Keep your wedding budget and planning on track with this definitive guide to all the things you may need to pay for and do...
The Wedding Essentials
- Hire a wedding planner
- Ceremony location
- Reception venue
- Guest list
- Engagement photos
- Register on wedding planner website (The Knot, mywedding, WeddingWire)
- Set a wedding budget
- Form a spending plan
Wedding Detail
Stationery
- Save-the-date cards
- Invitations
- Map/direction cards
- Reply cards
- Ceremony cards
- Postage
- Newspaper announcement
- Thank you notes
- Rehearsal dinner invitations
- Bachelor and Bridal party invitations
- Wedding programs
- Address labels
Apparel
- Gown, veil, jewelry, accessories
- Bridal shoes
- Shoes for reception
- Bridesmaid dresses
- Groom's tux
- Groomsmen tuxes
- Pocket handkerchief
- Cufflinks
- Garters
- Alterations
- Children's apparel (flower girl, ring bearer)
- Gown preservation
- Dress for Rehearsal Dinner
Ceremony
- Clergy/officiant
- Location fee
- Marriage license
- Marriage certificate
- Rehearsal arrangements
- Hairdresser/makeup artist
- Chair/pew rental
- Chair/pew decorations
- Ring bearer pillow
- Unity candle
- Ushers
- Transportation
- Rice/rose petals/bubbles
Flowers
- Brides bouquet
- Bridesmaids bouquets
- Corsages
- Boutonniere
- Reception centerpieces
- Pew/chair bows
- Flower girls' flowers
Reception
- Venue
- Deposit
- Caterer
- Musician/DJ/Band
- Wedding cake
- Table decorations
- Other decorations
- Table linens
- Chair covers
- Parking
- Gratuities
- Limousine
- Child-care
- Guest-lodging
Gifts & Favors
- Gift for fiancée
- Guest favors
- Bridesmaid gifts
- Groomsmen gifts
- Hotel Guest Welcome Bags
Photography
- Wedding party portraits
- Reception
- Ceremony
- Videography
- Family portraits
Honeymoon
- Airfare
- Accommodations
- Rental car
- Entertainment
- Spending money
And Don't Forget
- Social Security card
- Driver's license
- Order new checks, credit, debit and ATM cards
- Designate beneficiary on bank accounts, retirement accounts, and insurance policies
- Update name with alumni associations, professional memberships, subscriptions, social media accounts, and place of employment
- Make financial plans, budgets, and goals
- Create a will
