Hello! Congrats on your engagement! Your wedding day will be one of the most memorable days of your life but it's going to take some planning to get there. After all, if you've never planned a wedding how do you know everything you'll need to do?? This is a simple checklist to keep track of the tasks that need to be completed before your big day. So don't let it scare you! Take charge, start planning and have fun with it!
Browse below then download you PDF copy HERE.
Wedding Essentials Checklist
Engagement
- Insure ring
- Set wedding date
- Throw an engagement party
- Get engagement photos done
Apparel
- Wedding dress
- Dress bag
- Alterations
- Wedding Shoes
- Backup flats
- Veil/tiara/headpiece
- Garter
- Reception dress
- Reception Shoes
- Undergarments (bra, corset, slip, nylons, panties)
- Getting ready robe for bride or Button up shirt (So you don’t mess up your hair)
- Earrings
- Necklace
- Hair accessories
- Something old
- Something new
- Something borrowed
- Something blue
- Departure outfit
- Groom's Tuxedo
- Tie
- Tie clip
- Cufflinks
- Vest
- Suspenders
- Belt
- Shoes
- Watch
- Getting Ready Robes
- Bridesmaids dresses
- Flower girls dresses
- Ring Bearer tuxedos
- Groomsmen tuxedos
- Groomsmen shoes
Rehearsal Dinner
- Venue
- Caterer
- Bartender
- Liquor/beer/wine
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Decorations
- Music
- Parking
- Dishes/glassware/silverware
- Linens
- Food
- Servers
- Signature drink
Getting Ready
- Make-up artist(s)
- Hair dresser (s)
- Mani/Pedi
- Champagne/OJ
- Snacks
- Emergency Bridal Kit
Ceremony
- Officiant
- Marriage paperwork (bring on day of)
- Alter/aisle decorations
- Guest book + pen
- Pillow or ring box for ring bearer
- Basket for flower girls petals
- Aisle runner
- Ushers
- Transportation to reception if at different location
- DJ
- Playlist
Reception
- Venue
- Table decorations
- Venue decorations
- Sign
- Cake table decorations
- Guest book table decorations
- Card box
- Guest book + pen
- Photobooth
- Caterer/food
- Signature drink
- Dishes, glasses, silverware
- Toasting glasses
- Napkins
- Table Clothes
- Menu
- Cake
- Cake Knife
- Plates and silverware for cake
- Musician or DJ
- Playlist
- Bar Tender
- Liquor/beer/wine
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Appetizers for cocktail hour
- Chairs
- Tables
- Parking
- Bubbles/rice/sparklers
- Transportations
- Designated person to round up family for family portraits
Rings
- Wedding band
- Groom’s ring
- Engraving
- Sizing
- Insurance
- Pre-wedding cleaning
Flowers
- Bridal bouquet
- Floral headpiece
- Toss bouquet
- Wedding party bouquets
- Groom boutonniere
- Groomsmen’s boutonnieres
- Mother of the bride corsage
- Mother of the groom corsage
- Father of the bride boutonniere
- Father of the groom boutonniere
- Grandparent’s corsages/boutonnieres
- Special guests corsages/boutonnieres
- Petals for flower girls
- Table center pieces
- Arch decorations
- Flowers for cake
- Decorations for aisle
Stationary
- Announcements
- Save-the-dates
- Invitations
- Envelopes
- Stamps
- RSVP cards
- Address Labels
- Maps/direction cards
- Registry cards
- Wedding programs
- Calligrapher
- Newspaper announcement
- Thank you cards
- Rehearsal dinner invitations
- Bachelor/Bachelorette party invitations
Gifts & Favors
- Thank your or reminder token for your guests to take home. Handmade or store bought (optional)
- Gift for groom from bride
- Gift for bride from groom
- Bridal party gifts
- Groomsmen’s gifts
- Flower girl gift
- Ring bearer gift
Photography/Videography
Discuss below details and expectations with your photographer
- Engagement portraits
- Bridal Boudoir portraits - Set up a bridal boudoir party with your bridesmaids. Super fun day and you can get an album for a wedding gift for your fiance
- Getting ready
- First look - Decide if you want to stick with tradition or do a first look. Ask your photographer if you aren’t sure
- Bridal portraits - List several important shots
- Family portraits - Who is important and specific group shots if you have a preference
- Ceremony portraits
- Reception photos
- Bridal Session
- Albums, canvases + prints - Think wedding thank you gifts, wall art and heirloom albums
Discuss wedding day details and expectations with videographer
Honeymoon
- Plane tickets
- Hotel
- Rental Car
- Entertainment
- Lingerie
- Appropriate clothing
Miscellaneous
- Apply for marriage certificate
- Wedding planner
- Hotel for out of town guests
- Printed copies of wedding day timeline
XOXO,
Sarah
Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!
Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful
