Wedding Planning Checklist
The Outer Banks is wonderful if you are considering a destination wedding. With so many gorgeous shorelines, you are sure to find the perfect spot for your special day! The Inn on Pamlico Sound’s waterfront boutique hotel ranked #1 on the North Carolina coast. With their years of experience and personal touches, venues such as this make planning your wedding a breeze.
There’s so much that goes into planning your wedding. We’ve put together a time-table checklist to help you along the way. Large or small, near or far away, make sure you don't miss a thing with the help of this guide.
9-12 Months Before
· Announce your engagement to family and friends and plan an engagement party
· Place an engagement announcement in your local newspaper
· Sign up for a wedding website so you can keep your guests informed about event details, area information, etc.
· Decide who will pay for what and work on your individual and total budget
· Get your creative juices flowing by viewing and saving wedding ideas from Pinterest, bridal blogs, magazines, etc.
· Start brainstorming on the type of wedding you want to have (small, formal, semiformal, informal….)
· Consider purchasing wedding planning software or planner to organize everything, or hire a wedding planner to help
· Chose a wedding date – select a few in case you first choice is booked
· Chose a venue and reserve your ceremony and reception site
· Begin a rough guest list and compile current addresses
· Decide on who you’d like to have as your attendants, including your maid of honor and best man
· Begin shopping for your wedding gown
· Attend bridal shows and compile a list of potential vendors and anything you really liked
6-9 Months Before
· Gift registry
· Hold your engagement party
· Finalize your guest list and send out save-the-dates
· Order your wedding gown and purchase your undergarments to wear with it and to bring to the fittings
· Order other bridal accessories (shoes, gloves, veil, jewelry)
· Begin shopping for bridesmaid and flower girl dresses
· Discuss wedding invitation wording
· Go over your bridal shower and bachelorette party details and guest list with your hosts
· Find an officiant to perform the ceremony
· Research local vendors (Musicians, Bands, DJs, caterer, Florist, Photographer, Videographer, etc.)
4-6 Months Before
· Start researching wedding cake pictures and local bakeries. Schedule tastings
· Select and order your wedding invitations, invitation envelopes, and thank-you cards
· Book your honeymoon and verify that you have any necessary travel documents including passports and visas
· Select and purchase wedding favors and wedding favor accessories (boxes, personalized wedding ribbon, labels, etc.)
· Book a room for your wedding night, if you will be leaving for your honeymoon the next morning
· Purchase any desired ceremony and reception decorations (unity candles, vases, aisle runners, etc.)
· Book hotel rooms or arrange for other accommodations for out-of-town guests
· Hold Bridal Shower
· Print out directions to the ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner and hotel(s) for guests
· Book rehearsal and rehearsal dinner locations
· Compile and send out rehearsal guest list
· Compile a list of area information and things to do for out-of-town guests
· Reserve transportation for you and your wedding party as well as a bus or trolley for your guests if necessary
2-4 Months
· Write personal vows
· Find out what your state’s requirements are for obtaining a marriage license
· Shop and reserve men’s’ formalwear
· Meet with your caterer to discuss the menu and your bar/liquor needs
· Select wedding readings
· Order your wedding cake
· Shop for a gift for your spouse to be
· Meet with your officiant to discuss ceremony details and wording
· Buy thank you gifts for your attendants
· Select and purchase wedding rings and have them engraved if desired
· Finalize menu and music selections
· Contact party rental companies for tents, tables, arches, etc. if necessary
· Book any other specialty services (ice sculptures, photo booths, etc.)
· Purchase luggage and other travel necessities and attire for your honeymoon
· Consider taking dance lessons
· Order/renew passports if necessary
· Send shower thank you cards
1-2 Months Before
· Mail invitations out to everyone eight weeks prior to the wedding date and send accommodation info to your out of town guests
· Compile and complete name change documents
· Fill out a change of address form if necessary
· Have ceremony programs printed
· Schedule photography appointment for bridal portrait and prepare a list for photo and video shots
· Purchase a guest book, pen, and other wedding accessories (toasting glasses, cake knife, ring pillow, etc.)
· Choose your hair and makeup styles and schedule a trial for both
· Book appointments to have your hair, makeup and nails done on the day of the wedding
· Review insurance information with your fiancé and check with employers to see what documents need to be updated once you are legally wed (car, home, medical, etc.)
2 Weeks to 1 Month Before
· Create a seating chart for the reception and make table numbers and place cards
· Contact your caterer with final guest count
· Print out timeline of events for your wedding party and vendors
· Contact your florist to confirm your final flower order (bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, etc.) and go over any décor details or venue logistics for the big day
· Schedule your final dress fitting
· Send rehearsal dinner invites
· Place a wedding announcement in your local newspaper
· Plan a bridal luncheon or dinner with your bridesmaids
· Pick up wedding rings if you were having them engraved and check for errors
· Apply for your marriage license
· Write rehearsal dinner toasts
· Plan your something old, new, borrowed, and blue
· Harass anyone who hasn’t RSVP’d
1 Week Before
· Bachelorette party
· Confirm arrival times and finalize your wedding timeline with vendors and your wedding party
· Put together your bridal emergency kit
· Pick up your wedding gown
· Pick up your marriage license
· Confirm limo or other transportation reservations
· Pack for your honeymoon and confirm travel reservations
· Have your post office hold your mail while you are on your honeymoon
· Treat yourself to a spa day
The Day Before
· Write out final checks to your wedding vendors (each organized in an envelope) and let your wedding coordinator or one of your attendants to distribute at the wedding
· Ensure your wedding day items are packed and laid out
· Attend rehearsal
· Assign someone to pack up your gifts and belongings after the reception
· Enjoy a mani-pedi
The Wedding Day
· Wake up early and do some easy exercise, or just go on a peaceful walk
· Set aside some time before the festivities to share your gifts with attendants
· Eat a healthy breakfast
· ENJOY!
After the Honeymoon
· Write and send thank you cards
· Complete your registry and exchange any unwanted or duplicate gifts
· Have your wedding dress cleaned and preserved
· Keep in touch with your photograph and videographer
· Complete your name change
· Preserve your bouquets
· Enjoy wedded bliss!