You’ve found that special someone and now it’s time to pop the question; congratulations! Sadly, however, despite being the best day of your life, weddings can also be a nightmare to plan out and keep track of.
Hence why we here at Process Street have created this Wedding Checklist. From flowers to catering, guest lists to paperwork, run through this checklist to make sure that you don’t miss anything in preparation for the big day!
Although this may not be the first thing which comes to mind when you think “engagement”, insuring your engagement ring is an absolute must. Use the form fields below to record the date of insurance, the amount it was insured for, the name it was insured under, and any additional details.
This is the start of what many call the happiest time of your life, so make sure that you take plenty of photos to record it!
Save yourself a hassle by uploading copies of the photos here, or to your favorite cloud storage site before recording the link using the form fields below.
The next thing you need to do is to plan out the engagement party. Record the date and location of this party using the form fields below.
Now it’s time to settle on the budget for the wedding. Record the final figure in the form field below.
Whilst anyone can pay for a wedding, it is traditional for the bride (and her family) to pay for the ceremony and reception, plus bouquets and corsages for bridesmaids and flower girls. The groom (and his family) usually pays for the bride’s bouquet, boutonnieres for the men, and corsages for mothers and grandmothers
As the task title states, you must now finalize the wedding theme, colors, and style. As always, record your stance using the form field below.
Next up in the wedding checklist is to create a guest list for the occasion. Record this guest list using the form field below.
It’s a good practice to begin by setting a limit to the number of people who can attend (including how many will be able to stay the night). Once you have this number, divide the places equally between the bride and groom’s family and friends for an even spread.
If one side does not wish to fill up every space they have available, the other can then always choose to invite more.
Best man and maid of honor are prized positions, and now it’s time to decide who will nab these spots! Record your choices using the form fields below.
Although these will usually consist of close friends of the bride and groom, this could also be a family member.
You now need to set the big day in stone by picking a wedding date. As always, record your choice using the form field below.
Remember to take into account the day of the week, as this may be affected by the guest list (if many work during the week, it would probably be a bad idea to book for Tuesday morning).
Families can be very picky when it comes to the marriage of one of their own, so it is only right to consider the family traditions from both the bride and groom’s sides. Record the various family traditions using the form field below.
This step is exactly what it says on the tin; you need to submit an engagement announcement to the newspaper. Since this step is technically optional, record your ultimate decision on this topic using the dropdown form field below.
Although it is possible to plan the entire wedding by yourself, it is highly advised to hire a wedding planner to take the strain for you. Record their details using the form field below.
You also need to set a venue for the wedding. Record the address of the venue in the form field below.
Usually, this can be done by looking at your budget and theme, then conferring together to decide on a location which suits all.
The wedding reception will not necessarily be in the same location as the wedding; fill out the form fields below with the relevant information to avoid confusion later down the line.
Next you need to hire the additional staff which will help the day run smoothly, such as the photographer and officiant. Record your progress when hiring these people using the sub-checklist below.
Whilst the caterer should cover most aspects, you will want to order your own cake and monitor the alcohol. Record your progress with these using the form field below.
This step is exactly what it says on the tin; you need to find a rental supplier for wedding supplies, such as chairs, linens, etc.
Note down their details using the form fields below.
Next up, you need to book transportation to and from the wedding reception. Although many choose to travel in style in a limousine, the choice is down to you!
Record the details of your transportation hire using the form fields below.
Now you need to book the wedding night accommodation; do so and then record the details of the booking using the form field below.
Hair and makeup appointments for the bride should be booked now to avoid a last-minute rush. Consider booking appointments for the bridesmaids (or having them book their own sessions) for the same time as the bride, so that everyone is accounted for.
Record the time and location of the appointments using the form fields below.
You should now go ahead and book your honeymoon. Whether you choose to go on a tour of several countries, or just relax on a beach somewhere hot and sunny, pick your dream location to travel to and start getting excited.
Once you have booked it, record the details of the honeymoon in the form fields below.
In all the hustle and bustle preparing for the wedding, you must remember to buy the wedding rings (or bands).
