Wedding Preparation Checklist

Wedding planning and preparation is a herculean task. Ask any bride and she should be able to tell you how draining and tiresome the whole experience is. If you are not seeking the services of a wedding planner and there is no one to help you with your wedding preparations, then God only help you! You will have to single-handedly fight on all fronts. Booking venue, preparing guest list, picking caterer, ordering flowers, sending invitations...the list doesn't seem to have an end. Imagine doing all these things on your own! However, with proper planning you can accomplish all these tasks well ahead of time and find yourself relaxing during the final days of your wedding. A wedding preparation list can help you plan the whole event, including minor details. This will avoid any eleventh hour hassles and the whole event can go on smoothly.

Wedding Preparation Tips

Ideally, you should begin planning for your big day at least a year before. However, if you decide to get married in a jiffy following a whirlwind romance, then you might have to prepare for your wedding in whatever little time you have at your disposal. Nonetheless, a little planning ahead of time always pays off. First of all, make a rough draft of what kind of wedding you want to have. A wedding theme often determines the rest of the preparations. Hence, talk to your fiancé and come up with your wedding theme. The rest of the things will automatically fall into place, provided you make a checklist and update it as you complete each task.

Wedding Preparation Checklist

12 Months to Go...

• Set a date for you big day.
• Appoint a clergy or officiant to supervise the ceremony.
• Decide your wedding budget.
• Book a venue.
• Select time for various events (e.g wedding reception, main ceremony).
• Pick a honeymoon destination.
• Make travel and transport bookings.
• Renew passports, travel documents, etc. (optional)
• Prepare a guest list.
• Choose your bridesmaids.
• Register with a gift registry.(optional)

6 Months to Go...

• Make an appointment with the wedding photographer, videographer.
• Send save the date cards.
• Shop for wedding gown.
• Book a florist.
• Set a date for dress fittings of bridesmaid dresses.
• Get quotes from catering services.
• Shop for wedding invitation cards.

3 Months to Go...

• Send invitation cards.
• Sort the RSVPs and prepare a final guest list.
• Book for out of town guests' accommodation and transport.
• Order wedding cake.
• Book a hair stylist, makeup artist, etc.
• Start with beauty treatments.(optional)
• Complete the formalities for marriage license.
• Choose wedding bands.
• Shop for bridesmaid gifts.
• Decide upon menu.
• Book you getaway vehicle.
• Book professional decorators.
• Book musicians/band.
• Get the final dress fitting done for bridal and bridesmaid gowns.

1 Week to Go...

• Go through the wedding planning checklist once again and double check if anything is left out.
• Give the final head count to the caterer.
• Pack your things.
• Go through the preparations for wedding rehearsal.
• Get facials, manicure, pedicure done.
• Sort the early wedding gifts and send thank you notes.
• Gift wrap groom and party's presents.
• Supervise the wedding decorations.
• Breathe!

Even after such immaculate planning, you will always have last minutes hitches. However, planning well ahead of time helps you to reduce the number of these hitches. It is always better to assign a trusted friend or a sibling to take care of minor problems that might arise during the event. Besides, having them supervise the wedding preparation can take the burden off your shoulders. Thus, you can truly enjoy the biggest day of your life.

You can even print this wedding preparation checklist and keep it with you to track your progress. Print it and stick it onto the refrigerator door, so that you are constantly reminded about the unfinished tasks.