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.

Life In The Carolinas visit The Inn on Pamlico Sound for this special feature of Married in the Carolina

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