Your Dream Event Checklist

There are many key tools and utilities available to brides-to-be, planners and event managers, families and wedding parties, trying to get and check everything for that perfect dream event.

There are many such to do checklists available in print and online. Here is but one such example that can help you get, stay on track as you get ready for your dream theme wedding.

Yes 12 months ahead you can start planning – most planners will echo and advise you that the sooner you get started the BETTER! There is no time to waste or lose, with lots at stake – some locations are booked solid, for years in advance – you might want to reconsider if this is the case for your venue!

• Announce your engagement/event.
• Budget and BOTH determine how many guests may attend with parents and then finalise the wishlist, to short-list to final list!
• Determine the type of event you want and theme
• Establish a starting budget
• Get all your suppliers lined and signed up. Wedding cake baker, caterer, video-photographer, musicians, and florist
• Pick the event format, style
• Select a date and time
• Select and hire a photographer
• Select and order the bridesmaids’ dresses
• Select and secure your ceremony & reception location
• Sign all necessary contracts, pay deposits to secure venues and track your spending

• Attendants of party – identify, approach and confirm
• Bridal attire for bride and groom – wedding dress, headpiece, veil, tuxedo etc.
• Gift bridal registry
• Guest-list finalized
• Travel plans for honeymoon

• Administration, check-ups, and paperwork: blood test and marriage license in your state
• All reservations confirmed
• Confirm all the entries/guests on the final guest-list prior to sending the invitations out
• Engagement announcement to the newspaper
• Find a place to live after the wedding
• Mothers and Fathers of the bride and groom’s attire
• Select and order or print the invitations and stationery
• Trousseau-shopping
• Wedding party and attire ordered, fittings, alterations and pickups scheduled
• Wedding rings and special jewelry

• Accommodations for out-of-town guests
• Confirm the wedding cake details with the baker
• Designing and printing the program for the ceremony
• Finalize the florist details, photographer, video-photographer, musicians, etc
• Meet with planner and caterer for progress report, menu choices and finalizing, all catering details, set-up and changes
• Order of service confirmed
• Plan a rehearsal dinner, time and place
• Plan the bridesmaids’ luncheon and any other parties (pre- and post-)
• Prepare all maps and directions for the ceremony and reception
• Set the dates and times with the officiate for the rehearsal
• Wedding guest book

• Hire the limousine or other forms of transportation for the event especially for VIP or bride and groom
• Mail invitations and announcements.
• Prepare a portrait for the newspaper. Check your local newspaper for details and timing.
• Select gifts for all your attendants.
• Set appointment with photographer for your formal bridal portrait.
• Set appointments with any hairdressers and/or makeup artists.

• Wedding gifts for partner (bride/groom)
• Flower order confirmation and delivery date/time, location
• Confirm menu and headcount
• All wedding party clothes are ready to go
• Fit wedding rings, pick up and keep safe
• Seating plans
• Order of service for ceremony and reception
• Placement, seating cards
• Get all the wedding accessories
• Purchase a going away outfit
• Final fit of the wedding dress

• Out of town accommodation confirmations
• Bridal party attire all ready and in good shape, picked up
• Business and legal aspects, will & testament, last name, address changes
• Get your marriage license
• Wedding announcement for the newspaper
• Wedding gifts arrangements, who to pick up and drop off at the new home

• Complete place-cards
• Confirm the availability of the musicians and vocalists, confirming date, time, location and program/activities, fees etc.
• Delegate responsibilities to reliable individuals
• Final details with officiate, photographer, DJ, musicians etc.
• Final headcount and seating chart
• Give a final head count to the caterer
• Ground-transportation confirmed
• Personally follow up with those guests who have not given their RSVP
• Seating and ushers, plans and last-minute detail confirmations
• Wrap wedding party gifts
• Finalise your rehearsal dinner arrangements or other plans
• Honeymoon reservation confirmations, tickets in-hand
• Pack for your honeymoon

• Get a manicure or massage
• Get some personal time for yourself to reflect and prepare
• Go to sleep early, no partying until the wee morning hours – you want to look and feel your best
• Relax
• Review and rehearse all the details of your participants
• Stay with your family the night before

• Eat and drink enough
• ENJOY
• Prepare for your hairdresser and makeup appointments.
• Rest and relax with a good bath.
• Time to get dressed and prepare – do not rush
• Best man and maid of honor sign the wedding certificate.

• Administer and manage guest list, invitations and RSVPs. Use scheduling tools
• Be in control and in touch at all times
• Budgeting, track receipts and spending
• Customise your unique envelopes, labels, cards, notes, thank yous and place cards
• DO NOT ALLOW PANIC TO TAKE OVER, ruin your life and wedding.
• Stay organized and focused
• Keep note and track all details automatically
• Prioritise, do not overlook or forget anything
• Be objective. Make the best decisions

Bridal showers, pre-wedding parties, rehearsal dinners, all these pre-event type get-togethers can be very helpful to prepare you for your big wedding day, but they can also make you more anxious as the excitement builds. The wedding theme can go for a little test-run to speak right here. It will also give you more of an idea as to what to expect from people’s reactions and enjoyment of the wedding theme that you have.

Maids or matron(s) of honor have the privilege of arranging these parties and related festivities, for wedding party, bride, family and close friends, wedding guests. Many opt to chip in, contribute, organise, host and plan these get-togethers. They are typically more informal and for the enjoyment of all. It is time to spend, share and have fun.

• Where it is held: in or outside, restaurant, home or other location
• Date, time and attendees
• Girls only type party, lunch, evening out and couple-showers
• Typical invitees to the wedding shower would be friends, relatives or work colleagues who in a few weeks will be sitting down to share in your joy as guests at your wedding

Keep it medium to smaller to ensure that everyone gets a chance to interact and share some time before the wedding. Menu, invites and theme can be borrowed or taken as inspiration from the main wedding theme. Shower games and activities, gifts and even music can make for a memorable day for the bride, family and friends. Double check your checklist!