Check, Check...Is this thing on?

10 - 12 months before the wedding -- ALL CHECKS!


• Announce your engagement to family and friends - CHECK
• Arrange for both families to meet if they haven't already done so - CHECK
• Have an engagement party (optional) - CHECK
• Set the wedding style and size of the wedding (bride magazines are great for ideas) - CHECK
• Set your wedding budget - CHECK
• Start creating your guest list - CHECK
• Set the wedding day and time - CHECK
• Decide on whether to have a religious or non-religious ceremony - CHECK
• Choose and book your wedding officiant - CHECK
• Choose your maid of honor, bridesmaids, best man and groomsmen - CHECK
• Choose and book your ceremony and reception locations - CHECK
• Purchase wedding insurance (optional) - CHECK - and I highly recommend it!
• Meet with caterers and taste samples - CHECK (ok, samples are actually coming up...)
• Meet with florists and decide on real or silk flowers - CHECK (although, after a massive allergy attack this past weekend when I was exposed to 2 of our sample arrangements, this might need to be reworked.)
• Meet with and audition DJs or bands - CHECK
• Meet with photographers and look over their portfolios - CHECK
• Meet with videographers (if you're having one) and look over their portfolios - We don't have one...but we have enlisted a friend to film for us and also possibly have a live ustream of the wedding ceremony for those guests unable to attend (like my grandmother in the nursing home!)


7 - 9 months before the wedding -- ALL CHECKS!

• Bride: shop for and order your wedding dress - CHECK
• Bride: shop for and order/purchase bridal accessories: veil , shoes , jewelry - CHECK
• Bride: (with your bridal party) shop for and order bridesmaids dresses - CHECK
• Book the florist (be sure to sign a contract) - CHECK
• Book the caterer (be sure to sign a contract) - CHECK
• Book DJ or band (be sure to sign a contract) - CHECK
• Book the photographer (be sure to sign a contract) - CHECK
• Book the videographer (if you're having one) - We've recruited friends!
• Start planning your honeymoon - CHECK
• Finalize the guest list - CHECK
• Start making wedding favors if you're making your own - CHECK
• Meet with bakers and sample wedding cakes - CHECK
• Start looking at wedding invitations - CHECK
• Start thinking about the wording of your wedding invitations - CHECK
• Start planning the rehearsal dinner - CHECK


4 - 6 months before the wedding:

• Join a bridal registry - CHECK
• Book the baker for your wedding cake - CHECK
• Order your wedding invitations - CHECK
• Book a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests - CHECK
• Contact out-of-town guests about the wedding (prior to sending out invitations) - CHECK
• Finalize dinner menu with caterer - CHECK
• Purchase wedding guest favors - CHECK
• Book the limousine or other wedding day transportation - WORKING ON IT
• Book the rehearsal dinner site - CHECK
• Groom: start looking at tuxedos or other formal wear - CHECK
• Book the honeymoon - CHECK (and paid for, no less!)
• Book a hotel room for the wedding night - CHECK
• Book a photo session for engagement announcement in local newspapers - WORKING ON IT
• Start thinking about wedding ceremony decorations - CHECK
• Bride: buy bridal lingerie in time for first dress fitting - WORKING ON IT

2 - 3 months before the wedding:

• Give the photographer a list of "important shots" you want included - WORKING ON IT
• Purchase your wedding rings - CHECK
• Purchase maid of honor gift, bridesmaids gifts , best man gift , groomsmen gifts - WORKING ON IT
• Purchase the groom's gift or the bride's gift , whichever applies - WORKING ON IT
• Groom: finalize tuxedo/formal attire and pass on rental/purchase details to groomsmen - CHECK
• Run engagement announcement in local newspapers - WORKING ON IT
• Bride: schedule your dress fittings - Waiting for the dress to arrive!!
• Bride: make sure your bridal party has purchased their accessories - CHECK
• Bride: book your hair and makeup appointments - WORKING ON IT
• Bride: if you're changing your name complete the proper documents - Waiting until AFTER the honeymoon --- soooo, CHECK
• Address and send out wedding invitations (invitations should be mailed at 2-month mark) - CHECK
• Groom: purchase your accessories including shoes, cuff links, handkerchiefs, etc. - Can't do until 2 weeks before the wedding....ahhh, shoot me!!
• Decide on whether to light a unity candle or honor past loved ones during the ceremony - CHECK
• Start working on wedding program - WORKING ON IT


Looks like we only have 8 real things to still do...that's not so bad.

(In case you were wondering why I post these every few months, it's because I start getting stressed and hyperventilating and turning green, and I use these to keep myself focused. This is also known as the cure for the common bridezilla.)