A Wedding Checklist for the Bride

The big day is almost upon you. Are you ready? The past few months have been filled with frantic activity. You were fitted for the dress, you picked out a wedding cake, you chose some specialty wedding favors, you set up the reception, and you booked airline tickets for the honeymoon … can’t wait till that comes. Now, you’re in the home stretch. Have you done everything that needed to be done? Let’s check it out. Here’s a wedding checklist every bride should have:

• Is the wedding dress securely in your possession?
• Did someone take care of ordering flowers?
• Has the caterer been called and paid?
• Has the DJ or band been called and paid?
• Has the photographer been called and paid?
• Did you buy and pick up specialty wedding favors?
• Has someone checked on the cake to make sure it will be ready on time?
• Has someone checked on the groom to make sure he’ll be ready on time?
• Will you be picked up in a limo? Did someone call them?
• Are family members coming from out of town? Are accommodations for them all set? You don’t want hostile aunts and uncles on your hands.
• Are airline tickets, hotel rooms, and rental cars waiting for you for your honeymoon? Escaping the madness when it’s all over is important.
• Did the groom pick up the rings?
• Have you discussed procedure with the priest, minister, rabbi, chaplain, or JP?
• Are tuxedoes and dresses for the wedding party in hand and fitted correctly?

The questions above may come as no surprise to you, but it’s good to go over them anyway. Surprises on your wedding day can be devastating, even something as small as forgetting the wedding favors or ordering spring wedding favors for a fall wedding. For the bride, these are not “small” inconveniences. It’s a special day, one that is supposed to be the most memorable of your life for all the right reasons. Make sure you cover all your bases. The checklist above will help you.

One Last Tip for a Happy Marriage

The tasks that need to be performed before, during, and after your wedding day can create stress in a relationship. Don’t let them ruin your day. Remember that ultimately it’s about you and the person you are pledging your life to. The cake, the wedding favors, the flowers, even the guests are all inconsequential to the saying and meaning of the words “I do”. Use this checklist to make sure you didn’t forget anything. If, on your wedding day, you find out you did, make sure you have a great day anyway.