WEDDING PLANNING CHECKLIST
EASY WEDDING PLANNER ORGANIZER AND KEEPSAKE
The following Wedding Planning Checklist itemizes everything you need to do or
consider when planning your wedding, and the best time in which to accomplish
each activity.
This checklist assumes that you have nine months or more to plan your wedding.
If your wedding is less than nine months, just start from the beginning of the
list and try to catch up as quickly as you can!
NINE MONTHS AND EARLIER
- Announce
your engagement.
- Select a
date for your wedding.
- Hire a
professional wedding consultant.
- Determine
the type of wedding you want: location, formality, time
- of day, a number of guests, etc.
- Determine
budget and how expenses will be shared.
- Develop a
record-keeping system for payments made.
- Consolidate
all guest lists: bride's, groom's, bride's family, groom's family, and
organize as follows:
1) those who must be invited
2) those who should be invited
3) those who would be nice to invite - Decide if
you want to include children among guests.
- Select and reserve ceremony site.
- Select and reserve your officiant.
- Select and reserve reception site.
- Select and order your bridal gown and headpiece.
- Determine your colour scheme.
- Send
engagement notice with a photograph to your local newspaper.
- Buy a
calendar and note all important activities: showers, luncheons, parties,
get-togethers, etc.
- If
ceremony or reception is at home, arrange for home or garden improvements
as needed.
- Order
passport, visa or birth certificate, if needed for your honeymoon or
marriage license.
- Select and
book photographer.
- Select
maid of honour, best man, bridesmaids and ushers (approx. one usher per 50
guests).
Top
SIX TO NINE MONTHS BEFORE THE
WEDDING
- Select
flower girl and ring bearer.
- Select and
book reception musicians or DJ.
- Schedule
fittings and delivery dates for yourself, attendants, flower girl and ring
bearer.
- Select and book a videographer.
- Select and book a florist.
Top
FOUR TO SIX MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
- Start
shopping for each other's wedding gifts.
- Reserve
rental items needed for ceremony & reception.
- Finalize guest list.
- Select and
order wedding invitations, announcements and other stationery such as thank-you notes, wedding programs, and seating cards.
- Address
invitations or hire a calligrapher.
- Set date,
time and location for your rehearsal dinner.
- Arrange
accommodations for out-of-town guests.
- Start
planning your honeymoon.
- Select and
book all miscellaneous services, i.e. gift attendant, valet parking, etc.
- Register for gifts.
- Purchase shoes & accessories.
- Begin to break in your shoes.
Top
TWO TO FOUR MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
- Select
bakery and order wedding cake.
- Order
party favors.
- Select and
order room decorations.
- Purchase
honeymoon attire & luggage.
- Select and
book transportation for wedding day.
- Check
blood test and marriage license requirements.
- Shop for
wedding rings and engrave them.
- Consider
having your teeth cleaned or bleached.
- Consider
writing a will and/or prenuptial agreement.
- Plan
activities for your out-of-town guests both before and after the wedding.
- Purchase
gifts for wedding attendants.
Top
SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS BEFORE WEDDING
- Mail invitations.
Include accommodation choices and a map to assist guests in finding the
ceremony and reception sites.
- Maintain a
record of RSVPs and all gifts received. Send thank-you notes upon receipt
of gifts.
- Determine
hair style and makeup.
- Schedule
to have your hair, makeup and nails done the day of the wedding.
- Finalize
shopping for wedding day accessories such as toasting glasses, ring
pillow, guest book, etc.
- Set up an
area or a table in your home to display gifts as you receive them.
- Check with
your local newspapers for wedding announcement requirements.
- Have your
formal wedding portrait taken.
- Send
wedding announcement & photograph to your local newspapers.
- Change
name & address on drivers license, social security card, insurance
policies, subscriptions, bank accounts, memberships, etc.
- Select and
reserve wedding attire for groom, ushers, father of the bride and ring
bearer.
