The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

Ok ladies, I've seen many posts requesting sample to-do lists, various site's to-do lists (weddingchannel, theknot, etc) and I figured who better to make the ultimate to do list than us brides! I've combined what I've found so please feel free to chime in with anything I've forgotten (they aren't necessarily in the best order and not everything will apply to everyone):

Set Date
Set Budget
Prepare preliminary Guestlist
Engagement Announcements
Ceremony Site/Church
Officiant
Reception Site
Photographer
Videographer
Band/DJ - CH and Reception
Ceremony Musicians
Select & Ask Bridal Party

Purchase Wedding Insurance
Gather requirements for religious ceremony (baptismal certificates, divorce decrees, etc)
Register for Precana classes
Apply for passports and all travel necessities: visas, vaccines, etc
Block off hotel rooms for OOT Guests
Prepare STD guestlist
Send out STDs
Select stores, make list, & register
Book wedding day transportation (limos)

Shop for and order Bride's Gown
Shop for and order Bridesmaids Gowns
Shop for and order Flowergirl(s) Dress(es)
MOB & MOG order gowns
Finalize Guestlist
Book Honeymoon
Book Florist
Select and order Invitations
Book Calligrapher
Shop for and order wedding rings

Plan ceremony: writing vows, music selections, readings, kebutah, etc
Plan back up locations for ceremony, photo sessions in case of rain
Shop for, order/make favors
Purchase Bridal Party gifts, parents gifts
Purchase tiara/headpiece and veil(s)
Purchase Bride's shoes, undergarments, stockings, garters, and jewelry

Purchase cake serving set, toasting flutes, ring pillow, & any other ceremony needs (unity candle, tossing petals, etc)

Purchase Guestbook for reception
Order Tuxes
Plan reception: first dance song selection, parent dances, place cards, place card holders, cake topper, seating arrangements, etc
Select and order wedding cake
Schedule ceremony rehearsal
Book rehearsal dinner site and send out invites
Prepare OOT welcome baskets

Must-Take photo list
Do not play/must play lists for DJ/Band
Schedule Hair & Makeup trials
Sit for Engagement Photos
Purchase or make ceremony programs
Schedule day of hair, makeup, and nail appts for Bride and BMs
Host BM luncheon

Mail out invitations
Finalize menus, song selections, timelines, and all details with all vendors
Attend gown fittings
Break in wedding day shoes
Make sure you have something old, new, blue, etc

Call guests who have not RSVP'd
Obtain Marriage License
Shop & pack for Honeymoon
Attend shower and bachelor(ette) parties
Set aside time to write thank you notes for shower gifts
Prepare Day-of Timeline and give a copy to each vendor along with copies of must-take photo lists, etc
Send out wedding announcements to local paper


Confirm all final payments, schedule, pick up times, head count, etc with all vendors

Confirm HM reservations and travel arrangements

Create a “wedding box” to gather your ceremony accessories (marriage license,
candles, ring pillow, basket, guest book) and assign someone to transport.

Prepare a “reception box” for accessories such as guest books, cameras, toasting
goblets, cake toppers, etc., and assign someone to transport

Prepare day-of emergency kit
Prepare any speeches or toasts
Place tips for each vendor in envelopes





Phew!! Now, I'm sure I forgot stuff anyway and I left out the obvious (pick up your wedding gown) stuff but please add on!!

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

Great Job!

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

That is so great!

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

WOW.. Thanks Jimmysbride
I am printing this out tomorrow

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

thanks- that seems like a very thorough list!

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

WOW!!! This is great! You are the best!

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

That was a big help! Thanks

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

Great list - thanks!!

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

Thanks girls! Anything missing?

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

Bumping for JuneBabyBride

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

Wow you didn't miss a thing!

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

If I wasn't nervous before, I am now!

Thanks for all your work...great list

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

That list just scared the sh*t out of me!?! I'm intimidated just to read it.lol!

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

CRAP!!!

Thanks for the list

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

Great list

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

Thats a great list - Thanks

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

that cool you got evertthing thank

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

here was what I used:

church:

select readers/select readings/people to bring up the gifts/ceremony music list/rehearsal date and dinner location/aisle runner/bubbles/rose petals/bells/butterflies/boquet for blessed mother/roses for moms/pew bows/unity candle and holders/alter flowers/rose petal cones/basket for roses/bubbles/etc./programs & person to hand them out/church offering/memory candle/
bag pipes or tumpets

hall:
--cocktail hour music/select menu/final count/select cake/ table linens/ seating arrangement/place cards/guest book/ flowers for the dais-cake-tables-bathroom-place card table- cocktail room-passing trays-/toasting glasses/cake top/cake server/ money card holder/ table cameras color & b& w with poems or scavenger hunt/ favors/

videographer (baby pics/honeymoon pics/must have shots/in between ceremony-hall location for pics/select music for video/)

