What Do I Need to Make a Checklist for My Wedding?
If you're planning a wedding, you will need some checklists. Personal preference will dictate where you keep your wedding checklists. You may prefer a spiral-bound notebook in your purse, a binder, spreadsheets, or an online virtual checklist. Regardless of your organization type, stick with it and keep it as organized as possible. Your wedding checklist will be dependent upon the type of wedding you have and it will be made up of a few lists, including a budget, guest list and vendor list.
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Budget
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Know your budget. This will influence almost all of your decisions. When you have your budget on a spreadsheet, you can quickly calculate your expenditures and make decisions based on the money remaining. Your budget will put parameters on how much money you spend on the venue, wedding dress, vendors and food. Track all of your expenses, even the little things, and keep your eye on the big picture: your wedding day.
Guest List
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Write your guest list as soon as possible because it will continue to change. Also, based on the budget you've established, the number of guests will directly affect the amount of money you have to spend. Whether invitations, food, plates or chairs, most vendors will charge per person, so this number will be very important. Part of your guest list should include the details of your bridal party. Most people who hear of your engagement will wonder who will be attending the wedding as a bridesmaid or groomsman. Keep your guest list up to date at all times with a running total that you can provide to your caterer and inform your bridal party as soon as possible so they can make arrangements to be available for the days leading up to your wedding ceremony. Use your guest list to send invitations, track guests' responses, note wedding gifts received, and to send thank-you notes.
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Vendor Checklist
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Some vendors are required, like an officiant, and others are not, like a videographer. Decide which vendors are most important to you and then start interviewing and getting quotes. You may find it in your budget to hire a wedding planner as your first vendor and in doing so, save yourself the trouble of tracking every detail. If this isn't the case, consider whom you will hire to officiate your wedding, to photograph the wedding day, to provide music, flowers, beverages and food. Your vendor checklist will start as a list of people you interview and taper down to a list of those you choose, how much they cost, deposit due dates and follow-up notes. Add the cost to your budget spreadsheet and don't forget to factor in gratuities.
Rehearsal Checklist
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Depending on the complexity of your wedding, you may require a rehearsal the day before. Even if you don't have a rehearsal, you may want a dinner the night before to thank your bridal party and have some special time with your families before the big day. Your rehearsal checklist will include the people coming, where it will be, reservations, and a tentative budgeted amount if you will be paying for it.
Ceremony Checklist
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The ceremony checklist will be defined by the ceremony you have planned. The time the wedding will take place, who will be with you, when vendors will arrive, and how the ceremony unfolds are all decisions that you will make prior to your wedding day. Between your vendor checklist and your guest list, you will have all the extra information you need. Appoint someone on the day of the wedding to handle any last-minute changes and share your checklists with them. This checklist will include payments to vendors, marriage license, wedding rings, vows, programs, timeline of events, guest book with pen, corsages, boutonnieres, bouquet, decorations, hair and make-up.
Reception Checklist
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Whether your reception is at the same site as the wedding or not, keep a separate reception checklist. Facility, decorations, centerpieces, favors, cake, transportation, music play list, food, drink and a timeline of events should be tracked on your reception checklist. Share this checklist with your vendors so they are aware of how things will unfold regarding cake cutting, garter, bouquet toss, formal photographs and special dances.
Other Lists
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You may want to keep separate lists to plan for a newspaper announcement, bridal shower, bachelor party, bachelorette party, bridal party gifts and honeymoon. In some cases, your bridal party will assist with these events and handle all the details as well as the cost. In other cases, you may not have a bridal party, shower or announcement. Whatever events will unfold for your wedding day, start a list and stick to it.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Calendar with ballpen image by oddech from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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Hi does this mean I can facebook without a facebook honey? You are helping me with our wedding plans without being home with me? Wow you're good. Hi John's friends!
