Ultimate Wedding Necessities Checklist
Planning a wedding requires tremendous attention to detail. A bride-to-be must consider everything from the types of flowers that will go in the centerpieces to the music selections for the ceremony and reception. If the bride and groom take into consideration all of the wedding-related necessities that they will be responsible for obtaining before the big day, that will make drawing up a realistic wedding budget and planning the wedding, in general, that much easier.
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Attire and Accessories
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A bride wouldn't be a bride without a bridal gown. She will also need to consider lingerie, a headpiece and veil, shoes, hosiery and jewelry. The bride and groom should choose their gown and tux and ensure that their attendants have purchased their dresses and tuxes with ample time to make alterations without cutting it too close to the wedding day. The bride and groom will also be responsible for providing guidance regarding the tuxes for the groomsmen and dresses for the bridesmaids. Sometimes the bride and groom choose the dresses and tuxes for their attendants outright, while other times they specify colors and fabrics.
Gifts and Favors
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About three to six months before the wedding, the bride and groom will be responsible for registering for their gifts at two or three stores of their choosing. At the time of the wedding, the bride and groom will be responsible for presenting each other and their attendants with gifts to show their appreciation for their support and dedication, usually at the rehearsal dinner. The flower girl and ring bearer should also be presented with small gifts for their participation in the ceremony. The couple will also need to supply all guests with favors and out-of-town guests staying at hotels with gift bags that include small tokens of appreciation.
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Reception and Reception Necessities
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Different strokes for different folks here. Whether it is an atrium in a botanical garden or a banquet hall, there are various elements a bride and groom must consider, such as: menu selection (including whether it will be a buffet-style or sit-down dinner), open versus cash bar, bar and serving fees, table linens (inlcuding napkins) and decorations. You will also need to select a band or a DJ, as well as a wedding cake and, if you want, a groom's cake. Do not forget to purchase a wedding card holder or basket to put on display for guests to deposit their cards, as well as a guest book for attendees to sign and express their best wishes to the bride and groom.
Hairdresser/Makeup Artist
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Often, it is helpful to ask for referrals from friends who have used a specific salon or hair stylist and makeup artist for their wedding and to set up trial appointments before the big day.
Transportation
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No doubt revelers will need a responsible party to shuttle them between the reception and their respective hotels. Often, you can arrange this service through the hotel, but regardless, you will likely need to make arrangements to ensure that guests arrive to and from your reception safely. Do not forget to reserve limos for transportation for the bride and groom and for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to the ceremony and to the reception.
Binder/Planner
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A binder and/or a planner can be incredibly helpful for the bride-to-be to keep her own checklists and to-do lists, to gather information and ideas she comes across in bridal magazines and on wedding websites, and to record important appointments throughout the year leading up to her wedding day.
Save the Date
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Many couples opt to send out announcements (often in the form of a keepsake, like a magnet or bookmark) to their guests informing them of their future wedding in order to keep the day free. They are generally mailed out about four to six months before the wedding.
Photographer
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After your wedding day is long over, you'll want to cherish the memories that were made on this milestone. Providing the photographer with a shot list before the wedding day is also helpful in ensuring that you will get all of the photos you would like. Again, seek referrals from friends whose photos you liked in particular.
Flowers
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Flowers are an integral part of the ceremony and reception. The bride will need to choose flowers for the ceremony (if applicable), as well as bouquets for the bridesmaids and herself, the tossing bouquet for the reception and flower petals for the flower girl. The bride will also need to select arrangements for the centerpieces at the reception and, sometimes, for the bridal suite and other areas of the reception site.
Stationery
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Stationery is an integral element of any wedding; you'll need it for invitations, enclosures with additional information about and directions to the reception site, and response cards with postage-paid envelopes. You will also need to consider thank you notes for all attendees and programs for the ceremony. Once you've received all of your responses, you will need to design place cards and table numbers for the reception.
Hotel Selection
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Around the time that the bride and groom make their invitations, they should research hotels that are nearby their selected reception site to block off rooms for their attendants and their guests. Once they select one or two hotels, the bride and groom should make arrangements to block off a selection of rooms to ensure a better group rate and that there are rooms available for their guests.
Ceremony Site and Necessities
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The bride and groom should select a site for their ceremony that makes them the most comfortable. Couples commonly choose either a church, city hall or the venue where they are holding their reception. Regardless of where the ceremony is held, the couple will need to remember a few key ceremonial necessities, including: the officient (a priest, rabbi or minister, or a justice of the peace) as well as applicable fees for his services; musicians and/or soloists, as well as applicable fees for their services; the wedding rings for the bride and groom; an aisle runner; the marriage license; the unity candle (if applicable); the ring bearer pillow; the flower girl basket; the guest book; and the reading selections and vows.
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References
- Photo Credit wedding image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
