The Big Day's To Do List

The Offbeat Etsy Weddings Blog has a new feature! In a effort to help all the brides out there to stay on budget. And to have an amazing, memorable wedding day our team is going to type out our best ideas for creating those little touches that will make your special day shine. It’s called DIY Wedding of course. This first post is an effort to keep us all organized so we start off with a bridal to do list. Weddings can be such laborious events to plan. Sticking to a budget, and having an action plan are essential. Listed below is just a bit of what needs to be done in a short amount of time. I invite everyone to put items that might have been over looked in the comment section, and I will update the list periodically. The skeletal structure of this list has come from liweddings.com. Much has been added to it, and much more will be added to it in in the future.

To Do List for a New bride…

Set Date
Set Budget
Prepare preliminary Guest list
Engagement Announcements
Ceremony Site/Church
Officiant
Reception Site
Photographer
Videographer
Band/DJ - CH and Reception
Ceremony Musicians
Select & Ask Bridal Party

Gather requirements for religious ceremony (baptismal certificates, divorce decrees, etc)
Register for Precana classes
Apply for passports and all travel necessities: visas, vaccines, etc
Block off hotel rooms for Out of town Guests
Prepare STD guestlist
Send out STDs
Select stores, make list, & register
Book wedding day transportation (limos)

Shop for and order Bride's Gown
Shop for and order Bridesmaids Gowns
Shop for and order Flowergirl(s) Dress(es)
MOB & MOG order gowns
Finalize Guestlist
Book Honeymoon
Book Florist
Select and order Invitations
Book Calligrapher
Shop for and order wedding rings

Plan ceremony: writing vows, music selections, readings, kebutah, etc
Plan back up locations for ceremony, photo sessions in case of rain
Shop for, order/make favors
Purchase Bridal Party gifts, parents gifts
Purchase tiara/headpiece and veil(s)
Purchase Bride's shoes, undergarments, stockings, garters, and jewelry

Purchase cake serving set, toasting flutes, ring pillow, & any other ceremony needs (unity candle , tossing petals, etc)

Purchase Guestbook for reception
Order Tuxes
Plan reception: first dance song selection, parent dances, place cards, place card holders , cake topper, seating arrangements, etc
Select and order wedding cake
Schedule ceremony rehearsal
Book rehearsal dinner site and send out invites
Prepare OOT welcome baskets

Must-Take photo list
Do not play/must play lists for DJ/Band
Schedule Hair & Makeup trials
Sit for Engagement Photos
Purchase or make ceremony programs
Schedule day of hair, makeup, and nail appts for Bride and BMs
Host BM luncheon

Mail out invitations
Finalize menus, song selections, timelines, and all details with all vendors
Attend gown fittings
Break in wedding day shoes
Make sure you have something old, new, blue, etc

Call guests who have not RSVP'd
Obtain Marriage License
Shop & pack for Honeymoon
Attend shower and bachelor(ette) parties
Set aside time to write thank you notes for shower gifts
Prepare Day-of Timeline and give a copy to each vendor along with copies of must-take photo lists, etc
Send out wedding announcements to local paper


Confirm all final payments, schedule, pick up times, head count, etc with all vendors

Confirm HM reservations and travel arrangements

Create a “wedding box” to gather your ceremony accessories (marriage license,
candles, ring pillow, basket, guest book) and assign someone to transport.

Prepare a “reception box” for accessories such as guest books, cameras, toasting
goblets, cake toppers, etc., and assign someone to transport

Prepare day-of emergency kit
Prepare any speeches or toasts
Place tips for each vendor in envelopes