Wedding preparation checklist

Banquet

For some, a wedding is, first and foremost, a big party.
If our mothers and fathers had weddings in apartments and camp sites, today it is customary to invite guests to cafes and restaurants. We advise you to look for a venue whose conditions mean you can bring your own alcohol. This way you will save a significant amount of money. In addition, ask about the availability of equipment on site. It can also save you some money.

On average, from 45 to 60 guests are invited to a wedding, the average bill for the menu is 1800 - 3500 rubles. Payment usually follows the following scheme: reservation 1-6 months in advance (10,000 rubles), payment for products after choosing a menu 2-4 weeks (10-50%), payment of the balance 1-2 weeks before the event.

Banquet halls are selling like crazy already in winter, if you are planning a wedding in the summer. So, make sure to book on time.

Organization of bachelor and bachelorette parties

The wedding day is an important and grandiose event, but the day before the bride and groom have two more pre-wedding events, preparation for which will require time, effort, and expense. Organizing a hen and stag party includes several preparatory points that should be included in the checklist so as not to forget anything:

Choosing a date for parties is better a week or several days before the special event.
Choosing a holiday venue - a restaurant, night club, bowling alley, billiards, sauna or country house. It depends on the theme of the event and the wishes of the heroes of the occasion.
Make a list of guests and inform them about the festive evening.
Think over an entertainment program, it could be competitions, karaoke, limousine rides.
Purchase the necessary attributes and accessories for bachelor parties.

To the banquet

Independent preparation for the holiday requires making a significant amount of decor with your own hands. This is a fascinating process, especially if handmade gives you pleasure. It’s just important to start doing everything you need in advance, so as not to pore over glasses or a book of wishes the night before the wedding instead of going to bed. Our DIY section will help you easily create special decorative elements for your celebration - there you will find both ideas and templates for creativity. And, of course, any decor can be ordered from professionals. When going to a restaurant, don't forget:

Icons, a towel and a salt shaker for the parents to welcome the newlyweds.
Decorated glasses for the bride and groom.
Gifts for guests/bonbonnieres.
Props for competitions.
Prizes for competitions.
A book of wishes and a pen.
A box for envelopes with money.
Candles for lighting the family hearth or necessary props for another symbolic ceremony.
Place cards and seating plan.
Double bouquet.
A cake stand, a spatula and a knife for serving it.
A folder with contracts with all wedding specialists who will work on your holiday.
Envelopes containing payment for the services of all wedding contractors.
Spare shirt for the groom.
Second shoes without heels for dancing.
A second dress or any other outfit to change your look.

To-do list for lovers: wedding check-list

Pre-wedding events and expenses related to them

Pre-wedding photography (love story)
Bachelor party
Bachelorette party

For the bride: clothes and accessories

DRESS!
Veil
shoes
Lingerie (stockings, tights, etc.)
Handbag
Garter
Gloves
Jewelry (earrings, necklace, etc.)
Fur coat/cape (if necessary according to the weather)

For the groom: clothes and accessories

Costume
Shirt (chemise)
Tie (butterfly or other)
Tie clip
Cufflinks
Shoes
Socks

Floristics

The bride's bouquet
Boutonniere for the groom
Bouquets for bridesmaids
Flowers for banquet decoration (for decorating tables and interior)
Flowers for ceremony decoration (if offsite registration)

Wedding printing

Wedding invitations
Thank you cards (sent to guests after the wedding) and accompanying envelopes
Banquet menu
Event program

For a wedding promenade

Accessories for a photo shoot
Fruit and sandwich basket for guests
Champagne, glasses
Water, drinks
Napkins
Umbrella(s) (preferably light colors)

Wedding ceremony

Wedding rings
Ring pad
Baskets or bags for petals
Rose petals (rice, confetti)
A wish book and a pen for it
Rent a place (for on-site registration)
Ceremony decor – arch, registration table, chairs, floristry
Carpet to the arch

Banquet

Renting a place (for on-site registration)/restaurant
Food
Beverages
Cake
Rushnik, loaf (bread and salt), champagne and glasses
Hall decor
Napkins
Table decoration
Seating plan
Tablecloths (if not provided by the catering service or restaurant)
Banquettes - cards for seating guests
Table numbers
Decorated glasses for the newlyweds
Cake figures
Knife and spatula for cutting cake
Candles for kindling the family hearth
“Chest” for cash gifts and cards
Bonbonnieres - small gifts for guests
Signs where the celebration will take place
The end of the holiday - fireworks/salute/balloons/flying lanterns, etc.

