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Ido wedding checklist

Dear Bride and Groom,

Congratulations on your engagement! This wonderful time in your life is filled with love and excitement and you want to celebrate…with the most amazing wedding ever!

That's where we come in…ReadySetIDo.Com…was created to make your life easy, so you can enjoy this wonderful time and celebrate your love without stress. With all the details, the process can certainly look daunting. ReadySetIDo was developed to help Long Island couples plan their weddings from start to finish. We provide you with the local resources and advice to make it a success.

First thing, we'd like to give you a quick and easy-to-use IDo Checklist for your Long Island wedding. Use it consistently throughout the planning process and you can't go wrong.

One year prior to IDo

Announce your engagement.
Select potential wedding dates. Beware holidays, check with potential party sites and officiants.
Determine your budget. Meet with whoever is funding the affair and establish parameters. Set up a record keeping system for expenses. You can obtain a wedding credit card that will earn you mileage or cash.
Hire a wedding planner if you are going to use one.
Draft a guest list and a wedding party list as well.
Select several potential sites for ceremony and reception based on budget and estimated number of guests.
Have an engagement party, with a registry, if you wish.

8 to 10 months prior to IDo

Book ceremony and reception sites
Shop for your gown and order it.
Think about the type of food, flowers and entertainment you want.
Research and interview wedding vendors: DJ or band, florist, videographer and photographer, caterer (schedule a tasting).
Register for wedding gifts.
Make reservations for out-of-town guests.
Research what music you'd like at the wedding
Obtain birth certificates if you don't have them for the marriage license.
Book destination wedding if you are having one.

6 to 8 months prior to IDo

Finalize guest list and compile addresses.
Select stationer, print save-the-date cards and send them out.
Determine theme and color of wedding.
Finalize wedding party. Work with bridesmaids and mothers on color and dress.
Book all wedding vendors.
Purchase headpiece, shoes and other accessories.
Send engagement announcement and photo to local newspaper if you like.

4 to 6 months prior to IDo

Plan honeymoon and book it.
Select invitations and order them. Also order place cards, thank-you notes, menus and ceremony programs.
Select and purchase wedding rings.
Book all rentals (tables, chairs, linens, etc.) needed for rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception if needed.
Select and book sites for rehearsal dinner, brunch, after-party.
Order tuxedos and accessories for groom and attendants.
Hire officiant.

3 months prior to IDo

Have your wedding shower (this date is usually determined by others).
Order a wedding cake.
Arrange wedding day transportation.
Address invitations or hire a calligrapher if you want one.
Send invitations if you're having a destination wedding.
Select and purchase gifts for parents, attendants and favors for wedding guests.
Purchase bride and groom gifts, if you are going to give them.

2 months prior to IDo

Select stylist and schedule hair and make-up appointments.
Mail invitations.
Plan bachelor and bachelorette parties.
Select person to pay and tip all vendors on wedding day.
Order baskets of out-of-town guests.
Send wedding announcement to local newspaper.

1 month prior to IDo

Confirm details with vendors
Final gown fitting, then have it pressed and bring it home
Get marriage license.
Confirm wedding party is prepared.
Find something old, new, borrowed and blue.
Meet with planner to confirm details and review schedule for wedding day.
Contact anyone who hasn't rsvp'd.
Inform photographer and videographer of who to include in shots and formal photographs.
Give a must-play and don't play list to DJ or bandleader.

One week prior to IDo

Finalize head count with caterer (include vendors who will be eating).
Plan seating chart for reception, fill out seating cards or give to calligrapher.
Bachelor/bachelorette parties.
Confirm with all vendors, make arrangements for special vendor requests with reception site (flower set-up, etc.).
Pack bags for wedding and honeymoon.
Gives rings to best man.
Cancel newspapers and mail.
Groom and groomsmen go for final fittings.
Confirm pick-up schedule with limousine company for couple, attendees and out-of-town guests.
Give marriage license to officiant.
Attend rehearsal dinner.
Have hair and make-up done.
Make sure officiant is paid.