3–5 Months To Go…
- Book the rehearsal and the location. Think if you want to offer entertainment or anything special for this day.
- This event can be almost a quarter+ the cost of the wedding, depending on how you choose it. We decided to go cheap (pizza and beer) but have fun with this night. It will be only 2 days before your wedding. Also, the venue typically has a designated day and time the week before that you can do the rehearsal there. Sometimes they allow the actually dinner to be there as well.
- Also consider the guest list for the rehearsal dinner and how you are going to contact them (invitations, evites, phone calls, text messages)
- For my rehearsal dinner I included all major players, like bridesmaids and groomsmen and parents. I also included my other sisters, the officiant, and the DJ.
- Decide on what the kids are going to do on the day of the wedding.
- If your wedding includes kids, bring some lawn games or coloring opportunities. Something to keep the kids occupied while the parents have fun. Or, like my wedding, we asked for no children so we didn't have to worry about entertaining them.
- Decide on the rental items
- A lot of these are included in venue costs or the venue has a vendor list you can ask for additional essentials. Linens are typically $10/piece or higher, depending on the color, style, and quality that you choose.
- Decide and order the wedding favors
- We vouched for no wedding favors. Most of the time, people don't take them and then you are stuck with 100 packets of plants or other gifts that you put time and money into.
- Shop for and decide on what the men are going to wear
- If you go to a bridal show, you can get some discounts and coupons for men's formalwear. We went to Men's Warehouse but most department stores have suit rental options. My girlfriend had them purchase their formalwear from Target (because it is a destination wedding). In the formalwear, consider your groomsmen, father, father-in-law, and ring bearer. Also consider the time of the year. We decided against suit jackets because our wedding was in June and it was expected to be very hot.
- Begin to Finalize:
- The guest list! Make sure you have everyone's addresses.
- The invitation. Be sure everything is spelt correctly, the time is correct, you have any additional information you want to include (like no kids, no guests, carpool, prepare for weather, etc.) Decide if you want to get any additional stationary at this time or if you want to wait (thank you notes, RSVPs)
- Vows and the Ceremony
- We wrote our own vows and gave my friend free rights to the ceremony readings.
- Catering details, such as drinks, menu items, etc.
- Wedding timeline
- When are people showing up to setup, when is last call, ceremony start, food is served, bar is open, toasts, first dance, etc.
- Begin the Beauty plan.
- Meet with and get previews for hair and makeup. Pick up any additional accessories. Think about teeth whitening, hair cut appointments, nail appointments, tanning appointments, etc.
- Think about and purchase wedding rings/bands
- Decide on your honeymoon
- Are you waiting or going a few days after the wedding? If you are going out of the country you need passports. If a travel agent scheduled everything, get the necessary documentation from her
6–8 Weeks To Go…
3–5 Weeks To Go…
- 60 Day Mark! If you haven't mailed your invitations, do so now. Keep up with your RSVPs through a checklist or website
- Reach out to your vendors to make sure they have payments and start tying up any loose ends.
- Marriage license and name change information begins. Research how to file and what is necessary
- Your dress should be in, start with fittings. Make sure to bring shoes for height measurements and any underwear you plan to wear the day of.
- Make some decisions on the first dance, what song, if you are going to go with the sway or if you are going to get dance lessons. Begin the lessons now if that is your decision.
- Check in with the wedding party members to be sure they have ordered their essentials.
- Attend your Bridal Shower!
- Savor this moment, relish the love, and then write all your thank you notes.
3–5 Weeks To Go…
- Make some final decisions
- Wedding vows and ceremony readings
- Shot list with your Photographer/Videographer, like any family portrait shots or important fun photos you want
- Music for the ceremony/reception. Processional, recessional, father/daughter, mother/son, etc.
- Finalize your wedding timeline
- Wedding night arrangements
- Order your marriage license and any name change documents
- Pick up your wedding rings if you haven't done so already
- Something old? Something new? Something borrowed? Something blue? And a penny for your shoe!
- Decide and purchase your guest book, toasting flutes, cake servers, candles, alcohol if you are providing it rather than the caterer or the venue
- Buy gifts for your parents, each other, and the wedding party
- Final dress fitting!
- Contact anyone who hasn't RSVP'd