- Select a
guest book attendant. Decide where and when to have guests sign in.
- Mail
invitations to rehearsal dinner.
- Get blood
test and health certificate.
- Obtain
marriage license.
- Plan a
luncheon or dinner with your bridesmaids. Give them their gifts at that
time or at the rehearsal dinner.
- Find
"something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue,
and a six pence (or shiny penny) for your shoe."
- Finalize
your menu, beverage and alcohol order.
Top
TWO TO SIX WEEKS BEFORE WEDDING
- Confirm
ceremony details with your officiant.
- Arrange
final fitting of bridesmaids' dresses.
- Have final
fitting of your gown and headpiece.
- Finalize
rehearsal dinner plans; arrange seating and write names on place cards, if
desired.
- Make final
floral selections.
- Make a
detailed timeline for your wedding party.
- Make a
detailed timeline for your service providers.
- Confirm
details with all service providers, including attire. Give them a copy of
your wedding timeline.
- Start
packing for your honeymoon.
- Finalize
addressing and stamping announcements.
- Decide if
you want to form a receiving line. If so, determine when and where to form
the line.
- Contact
guests who haven't responded.
- Pick up
rings and check for fit.
- Meet with
photographer and confirm special photos you want.
- Meet with
videographer and confirm special events or people you want videotaped.
- Meet with
musicians and confirm music to be played during special events such as
first dance.
- Continue
writing thank-you notes as gifts arrive.
- Remind
bridesmaids and ushers of when and where to pick up their wedding attire.
- Purchase
the lipstick, nail polish and any other accessories you want your
bridesmaids to wear.
- Determine
ceremony seating for special guests. Give a list to the ushers.
- Plan
reception room layout and seating with your reception site manager or
caterer. Write names on place cards for arranged seating.
Top
THE LAST WEEK
- Pick up
wedding attire and make sure everything fits.
- Do final
guest count and notify your caterer or reception site manager.
- Gather
everything you will need for the rehearsal and wedding day as listed in
the Wedding Party Responsibility Cards.
- Arrange
for someone to drive the getaway car.
- Review the
schedule of events and last minute arrangements with your service
providers.
- Confirm
all honeymoon reservations and accommodations. Pick up tickets and
travelers checks.
- Finish
packing your suitcases for the honeymoon.
- Familiarize
yourself with guests' names. It will help during the receiving line and
reception.
- Have the
Post Office hold your mail while you are away on your honeymoon.
Top
THE REHEARSAL DAY
- Review
list of things to bring to the rehearsal as listed in the Wedding Party
Responsibility Cards.
- Put
suitcases in getaway car.
- Give your
bridesmaids the lipstick, nail polish and accessories you want them to
wear for the wedding.
- Give best
man the officiant's fee and any other checks for service providers.
Instruct him to deliver these checks the day of the wedding.
- Arrange
for someone to bring accessories such as flower basket, ring pillow, guest
book & pen, toasting glasses, cake cutting knife and napkins to the
ceremony and reception.
- Arrange
for someone to mail announcements the day after the wedding.
- Arrange
for someone to return rental items such as tuxedos, slip and cake pillars
after the wedding.
- Provide
each member of your wedding party with a detailed schedule of events for
the wedding day.
- Review
ceremony seating with ushers.
Top
THE WEDDING DAY
- Review
list of things to bring to the ceremony as listed in the Wedding Party
Responsibility Cards.
- Give the
groom's ring to the maid of honor. Give the bride's ring to the best man.
- Simply
follow your detailed schedule of events.
- Relax and
enjoy your wedding!
Create The Best-personalised Invites For Any
Occasion.
Hosting
a wedding successfully is not an easy task due to the inclusion of several
factors such as venue, budget, date etc. However, the important elements associated with a wedding are the guests. To have a high turnout, one needs to
make the wedding invitation properly so that the guests feel welcome. Usually,
invitation cards are customized for this purpose. We are living in a modern age
where any creativity can be unleashed with the help of the digital medium.
