Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Lists, lists, lists!

WOOEEE!!! It looks like I am finally making some strides down the road to the end of this list.  That makes me thrilled and sad all at the same time...  I'm thrilled since it means things are getting done that need to be done, I'm checking things off the list (which is an amazing feeling that I love), and I am getting closer and closer to being the new Mrs. Willink!!! :-)  I'm sad at the same time because it means that I won't have any major event to be planning after this... (unless one of my lovely bridesmaids, who isn't already married, gets engaged... I won't name any names because I'm sure you know who you are **cough cough**)


I won't keep you in suspense any longer... Here is the list you have all been waiting to see (haha!)  Stay tuned for updates on what we have been up to lately - sorry for the delay in posts - life is CRAZY! :)


Our Mountaineer Wedding Checklist...


10 - 12 months before the wedding:  July - September 2010
• Announce your engagement to family and friends  - CHECK
• Arrange for both families to meet if they haven't already done so - CHECK
• Have an engagement party (optional) - NOT OUR STYLE
• Set the wedding style and size of the wedding (bride magazines are great for ideas) - CHECK
• Set your wedding budget - CHECK
• Start creating your guest list - CHECK 
• Set the wedding day and time - CHECK 
• Decide on whether to have a religious or non-religious ceremony - CHECK
• Choose and book your wedding officiant - CHECK
• Choose your maid of honor, bridesmaids, best man and groomsmen - CHECK
• Choose and book your ceremony and reception locations - CHECK
• Purchase wedding insurance (optional) - IS THIS SOMETHING I SHOULD BE DOING??
• Meet with caterers and taste samples - CHECK
• Meet with florists and decide on real or silk flowers - CHECK!  (SOOOO excited about our florist!!)
• Meet with and audition DJs or bands - CHECK
• Meet with photographers and look over their portfolios - CHECK
• Create a wedding website - CHECK (Still have a few edits to make...)

YAY!!! A completed LIST! :)

7 - 9 months before the wedding: October - December 2010
• Bride: shop for and order your wedding dress - CHECK!!!!!!! :-)
• Bride: shop for and order/purchase bridal accessories: veil , shoes , jewelry - NEED TO DO
• Bride: (with your bridal party) shop for and order bridesmaids dresses - IN PROGRESS  (Dresses have been picked out... the bm's are in the process of ordering them...)
• Book the florist (be sure to sign a contract) - CHECK (love her!!)
• Book the caterer (be sure to sign a contract) - CHECK
• Book DJ or band (be sure to sign a contract) - CHECK
• Book the photographer (be sure to sign a contract) - CHECK
• Start planning your honeymoon - IN PROGRESS (I think we have found the place we want to go... I STILL need to get a passport...)
• Finalize the guest list - CHECK!!! :-)
• Start making wedding favors if you're making your own - NEED TO DO - eek!
• Meet with bakers and sample wedding cakes - CHECK (thanks Mom & Dad!)
• Start looking at wedding invitations - CHECK (we designed ours... can't wait to start the assembly process!)
• Start thinking about the wording of your wedding invitations - CHECK
• Start planning the rehearsal dinner - CHECK (just have to finalize the plans...)

4 - 6 months before the wedding:  January - March 2011
• Join a bridal registry - CHECK 
• Book the baker for your wedding cake - NEED TO DO 
• Order your wedding invitations - NEED TO DO (how about work on assembling them? haha!)
• Book a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests - CHECK!
• Contact out-of-town guests about the wedding (prior to sending out invitations) - CHECK 
• Finalize dinner menu with caterer - CHECK (thanks Mom and Dad!)
• Purchase wedding guest favors - NEED TO DO - eek!
• Book the limousine or other wedding day transportation - NEED TO DO
• Book the rehearsal dinner site - NEED TO DO 
• Book a calligrapher (if you're using one) - CHECK (call me Ms. Calligraphy...)
• Groom: start looking at tuxedos or other formal wear - IN PROGRESS (we have to make the final decision soon...)
• Book the honeymoon - NEED TO DO
• Book a hotel room for the wedding night - NEED TO DO 
• Book a photo session for engagement announcement in local newspapers - CHECK 
• Start thinking about wedding ceremony decorations - CHECK (thanks to our wonderful florist!)  
• Bride: buy bridal lingerie in time for first dress fitting - NEED TO DO

