Venue on the Lake’s Wedding Checklist
-Venue on the Lake’s Wedding Checklist-
A guide to help you plan for the big day!
12 Months Before
□ Announce your engagement to family and friends and plan an engagement party
□ Sign up for a wedding website to keep your guests informed about event details, area information, etc.
□ Work on the budget
□ Consider purchasing wedding planning software to organize everything, or hire a wedding planner to help secure contracts, etc.
□ Choose a wedding date – select a few days in case your first choice is booked
□ Begin a rough guest list and compile current addresses
□ Choose a location and reserve your ceremony and reception site(s)
□ Decide on who you’d like to have as your attendants, including your maid of honor and best man
□ Begin shopping for your wedding gown
□ Attend a local bridal show or two and jot down notes about any vendors you really liked
□ Purchase a wedding planning organizer or calendar to keep track of important dates and appointments (fittings, showers, etc.)
6-9 Months Before
□ Research and choose one or more bridal gift registry
□ Order your wedding gown and buy undergarments that you will wear with it (bring these to all fittings)
□ Order other bridal accessories – shoes, gloves and veil
□ Begin shopping for bridesmaid’s dresses
□ Find an officiant who will perform your ceremony
□ Research local vendors and book ceremony musicians, a wedding band/DJ, photographer, videographer, caterer and florist
4-6 Months Before
□ Select and order your wedding invitations, invitation envelopes and thank-you cards
□ Hire a calligrapher, if desired (check with a local stationery store for referrals)
□ Select and purchase wedding favors and wedding favor accessories – boxes, personalized wedding ribbon, labels, etc.
□ Purchase any desired ceremony and reception decorations – unity candles, vases, aisle runner, etc.
□ Start researching local bakeries for your wedding cake
□ Book your honeymoon and verify that you have any necessary travel documents including passports and visas
□ Book a room for your wedding night, if you will be leaving for your honeymoon the next morning
□ Book hotel rooms or arrange other accommodations for out-of-town guests
□ Finalize your guest list and send out save-the-date cards, if using
□ Compile a list of area information and things to do for out-of-town guests
□ Reserve transportation for you and your wedding party as well as a bus or trolley for your guests (if necessary)
2-4 Months Before
□ Find out what your state’s requirements are for obtaining a marriage license and get blood tests done, if required
□ Order tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen
□ Meet with your caterer to discuss the menu and your bar/liquor needs
□ Meet with your officiant to discuss ceremony details, wording and wedding vows
□ Select wedding readings
□ Order your wedding cake
□ Buy thank-you gifts for your attendants, flower girl and ring bearer
□ Shop for a gift for your new spouse-to-be
□ Select and purchase wedding rings, and have them engraved, if desired
□ Coordinate and choose a location for the rehearsal dinner
□ Contact party rental companies for tents, tables, arches, etc. if necessary
□ Book any other specialty services – ice sculptures, photo booths, etc.
1-2 Months Before
□ Mail invitations out to everyone eight weeks prior to the wedding date and send accommodation info to your out-of-town guests
□ Compile and complete name change documents or purchase a bridal name change kit online
□ Fill out a change of address form at the post office, if necessary
□ Have ceremony programs printed
□ Purchase a guest book, pen and other wedding accessories including toasting glasses, cake knife, ring pillow, etc.
□ Keep your wedding website updated with directions and event details
□ Choose your hair and makeup stylists and schedule a trial for both; also book appointments to have your hair, make-up and nails done on the day of the wedding
□ Review insurance information with your fiancé and check with employers to see what documents need to be updated once you are legally wed (car, home, medical, etc.)
2 Weeks to 1 Month Before
□ Create a seating chart for the reception and make table numbers and place cards (or have your calligrapher work on these)
□ Contact your caterer with a final guest count
□ Print out a timeline of events for your wedding party and vendors – include contact information and cell phone numbers
□ Meet with your photographer to finalize your wedding photo list of any must-have photos
□ Contact your florist to confirm your final flower order (bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, etc.) and go over any decor details or venue logistics for the big day
□ Finalize your ceremony and reception music and song lists for your wedding band or DJ
□ Confirm lodging reservations for out-of-town guests
□ Plan a bridal luncheon, brunch or dinner with your bridesmaids
□ Pick-up wedding bands and make sure the fit is good
□ Schedule a final wedding dress fitting
□ Apply for your marriage license
□ Write rehearsal dinner toasts
1 Week Before
□ Write out final checks to your wedding vendors (each organized in an envelope) and let your wedding coordinator or family member to distribute at the wedding
□ Pick up your wedding gown
□ Pick up your marriage license
□ Confirm limo or other transportation reservations
□ Pack for your honeymoon and confirm travel arrangements
□ Treat yourself to a spa day – you deserve it!
The Day Before
□ Welcome out-of-town guests as they arrive
□ Attend the rehearsal and enjoy the rehearsal dinner!
The Wedding Day
□ Set aside some time before the festivities to share gifts with your bridesmaids or close family members
□ Eat a healthy breakfast – you’ll need your energy for the big day ahead!
□ Enjoy it; it’s finally here and everything will be wonderful… Congratulations!!