My Master Wedding Checklist

My best friend throughout the whole wedding planning process was my Master Checklist!  It kept me on track, didn't let me forget anything, and kept me sane.  I started the list at the beginning of our engagement as a compilation of all the wedding planning checklists I could find out there, like Martha Stewart, TheKnot, Real Simple, and Complete Wedding.  None of them fit our wedding perfectly, especially since I started planning about two years before the wedding!  Hopefully some other bride will find my list useful as a starting point.

I used a simple Google Docs spreadsheet to enter all the tasks and keep track of them.  I liked using such a flexible tool, since I could just move tasks around when I knew I wasn't going to complete them on time!

Download the entire spreadsheet here

Master Wedding Planning Checklist Wedding Date: April 10, 2010 Nineteen Months and Earlier (September 2008) Completed Task Notes x Announce your engagement. x Select a date for your wedding. Seventeen Months and Earlier (November 2008): Completed Task Notes x Determine color scheme. Deep purple and light blue x Send engagement notice with a photograph to your local newspaper and alumni magazine. Sent to Alcalde Sixteen Months and Earlier (December 2008): Completed Task Notes x Set your budget. Determine how much each family is contributing. x Develop a record-keeping system for payments made. x Determine the type of wedding you want: location, formality, time of day, number of guests. x Consolidate all guest lists: bride's, groom's, bride's family, groom's family, and organize: 1) those who must be invited, 2) those who should be invited, 3) those who would be nice to invite Set a head count. Decide if you want children invited. x Select and reserve ceremony site and officiant. St. Mary's Catholic Church (League City, TX)

x Select and reserve reception site. Hotel Galvez Terrace Ballroom (Galveston, TX) x Purchase your bridal gown and headpiece. Weddings by Debbie (Houston, TX) x Select and reserve florist. Flowers and Gifts Unlimited (League City, TX) x Complete marriage preparation class with Catholic diocese. Completed with Austin Diocese. Twelve Months and Earlier (April 2009): Completed Task Notes x Select bakery for wedding cake. x Select and book photographer. x Order passport for honeymoon. x Meet with florist to discuss more details about flowers. Eleven Months Before (May 2009): Completed Task Notes x Design and order save-the-date cards. Ten Months Before (June 2009): Completed Task Notes x Work on invite lists for Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party x Ask for addresses for Save the Date cards from family members

Eight Months Before (August 2009): Completed Task Notes x Book a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests. Pick hotels at different price points close to the reception venue. Hotel Galvez, La Quinta Inn x Finish invite lists for Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party and give to Maid of Honor x Select and ask maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, ushers, flower girls, ring bearers. x Collect addresses for Save the Date cards from family members x Launch a wedding website. Note the date of the wedding, travel information, accommodations, etc. x Select and book caterer (if not included in reception site). Provided by Hotel Galvez. Need to work out custom menu: specialty tea and coffee, specific beers and wines x Pay 50% of Hotel Galvez balance (8/29/2009). x Address and send save-the-date cards. Seven to Six Months Before (September and October 2009): Completed Task Notes x Register for gifts. Sign up with a minimum of three retailers. Keep in mind that some guests will tap into registries for shower and engagement gifts as well. Bed Bath & Beyond, Macys, Amazon.com x Reserve wedding night suite. Included in Hotel Galvez package. x Start planning honeymoon. Narrowed down to list of possible locations. x Reserve rental items needed for ceremony and reception: aisle runner, tables, chairs, tents None x Send guest list for showers and bachelorette party to hosts.

Five Months Before (November 2009): Completed Task Notes x Bridal Shower #1 Houston (hosted by Maid of Honor) x Bachelorette Party VEGAS!!! x Send thank you notes for bridal shower gifts x Purchase bridal shower outfit x Purchase shower and bachelorette party thank-you gifts x Start looking at bridal shoes, undergarments, and jewelry Purchased shoes, earrings, bracelet x Start looking at bridal party attire. x Choose honeymoon location Costa Rica! x Pick up wedding dress and veil from salon for outside alterations x Select and book transportation for wedding day: limo, town car, rental cars, minibus, shuttles Four Months Before (December 2009): Completed Task Notes x Start teeth whitening kit. x Start looking at bridal shoes, undergarments, and accessories. Begin to break-in your shoes. Bought shoes, earrings, and bracelet. Still need to buy bustier and necklace x Have menu tasting with Hotel Galvez. Discuss day-of timeline. Tuesdays and Wednesdays only x Hire a professional wedding consultant for the day-of. Simply Jubilee Events x Meet with ceremony officiant: -- Discuss ceremony structure and marriage requirements. -- Discuss day-of timeline. -- Schedule ceremony rehearsal. -- Confirm ceremony time. -- Ask about musicians. -- Ask about limits and rules in the church. -- Discuss Papal Blessing. -- Discuss any necessary documents (baptism, confirmation, etc).