This is a vital, yet fairly easy step; shop around with your partner to find the perfect rings (or bands) and there you have it.
Another vital aspect of the wedding checklist is to buy the bride’s wedding dress. Once again, this is entirely down to personal opinion, but try to keep your budget in mind whilst shopping around.
Next up, it’s time to settle on the wedding party outfits. This could be as simple as keeping to specific color scheme or (especially if you’re going for an outlandish theme) as specific as particular outfits for each person attending.
Next, you need to schedule the gown fitting appointment. Note the date and time using the form field below.
Whilst you should have already booked the venue and caterer, it’s worth double checking that they have been reserved at this point in time.
Everything should be in order; this step just serves as extra security against a nasty surprise when the date is looming.
The ceremony rehearsal is a great way to ensure that you have the best chance possible of a perfect wedding, and so the next step in the wedding checklist is to set a date for it.
As always, record the date and time using the form field below.
Next up, you need to confirm the best people events and bridal shower(s). Note these down using the form fields below.
You should now register the gifts you would like to receive. This will make take the guesswork out of choosing a gift (on your guests’ part) and overall make it easier.
Bear in mind to not go overboard with the price tag and make sure that you double check each store’s returns policy. Record your gifts list in the form field below.
Next up, go ahead and create a wedding website. This will make it incredibly easy to interact with your guests and post all the relevant information to be seen on demand.
Once you have created a wedding website, record the link to it in the form field below.
It’s now time to send your wedding invitations. Email or post the invitations to each and every one of your guests – don’t miss anyone!
If you have any guests traveling to the wedding from out of town, it’s a good idea to now reserve a block of hotel rooms for these guests.
Remember to take into account the distance your guests will be traveling,
It’s time to sort out the guest book for the occasion. This can be anything you want, and is a great way to keep track of who
You should also decide on the favors to give to your guests – little gifts which are usually placed on the tables which they will be seated at.
These can be personalized for each guest, or just contain small trinkets for men, women, and children.
Once you’ve finalized the favors, it’s time to create the ceremony program. Whilst this should be personalized, see the video below for a rough idea on how to get started.
Next, you need to look into and buy gifts for the bridal party. These will tend to be little gifts to say “thank you” to each of the bridesmaids and any other important figure to the bride.
It’s time to get everyone a place to sit; you need to plan out the seating chart.
Try to take into account potential tensions between family or friends (seat them far apart), and also consider seating the children attending on a separate table with perhaps an adult or two.
Upload a copy of the s
Welcome bags are a great way to thank your guests for attending, and so you need to assemble them now.
Choose the contents (and obviously the bags themselves) and make sure enough are created to give to all of your guests.
You’re almost done with the minor aspects of the wedding checklist – now you’ve got to create the place settings.
This is essentially what will decorate each of your guests’ places at their table; it could be elaborate, or just a pretty name card.
The final part of this section (don’t worry, you’re 3/4 of the way there) is to decide on the table centerpieces and bouquets.
Once again, this will be down to personal preference and the theme of your wedding, but these are worth putting effort into. A synchronized style with centerpieces and bouquets is truly a sight to behold.
You both now need to create and sign your prenuptial agreement. Whilst the content of yours should be tailored to your agreement, this will generally include the division of property and spousal support in the event of a divorce.
Record a signed copy of this important document using the form field below.
Now you need to apply for a marriage license. This is a document issued by a church or state authority which will allow a couple to get married, so
Some guests may send wedding gifts in advance, and if this is the case, you need to send thank-you notes in return.
Once again, these are worth personalizing to convey your gratitude, as a generic “thank-you” for a gift may come across as being ungrateful.
Next up, it’s time to write the ceremony. Go through the proceedings and lay everything out plainly, so that there will be no later confusion.
When writing the ceremony, you should consider:
Record a copy of the written ceremony using the form field below.
Now you need to confirm the participants. This doesn’t include your guests; instead, confirm important figures such as the vicar (if you are having one), caterer, etc.
The vows are an incredibly important (and personalized) aspect of the ceremony, and should be recorded so that there is no way they will be forgotten. Do so using the form field below.