Emails can be used to send these invites to various people at a time.
While
traditional printed wedding invitation cards are still considered valuable in
the market, trendy and personalized digital wedding invitations have made their
way to the top. Digitization has increased the chances of creating an invite
with the ultimate theme, design, template, colours and photos, which is not
possible in the typical case.
Benefits
of customized digital invites for any occasion
One
sure needs to get extra creative while trying to convince guests to show up at
their event. Creating custom invites is very easy with professional assistance
from several companies who can interest you with their free wedding invitation templates.
Here
are some of the reasons behind the growing popularity of custom digital
invites-
●
These are
cost-effective and can be circulated online and would not require any
additional postage or delivery charges. Besides, free invitation templates can
be used to make it effortless.
●
Since it is
online, an instant response from the guests can be expected for convenience.
● Online exposure can surely increase the
popularity of your event.
What
are video invitations and how are they helpful?
Speaking
of innovative ways of inviting guests, the video invitation technique can be
talked about. Turning your invitation into a video has the capability of
attracting the most attention from people. Sharing these video invitations on
social media sites can also help to popularize your event.
Not only this, but your invite can be
personalized in a better way by adding more information about the party so that
the audience is intrigued. Besides, with the accompaniment of music, anything
is better and more exciting! All you need is a working and simple video editor.
Creating
video invitations involves a lot of creativity. It has to be attractive and
interesting so that people get to know more about the event that you are
hosting.
What
are the basic things to consider while creating a video invitation?
●
Choosing a
format is very important. Each of the formats defines a specific tone for your
event.
●
It is also
necessary to incorporate attractive visuals. These will help to connect well
with the people. You can choose personal photographs from your gallery to
customize the video invitation. Some of the best
video editing software applications can
be utilized to make these even more intriguing.
●
Details are
very important. An invitation with only eye-catching visuals and soothing music
is not enough. You have to provide the necessary information that the invitees
look for. The purpose of the event, venue, time and such details need to be
incorporated within the video so that the guests can make it on that particular
day. In case one forgets to add important details, the simple video editor comes
to the rescue to help you include that specific information within the invite.
● You also have to choose a suitable template for
specific events. Well-known companies provide an array of incredible free
invitation templates from where you can make a choice. This will determine the
type of event and the ambience associated with it.
How
to make your video invites more engaging?
Not
all the video invitations are engaging and not every one of them has the
capability of engaging the people. All the digital invitations are created by
utilizing innovative solutions but only a few get noticed by the people, thus
ensuring the complete success of the particular events. Here are some of the
techniques to enhance the effectiveness of these video invitations for various
occasions-
Suitable
visual aids
To
make the invitations more tempting, the wow-factor needs to be there which can
be gained from pictures. A personalized video made with several pictures that
are associated with the event will make a lasting impact on the viewers. It
will help to instigate the positive emotion within the audience and increase
the chances of success for your event. The Simple video editor can also help to
incorporate more pictures quite easily, even after finalization.
Sound
execution
If
you are using a video invitation to spread the word, then sound effects are
also equally important. If it starts with greeting music, it has a more
profound impact on the audience. The video content must be in sync with the
sound/music that is used. As it is well-known that music has a different
language of its own, it must be utilized to its fullest to capture the
attention of the invitees and connect with them on all levels. The simple video
editor can incorporate enchanting sound effects within the invitation for you
to choose the best.
Personal
touch
A
sure-shot and effective way to reach out to the people you wish to be present
at your party is to make it personal. If it involves a live recording or
personal message from the host, it can have a better impact on the invitees.
Attractive
typography
The
typography is very important for creating an eye-catching invitation card. It
needs to be innovative and match with the theme of the event. Ideas can also be
obtained from the free invitation templates that are provided.
The
potential of digital techniques cannot be denied in the recent market where
most of the work is online. The Internet and social media have a significant
part to play in each one of our lives. Utilizing that to its fullest is the
ultimate goal for the popularity and eventual success of your events.