2 - 3 months before the wedding: April - May 2011
• Give the photographer a list of "important shots" you want included - NEED TO DO (although, we started making a list of these!)
• Purchase your wedding rings - CHECK!
• Purchase maid of honor gift, bridesmaids gifts , best man gift , groomsmen gifts - NEED TO DO (I have some ideas in mind... just nothing finalized yet...) 
• Purchase the groom's gift or the bride's gift , whichever applies - NEED TO DO 
• Groom: finalize tuxedo /formal attire and pass on rental/purchase details to groomsmen - NEED TO DO • Run engagement announcement in local newspapers - NEED TO DO
• Bride: schedule your dress fittings - NEED TO DO 
• Bride: make sure your bridal party has purchased their accessories - NEED TO DO 
• Bride: book your hair and makeup appointments - NEED TO DO 
• Bride: if you're changing your name complete the proper documents - NEED TO DO 
• If your state requires it, have blood tests done - NEED TO DO 
• Bride: talk to your maid of honor about a bridal shower - IN PROGRESS (thanks to my amazing MOH who is on top of things!  I think the plans are ALMOST finished!!!) 
• Address and send out wedding invitations (invitations should be mailed at 2-month mark) - NEED TO DO • Groom: purchase your accessories including shoes, cuff links, handkerchiefs, etc. - NEED TO DO 
• Decide on whether to light a unity candle or honor past loved ones during the ceremony - IN PROGRESS
• Start working on wedding program - NEED TO DO (but have ideas!)



4-8 weeks before:  May- June 2011
• Mail invitations out eight weeks prior to the wedding date and send accommodation info to your out-of-town guests  - NEED TO DO
• Fill out a change of address form at the post office, if necessary  - NEED TO DO
• Pick up your marriage license- NEED TO DO
• Have ceremony programs printed  - NEED TO DO
• Purchase a guest book and other wedding accessories including toasting glasses, cake knife, ring pillow, etc.  - NEED TO DO (guest book is done through the photographer... the glasses and cake knife are on the registry... the pillow needs to be finalized...)
• Keep your wedding website updated with directions and event details  - CHECK
• Choose your hair and make-up stylists and schedule a trial for both; also book appointments to have your hair, make-up and nails done on the day of the wedding  - NEED TO DO
• Review insurance information with your fiancé to see if any updates need to be made prior to the wedding (car, home, medical, etc.)  - NEED TO DO
• Plan a bridal luncheon or dinner with your bridesmaids  - NEED TO DO



2-4 weeks before:  June 2011
• Create a seating chart for the reception and make place cards  - NEED TO DO
• Contact your caterer with a final guest count  - NEED TO DO
• Print out a timeline of events for your wedding party and vendors - include contact information and cell phone numbers  - NEED TO DO (Love this one!)
• Meet with your photographer and florist to finalize details  - NEED TO DO
• Finalize your ceremony and reception music and song list for your wedding band or DJ  - NEED TO DO
• Confirm lodging reservations for out-of-town guests  - NEED TO DO
• Place a wedding announcement in your local newspaper  - NEED TO DO
• Pick up wedding bands and make sure the fit is good  - NEED TO DO
• Schedule a final dress fitting  - NEED TO DO
• Write rehearsal dinner toasts  - NEED TO DO



1 week before:  (July 3-9)
• Write out final checks for your minister, organist, DJ or musicians, etc. and organize in envelopes for one of your attendants to distribute at the wedding  - NEED TO DO
• Pick up your wedding gown  - NEED TO DO
• Confirm limo or other transportation reservations  - NEED TO DO
• Pack for your honeymoon and confirm travel arrangements  - NEED TO DO (this will be done during the month of June... the month of July is going to be CRAZYYY)
• Have your local post office hold your mail, if necessary, while you are away on your honeymoon  - NEED TO DO

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