x Select bridesmaid attire. This was done too late - should have been 5 months in advance. Some dressmakers take 14-15 weeks to complete x Order paper swatch books Crane & Co, Paper Source x Finalize design for wedding invitations Three Months Before (January 2010): Completed Task Notes x Buy undergarments for wedding gown Petticoat Fair x Place printing order for wedding invitations. Hire a calligrapher, if desired. Studio SloMo x Select and book reception musicians, DJ, and/or sound equipment. Swank A/V, Still need to pick MC x Make garter and ring pillows. Out of Mom's wedding dress x Start bridal gown fittings (with shoes and undergarments). Gassane's Tailors x Bridal Shower #2 New Jersey (hosted by Mother of the Groom) x Send thank you notes for bridal shower gifts x Confirm with bridesmaids and house party about attire, whether they've purchased their dress, and bought flights. Ask what they want on the day-of: hair, makeup x Choose flower girl attire. Bonnie Jean Embroidered Dot Dress x Order wedding cake topper x Get envelopes from stationer and start addressing x Select rest of wedding party attire: groom's party and boy attendants Men: own black suit, white shirt, black shoes. Will buy matching ties for everyone. x Book hair and makeup artists. Bride (Hair+Makeup+Trial), 5 Hair, 2 Makeup x Schedule bridal portraits with photographer and makeup trial.

Two Months Before (February 2010): Completed Task Notes x Assemble and mail wedding invitations x Have second dress fitting. second week of Feb x Find "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." x Check blood test and marriage license requirements. x Set date, time, and location for your rehearsal dinner. x Figure out where immediate family is staying during the wedding week. x Decide on bridal portrait locations and get permission from venue. Hermann Park x Order wedding favor pieces and boxes. x Purchase gifts for wedding attendants. x Purchase wedding necklace x Purchase exit favor pieces Doily cones and fresh petals x Wedding day hair clip Pearl bobby pins from etsy x Place printing order for thank you cards x Purchase matching sashes for flower girls Davids Bridal - Lapis x Get hair cut. Final Month (March 2010):

Completed Task Notes x Book flights and hotel rooms for honeymoon. x Schedule final meeting with bakery x Schedule final meeting with florist x Schedule final meeting with hotel catering x Schedule meeting with day-of coordinator x Schedule gown cleaning (drop off after bridal portrait, pick up before wedding): Weddings by Debbie x Order vases for reception through florist x Purchase tea lights x Mail invitations for rehearsal dinner. x Purchase the wedding rings and have them engraved and sized. x Select and book ceremony musicians. Confirm organist and soloist x Purchase frames and table easles for reception decor x Finish family history research for wedding x Order guest book pens x Decorate flower girl baskets Line with mom's wedding dress fabric, add purple and blue ribbons x Create gift card box x Assemble exit favors: doily cones x Order lavender for wedding favors x Decide on ceremony readings.

x Decide on ceremony music. Give music to musicians for practice. x Take engagement pictures. Shannon Cunningham x Purchase pieces for kids' wedding favors Still need to purchase pencils and full page labels x Have last dress fitting. Bring shoes, accessories, and lingerie. x Contact guests who haven't responded. x Make wedding day timeline with DOC x Hair and makeup trial Bring pictures x Bridal Portrait Hermann Park, bring bouquet x Take dress to be cleaned and pressed for wedding day. x Final meeting with Galvez: Pay 100% of balance to Hotel Galvez (3/29/2010). updated head count to caterer. Finalize the menu, drinks selection x Finalize details with bakery. Drop off cake topper, any pictures, and color swatches. x Assemble gifts for wedding attendants x Design family history boards, rehearsal dinner thumb tree, and outside sign x Have mom print boards at work x Plan activities for break between ceremony and reception. Include directions in ceremony program x Order ties for groomsmen + childrens party boys x Print family wedding pictures Still need Mom's grandparents x After getting bridal portrait proofs: order large print for reception x Send wedding week schedule to families and wedding party x Make table numbers

x Make reservations for bridal party luncheon + pamper party Booked Perry's Steakhouse, need to book nail salon x Book waxing appointments for week of wedding. x Assemble wedding favor boxes x Plan activities for trolley x Purchase engagement picture print for reception x Order photo sharing information cards x Purchase large frames for portraits: bridal and engagement 13x19 and 16x20 x Purchase gifts for ceremony musicians. Week of the Wedding (April 4 - 10, 2010): Completed Task Notes x Reconfirm arrival times with vendors. Done by wedding coordinators x Bikini and Underarm wax Wed x Pick up wedding attire and make sure everything fits. Wed x Take cake topper to bakery Wed x Make playlist for reception and download music. Wed x Order guest book Wed x Send must-have photos list to photographer and wedding coordinator Wed x Design and print programs. Thurs

x Design and print table menus, bar menus Thurs x Assign seating. Make place cards. Thurs x Take flowers and greenery to florist Thurs morn x Family mixer Thurs afternoon x Obtain Marriage License. Get certified copies for changing your name. Thurs afternoon x Gather everything you will need for the rehearsal and wedding day. Set aside checks and tips for vendors to be handed out on the wedding day. Thurs The Rehearsal Day: Completed Task Notes x Give best man the officiant's fee and any other checks/tips for service providers. Instruct him to deliver these checks the day of the wedding. x Get menus for ordering lunch on the wedding day x Get manicure and pedicure. x Drop off supplies to wedding coordinator At Rehearsal x Rehearsal x Rehearsal Dinner The Wedding Day: Completed Task Notes x Give the rings to the best man and maid of honor

Post Wedding: Completed Task Notes x Return rented items Bakery cake stand x Upload pictures to photo sharing site Flickr x Thank you cards to guests and vendors x Send wedding announcement to alumni magazine with picture Sent to Alcalde x Update wedding website with links to photos Clean and preserve wedding gown. Design and order photo album