Video
invitations can be modified easily with a simple video editor. It is highly
convenient for the organizers because they will be able to create better
quality content to intrigue the audience. The job gets even more comfortable
with the beautiful free invitation templates offered by several companies.
Wedding Invitation Wording From Brides
Parents
(brides
parents)
request
the pleasure of the company of
(line
or guests name)
at the
marriage of their daughter
(brides
name)
with
(grooms
name)
at
(ceremony)
(ceremony
address)
on
(date)
at
(time)
and
afterwards at
(reception)
(reception
address)
at
(time)
dress
code
“We would be honoured if you
would
share
this special occasion with us”
RSVP
(brides
parents)
invite
(line
or guests name)
to
share in the joy
of the marriage uniting their daughter
(brides
name)
to
(grooms
name)
son of
(grooms parents)
at
(ceremony)
(ceremony
address)
on
(date)
at
(time)
and
afterwards at
(reception)
(reception
address)
at
(time)
dress
code
RSVP
Wedding Invitation Wording From Bride
and Groom’s Parents
Mr and
Mrs (brides parents)
together
with
Mr and
Mrs (grooms parents)
are
proud to invite
(line
or guests name)
to
celebrate the marriage of their children
(bride)
and (groom)
at
(ceremony)
(ceremony
address)
on
(date)
at
(time)
and
afterwards at
(reception)
(reception
address)
at
(date)
dress
code
“We would be honoured if you
would
share
this special occasion with us”
RSVP
Mr and
Mrs (brides parents)
and
Mr and
Mrs (grooms parents)
request
the honour of
(line
or guests name)
presense
at the marriage of their children
(bride) and (groom)
at
(ceremony)
(ceremony
address)
on
(date)
at
(time)
and
afterwards at
(reception)
(reception
address)
at
(date)
dress
code
RSVP
Wedding Invitation Wording From Bride
and Groom
(brides
name)
and
(grooms
name)
request
with pleasure the company of
(line
or guests name)
to
share in the celebration of our marriage
at
(ceremony)
(ceremony
address)
on
(date)
at
(time)
and
afterwards at
(reception)
(reception
address)
at
(time)
dress
code
“We would be honoured if you
would
share
this special occasion with us”
RSVP
(brides
name)
and
(grooms
name)
request
with pleasure the company of
(line
or guests name)
to
share in the celebration of our marriage
at
(ceremony)
(ceremony
address)
on
(date)
at
(time)
and
afterwards at
(reception)
(reception
address)
at
(time)
dress
code
RSVP
(line
or guests name)
The
pleasure of your company is
requested at the marriage of
(brides
name)
and
(grooms
name)
at
(ceremony)
(ceremony
address)
on
(date)
at
(time)
and
afterwards at
(reception)
(reception
address)
at
(time)
dress
code
RSVP
Wedding Invitation Wording From Bride
and Groom with Parents
Together
with their parents
(brides
name)
and
(grooms
name)
request
with pleasure the company of
(line
or guests name)
at
their marriage
at
(ceremony)
(ceremony
address)
on
(date)
at
(time)
and
afterwards at
(reception)
(reception
address)
at
(time)
dress
code
“We would be honoured if you
would
share
this special occasion with us”
RSVP
Together
with their families
(brides
name)
and
(grooms
name)
request
with pleasure the company of
(line
or guests name)
at
their marriage
at
(ceremony)
(ceremony
address)
on
(date)
at
(time)
and
afterwards at
(reception)
(reception
address)
at
(time)
dress
code
RSVP
Wedding Invitation Wording from their Child and Grandparents
Together with her Grandparents,
(child’s name) takes great pleasure in inviting
(line
or guests name)
to the wedding of her mummy
(brides
name)
to her daddy
(grooms
name)
at
(ceremony)
(ceremony
address)
on
(date)
at
(time)
and
afterwards at
(reception)
(reception
address)
at
(time)
dress
code
RSVP
Wedding Invitation Wording Groom’s Parents
Mr and Mrs (grooms parents)
request with pleasure the company of
(line or guests name)
at the marriage of
(brides name)
to their son
(grooms name)
at (ceremony)
(ceremony address)
on (date)
at (time)
and afterwards at
(reception)
(reception address)
at (time)
