Your "Must Have" Wedding Countdown Checklist!

Check out an excerpt from DG's Step by Step Guide to Planning the Perfect Wedding...just a taste of what you can expect from DG's Principal Planners!

1-2 Weeks Prior:

• Pay final Vendor balances and confirm “on day” payment amounts due.
• Assign your Guest Seating Arrangements.

DG TIP: Start by grouping like guests together (i.e. VIPs, work friends, parent’s friends, family, etc.) and then... continue to break down those groups into 6-10 person groupings.

• Prepare your wedding thank you speech.
• GROOM: Get your haircut
• Confirm transportation pickup and drop-off times and addresses.
• Distribute wedding day timeline to parents and wedding attendants.
• Put together an overnight bag for the wedding night (toothbrush, lingerie, etc.) and arrange to have someone bring it to the reception venue or drop it off at your hotel.
• Print seating chart.

DG TIP: No matter how pretty you think listing the guests under their assigned table names or numbers is don’t do it! List guests alphabetically. It’s much easier when making last minute changes and your guests will thank you!

• Print place cards and/or escort cards.

DG TIP: The Bride’s place card should have her official new name on it.

• Assign someone to collect the wedding gifts and gift cards brought to the wedding. If possible arrange to have them bring the gifts to the place of gift opening.
• Pack for the honeymoon. Purchase any provisions you may need.
• Confirm honeymoon reservations (i.e. air, hotel, car rentals, etc.).
• Leave a copy of your honeymoon itinerary with someone in case of emergency.
• Finalize rental order if applicable.
• Confirm estimated final head count with Reception venue/Caterer.
• Collect your wedding dress, veil, shoes, stockings, and other accessories in one safe place. It’s a good idea to pack a small pouch with some personal items like your toothbrush, any medications you may need, Tylenol, eye contact solution, etc. You should also pack a lipstick or lip gloss in your pouch or purse for touch ups throughout the day.

1-2 Days Prior:

Collect all the Bits & Pieces for the Wedding Day:

• Floor Plan listing Number of Guests at each Table
• Alphabetical Guest List with corresponding Table Numbers/Names
• Place Cards (name cards to be placed at each guest's place setting - used to strategically seat your guests at each table and/or to identify pre-selected dinner choices)
• - to organize these by table, put the appropriate place cards into separate envelopes
• - marked with the Table Number or Name.
• Escort Cards (name cards guests pick up to “escort” themselves to the appropriate table)
• - Escort cards should be alphabetized
• Seating Chart
• - Who will be providing the easel for the seating chart?
• Table Names/Numbers
• Menus
• Guest Book & Pen
• Favors
• Custom Signage
• Ceremony Programs
• Money Box for Gift envelopes
• Container for Top Tier of Cake if saving
• Cake Knife & Server
• Ring Pillow
• Cake Topper
• CDs for DJ
• Special Occasion License
• Supplementary Insurance
• Champagne Glasses for the Bride & Groom
• Photographs
• Other:_____________________________

Put final “on day” payments and cash tips in marked envelopes and give to a responsible individual to distribute as needed on the wedding day.

• Officiant
• Photographer
• Videographer
• Live Music
• DJ
• Cake Maker
• Transportation
• Hair & Makeup
• Entertainment
• Other:_____________________________

> Deliver welcome baskets and/or welcome letters to out-of-town guests.

> Confirm with your attendants, MC, and others how and when their participation is needed on the wedding day (i.e. sequence of events, toasts, readings, etc).

> Go for your manicure and pedicure.

> Provide your reception venue/caterer with your final guest count and guest entrée selections if applicable. Confirm seating arrangements and any dietary details.

> COUPLE: Set aside a private moment to exchange gifts and a sweet congratulatory kiss (or two).

> GROOM: If renting a tux pick it up and try it on before you leave the store.

> Attend the ceremony rehearsal. Don’t forget to give the Officiant the marriage license!

> Have fun and enjoy your rehearsal dinner. Give gifts to your attendants

> Get at least eight hours of sleep if you can. Tea, a foot soak, or even an over the counter sleeping pill can be a helpful aid in relieving nervous/excited minds.

> If your ceremony is in the morning, set your alarm AND arrange a wakeup call.

> Deliver liquor, beer, wine, and/or champagne to Caterer or Venue.

W-Day:

• Bring wedding rings to the ceremony and give them to the Best Man or Ring Bearer.
• Enjoy a light and healthy breakfast.
• Relax and smile lots!
• Get Hair & Make-Up done.
• Switch your engagement ring to your right hand.
• Breathe and be conscious of the moment.

After the Wedding:

DG FAVE: This company helps new brides cross the threshold from Miss to Mrs. with ease providing a one-stop alternative with all of the forms, instructions and personalized letters new brides need when they are looking to change their name.

> I’m a Mrs.: www.imamrs.com

• Take your gown and veil to be cleaned or have someone do it for you if you are heading on your honeymoon. Sweat stains left too long will turn yellow! Make sure the drycleaner is experienced in cleaning & preserving wedding gowns.
• Send out Thank You cards. Etiquette suggests you have up to one year to send out thank you cards, however we suggest no more than 3-6 months!
• Make sure all vendor bills have been paid.
• Put away your wedding mementos to be preserved in a safe place.

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