Checklist of Things for a Wedding
- Organize your financial and contractual obligations to maintain agreements with vendors, determine budgets with family members, and ensure a smooth working relationship with vendors. Determine a budget for each element, including catering, a venue, transportation and music, as well as an overall budget for the entire wedding. Discuss what is included in each contract and any policies regarding refunds, deposits and wedding insurance with each vendor.
- Contact officiants, whether secular or religious, to establish any requirements for the ceremony including location, date restrictions and associated counseling or meeting requirements. Establish a cap on guests based on the location or your budget, and discuss the guest list with your partner and all parents involved to ensure no one is left out. Determine the size of your wedding party, including children as junior bridesmaids, flower girls, ring bearers and junior groomsmen.
- Perhaps the most fun element of planning a wedding, selecting a theme sets the tone for wedding attire, invitations, decorations and centerpieces. From traditional and classic to glamorous and contemporary, opt for a theme that expresses your personality while fitting the location of your ceremony and reception and aligning it with the style of your relationship. Consider lighting, table styling, centerpieces, place cards, favors and invitations when determining the theme.
- Bridal showers, couples' showers, stock-the-bar parties and rehearsal dinners each require a subset of plans, including venues, budgets and guest lists. Traditionally, the maid/man of honor and best man/best friend host bachelor and bachelorette parties, though more couples are electing to celebrate together with the entire wedding party the night before the ceremony. Rehearsal dinners that include the entire wedding party and all parents and siblings establish relationships among family members prior to the unification of the families.