Now that our wedding day is over, I've had time to analyze that special day (and the weeks leading up to it). I've made a list of all the items we needed, even the little things that hit me a day or two before the wedding. A bride can find "wedding checklists" online, but many of them included items such as "Rented China" which we did not need, but didn't include "Card Box" which we did need. Some of these things seem obvious, but in the middle of the wedding whirlwind, can go forgotten.
Here's the list of items I needed, including all decisions we had to make:
- Application for marriage license and name change form (provided a court house in the county of bride or groom’s current residence) In Indiana, it has to be obtained within 30days-72hours before the wedding
- Minister and church
- Reception hall
- Dinner- pick meal, types of dishes/utensils, head count-- (ask for extra plates for bride and groom to take home after reception)
- Bartender, liquor/alcohol, liquor license, bartender fee
- DJ- Songs: Father/Daughter, Mother/Son, First Dance, Bridal Party Entrance, Cake cutting, Dinner Music,
Anniversary Dance, Dollar Dance, Bouquet Toss, Garter Toss, Last song
- Photographer- make a list of desired photos
- Dress
- Alterations
- Crinoline
- Shoes- ceremony and reception
- Strapless bra and bridal underwear
- Hair accessory (tiara, headband, flower)
- Jewelry- rings, necklaces, bracelets
- Dresses- Bridesmaids, Flower Girls, Mothers, Grandmothers
- Tuxedos- Groom, Groomsmen, Ushers, Ring Bearers, Fathers
- Colors and style of vest, tie, shirt
- Style of Tuxedo- 2 button, 3 button, tails, etc.
- Type of Shoe
- Ring pillow & Flower girl basket
- Petals for flower girl to throw
- Stationary
- Invites (color, style, design) and envelopes, Save the Dates, Maps, Reception cards, RSVPs, Menus, Programs, Itinerary for guests and/or bridal party, Reserved seating signs for reception tables
- Flowers
-Bouquets (bridal, toss, bridesmaids), boutonnieres (groom, groomsmen, ushers, fathers, ring bearers),corsages (mothers, grandmothers, attendants--guest book, bubbles, cake, etc.) memorial, door decorating, pew decorations, accents on dresses and in hair, guest book table
- Garters (1 to keep, 1 to toss)
- Hair style for self and/or bridesmaids
- Wedding night accommodations
- Reception décor
- Centerpieces for guest tables, head table/s
- Table linens
- Chair covers/sashes
- Backdrop
- Entry Way
- Window covers
- Door décor
- Special sized/shaped tables if your reception hall doesn't have them (cake, sweetheart, guest book tables)
- Food, drink, cake, candy, & gift table décor/centerpieces
- Décor around the room—trees, columns, lights
- Cake design, flavors of each layer of cake, and cake stand
- Cake topper
- Card box
- Cake server
- Guest favors
- Videographer
- Veil
- Make-up/nails—eye brow wax, highlights, hair cut
- Bubbles, Birdseed, confetti, rose petals, etc for church exit
- Vows- traditional or personalized?
- Limo/Transportation/Get-a-way car
- Guest book and pen
- Toasting glasses for couple and/or bridal party
- Bridal party gifts (bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers, ushers, any and all assistan—bubbles, programs, readers, singers, pianists, etc.)
- Gifts for parents/grandparents
- Gifts/Cards for each other at rehearsal or wedding day
- Unity candle and stand or sand ceremony with vases
- Paper Goods/Dishes
- Cups (for dinner, bar, punch)
- Napkins (dinner, appetizers and cake)
- Plates (dinner, appetizers and cake)
- Forks (dinner, appetizers and cake)
- Ceremony décor-
o Pews, altar table, candelabras, doors, aisle runner, windows
- Ceremony Music- interlude, seating of mother’s, bridal party entrance, processional, unity candle, recessional
- Announcements in newspapers
- Guest list for wedding, bach. parties, and shower
- Rehearsal dinner- location, guests, decorations, dinner
- Collect addresses
- Clothing
o Rehearsal and dinner, intimate apparel for you and him, honeymoon clothing
- Candy buffet- types of candy, containers for guests to fill (sacks, boxes buckets), containers for display
- Something old, new, borrowed, blue
- Signs between ceremony and reception (and someone to post them), as well as directions
- Appetizers/Drinks
- Memorial candle, vase, decal
- Personalized attire for self and/or attendants
- Containers for left over food and cake to be sent home after reception
- Stamps for invitations and thank yous
- Emergency kit for wedding day
- Mints & nuts with serving containers for cake table
- Baskets/Containers for bubbles and programs
- Prescriptions of medicine and/or birth control