Next up, you need to ensure that the toasts you’re intending to call are prepared (both in terms of words and alcohol).
Record the
Both the bride and groom are likely to have songs which they want to play or avoid, and so now it’s time to agree on a playlist.
Record your “Must Play” and “Do Not Play” lists using the form fields below.
Now you should go ahead and finalize your written ceremony with an officiant. This can be as easy as contacting them and transferring your written ceremony from a few steps back.
You’ve written and confirmed the ceremony, so now it’s time to create the wedding day schedule.
Set out what times the ceremony will take place, along with the times that you are planning on moving from the ceremony location to the reception. Remember to also take into account the morning of the wedding day, and the preparation that will occur before the ceremony.
Next, you need to call any and all guests who have not RSVP’d. This is primarily to give you a final head count which you can then work with in planning the wedding day.
Record the guests who are confirmed to be attending using the form field below.
Once you have contacted or heard back from all of your guests, it’s time to pass the final head count onto the caterer.
This will ensure that you have enough food and drink for the proceedings, whilst not ordering too much of an excess.
Next up, you need to confirm the delivery details with the wedding dessert provider. Go ahead and call them up, ensuring that they know where to deliver the cake and when they need to deliver it.
Having a receiving line is a great way to individually chat to each of your guests, ensuring that none have been missed. Hence, you should now decide on the order of people standing with you in the line.
See the image above for an idea of the traditional receiving line layout.
If any friends and/or family are carrying out tasks on the big day, such as driving elderly
Who could forget the flowers? Next up in the wedding checklist is to confirm with
The vendors involved with your wedding should now be contacted to confirm final payment. This is to ensure that no costs take you by surprise, but also to ensure that all services are appropriately paid for.
It’s now time to pick up your marriage license. Record a scanned copy of this document with the form field below, to ensure that
You’re almost into the home stretch before the big day; next you need to put together tip envelopes for the professionals involved with your wedding and designate someone to hand them out.
Unless you want your feet to complain fiercely during the ceremony, you need to take this opportunity to break in your wedding shoes.
Even if you only wear them around the house for a few days, make sure that they are comfortable and
You’ll want to be looking at your best for your wedding day, so sometime shortly before the ceremony (perhaps a day or two beforehand) you need to go and get your hair cut.
Any pre-wedding pampering should be done now, in the run-up to the big day. Manicures, pedicures, you name it, it all needs to happen now!
It’s time to make the disaster prevention pack that is the emergency bridal kit.
Go through the sub-checklist below and create a pack of an
Whilst it can be tempting, you’re likely not going to want to drink too much the night before your wedding, so it’s best to plan your activities in advance.
Usually, this will be spent with your respective friends, so go and have fun! Just be sure not to have a hangover on the big day.
Once the big day is over and done, you’re going to want to dry clean and preserve the wedding gown and veil.
This is mostly for sentimental value; if you rented the dress, you’ll still want to have it dry cleaned before returning it.
Another sentimental item, the wedding bouquet should be preserved.
For the best results (albeit the more expensive method), you’ll want to get the flowers professionally freeze-dried. Alternatively, you can just hang them upside down in a safe area for several months and then store them in a bouquet preservation box.
Within eight weeks of the event, you should write and send thank you notes to all of your guests and the professionals involved in the event.
Agin, this isn’t mandatory, but it is most certainly a show of good form.
Next up in the wedding checklist is to change both of your insurance policies to include your spouse. This will include life insurance, retirement accounts and health insurance.
Once your insurance has been taken care of, you need to address and complete any name-changing paperwork.
Obviously, if you or your spouse have not changed (or don’t wish to change) your names then this won’t be necessary.
The final step in the wedding checklist is to check on all outstanding wedding registry items; if the gift was bought but not received, then this needs following up on.
Also, if you did not receive an item which you still need or want, consider buying the item, rather than canceling it.
Congratulations! You’ve completed the wedding checklist, experienced the joy of getting married and you can now look forward to the happy years to come. All the best from the Process Street team!
