The Wedding Checklist

This section probably doesn't concern you unless you want to get Brownie points by appearing wise in the ways of wedding organisation, or think it may be handy to print out and give to those organising everything (I'm just guessing that it isn't you).

It is a comprehensive list for a traditional marriage, pretty much in a time line, of what you may want/need with your wedding - crossing off what you don't want will pretty much determine how formal the ceremony and reception will be.

The Early Stages

• Announce your engagement
• Select a date, keeping in mind other events - Valentine's Day will be busy for other weddings (but romantic for you, and you'll never forget an anniversary) and your humble writer chose 3:00pm on a September Saturday - the same time as kick-off in a football grand final, which didn't thrill some of the guests!
• Pick a time of day and location
• Work out a budget and how those expenses will be shared
• Get the guest list happening (consult with both sets of parents, too) - separate into who MUST be invited, who SHOULD be invited and who it would be NICE to invite (do you want children at the wedding?) - and give plenty of notice to overseas/interstate guests
• Book the church or location and the celebrant (if you are thinking of a garden wedding at home see if there needs to be any improvements made)
• Choose and order your bridal gown if going traditional
• Choose the rings
• Decide on a honeymoon destination - if overseas, get your passports (or check for 6 months validity on existing) and visas if necessary. (Vanuatu and the Pacific are nice)
• Choose a photographer (do you want video?) - and a location
• Choose the Best Man, Maid of Honour, Bridesmaid(s), Groomsman(men), Flower Girl, Ring Bearer and Usher(s) - one for 50 guests should suffice - and a Master of Ceremony (can also be Father-of-the-Bride)
• Reserve the Bridal Suite for the wedding night
• Think style and colour scheme and choose the attendant's dress and accessories - you don't want a bridesmaid in scarlet taking the limelight!
• Choose music for the ceremony and reception
• Choose a wedding gift for each other
• Select a cake/decorator
• Book any rental items (cars, suits)
• Finalise the guest list and order invitations (and any other stationery, including place cards and thank you notes)
• Decide on table decorations and wedding favours (gifts) for guests
• Book the honeymoon
• Set up a gift registry (think about the price range guests can afford)
• Consider a honeymoon registry
• Buy shoes and accessories (break the shoes in before the day!) and wedding lingerie
• Send out invitations - RSVP should be 4 to 6 weeks prior to the date. Keep a record of RSVP and gifts received
• Send out thank you notes as gifts arrive (you'll thank yourself for this after the wedding!)
• You may want to book accommodation for out-of-town guests
• Book hair, make up, nails for the day of the wedding
• Choose attire for the groom, father of the bride, best man, usher(s) and ring bearer
• Send wedding announcement to newspaper
• If you'd like a Guest Book, choose an attendant and decide where and when guests should sign (church or reception)
• Plan a lunch or dinner with the bridesmaids and give them a gift at that time
• Organise a driver for arrival and departure
• Choose a reception menu and required alcohol and soft drink
• Consider wedding insurance

Getting Closer To The Day

• Confirm details with the celebrant or minister
• Final fitting for dresses (bride, bridesmaid, flower girl)
• Do a seating plan for guests
• Choose the flowers (bridal party, ceremony and reception)
• Do a timeline for the wedding and reception
• Consider a trip to the dentist (some brides/grooms do like whiter teeth and you don't want toothache on your honeymoon!)
• Contact any guests who haven't replied
• Confirm catering arrangements and guest numbers
• Choose a going away dress if not leaving in your bridal gown
• Pack for the honeymoon, pick up tickets
• Have the post office hold your mail while you're on honeymoon, cancel newspapers etc.
• If leaving the reception by car, have the luggage (and passport, tickets etc) in the car the day prior
• If you are having a receiving line, decide who stands where - also the seating at the bridal table for special guests
• Decide on speeches
• Meet with photographer
• One week out - the church rehearsal
• Pick up rings and check they fit
• Choose a song for the 'first dance'
• Familiarise yourself with the guest list - some of them you may be meeting for the first time!
• Provide wedding party members with a list of events
• Arrange for someone to return the rental items
• Arrange a table at the location or reception for gifts
• Give the Best Man cheques for celebrant's fee, catering etc
• If having a Buck's Night/Hen's night - don't have it the night before the wedding!!

On The Day!

• Give the groom's ring to the bridesmaid and the bride's ring to the Best Man
• Enjoy the day! (and laugh if a few little things go wrong)