Wedding service specialists and companies

Photographer (film crew)
Videographer (film crew)
Toastmaster (host)
Stylist/Makeup Artist
Hairdresser
Decorator
Florist
Choreographer (for dance production)
Wedding coordinator
Catering service/restaurant
DJ and/or musicians
Artists and showmen for the entertainment part of the banquet
Pyrotechnics specialists (if fireworks are planned at the end of the holiday)
Vehicle rental
Hotel room for the wedding night
Taxi (or the question of how guests will leave after the banquet)

This is a wedding checklist, which largely takes into account the preparation for the holiday. However, you will certainly make your own adjustments to it. After all, how could it be otherwise: your wedding is your dreams!

For convenience, I suggest downloading from the site and printing for yourself the above plan - LIST OF PRE-WEDDING TO DOS.

The worries and worries that you were burdened with in the weeks leading up to day X, I am sure, will remain in your memory as necessary and so joyful torment... wedding worries in anticipation of happiness!

You can find something useful here:

How to create a wedding budget: the main expenses on the occasion of a wedding.
Mission possible: what not to do before the wedding? Advice for the bride: what things to be wary of when plunging into pre-wedding troubles.

I recommend viewing and reading:

Where to go to get married, or Wedding Palace No. 1 - Griboedovsky Civil Registry Office: address, opening hours, phone numbers, etc.

Astrological forecast for newlyweds for 2012: favorable days for a wedding.

DIY wish tree on paper for a wedding, for a holiday

Six months before the wedding or more

The first of the main tasks for this period is to determine the date of the X-day. You can submit an application to the registry office or the Wedding Palace no earlier than a year before the event - through the State Services portal, at the MFC or in person at the registry office office. Keep in mind: the best dates in Wedding Palaces end 9 months before the wedding!

The second global task for this period is to understand the scale of the event. You need to roughly calculate how many people will be present and agree on how luxurious the celebration is planned. Obviously, it is difficult to determine the exact guest list 10-12 months before the wedding. It is important to find out the approximate order of whether this celebration will be for 20, 50, 100 or 200 people.

The cost of a wedding depends not only on the number of guests, but also on how luxuriously you want it to be. Often it is the format of the event that becomes a stumbling block: in the dreams of the bride, everything happens much more pompously than in the dreams of the groom. That's why newlyweds need to have an honest discussion about their expectations and budget.

If the previous points have been completed, you have an understanding of the approximate number of guests and the format of the holiday, it’s time to take a closer look at the venues. It’s better to book a restaurant, banquet hall or cottage in advance - this way you have a better chance of holding the celebration where you want. Additionally, the hope is that 7 months before your wedding you can book your venue for less than a month's notice.

For the wedding ceremony and walk

When on-site marriage registration is handled by a wedding agency, which prepares the ceremony site, a buffet for guests, and a photo zone, then you are left with virtually no worries. If you are doing the organizing yourself, then you need to prepare to wait for the most solemn moment. In any case, guests will have to wait for the ceremony to begin, be it in the registry office, outdoors or in some other unusual place. A small snack will brighten up the pause, which for various reasons may drag on. For the ceremony you will need:

Cushion/ring box.
Wedding vows.
A folder for the marriage certificate and a beautiful pen.
Drinks and snacks, glasses (unless there is a specially organized buffet).

If you are planning a short walk and photo session before the festive banquet, then take blankets with you so that guests can sit in a picturesque clearing, dry and wet wipes, and garbage bags so as not to leave anything unnecessary behind. Invite your guests to take pictures too, and to make the shots and the process itself fun, prepare funny accessories for the photo shoot: hats, glasses, mustaches, cardboard sponges on sticks, masks and signs with funny inscriptions. You will find detailed master classes on creating such accessories in the “Do It Yourself” section.

Key questions

Below we provide a list of the main points that you need to decide on as soon as possible after the engagement.

