Paw Paw's Bridal Center

Planning your Wedding

Let Paw Paw's Bridal Center help you plan your wedding with our Wedding Timeline and Budget Checklists. These checklists will help to guide you through the maze of things that need to happen before your wedding and help to keep the costs associated with your special day in line with your budget.

Timeline :: Wedding Budget Checklist

Timeline

9-12 months prior
Announce your engagement Select a date for the wedding Hire a professional wedding consultant Determine the type of wedding you want: location, formality, time of day, number of guests, etc. Develop a record-keeping system for payments Consolidate all guest lists: bride’s, groom’s, parents’ and organize as follows Those who must be invited Those who should be invited Those who you’d like to invite Decide if you want to include children Select and reserve ceremony site Select and reserve officiant Select and order bridal gown and headpiece Determine a color scheme Send engagement notice to local newspaper Buy a calendar to note all activity dates Order passport, birth certificates, or visa if needed for honeymoon or marriage license Select and book photographer Select bridal party members
6-9 months prior
Select flower girl and ring bearer Reserve wedding night bridal suite Select attendants’ dresses, shoes and accessories Select flower girl’s dress, shoes and accessories Select and book caterer Select and book ceremony musicians Select and book reception musicians or DJ Schedule fittings and delivery dates for yourself, attendants, flower girl and ring bearer Select and book videographer Select and book florist
4-6 months prior
Shop for each other’s gifts Reserve rental items if needed Finalize guest list Select and order invitations, announcements, and other stationary such as thankyou notes, programs, and seating cards Address invitations or hire a calligrapher Arrange accommodations for out of town guests Start planning a honeymoon Select and book all misc. services, i.e. gift attendant, valet parking, etc. Register for gifts Purchase shoes and accessories Begin to break in your shoes
2-4 months prior
Select bakery and order wedding cake Order party favors Select and order decorations Purchase honeymoon attire and luggage Select and book transportation for wedding day Check blood test and marriage license requirements Shop for wedding rings and engrave them Consider whitening your teeth Consider writing a pre-nup and /or will Purchase gifts for wedding attendants
6-8 weeks prior
Mail invitations including maps Maintain record of RSVPs and all gifts received. Send thankyou notes upon receipt of gifts Determine hairstyle and makeup Schedule hair, nails, and makeup appointments for the day of the wedding Finalize shopping for wedding day accessories such as toasting glasses, pillow, guest book, etc. Check your newspapers for wedding announcement requirements and send them Have your formal wedding portrait taken Change name on driver’s license, social security card, insurance policies, bank accounts, Memberships, etc. Select and reserve wedding attire for groom, ushers, father of the bride and ring bearer Get blood test and health certificate Obtain marriage license Finalize your menu, beverage and alcohol order
2-6 weeks prior
Confirm ceremony details with officiant Arrange final fitting of gown, head piece, and bridesmaids’ dresses Finalize rehearsal dinner plans Make final floral selections Make detailed timeline for wedding party, and service providers Confirm all details with all service providers. Start packing for honeymoon Finalize addressing and stamping announcements Contact guests who haven’t responded Pick up rings and check for fit Meet with photographer and confirm special photos you want Meet with videographer and confirm special footage you want Meet with musicians and confirm music to be played during specific events, i.e. first dance, etc. Write thank-you notes as gifts arrive Remind bridesmaids and groomsmen when and where to pick up their attire Purchase any accessories you want the bridesmaids to wear Determine ceremony seating for special guests and give a list to ushers Plan reception room layout and seating with reception site manager/caterer
The last week
Pick up attire and make sure everything fits Do final guest count and notify reception manager/caterer Gather everything you will need for rehearsal Arrange someone to drive the getaway car Review the schedule of events and last minute arrangements with the service providers Confirm all honeymoon reservations and accommodations Pick up tickets and travelers checks Finish packing suitcase for honeymoon Familiarize yourself with all guests' names
Rehearsal day
Give best man the officiant's fee and any other checks for service providers, have him deliver all payments Arrange someone to bring flower basket, ring pillow, guest book and pen, toasting glasses, cake knife and napkins to the reception and ceremony Arrange someone to mail announcements the day after the wedding Arrange someone to return rental items after the wedding Provide each member of the wedding party with a detailed schedule of events and responsibilities for the wedding day Review ceremony seating with ushers Review list of things to bring to the ceremony Give groom's ring to the maid of honor and the bride's ring to the best man Relax and enjoy the wedding! top

Wedding Budget Checklist

Stationary (4%)
Save the Date cards Invitations Response Cards Reception Cards Rain Cards/ Maps Wedding Programs Pew Cards Seating Cards Informals Thank You Notes Announcements Stamps Calligraphy Gratuity Envelopes
Ceremony (5%)
Ceremony Site Fee Officiant's Fee* Officiant's Gratuity* Guest book, Pen Penholder Matted photo guestbook Ring Bearer Pillow Flower Girl Basket Unity Candles
Gifts (3%)
Attendants' Groom's Bride's* Usher's* Parents' Other
Reception (35%)
Bridal Purse Cocktail Napkins Cake Bag/Boxes Cake Ribbon Pulls Match books Candles Centerpieces Decorations Guest Cameras Party Favors Guestbook, Pen Rose Petals/Rice Reception Site Fee Hors D' Oeuvres Main Meal/Caterer Liquor/Beverages Bartending Fee Bar Set-up Fee Corkage Fee Coffee Fee Gratuity Gift Attendant Parking Fee Valet Services
Music (5%)
Ceremony music Reception music
Attire (10%)
Bridal Wedding Dress Veil Slip Bra Hosiery Shoes Gloves Jewelry Hooped Slip Garters Hairdresser Makeup artist Manicure/pedicure Alterations Bridesmaid Dress Slip Bra Hosiery Shoes Gloves Jewelry Men's Formal Wear Groom's Tuxedo* Groomsmen's Tuxedos Shoes Socks Suit Rentals (relatives/children)
Photography (9%)
Bride and Groom's Album Parents' Album Extra Prints Proofs/Previews Negatives Engagement Photograph Formal Bridal Portrait
Videography (5%)
Main Video Titles Extra Hours Photo Montage Extra Copies
Bakery (2%)
Wedding Cake Groom's Cake* Cake Delivery Set-up Fee Cake-cutting Fee Cake Topper/Cake jewelry Cake Knife/Server Toasting Glasses
Flowers (6%)
Bride's Bouquet* Bride's Throw Bouquet Maid of Honor Bouquet Bridesmaids' Bouquets Family Members' Corsages* Family Members' Boutonnieres* Groom's Boutonniere* Groomsmen's' Boutonnieres* Ushers' Boutonniere* Main Alter Flowers Alter Candelabra Aisle/Pew Flowers Reception Tables Flowers Head Table Guests' Tables Buffet Tables Punch Tables Cake Table Floral Delivery/ Set-up Fee
Transportation (2%)
Limo Carriage Party Bus
Rental Items (3%)
Tent/Canopy Dance Floor Tables/Chairs Linens/Tableware Lights
Parties (4%)
Engagement Party Rehearsal Dinner*
Miscellaneous (4%)
Newspaper Announcements Marriage License* Prenuptial Agreement* Gown Preservation Wedding Consultant Taxes top