
• Search and select a Wedding Gown and Veil
• Search and select the Dresses for the Attendants
• Schedule a Photo Session for the Engagement Announcement
• Mail Photo and Engagement information to the selected Newspaper(s)
• Begin making preliminary Honeymoon Plans
• Phone interview and visit the Caterer to review and select a menu
• Phone interview and visit the Florist to discuss Floral Arrangement
• Phone interview and visit the Reception location to discuss arrangements

3 - 6 Months Before the Wedding
• Complete a Bridal Registry
• Arrange for the first fitting of Wedding Gown
• Select and order Wedding Invitations and Thank you Notes
• Select and order the Wedding Cake
• Select and order Wedding Bands (decide if you will have them engraved)
• Finalize Honeymoon Plans and Destination
• Select a Travel Agent and Make Honeymoon Reservations
• Plan a Rehearsal Dinner and Make Reservations
• Deposits for Services

2 Months Before the Wedding
• Select and Reserve the Men's Formal Wear
• Determine your hair stylist and make-up artist and have a trial run of styles (don’t forget your headpiece/veil)
• Order the Wedding Favors
• Create a song list or select music genre for the Band or the DJ
• Address Invitations
• Mail Invitations
• Arrange Formal Portraits
• Purchase gifts for:
◊ Maid of Honor
◊ Your Attendants
◊ The Groom
◊ Your Mother
◊ Any special person who is making major contributions

1 Month Before the Wedding
• Apply for the Marriage License
• Confirm the Rehearsal Date with the Wedding Ceremony Site
• Make any Rehearsal Dinner arrangements/reservations
• Review any details of the Wedding Day with the coordinator(s) you've selected
• Arrange for a Hair & Make-up pro to come the morning of the wedding
• Purchase any needed Party/Decoration supplies
• Write and mail thank-you notes for the Shower Gifts
• Arrange for Wedding Memento’s to be saved (i.e. Bouquet to be preserved)
• Arrange to pick-up Honeymoon tickets or have them mailed

1 -2 Weeks Before the Wedding
• Make arrangements for any Reception or Wedding favors to be delivered
• Finalize Flowers and make arrangements for delivery
• Give all appropriate vendors final guest count
• Prepare and plan seating for the Reception
• Prepare Place Cards for the Reception
• Confirm all Attendants have their Dresses (and Shoes!!!) and have had their final fittings
• Create a guide of how you want the wedding day to unfold and share with your chosen coordinator(s)
• Confirm all Vendor services

2 - 3 Days Before the Wedding
• Arrange for a Spa Day: Pedicure, Manicure, Waxing, Facial, The Works (be careful about waxing too close to the big day, some ladies get red and blotchy)
• Review the Honeymoon Bags for any last minute items or purchases that may be needed
• Final review of details of the Wedding Day with the coordinator(s) you've selected
• Make arrangement for mail and home care while away on Honeymoon
• Change phone message on answering machine and email auto response
• Send thank you notes to those who made the Bachelorette Party possible (if you had one)

1 Day Before the Wedding
• Remember why you are marrying the Groom, reflect on why you are together and maybe read any cards or letters you may have saved
• Make a bag of extra cosmetics, hairspray, pantyhose, baby-wipes (great for quick clean up and removing most stains off clothes), safety pins as well as anything else you may need that will be given to your coordinator(s) for “just in case” purposes
• Consider a massage or anything else that may help you relax and be stress free
• Try to get to sleep early

The Wedding Day
• Make time to have something nutritious to eat, you may not feel like eating but it is important to make sure you have something
• Take a moment to stop, take a deep breath and absorb what's going on around you; reflect on what this day is and let it fill you with joy (how you feel will show on your face and in your mannerisms)
• Let last-minute matters be handled by someone else (i.e. last minute invitees showing with no RSVP, final payments to vendors, tipping, etc.)
• Try to thank everyone who helped
• Mingle and try to say hello and thank you to guests, especially those people who travelled from out of town
• Remember that your family is all together at this time so try to capture the moments and ask your photographer for pictures of you with your family and guests
• Finally laugh, love and enjoy the best day of your life