A Wedding Checklist is the best way to keep things in order. Writing things down is a helpful way to make sure you have included everything you need to make your wedding day goes as smooth as possible. Here is a checklist that will be useful in planning your special day. 

BRIDAL ATTIRE CHECKLIST

____ What type of wedding? Traditional, Contemporary, Outdoor

____  Wedding gown

____  Veil or Headpiece

____  Style and color of attendant's dresses

____  Shoes, hosiery, lingerie, garter and jewelry accessories

____  Flower girl's dress

____  Shoes dyed

____  Schedule fittings and alterations

____  Arrange to having wedding gown picked up. Is it packaged   properly with tissue in the sleeves, and a bodice mold.

____  Make arrangements to have your wedding gown taken to a dry cleaners after the wedding. 

____  Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

GROOMSMEN ATTIRE

____  Choose a tuxedo store

____  Are any special offers or discounts available at the tuxedo store?

____  Chose your style, color of tuxedo and accessories

____  Reserve the formal wear 2 - 3 months ahead of time.

____  What is the damage or Stain policy?

____  Schedule fittings. If you have any out of town men in your wedding have them fitted at their local tuxedo store and have the measurements sent to your store. Make sure they know the brand name and color of the tuxedo you have selected.

____  Pick up your tuxedo and try them on.

____  Make arrangements to have your tuxedo returned to the tuxedo store. 

BRIDAL BEAUTY CHECKLIST

____  Most importantly take care of yourself with nutritious meals and plenty of rest.

____  Facial, hair premed, cut or colored 2 -3 weeks before the wedding. Schedule this 3 - 6 months prior to your wedding.

____  Treat yourself to a message a week before the wedding. Get a manicure or a pedicure. 

JEWELRY CHECKLIST

Choose a reputable jeweler and request a written guarantee. Discuss the prices on the guarantees, exchanges, ring sizing, free jewelry cleaning, routine maintenance. Is your ring covered by your insurance policy? Pick a gold setting and bands that are 14K or 18K gold. Anything else is to soft. 

____  Say "Yes" and receive your engagement ring

____  Order your wedding bands 3 months prior to the wedding.

____  Arrange to have engraving done.

____  Arrange to have the best man hold on to the bride's ring.

____  Arrange to have the maid of honor hold on to the groom's ring.

BRIDAL REGISTRY

About 4 to 6 moths prior to the wedding, you and your finance will want to meet with a bridal registry consultant. She will be able to assist through the registry and to help coordinate table patterns and suggest gifts that fit your lifestyle. 

You and your finance may want to browse through a bridal magazine or through a store to determine your preferences. This is the one time to create your ultimate wish list so look around and see what is available. Some mortgage companies offer a bridal registry where your guests can contribute to a down payment of a house. Be creative and have fun.

CATERING CHECKLIST 

About 6 months to a year prior to your wedding you are going to want to meet with your caterer. Before hand ask yourself  these simple questions.

How many guest?

What type of service are you planning?

What time of day?

What type of beverages?

What is your budget?

Take a look at your caterer's portfolio. What stands out in your mind while reviewing his portfolio. How long have they been in business? Are they willing to meet your requests for the menu? How many other weddings do they have scheduled on the day of your wedding? How many trained servers will be assisting them? You may want to visit one of their venues to see your caterer in action. Also shop around and compare service along with price. Most importantly get everything in writing. 

____  Type of cuisine you would like for the rehearsal and reception.

____  Visit at least 3 caterers before selecting one. 

____  Check out the caterers credentials. Are they a member of the National Association of Catering Executives? Do they have a Certified Professional Catering Executive designation? Ask for references. 

____  Ask if you can sample a few of their dishes.

____  Cancellation policy, will your deposit be refunded?

____  Do they provide provisions for people with special diet needs?

____  What is done with the leftover food?

BAKERY CHECKLIST

Wedding cakes come in all shapes and sizes. You can be very creative in this area. Adorn your cake with fresh flowers or have a cake made to distinguish your taste and style. 

Ask to see your bakers portfolio. This will be helpful in picking out the style of cake you would like. Ask for a sample. You will want to taste their work before the finished product. What are their charges? Ask to see an itemized list of their charges so there is no surprises. Do they decorate your cake with fresh flowers or do you have to provide someone for that? How fresh is your cake? You want to know how far in advance they prepare your wedding cake. 

____  Choose a baker 3 to 6 months prior to the wedding.

____  Chose the style, shape, color, flavor of your cake.

____  Groom's cake ordered, if having one made.

____  Provide the date, time, location to the bakery.

____  Deposit paid

____  Balance paid

____  Cake knife server

____  Cake topper

____  Arrange to have someone responsible to have the knife server, cake topper to the baker or to the reception site.

____  Arrange to have someone cut the cake to be served.

____  Arrange to have someone take the cake stand back to the bakery.

FLORIST CHECKLIST

When choosing a florist you must first decide on what type of wedding you are going to have. The mood, style, time of year, and your budget will determine what your florist can do for you. You will want to have your bridal gown and attendant's dresses picked out prior to visiting a florist. Take some sample swatches to your florist and they will be able to give you some suggestions as to what will be appropriate for your style of wedding. 

Ask questions of your florist. Ask if your date is available? Ask to see their portfolio or if the have some samples of their work. Do they offer silk or dried flower arrangements? What are your fees? How many weddings do you do in an average day? Ask to observe a wedding that they are doing the floral arrangements for. What time will they set up the floral arrangements at your wedding? Are you familiar with the location you have chosen? Other floral displays you will need: Altar, centerpieces for the reception tables, sprays for the candelabra, corsages, boutonnières, bouquets.

____  Select florist 5 - 6 months prior to the wedding.

____  Are you having fresh, silk or dried flowers?

____  Pay deposit, sign agreement.

____  Pay balance

____  Bring color swatches of your dress, attendants dresses, mothers' dresses to match the color.

____  Are there any floral restrictions at the ceremony or reception locations?

____  Provide the florist with names, address and times for delivery.

____  Do you want your flowers preserved?

FLOWER SELECTIONS FOR:

____  Bouquet for the bride and attendants

____  Flower girl's basket

____  Flowers for assistants

____  Mother's, Grandmother's corsage

____  Boutonnières for the groom, ushers, fathers, and grandfathers

____  Floral arrangements for the ceremony and reception

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