Whether you're planning an intimate wedding or a conference for 800, it's important to stay organized. Use our handy list of planning tips below to help you plan the perfect day.
Download
9 – 11 months before
1. Create the guest list
2. Find an officiant who suits your style
3. Contact newspapers to announce your engagement (you may need to have an engagement photo taken as well)
4. Contact caterer at MultiPlex and begin working on a menu
5. Research any ethnic customs or cultural traditions you might want to incorporate into your ceremony or reception
6. Book reception band or DJ
7. Book photographer and videographer
6 – 8 months before
1. Begin registering for gifts
2. Begin shopping for bridesmaid dresses
3. Book florist
4. Reserve blocks of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests
5. Find a baker, talk about wedding cake design, and put down a deposit
6. Collect measurements from attendants or pass along vender information so they can order the dresses themselves
7. Buy or order wedding dress
8. Book ceremony musicians
9. Order invitations
4 – 5 months before
1. Finalize flowers with florist
2. Reserve tables, chairs, and/or other rental equipment you'll need (unless caterer or site is taking care of it)
3. Grooms: Start looking to buy or rent tux, suit, or other formal attire
4. Book hotel room for your wedding night
5. Choose groomsmen's attire
6. Book your honeymoon flights and make all your other travel reservations.
7. Plan rehearsal dinner
2 – 3 months before
1. Choose bridesmaids' accessories (shoes, gloves, etc.)
2. Give formal wear information to groomsmen
3. Purchase wedding bands
4. Schedule portrait session if you need one for a newspaper wedding announcement
5. Make or buy favors
6. Talk to maid of honor and best man about shower and bachelor party
7. Get anything you need for an international honeymoon (passport, birth certificate, visas, vaccinations, etc.)
8. Talk to people about doing special performances or readings as part of the ceremony
9. Arrange wedding-day transportation for you, your wedding party, and guests (as needed)
10. Send out invitations
6 weeks before
1. Confirm reservations for out-of-town guests
2. Order liquor, wine and/or champagne if they're not included in the catering contract
3. Brides: purchase veil and shoes prior to final fittings
4. Begin writing the ceremony program if you are having one
5. Arrange for a babysitter for the reception, if necessary
6. Submit your wedding announcement to newspapers
7. Research local marriage license requirements
8. Make an appointment with your hairstylist to make sure your veil works with your hairstyle
9. Buy gifts for wedding party
10. Finalize vows
3 – 4 weeks before
1. Send rehearsal dinner invitations
2. Do trial runs of hair and makeup; schedule wedding-day beauty appointments
3. Print ceremony programs
4. Get marriage license
5. Discuss music with ceremony musicians and agree on final choices
6. Confirm wedding-night and honeymoon reservations
7. Follow-up with the officiant to go over ceremony timing and details
8. Pick up wedding rings
9. Work out wedding day timing and create schedule
10. Pick up wedding dress
1 – 2 weeks before
1. Give final head count to the caterer. Confirm set-up instructions and menu items
2. Brides: Pick up the veil and/or headpiece
3. Call location manager and make sure your vendors all have access to the site when they need it
4. Confirm head count, delivery time, and location with the baker for your cake
5. Call guests who haven't responded for the wedding and rehearsal dinner
6. If you're having a receiving line, determine the order you want everyone to stand in
7. Confirm delivery locations, times, and final arrangement count with florist
8. Confirm all final payment amounts with your vendors
9. Confirm location, date, and time with videographer
10. Confirm location, date, and time with photographer
The day before
1. Rehearse the ceremony with officiant and wedding party
2. Confirm specific honeymoon travel plans (including transportation to airport, etc.)
3. Brides: Pull together wedding gown, veil, shoes, stockings, and a last-minute emergency kit (aspirin, makeup, safety pins, mints, etc.)
4. Drop off favors and guest book at MultiPlex
Wedding day
1. Relax and enjoy the day
Top
Download
To begin:
1. Determine the goals your company hopes to achieve from the event
2. Determine the date
3. Develop a budget
4. Estimate your attendance
5. Circulate a contact list to planners at MultiPlex
6. Book guests, performers and/or keynote speakers
7. Talk to caterer at MultiPlex to discuss meal—consider dietary needs (vegetarian, lactose-free, gluten-free, etc.)
Three months before event
1. Book band or DJ if necessary
2. Book photographer if necessary
3. Book florist if necessary
Six weeks before event
1. Create event schedule
2. Ensure marketing resources are ready to distribute
3. Revisit goals for your event
One month before event
1. Promote your event
2. Schedule volunteers if you’re using them
3. Check in with caterer at MultiPlex to discuss details
Two weeks before event
1. Confirm keynote speakers, guests, band or DJ
2. Confirm with volunteers and others on your team who are helping
Week of the event
1. Prepare event signage
2. Purchase supplies such as name tags, pens, etc.
3. Review event schedule
4. Arrange any necessary training for volunteers
5. Check in with vendors such as photographer, florist, and band
Day before the event
1. Check in with keynote speakers and guests
2. Leave time to pick up time-sensitive supplies and/or guests from the airport
Day of the event
1. Relax and enjoy the party
Top
