Wedding and Planning Tools

Bridal Party Checklist

1.Maid of Honour Check List.

I like the idea of giving her a checklist so she has all her responsibilities understood. - so I just realized, this is a list of things to remember to bring. Good idea too!

2.Best Man Checklist

Organizes a pre-wedding party for the groom 

Coordinates the ushers’ gift to the groom.

Usually gives an individual gift to the couple 

Is expected to attend the rehearsal and is included in the rehearsal dinner 

Gets the groom dressed and to the ceremony on time 

Makes sure the groom’s wedding related expenses are prepared (Officiant fee, tips, etc.)

Makes sure the groom has the marriage license with him 

Delivers any payment toe Officiant, sexton, and ceremony musician(s), as prearranged 

Enters the sanctuary with the groom 

Takes care of and holds the bride’s wedding ring

3.HEAD USHER'S CHECKLIST

Expected to attend the rehearsal and is included at the rehearsal dinner 

Receives any lists of guests who are to be seated in a specific pew and is aware of the importance and sequence of seating special guests, such as the mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom 

Makes sure that programs, if used, are handed to guests when they are seated 

Makes sure that people who are designated to receive special flowers or corsages do, if the flowers have not been delivered to the recipients beforehand 

Checks that all ushers are dressed properly and wearing their boutonnieres on the left side, stem down  Makes sure that the ushers know how to usher: how to greet guests, how to offer an arm to a single woman guest,

4.GROOMSMEN & USHER'S CHECKLIST

Participate in party for the groom, if there is one 

Contribute to the ushers’ gift to the groom. Usually gives an individual gift to the couple 

Expected to attend the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner 

Review any special seating situations with the head usher before the ceremony begins 

Greets guests as they arrive 

Seat the eldest women first if a group of guests arrive simultaneously 

Ask guests whether they are to be seated on the bride’s side or the groom’s side 

Offer their right arm to female guests (with the guest’s escort walking behind) or ask couples to follow behind (leading couple to their seat) 

Walk to the left side of a male guest 

Hand each guest a program when they are seated 

Put the aisle runner in place after guests are seated and before the processional begins 

Know the order of seating per tradition such as special guests, grandmothers of the bride and groom, and bride’s mother last 

5.MOTHER OF THE BRIDE'S CHECKLIST

Hosts an engagement party (the bride’s family traditionally gets the first opportunity) 

Helps couple to decide on sites or assists in making other big planning decisions 

Usually contributes to the wedding budget 

Assists the bride in putting together the family’s guest list 

Offers suggestions for special family or ethnic ceremony traditions 

May help bride to shop for wedding gown and accessories 

Chooses own wedding day outfit (may consult with mother of the groom about formality 

Along with the maid of honor and bridesmaids, may plan and host bridal shower 

On wedding day help bride to get ready 

May accompany daughter and husband to ceremony 

Walk in recessional with husband following wedding party 

Greet guests in receiving line 

May be announced along with husband 

Sits in an honored place at parent’s table 

May assist with coordinating vendors 

May host a post-wedding brunch

6.FATHER OF THE BRIDE'S CHECKLIST

Hosts an engagement party (the bride’s family traditionally gets the first opportunity) 

Helps couple to decide on sites or assists in making other big planning decisions

Usually contributes to the wedding budget 

May select hotel for out of town guests and reserve a block of reduced rate rooms

Rents own formalwear (work with couple to coordinate with wedding party) 

Helps pick up out-of-town guests from airport

May also arrange transportation to and from the wedding

Typically travels to ceremony with the bride 

Walks daughter down the aisle 

Gives the bride away during the ceremony

Escorts the mother of the bride out following the wedding party 

Greets guests in the receiving line 

May be announced with wife at reception 

May make a welcoming speech 

Sits in an honored place at the parent’s table 

Toasts the newlyweds after the best man makes his speech and the groom responds 

Dances with the bride 

May take care of vendor balances at the end of the reception

7.MOTHER OF THE GROOM'S CHECKLIST .

