Checklist to Coordinate the Countdown to Your Wedding Day

The following checklist should help you to coordinate all your pre-wedding preparations so your big day goes off without a hitch.

* Set a time and a date for the wedding.

* Consider hiring a wedding consultant.

* Make a rough-draft budget.

* Chose the ceremony site and reserve.

* Decide who will be officiating the ceremony.

* Start shopping for your wedding gown, headpiece, and accessories.

* Decide on the members of the wedding party and start a guest list.

* Decide on the wedding theme, design, and colors.

* Start interviewing and meeting with caterer's and also request prices and menu's.

* Finalize the reception and select the caterer.

* Chose musicians and reserve them.

* Mail out the save-the-date cards.

* Order the invitations & stationary.

* Book the honeymoon destination.

* Chose the photographer.

* Chose the florist.

* Meet with the officiant and discuss the ceremony.

* Chose your store(s) for bridal registry.

* Pick out the dresses for the bridesmaids.

* Select a shop for the grooms tuxedo and groomsmen attire.

* Chose and order the wedding dress and the headpiece.

* Reserve any equipment such as tables, chairs, and canopies.

* Sign contracts and make final arrangements for ceremony.

* Make sure all of the bridal attire has been ordered.

* Go over the guest list and refine it.

* Order the cake.

* Get passports if needed and finalize honeymoon plans.

* Start addressing envelopes.

* Chose the rehearsal dinner site.

* Be sure to reserve any lodging needs for out-of-town guests.

* Reserve the limousine service.

* Mail out confirmation letters to all vendors with date, time, and location.

* Schedule the tuxedo fittings.

* Start shopping for the trousseau.

* Help the bride's mother and groom's mother to pick out their dresses.

* Buy the wedding rings and order any engraving.

* Make the arrangements for the rehearsal.

* Mail the invitations six weeks in advance.

* Finish the final fittings.

* Meet with the caterer to complete the menu and finalize decorations.

* Purchase gifts for the parents and attendants.

* Buy wedding shoes and start breaking them in a bit.

* Pick out the wedding favors.

* Confirm the appointments with make-up and hair stylist.

* Be sure to maintain a guest list of those who RSVP.

* Begin preparing the bridal trousseau.

* Buy any going away outfit(s).

* Obtain the marriage license.

* Make sure you have the ring pillow, garter, candles and any other accessories.

* Purchase the guest book.

* Decide when and where the receiving line will be formed.

* Write place cards and organize the seating arrangements.

* Pick up the wedding rings.

* If necessary, take care of the legal name change.

* Write thank you notes as gifts are received to stay ahead of schedule.

* Reconfirm all of the reservations with caterers, florist, church, etc.

* Prepare any announcements to send to newspapers.

* Confirm the lodging accommodations for out-of-town guests.

* Pick up your tickets and confirm your honeymoon reservations.

* Pack for the honeymoon.

* Get together with the hair stylist to discuss how to do your hair and how to wear the headpiece.

* Pick up all the bridesmaids dresses and your wedding gown.

* Give reminders to the attendants about the rehearsal dinner and give them their gifts at that time.

* Put together all of the payment envelopes with fees and gratuities for clergy, pianist, etc.

The Day Before:

* Make sure you know where the marriage license is.

* Have your rehearsal dinner.

* Pack everything you need to take to the weeding site.

* Go over the ceremony seating with the ushers and the wedding party.

* Go over the schedule of events with the wedding party.

* Mail your thank you gifts to the parents.

 The Day Of The Wedding:

* Have a nice breakfast.

* The rings need to be given to the best man and maid-of-honor.

* Give the envelopes with fees and gratuities enclosed to an assigned person for distribution.

* Enjoy your day to the fullest!