photographer (engagement shoot/must have pics list/in between ceremony-hall pic. location/)

dj/band (select songs/giveaways/must play list/don't play list/special announcements that have to be made/your wedding song/special requests/

florist -
(select centerpiece/boquet/throw away boquet/bouts./bm boquets/corsages/fg baskets/loose petals/dais/passing trays/bathroom/cocktail hour room/blessed mother boquet/mom's roses)

limos-pick ups-drop offs---see how many hours they are needed (watch overtime)/clean/reputable/Working condition (not going to breakdown!)-air condiditon or heat!/bar/aisle runner/written directions to ceremony and hall and any in between locations/ champagne/

invitations-
number needed/calligraphy/stamps/wording/ response date/proper stuffing order!/ stickers for the back of the envelope/ directions to hall/ceremony locations/

favors (wrapped/ribbon/almonds/ number needed)

attire:
dress/shoes/garter/veil/headpiece/jewelry/
pocketbook/stockings/ undergarments/makeup/hair

BM dresses (shoes/how to wear hair/jewelry/gifts/stockings/undergarments/ pocketbook/cards)

groom's tux/shoes/hair/black socks/undergarments!;)/bout

GM tux's/shoes/black socks/bout/gifts


parent gifts
special family member gifts
makeup/makeup trials
hair/hair trials
nails
blocking hotel rooms
guest transportation (if needed)
place cards & holders
wedding bands
ring bearer pillow
precana
marriage license



something old, new, borrowed, & blue
throwaway and keep garter
hosiary
black socks
menus
emergency kit (tylenol/bobby pins/hairspray/etc.)
aisle runner
music ceremony--singers/instruments

tips (deciding on how much to tip and who will handle it for you that day/marking the envelopes)
save the dates
guest list/addresses (final list (final head count)

For the church- music (instrument(s), singer(s)... programs...unity candle...pew bows...aisle runner...flower petals, bells, birdseed, confetti, bubbles...(baskets for the previously mentioned items)...ringbearer pillow...For the reception: disposable cameras...scrolls...menus...placecard holders...centerpieces...mailbox/card holder/birdcage...comfy shoes...throwaway bouquet...favors...basket for the girls bathroom filled with hairspray, tissues, spray deoderant, gum, advil, etc... basket for the guys bathroom filled with cigars, matches, tylenol, rolaids and breath mints..

** Vendor phone numbers (in case there's a last minute issue)

** Extra Stockings (In case yours run)

**Shout Wipes & Chalk (in case you get a stain on your gown)

**Throwaway bouqet if doing the toss (I left my sister's in the limo when I was her MOH -- Boy was she pissed!)

** Matches, napkins, other small favors for the table (My best friend forgot the personalized napkins & matchbooks at home for her wedding.. what a waste!)

** Send readers their readings before wedding -- Plus, print out readings in large font and bring to church (it's a lot easier on the reader)

** Waxing / Tanning / teeth bleaching (get that personal grooming out of the way)

** Comfortable shoes (a lot of brides change into slippers -- but that means the hem of your dress will drag.

** Figure out who'll take the stuff home from the reception hall / who'll drive you to the airport...

** For Pet Owners --> arrange boarding for your pet

**hankie

**Breakfast the day of (something light, that won't get you messy, that you don't have to spend time cooking.

** Any additional decorations (I got a bunch of bride & groom stuff as gifts: teddy bears, a snowglobe, and statue --> I'm gonna use them to decorate the placecard & sign-in table)

** Shop & pack for honeymoon (My FI had virtually no swim trunks -- it was a nightmare finding som at this time of year)

** If you are spending the night in a hotel, then leaving immediately for HM -- figure out what you're doing w/ your dress

** For HM -- travel stuff (neck pillows, book, walkman, sleep mask -- Overseas: passport, visa, converter plugs, guidebooks...)

** Caketopper

Extra set of maps and directions cards for anyone who forgot theirs.

Arrange a place/ suggest places for quests to spend the time inbetween the church and the reception (if applicable)

Have list for photographer/or designate someone to hold a list of photos you would like taken to make sure none or no one is forgotten

Make 'day of' and 'day before' agendas so you don't forget anything you want to get done

Have gown and tux bags for after the reception

Have a personal camera with extra film

Have a camera for rehersal and dinner

MARRIAGE LICENSE !!!
All vendor contact information, as well as copies of any contracts to avoid any problems

If you are having any extra decorations, etc. I want to make sure I have plenty of extra votive candles

If leaving for honeymoon that night or next day, make sure everything you need is all put together, esp. passports, drivers license, tickets, agendas, etc.

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

Great list Jennbaby!!! Thanks for adding on!

Re: The Ultimate Bride's To-Do list

bump

cause I needed this REAL bad!

and it beats doing a search of all boards


Happy Planning!