Wedding Planning Checklist – One Month To Go

Chase any outstanding RSVP’s

Discuss table design during your final meeting with the Caterer. Think about linen, napkins, chairs, glassware, cutlery, charger plates, and decor. If you need to hire equipment do this now

Give your florist an update on numbers of banqueting tables and final number of bridal party flowers required. If an additional usher shows up they will not have a spare buttonhole. Arrange a place and time for the florist to drop off bouquets, buttonholes, and corsages.

Meet with your Officiant to discuss order of service, music, readings, and hymns. Double check that your license is in place and ready to go

Send out final payments

Finalise hair and make-up style for the day. Attend a trial if you haven’t already done so

Confirm hotel bookings

Confirm all vendor bookings, including the time they will arrive/depart, the equipment or service they’re bringing, the amount of staff they’ll have and any information on dietary requirements for those requiring a meal. You will need to inform them about the time they can access the venue and the time they can collect equipment/breakdown

Ensure all transportation is booked. The guests to the ceremony, bridal party to the ceremony, guests from ceremony to reception, bridal party and parents to the reception, all guests and bride and groom from the reception back home. If you want to drive down a specific route discuss this with the driver. appoint your wedding planner or a responsible bridesmaid to overlook transportation

If you’re not providing transportation, print out small cards with one or two local taxis that guests can call at the end of the reception

Make a list of “must take” formal photographs for the photographer

Furnish your musicians with a preferred playlist. If you’re having an iPod you should create different playlists so it’s easy for the wedding planner or venue to locate. You may have cocktail reception music, dinner music, first dance, in-between band sets, etc.

Purchase any remaining decor, lingerie, or accessories

Place an order with the printers. You may need the following: order of service, place cards, escort cards/table plan, menus, table names, and anything else required

Purchase outfits for the honeymoon

Discuss and finalise the wedding procession. Who will walk who down the aisle, will the wedding party stand or sit, will the groom watch his bride walk down the aisle or will he stick to tradition and have his back towards her?

Draw up a seating plan for the ceremony. I typically see the first two pews on each side reserved for immediate family and the wedding party. Make sure someone discusses this with the Ushers. If RESERVED signs are required, order or make these now

If you’re having confetti, appoint someone to be in charge of handing this out

Start seating plan for the reception. This task has to be left rather late as guests will continue to RSVP or cancel at the last minute

If you or your partner colour your hair, go in for touch ups

Book any necessary spa treatments

Appoint someone to be Toastmaster for the day if you haven’t hired a professional

Assemble any necessary guest favours, confetti cones, welcome bags, stationery, etc

Arrange to have your mail picked up and pets taken care of while you’re away on honeymoon

Once the place cards and escort cards are ready from the printers,

assemble escort cards into alphabetical order and place in an envelope for the wedding planner. This will save him/her a lot of time on the day so they can focus on other tasks

Arrange place cards into separate envelopes based on the table each person is sitting at. For example, put all the guests sitting on the top table in one envelope, guests sitting at table 2 in another envelope, etc. To make this even more organised, put the place cards in the order guests will be seated around the table. Should the planner receive a bag full of place cards, this will consume a huge amount of time figuring out where everyone is seated

The groom should start writing his speech

Wear shoes around the house to break them in

Finalise delivery of wedding items to the ceremony and reception venue(s).

Finalise the guest list and give the Caterer a final head count, including those with dietary requirements

Bride should go for final gown fitting

Mens’ suits should be purchased or hired at this point

Wrap presents for wedding party and parents

Pack honeymoon bags

Select an outfit for any pre or post wedding events

If any vendors need to be paid on the wedding day put payments in envelopes then give to your planner. You should also have an envelope with emergency cash

Collect bridal gown or have it delivered

Collect groom’s outfit

Make sure the bridesmaids and ushers have their outfits and accessories ready to go

Drop off welcome bags at hotels, if necessary

Update the Caterer on head count should this change – including the meals required for vendors

Call all vendors to re-confirm their attendance and arrival times. Get all their mobile phone numbers and give to planner or bridesmaid

Select an outfit to wear for hair and make-up on the wedding day. *Wear a button up or zippered shirt to avoid destroy your look*

Send wedding day itinerary to the maid of honour and best man

Confirm transportation and get mobile numbers for all drivers

Decide who will collect items at the end of the evening: leftover stationery, guest book, decor, flowers, etc

Have a relaxing massage if possible

Set your alarm and make sure you have a back up ready