How to Create the Ultimate Wedding Checklist

You've set the date. You're ecstatic. You've told all your friends. Panic creeps in as you realize everything you have to do to pull this wedding off. Break it down into simple steps, and you'll get it done.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Between six and 12 months prior to the wedding, make your checklist for the initial planning stages. This includes:
   - Announcing the engagement
   - Picking a date and time
   - Deciding on the style and starting an idea scrapbook
   - Establishing a budget and deciding on the number of guests,
   - Booking locations (ceremony, reception), services (caterer, musicians, photographer, florist) and transportation.
   - Choosing the attendants/wedding party
   - Ordering the wedding dress
   - Setting up a gift registry

2. At three to six months, more specific planning and details should be outlined. Items to consider are:
   - Picking out the wedding rings
   - Ordering the groom's attire and arranging for dress fittings for the gown
   - Ordering invitations and other stationery
   - Writing personal vows and organizing readings
   - Ordering the wedding cake
   - Planning the rehearsal dinner, including location, numbers and attire
   - Booking a room for the wedding night and making all honeymoon arrangements
   - Reserving blocks of rooms at a hotel for guest accommodations

3. Begin ironing out the details and making confirmations about one to three months before the wedding. Things to think about are:
   - Finalizing the guest list and sending out invitations (wedding and rehearsal)
   - Finalizing the music and playlist preferences
   - Drawing up seating arrangements for the rehearsal and receptions
   - Purchasing wedding favors for guests
   - Ordering the final flower arrangements
   - Organizing the delivery of the wedding cake
   - Booking a hair stylist and makeup artist

4. One month before the wedding, most arrangements and reservations should be in place. Be sure to check on:
   - Gifts for attendants and presents for each other
   - Confirming all services and reservations (including the honeymoon)
   - Picking up the wedding rings, borrowing items, if you so choose
   - Arranging for blood tests, if necessary
   - Sending the wedding-day schedule to all service providers
   - Attending a final gown fitting, and getting a trial-run hair styling.
   - Organizing cake-table decorations
   - Giving the photographer a suggested photo list
   - Getting the necessary paperwork in order and writing thank-you notes

5. By two weeks before the wedding, all major arrangements should be made. Look into or follow-up on:
   - Obtaining a marriage license
   - Preparing announcements (local newspaper, et al.)
   - Arranging the final cleansing and pressing of all wedding attire
   - Preparing place cards for the reception
   - Confirming transportation from the reception to the wedding night location
   - Making a list of wedding-day needs and sending the schedule to the wedding party
   - Ordering birdseed, petals or confetti
   - Asking the maid of honor to follow up on any missing RSVP's
   - Create the ceremony program

6. One week left, and there's still more to do. Don't forget to:
   - Pick up the attendants' gifts
   - Arrange for the attendants to take care of the wedding attire post-reception
   - Confirm the final guest tally and seating arrangements with the caterer
   - Practice toasts and/or speeches
   - Break in your wedding shoes
   - Set aside all fees/payments for services in envelopes
   - Get a manicure/pedicure
   - Confirm the final details with the vendor
   - Pack for the honeymoon

7. Even on the day of the wedding, it's good to have a checklist. So, here's a last-minute set of to-do's:
   - Get your hair styled
   - Wedding party gets dressed and reports to their respective transportation to the wedding
   - Groom and groomsman arrive at the ceremony, followed by the bridal party (including the bride's father/escort)
   - Guests arrive at the ceremony
   - Photographs are taken post-ceremony while the guests leave for the reception
   - The wedding party arrives at the reception
   - The receiving line begins while the music kicks on and the food is then served
   - Speeches and toasts precede the cutting of the cake
   - Dance your face off, bumping and grinding with someone
   - Bride and groom depart.