Contacts the mother of the bride if the families are not acquainted (or plans a celebration if you have met)  Attends (first) engagement party if the bride’s family hosts one 

Along with husband, may host an additional engagement party for the groom’s side of the family 

Usually contributes to wedding budget 

May help couple decide on sites and/or make other big planning decisions 

Helps group to put together family’s guest list 

Offers suggestions for special family or ethnic ceremony traditions 

May help bride shop for her wedding gown 

Chooses own wedding day outfit (may consult with mother of the bride about formality) 

Along with husband, plans and hosts the rehearsal dinner

Escorted out following the wedding party and the bride’s parents 

Greets guests in the receiving line 

May be announced with husband at the reception 

Sits in an honored place at the parent’s table 

Does mother-son dance with groom 

Attends post wedding brunch (if held)

9.Flower Girl Checklist

Dress and accessories should be paid for by family
Attends rehearsal, not usually the rehearsal dinner
In processional, walks alone directly before bride and her father
Scatters petals from basket she holds
In recessional , walks with ring bearer

10.Ring Bearer

His attire should be paid for by family
Attends rehearsal, not usually the rehearsal dinner
Immediately precedes the flower girl in processional
Carries actual rings or a facsimile of the rings
Walks with the flower girl in the recessional, directly behind bride and groom

8.Father of the Groom Checklist

Attends (first) engagement party if the bride’s family hosts one
Along with wife, may host an additional engagement party for the groom’s side of the family
Along with wife, may contribute to wedding budget
May help couple decide on sites or help make other big planning decisions
Rents own formalwear (after talking with couple to coordinate with wedding party); attends fittings as needed
May travel to ceremony with the groom and best man
May escort wife to her seat right before the mother of the bride is seated
May help bride shop for her wedding gown
Escorts mother of the groom out after wedding party and bride’s parents
Along with wife, plans the rehearsal dinner
Greets guests in the receiving line
Sits in an honored place at the parent’s table
May toast the newlyweds

Wedding Timeline

12 MONTHS TO GO

Announce engagement

Arrange for your families to meet, if they haven’t already

Set a budget and determine who will be paying for what

Decide what type of wedding you want: style, size, location, time of day, etc.

Draft preliminary guest lists: Bride’s, Groom’s, Bride’s family, Groom’s family

Gather ideas for your ceremony and reception

Order

thank-you notes for engagement gifts

Subscribe to wedding magazines

11 MONTHS TO GO

Interview wedding planners and hire one, if desired

Plan engagement party

Begin dress research

Set a wedding date

Start your ceremony and reception location search

Create a wedding Web site

10 MONTHS TO GO

Determine your wedding’s color palette and theme

Reserve a ceremony and reception site

Research marriage license and residency requirements if you’re getting married abroad

Select the members of your bridal party

Reserve a block of rooms for out of town guests

9 MONTHS TO GO

Make bridal salon appointments to try on wedding gowns

If wearing an heirloom gown, clean and schedule alterations

Gather vendor referrals from friends and relatives

Interview officiants

Order and mail save-the-date cards

Start meeting with vendors – photographers, caterers, bakers,

videographers, florists, bands and DJs

8 MONTHS TO GO

Start a fitness/workout regime

Contact lighting and tent rental companies for at-home weddings

Delegate agreed responsibilities to your groom

7 MONTHS TO GO

Finalize wedding theme and palette

Research wedding customs and traditions

If you’re getting married at-home, talk to your gardener about landscapeing

6 MONTHS TO GO

Book baker and decideon cake flavor, design and style

Discuss groom’s cake ideas, if having

Book caterer

Book florist and determine overall style for personal flowers, ceremony and

reception décor

Book ceremony musicians and reception band or DJ

Book photographer and videographer

Finalize guest list and mailing addresses

Research invitation designs

Select an officiant and discuss ceremony service

Order your wedding dress and accessories

Book day of transportation for the bride, groom and bridal party

Reserve a hotel room for your wedding night

If necessary, update passports

5 MONTHS TO GO

Select bridesmaids’ attire and confirm that each bridesmaid has ordered her dress

Select attire for your flower girl(s) and ring bearer(s)

