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Wedding 101: Getting Started – New Bride’s Checklist

by Kori Ellis, bride.ca

Congratulations on your engagement! There are probably a million things running through your mind about what to do next. Should you book a reception hall? Run out and buy your wedding dress? Take a moment to breathe a little bit and review our wedding checklist.

This checklist will give you a general guideline of what to do and when you need to do it. You can adjust it to fit your schedule but be sure to adhere to your timeline as much as possible. During your wedding planning, don’t stress out. If you feel overwhelmed, reach out to your husband-to-be, mother or maid of honor to help you. Your engagement should be a happy time. Take time to relax and enjoy it. Don’t turn into a bridezilla!

Editor’s Note: we have tried to link each task on Kori’s lists to the corresponding search on bride.ca, so you can quickly find some initial articles, tips and services to get you started on the particular task. Some searches will be more useful than others :-) Try as we might, we do not yet cover every imaginable wedding thing – but we’re working on it!

Wedding Timeline

12 Months or More in Advance

• Hire your wedding planner or coordinator (if desired)
• Talk with your fiancÈ and set an initial wedding budget
• Determine your wedding style (destination, theme, time of day, formal/casual)
• Select your wedding date and time
• Research and book your wedding ceremony and reception locations
• Interview prospective wedding vendors
• Parents of the bride should begin planning the engagement dinner

9-12 Months in Advance

• Announce your engagement in the local paper
• Arrange for an officiant (if desired) for your ceremony
• Set the maximum number of wedding guests
• Choose your wedding attendants
• Book your caterer, musicians/DJ, photographer
• Research and decide what type of gown you will wear
• Attend bridal shows and bridal shop visits
• Meet with florists and cake bakeries to view and sample their work
• Create a bridal registry
• Attend your engagement dinner

6-9 Months in Advance

• Book your florist and order your wedding cake
• Make your preliminary guest list
• Select and purchase your wedding gown and bridesmaid’s dresses
• Research wedding transportation options
• Meet with printers and decide on wedding invitation style
• Select and book your honeymoon

4-6 Months in Advance

• Arrange for groom/groomsmen to be measured for tuxedos
• Shop for and purchase bridal accessories
• Book your wedding transportation
• Order invitations and other stationery
• Shop for and purchase wedding rings
• Get blood tests for marriage license
• Mail “Save the Date” cards

2-4 Months in Advance

• Finalize your guest list
• Research types of wedding favours
• Parents of the groom should arrange rehearsal dinner
• Select your menu (including beverages) and confirm other details with caterer and reception venue
• Purchase wedding guest book, garter, goblets, candles, decorations and other ceremony items
• Plan the bachelor and bachelorette parties
• Arrange for printing of ceremony programs
• Purchase your wedding favours
• Choose your wedding music – first dance, parents dance, etc.
• Finalize details with all vendors – florist, musicians, photographer, baker and others
• Arrange for accommodations for out-of-town guests
• Practice wedding hairstyles and makeup
• Attend your bridal shower(s)

6-8 Weeks in Advance

• Mail wedding invitations and announcements (8 weeks)
• Schedule the final fitting for your gown
• Select gifts for your wedding attendants
• Select a gift for your husband
• Book hairdressers and makeup artists

4-6 Weeks in Advance

• Give headcount of guests to your caterer
• Take your bridal portrait / engagement photo
• Pick up your wedding rings
• Meet with ushers regarding their duties
• Make seating plan for reception
• Confirm dates, times and details with all vendors (4 weeks)

2-4 Weeks in Advance

• Handle name change for Driver’s License, Tax numbers etc (if you’re actually changing your name!)
• Prepare and submit the wedding announcement for the newspaper
• Make sure all your bridal attire is ready
• Get your marriage license
• Write your place cards and put together DIY favours (if necessary)

1 Week in Advance

• Review details with the ushers
• Attend the final fitting (make sure your bridesmaids do too)
• Confirm seating arrangements
• Pack for your honeymoon
• Pack an emergency kit for your wedding day
• Give the final head count to caterer
• Re-confirm with all vendors; pay any balances
• Finalize rehearsal dinner plans
• Attend bachelor/bachelorette parties

The Day Before Your Wedding

• Get a manicure and pedicure
• Make sure someone picks up tuxedos
• Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Go to bed early!

Your Wedding Day

• Wake up early
• Get your makeup and hair done
• Get dressed and head to the ceremony
• Make sure to eat properly
• Relax and enjoy your day

Print out and use these checklists as a guideline when planning your wedding. You can adapt them to your specific needs and change the timeline as necessary. Try to book your vendors as soon as possible, particularly your wedding reception site. Keep in mind that some of the more popular locations book more than a year in advance.

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The End ;)

Michael

The Rings!

Look at those puppy dog eyes, this guy’s smitten !

This photo makes me smile, its so sweet! I also love Brian’s wet feet, we were all dancing on the beach! :)

The beautiful bride!

Now, this isn’t the best exposed shot, but I just LOVE the expression on Yari’s face! You can almost hear the “Awwww..Daaaaaaaaaaaaaad!” through the grit teeth. Priceless!

A special moment between Brian and his mom.

I loved the Fire Dancers! Brian and Yari were SO brave! :)