dress code
RSVP
Wedding Invitation Wording Deceased Parent
Mr and Mrs (grooms parents)
request the honour of your
presence at the marriage
of their daughter
(brides name)
to
(grooms name)
son of Mr. (grooms father)
and the late Mrs. (grooms mother)
at (ceremony)
(ceremony address)
on (date)
at (time)
and afterwards at
(reception)
(reception address)
at (time)
dress code
RSVP
Wedding Invitation Wording Divorced Parents
Mr. (bride’s father) and Ms. (bride’s mother)
and
Mr. (groom’s father) and Ms. (groom’s mother)
would love the pleasure of the company of
(line or guests name)
when
(brides name)
and
(grooms name)
pledge their love as one
at (ceremony)
(ceremony address)
on (date)
at (time)
and afterwards at
(reception)
(reception address)
at (time)
dress code
RSVP
Wedding Invitation Wording Informal
A fresh new day, and it is ours,
a day of happy beginnings
(brides name)
and
(grooms name)
would love the pleasure of the company of
(line or guests name)
when they pledge this love as one
at (ceremony)
(ceremony address)
on (date)
at (time)
and afterwards at
(reception)
(reception address)
at (time)
dress code
RSVP
(brides name)
and
(grooms name)
invite
(line or guests name)
when they exchange marriage vows
and begin their new life together
at (ceremony)
(ceremony address)
on (date)
at (time)
and afterwards at
(reception)
(reception address)
at (time)
dress code
RSVP
(brides name)
and
(grooms name)
are pleased to announce
they will be married
at (ceremony)
(ceremony address)
(line or guests name)
please join us for a
celebration toast when
we return as husband and wife
on (date)
at (time)
at (reception)
(reception address)
at (time)
dress code
RSVP
(brides name)
and
(grooms name)
are extremely excited to invite
(line or guests name)
to celebrate their marriage, WOO HOO!!
at (ceremony)
(ceremony address)
on (date)
at (time)
and afterwards at
(reception)
(reception address)
at (time)
dress code
RSVP
Like a butterfly in a summer breeze,
our hearts are uplifted by love
It is with joy that we,
(brides
name)
and
(grooms name)
pledge our love as one
at (ceremony)
(ceremony address)
on (date)
at (time)
and afterwards at
(reception)
(reception address)
at (time)
dress code
RSVP
Like the leaves on a summer breeze
our hearts are uplifted by love
It's with joy that we,
(brides
name)
and
(grooms name)
pledge our love as one
at (ceremony)
(ceremony address)
on (date)
at (time)
and afterwards at
(reception)
(reception address)
at (time)
dress code
RSVP
As the trees burst into colour
and the autumnal season arrives
we pledge our faith, our love,
our lives
(brides name)
and
(grooms name)
request the honour of your presence
as we begin a lifetime
of love
at (ceremony)
(ceremony address)
on (date)
at (time)
and afterwards at
(reception)
(reception address)
at (time)
dress code
RSVP
Engagement Invitation Wording
Traditional From The Bride and Groom to be
(Brides to be name)
and
(Grooms to be name)
request with pleasure the company of
(line or guests name)
at their engagement party
on (date)
at (time)
(Venue)
(Venue address)
RSVP (date)
(Contact details)
Engagement Invitation Wording
From Bride and Groom’s to be with Parents
Mr and Mrs (brides parents to be)
together with
Mr and Mrs (grooms parents to be)
are proud to invite
(line or guests name)
to celebrate the engagement of their children
(bride to be) and (groom to be)
at (venue)
(venue address)
on (date)
at (time)
dress code
RSVP
(Contact details)
From Bride and Groom to be with Parents
Together with their parents
(brides to be name)
and
(grooms to be name)
request with pleasure the company of
(line or guests name)
at their engagement
at (venue)
(venue address)
on (date)
at (time)
dress code
RSVP
(Contact details)
Cocktail Celebration
In celebration of
(bride to be) and (groom to be)
for their upcoming wedding
A Cocktail Party
will be held in their honour
(day and date of engagement party)
(time of engagement party)
(venue of engagement party)
