Wedding Plan Checklist

There is no hard or fast rule about planning a wedding, this checklist is to help serve as a guide to planning your wedding, keeping you organized and to ensure all things are coordinated and in order on the D –day. Hiring a wedding planner if you can afford one is highly recommended but if you can’t, have someone coordinate all the activities on the wedding day. of Form

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12 Months or More Before the Wedding

·         Announce your engagement; if you chose to, most people tend to be more private about this

·         Determine the style and theme of your wedding

·         Make a list of what is important to you for a wedding this will help determine your budget

·         Discuss the wedding budget and who will pay for what

·         Decide on a wedding date and start searching for wedding venues

·         Find a wedding officiant and apply for the necessary license’s

9 To 11 Months Before the Wedding

Begin your search for vendors:

·         Bridal Gown

·         Formal Suit Hire

 

• Wedding stationery

·         Photographer

·         Videographer

·         Live Music, Disco, Entertainers or bands (if needed)

·         Caterer (if needed)

·         Small chops and dessert

·         Drinks and Cocktails

·         Wedding Transport and Logistics

·         Hair and Beauty Stylist

·         Bridesmaid Dresses

·         Wedding Cake

·         Shoes and Accessories

·         Wedding Lingerie

·         Venue Decoration/Chair Covers

If you the vendor is available on your chosen date book them ASAP!

·         Compile a preliminary guest list

·         Look through bridal magazines, search the internet to gain ideas and inspiration for your big day

·         Finalise your wedding colours, theme and style

·         Choose your bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, flower girl and ring bearer and ensure they are aware of what their duties are

·         Choose and purchase your wedding rings

·         Make enquiries regarding the traditional marriage rites, the engagement lists and any other requirements that would be needed for the traditional marriage process.

·         Arrange with your family and book a date for the “Introduction”.

·         Begin looking at honeymoon options and discuss where you both would like to go

6 To 8 Months Before the wedding

·         Start planning ceremony and reception music choices

·         Start looking at invitation designs

·         If you haven't already, purchase your wedding gown, veil and accessories; take into consideration the Church the ceremony would take place as most Nigerian churches tend to be modest.

·         Finalise and order/purchase attire for your attendants 

4       To 5 Months Before the Wedding

·         Start marriage counseling class in church if you intend to get wedded in the Church as most Churches wont wed you if you haven’t undergone a 3 month marriage class

·         Decide on your wedding decorations and finalise your arrangements

·         Order Wedding stationery(save the dates, invitations, envelopes, programmes, souvenirs etc)

·         Purchase your material for the  traditional marriage and give a good tailor to start making them, buy your accessories, gele and any additional cultural accessories or outfits worn by your tribe.

·         Book your wedding transport; you can use a car rental service and if not confirm who is driving which car and specify cars for the bride and bridal party, the groom and groomsmen and Parents of the couple.

·         Book MC’s for your wedding and Traditional marriage; have a meeting with them so they know exactly what to say and what not to say on your wedding day.

·         Arrange accommodation for out of town guests (book blocks of hotel rooms)

·         Choose your wedding cake

 

3 Months Before The Wedding

·         Order your wedding cake

·         Finalise your guest list

·         Meet with your wedding officiant to discuss details of the ceremony

·         Choose gifts for your attendants and parents

·         Groom and male members of the wedding party to arrange for a suit fitting

·         Reconfirm honeymoon arrangements

·         Start writing your wedding vows, if you are doing them yourself

·         Make arrangements for asoebi for your friends

2 Months Before The Wedding

·         Send out your invitations

·         Meet with vendors to finalise arrangements

·         Schedule a hair and makeup trial with a consultant

·         Start making/buying wedding favours

·         Finalise music selections for the ceremony and reception

·         If changing your name, complete the proper documents

·         Meet with officiant to finalise ceremony details

·         Reserve room for wedding night if not already done so

1 Month Before the Wedding

·         Meet with your photographer and provide a list of required shots

·         Start working on your seating plan

·         Decide and confirm your wedding vows and ensure your officiant has been sent copies

·         Confirm all final payment amounts with your vendors as well as dates, times etc

·         Collect marriage license

·         Confirm Honeymoon reservations

·         Arrange for a final wedding dress fitting

2 Weeks Before the Wedding

·         Finalise Seating chart

·         Confirm delivery time and locations with florist

·         Contact any guests you have not received an acceptance from

1 Week Before the Wedding

·         Collect wedding gown, bridesmaid, flower girl dresses and accessories

·         Give final guest numbers to venue/receptions/caterer

·         Make sure the men have their final suit fitting

·         Reconfirm everything with vendors one last time

·         Pack an “emergency kit” for the wedding day which may include: safety pins, tissues, cosmetics, hairspray, sanitary pads (just incase), painkillers, and mints for fresh breath .

·         Confirm honeymoon bookings and have ready all necessary documentation: tickets, passports, foreign currency, etc. Pack for the honeymoon.

 1 Day Before

·         Attend rehearsal (if you are having one)

·         Have a manicure/pedicure

·         Confirm wedding day transportation

·         Reconfirm hair and make up appointments for the wedding day

·         Have a meeting with all vendors at the reception hall, so they know exactly what is expected of them; timings, positions and all.

·         Do something to relax and enjoy the company of your out-of-town friends

·         Assign responsibilities to your wedding party (greeting and seating guests, checking on vendors). Designate people to share your souvenirs/favors. Consider creating packages that include each so you can distribute easily at the wedding.

·         Try to get an early night and relax!

Your Wedding Day

·         Try to eat breakfast, even if you think you aren't hungry

·         Have your hair and makeup done

·         Begin dressing two hours before ceremony is scheduled to begin

·         Take a deep breath, smile, relax some things might not go as planned but don’t fret just have fun!

Post Wedding Day

If you are due to leave for honeymoon straight after the wedding day you need to ensure the following:

·         Any formal attire such as suits or bridal gowns that have been hired for the day are returned the next working day in good order to the vendor. (Perhaps delegate this task to the best man or a member of the wedding party)

·         Ensure the venue is aware of any table decorations or chair covers that have been hired for the wedding from florists or venue decoration companies are stored safely for collection to ensure any refundable deposits are returned.

·         Call your guests, send messages and notes to show appreciation for their support during your wedding.