GROOM'S CHECKLIST
by Conner Jennings
10-12 months
- If they don’t already know each other, introduce both families and officially announce your engagement. The future-in-laws may want to throw an engagement party…be prepared for the “We never thought this day would come” comment and “What do you do for a living?” and “Where is your family from” questions.
- Find out what her parents are paying for then start a budget.
- Create your skeleton guest list. This will be narrowed down later in the wedding planning process.
- Interview and hire a wedding coordinator.
- It is traditional for the groom to plan the honeymoon, so now would be a perfect time to begin honeymoon planning.
6-9 months
- Interview florists, caterers, photographers, videographers, bakeries, etc… for style and cost.
- Choose your officiant and discuss premarital counseling and ceremony ideas.
- Continue working on honeymoon plans. You will need to narrow down price, location, flight, hotel, and activities. In addition, ask the staff if it is possible to occupy the honeymoon suite with champagne and flowers.
- Begin an exercise routine to work off the weight from the cake tastings and “last night out with the fellas” outings.
4-5 months
- Make sure both you and your fiancée are on one accord as to what elements of the wedding are truly important, for example cultural traditions, personalized wedding vows, etc…
- Finalize payment and contracts with vendors.
- Shop for wedding rings and have them engraved.
- Begin your search for the perfect tuxedo.
- Select items for your registry by running through stores with the scanning gun like a madman.
- Begin planning the rehearsal dinner. Traditionally this is the responsibility of the Groom and/or his family; your mother (or aunt or sister) will be happy to do this, it makes them feel included in the wedding.
- Really, you need to finalize the honeymoon plans.
2-3 months
- If you’re worried, take a dance class or begin practicing to perfect your First Dance.
- Free lunch! If you have to choose the vendor meetings you attend, make sure it is the one where you meet the caterer. At this final meeting, you and your fiancée will taste and finalize the menu.
- Begin searching for a gift for your fiancée, your attendants, and your parents.
- Very important: Tell your attendants it is time to get fitted for their tuxes and confirm 3 weeks later they actually got fitted and paid the deposit. (The earlier you do this the better)
- Sit with an advisor to discuss joint bank accounts, insurance, and combining your money.
- Etiquette says to mail invitations eight weeks before your wedding day.
- If you haven’t done so, it is time to finalize the honeymoon plans.
1-2 months
- Confirm that tuxes have been ordered for you and your attendants. If they haven’t, make sure it is done soon…and don’t tell your fiancée the tuxedos haven’t been ordered!!!
- If the two of you have chosen to do so, begin writing your vows.
- Apply for your marriage license. Some states require that you do this one month in advance.
- Send photo and necessary information to the local paper to be included in the engagement or announcements section.
3-4 weeks
- Prepare. the "must play" and "don't play" lists for the band/DJ and the must-have shot list for your photographer and videographer.
- Confirm honeymoon travel arrangements and give loved ones your itinerary in the event of an emergency.
- If your groomsmen or friends are asking how they can help, tell them to call guests who haven't RSVP'd.
- Pick up your wedding rings.
1-2 weeks
- Finalize your wedding-day schedule (including receiving-line order) and share with attendants, parents, and all vendors.
- Confirm pick-up times, schedules and addresses with your wedding-day transportation.
- Pick up your tux. Make sure it fits and you have all the proper accompanying accessories.
- If you are writing your own (or downloading them from the internet), finalize your wedding vows.
- If necessary, get your haircut
- Pack for your wedding night and honeymoon.
- Prepare a list of payment envelopes -- including tips -- earmarking who is responsible for distributing to vendors.
Get a manicure, pedicure, and massage.
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