12 month
WEDDING CHECKLIST
Six to 12 months before
Decide the date and time of
your wedding
Arrange a meeting between your two families to decide on
the size, style and cost of your wedding and draw up a draft
guest list Book your ceremony location, and make an appointment
with a priest or minister to discuss the ceremony.
Book the reception venue and caterers and look at sample
menus Shop around for a photographer, videographer, florist,
musicians, cake and cars
Book your honeymoon Four months before
Finalise your guest list
Choose and order your wedding rings
Confirm arrangements for your ceremony including the music,
readings and order of service
Finalise honeymoon plans
make sure your passports are up to date
Confirm reception venue and advise selected menu
Choose and order your invitations and other stationery
Book musicians and entertainment
Three months before
Make appointments with your
hairdresser and beautician
Shop for lingerie
Order flowers, cakes, bomboniere and accessories
Begin a gift register
Send out the invitations and gift list
Book groom's and groomsmen's suits
Book transport
Two months before
Pick up your rings and check
engravings
Plan a bridesmaids' party
Choose gifts for the attendants
Send announcements to newspapers
Confirm final shot list with your photographer
Confirm the programme with your musicians
One month to go
Time the journey from home
to the ceremony venue
Notify your bank of change of name
Confirm honeymoon reservations and pick up airline tickets
Work out your reception seating plan
One week to go
Have the wedding rehearsal
Pack for your honeymoon
Throw a party for the bridesmaids
Prepare your speech
Check all final details for your reception
Have a trial make-up and hair session
Arrange for someone to ensure your wedding clothes get sent
home, hired items are returned, wedding cake is sent to
those who could not come and gifts are taken home safely.
BRIDAL PARTY ATTIRE CHECKLIST
The Bride's Party
Bride's Gown
Bridesmaids' dresses
Flowergirl's dress
shoes
Headpiece
Gloves
Garter
The Groom's Party
Groom's suit
Groomsmen's suits
Ring Bearer's suit
Shirt
Vest or cummerbund
bow tie
Suspenders
Cufflinks
Shoes
CEREMONY MUSIC CHECKLIST
Music needs to be chosen to
accompany all four parts of the wedding ceremony:
The Prelude
- while guests are being seated
The
Processional - as the wedding party enters the
church and walks down the aisle
The
Interlude - as the bride and groom sign the register
and photographs are taken
The
Recessional - as the bride and groom walk down
the aisle and out of the church
PHOTOGRAPHY CHECKLIST
Before
the Ceremony
bride getting ready
bride leaving house
bride with mother
bride with father
bride with both parents
bride and whole family
bride, bridesmaids and flowergirl
bride and father getting into car
groom
groom with groomsmen
groom helping pageboy
groomsmen attaching buttonholes
During the Ceremony
bride entering church
bride coming down aisle
groom and groomsmen at alter
bridesmaids coming down aisle
flowergirl and page boy
father giving away bride
bride and groom during ceremony
bride and groom exchanging vows
exchanging of rings
the kiss
signing the register
bride and groom with wedding certificate
bride and groom coming down aisle
bride and groom on church steps
wedding party on church steps
bride and groom with all wedding guests
bride and groom getting into car
Before the Reception
bride and groom
bride and groom with both parents
bride and groom with both families
bride and groom with bridal party
bride and groom with any special guests
At the Reception
bride and groom arriving
receiving line
bridal party at head table
bride and groom with each guest table
speech makers
cake table
cutting the cake
bridal Dance
throwing and catching bouquet
throwing and catching garter
FLOWER CHECKLIST
Bride’s bouquet
bridsemaids' bouquets
flowergirl’s basket
corsage for Bride’s mother
corsage for Groom’s mother
throw-away bouquet
Men’s buttonholes
Ceremony flowers
Reception flowers
WEDDING DAY TIMETABLE
Breakfast
Bridesmaids Arrive
Hair Done
Make Up Done
Start Dressing
Flowers Arrive
Bride finishes Dressing
Car Arrives
Arrive at Ceremony - Groom
Arrive at Ceremony - Bride
Photographer arrives
Videographer arrives
Ceremony Commences
Ceremony Ends
Photography after Ceremony
Commences
Photography Ends
Guests Arrive at Reception
Bride and Groom Arrive at Reception
Dinner Served
Speeches Commence
First Dance
Cutting of the Cake
Throwing of the Bouquet
Throwing of the Garter
Bride and Groom leave Reception
Last Dance
Run for the car with flower
petals