Provide bridal shower guest list to maid-of-honor

Update registry lists for bridal shower

Research honeymoon destinations

Finalize invitation design and order wedding invitations, and don’t forget to order

extra outer-envelopes

Check invitation proof

Test drive directions before printing direction cards

Reserve rental items

4 MONTHS TO GO

Book honeymoon

Provide guest address list to calligrapher

Meet with hair and makeup stylists to discuss ideas

Create song play and do not playlists

Select first dance and other special dance songs

Schedule dance lessons, if desired

Order wedding rings

Reserve tuxedos for groom, dads and groomsmen

Draft wedding program information

Schedule your wedding rehearsal with officiant and bridal party

3 MONTHS TO GO

Attend first dress fitting

Plan rehearsal dinner: book space and order invitations

Order or make wedding favors

Purchase guest book/vessel for guest notes

Research signature drink options

Attend pre-marriage counseling or classes, if required

Request time off from work for your honeymoon

Finalize flower arrangements for ceremony, reception and personal flowers

Order wedding programs

2 MONTHS TO GO

Mail wedding invitations

Keep a record of RSVP cards you receive

Schedule a makeup and hair trial

Select gifts for attendants and parents

Attend bridal shower

Write and mail shower thank-you notes

Start drafting your wedding vows, if writing your own

Schedule a tasting with your caterer and confirm reception menu

Send wedding announcement to local newspaper, if desired

1 MONTH TO GO

Draft seating chart

Review ceremony details with your officiant

Distribute copies of selected readings and songs to ceremony participants

Apply for a marriage license

Send photo shot list to photographer and do/do not play list to band/DJ

Attend bachelor/bachelorette parties

Write your wedding speech/toast

Prepare bride and groom emergency kits

Assemble guest room gifts for out-of-town guests

Start breaking in your wedding day shoes

Attend a hair and makeup trial and remember to take pictures of yourself

Schedule a haircut appointment for the groom for the week or two before the wedding

Find something old, new, borrowed and blue

Attend final dress fitting

Pick up your wedding rings

Send seating and place cards to calligrapher, or begin to write/print them yourself

1 WEEK TO GO

Pick-up wedding dress from bridal salon

Have groom and groomsmen pick-up their tuxedos

Give the caterer your final head count

Send reception location manager final seating chart and drop off seating cards

Distribute wedding day timeline and contact list to vendors and bridal party

Give ceremony and reception location managers a vendor contact sheet

Confirm wedding day beauty appointments

Confirm wedding day details with all vendors

Pack for honeymoon

Deliver guest room gifts to hotel

Assign day-of responsibilities to attendants

Arrange for someone to send your wedding dress to a preservationist and return your

groom’s tuxedo to the rental store

DAY BEFORE

Organize tipping envelopes

Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

Drop off ceremony accessories at ceremony site – programs, yarmulkes,

unity candle, etc.

Give attendants and parents thank you gifts

Get a manicure and pedicure

DAY OF—SEE SEPARATE TIMELINE

AFTER THE WEDDING

Mail thank you cards to guests within 8 weeks of returning from your honeymoon

Send thank you notes to your vendors

Send change-of-address form to post office, if necessary

Change your last name on necessary forms

DAY OF- TIMELINE

Use this outline to plan the schedule for your wedding day. Adjust the timeline to fit the start time of your ceremony. We left blank lines throughout the list so you can customize the schedule to fit your plans.

Flower delivery and reception set-up begin

Bride’s makeup appointment (1 hour)

Bride’s hair appointment (1 hour)

Bride begins getting dressed (30 minutes)

Brides maids arrive to get dressed

Groom and groomsmen arrive to get dressed

Bride and Groom begin taking formal portraits (30 minutes)

Formal portraits with bridal party and family members (1 hour)

Guests begin to arrive (30 minutes)

Prelude music begins

Bridal Party lines up for processional

Special guests are seated

Processional begins

Ceremony begins (30 minutes)

Recessional begins

Receiving line at ceremony location (30 minutes)

Bridal Party and guests drive from ceremony site to reception location

Cocktail hour begins (1 hour)

Bride and Groom pose for portraits (30 minutes)

Reception begins

Bridal Party Entrance (10 minutes)

Bride & Groom’s grand entrance

First Dance (5 minutes)

First course served

Second course served

Best Man’s toast (10 minutes)

Maid-of-honor toast (10 minutes)

Cake cutting (5 minutes)

Father-daughter dance (5 minutes)

Mother-son dance (5 minutes)

Bouquet toss or presentation (5 minutes)

Garter toss, if having (5 minutes)

Last dance

Getaway car scheduled to leave

Rubyevents

P L A N N E R S

Bridal Party Checklist