(Address of Engagement Party)
(Host Name/s)
RSVP by (RSVP date)
(contact details)
Cocktails and Dinner Party
(bride to be) and (groom to be)
are soon to cut the cake
Let’s toast the happy couple
and celebrate
Cocktails and Dinner
(venue of engagement party)
(day and date and time of engagement party)
(Address of Engagement Party)
(Host Name/s)
RSVP by (RSVP date)
(contact details)
Formal Dinner
You are cordially invited
to attend a dinner
in honour of
the engagement of
(bride to be)
and
(groom to be)
(day and date of engagement party)
(time of engagement party)
at the home of
(Host Name/s)
(Address of Engagement Party)
Please respond by (RSVP date)
(contact details)
For other examples type in
‘Wedding Wording’ into Google or Yahoo for many sites that have examples.
Wedding
Invitation Etiquette
Do we need to use save the date cards?
A great way to let your out of town guests
know about your wedding date is to send Save-the-Date cards. They may be
essential for planning flights and taking time off around peak vacation times.
Save-the-dates should be sent out at least 3 months in advance of your wedding
date, but it is recommended to send save the date cards 5 months to a year in
advance.
How do we get the word out about the dress code?
Dress code should be included in the
wedding invitation.
If you are planning a very small wedding and a larger reception
of vice versa do we need to send separate invitations for the wedding and
reception?
If you have chosen traditional full day
invitations then your guests will also have been invited to the wedding and the
reception. A separate reception only invitation should be sent to those just
invited to this part of the celebrations.
Is it okay to ask for money instead of gifts?
You may use a wishing well but please don’t
include anything about gifts in the body of the
invitation. Place your wishing well on the back of the
invitation or on a separate insert.
We have registered a Wedding Gift List at Myer but don’t know
how to let our friends know. Is it okay to enclose a card in the wedding
invitation?
You may enclose a card in your wedding
invitation, or have the details printed on the back. Please do not include these details in the
body of the invitation as this is really bad form.
Is it okay to include a map in a wedding invitation? Most of the
guests will be coming from outside of the city.
Yes, but no photocopies please. Make sure
they are printed as beautifully as the invitations
themselves.
We are planning a very small wedding. Do I need to send wedding
announcements after the
wedding to our friends who aren’t invited to the wedding?
Wedding announcements are a lovely idea but
not necessary. If you decide to have them, mail your
announcements a day or two after the wedding. To do this you may need to have them
prepared before hand so it does not conflict with your honeymoon.
My parents are divorced, and my father has remarried. Whose names go on the
invitation?
This is a tricky one and needs to be
discussed with both parties to avoid offence. If your
parents agree, list both names on the invitation. If they don’t want their names to appear
together, the name of whoever is hosting and / or necessarily paying for - the
wedding should be on the invitation.
Can I include a poem or verse in the invitation?
Certainly, it may go in the body of the
invitation if it is only 2-3 lines maximum. It is important not to make your
invitation text cluttered. If the poem or verse is longer it will
need to go on the back or inside cover of the invitation or even on a separate
insert.
How do I work out the RSVP date?
Response deadlines should be no later than
two weeks before the special day, or the date your caterer needs a final count.
If after two weeks you haven’t heard from some people, phone calls can be made
to those having trouble putting pen to paper. This gives you time to figure out
exactly how many people will be attend.