Wedding date
There may well be two dates if the newlyweds prefer to modestly sign at the registry office together or in the company of their closest relatives and friends, and a few days or a week later arrange a luxurious on-site registration followed by a banquet with a large number of invited guests.


Read also: Movie about newlyweds - American-style wedding: photos and script

Wedding date on accessories.
The choice of date is traditionally influenced by the following factors:

the desire to get married at your favorite time of year - here it should be remembered that late spring, summer and early autumn are in maximum demand, which is always accompanied by long queues at the registry office and the occupancy of popular restaurants and banquet halls;

religious fasts;

astrological forecast and “beautiful numbers”;
the desire to celebrate an event in a certain restaurant or with an invitation to a sought-after host of the event, whose work schedule is often scheduled a year in advance.
Budget
Decide approximately on the theme, list of basic wishes, number of invited guests and plan your budget based on this.
Development of a thematic concept
A single thematic concept will make the wedding very unusual - for example, Agatha Christie’s detective stories.
Having a clear idea of the amount that you can spend on preparing a wedding event, you can discuss all your wedding wishes in a more substantive way. Do you want a celebration on a grand scale, a fun celebration in the format of a themed party, or a cozy intimate wedding to which only those closest to you will be invited.
Venue selection
Having decided on the theme, choose the location of the ceremony: outside the city in a restaurant or outdoors in a nice cottage, on the river bank or in the middle of a flowering meadow, setting up tents for protection from the sun and bad weather - there can be a lot of options.
The question is especially relevant for those couples who live in different cities.
Determining the style and color scheme
When choosing a stylistic concept and color scheme, remember that these two points should be reflected even in the smallest details, right down to the design of invitations and place cards and the floral design of the wedding procession.
Floristic concept development
Wedding in the summer tent M'Istral.
Floral concept in decorating the ceremony, presidium, photo zone and guest tables with chic tall flower arrangements. Mixed composition of flowers (artificial + greenery). Floral decor includes floral decoration of the motorcade, the venue of the ceremony and the banquet hall.
Particular attention should be paid to composing the bride's bouquet, because this wedding accessory will be the center of attention in most photographs.
You will also need to order a boutonniere for the groom, a duplicate bouquet and bouquets for the bridesmaid and bridesmaids.

What you can do without at a wedding

In this list, I describe various wedding little things that you can do without, but traditionally they are present at weddings. Whether they will be at your wedding or not - the decision is yours.

In this list, I describe various wedding little things that you can do without, but traditionally they are present at weddings. Whether they will be at your wedding or not - the decision is yours. These are just a few points where you can save your wedding budget in small ways. Or you can spend it on the contrary and do it beautifully.

Posters for ransom, and the bride ransom itself. A strange custom in the modern world. I write about this in detail in this article “Why do we need a ransom?”

Cushion for rings. It is only needed at the registry office, and for photographing rings during training camps. (more details about the pad and stands for rings with photos) At the registry office you can use their saucer, or you can use your own pad. The choice is yours.

Painted glasses for beating - everything is simple here, you can buy the cheapest glasses for an economy wedding, in Auchan, and tie a ribbon on them.

Glasses of the newlyweds at the banquet. You can get by with regular ones.

Chest for gifts (money). Not a very convenient accessory, but for some reason many brides liked it. Usually placed on the newlyweds' table. Envelopes with monetary gifts are placed there. Unfortunately, it often happens that envelopes don’t fit there. In addition, I don’t recommend leaving a large amount in front of everyone.

Decorations for cars. You can buy ready-made kits, or you can make it yourself

It is important to remember that when installing decorations on the roof or hood, it is important not to scratch the paint. The speed of a car with such modifiers is usually limited to 40-60 km/h, then there is a risk that they will be blown away. But there are also positive aspects in decorating cars

If you are traveling in a convoy, then you are visible on the road and respectable drivers will not break up the convoy.

Sprinkling. (I don’t know what to call it, what they can sprinkle on you at the entrance from the registry office or at the entrance to a restaurant). You can buy artificial rose petals (more expensive), you can buy natural ones at almost any flower kiosk. They also buy confetti crackers for sprinkling. Whether you want it or not, it’s up to you to decide

It is better to buy a folder for a marriage registration certificate in advance. At the registry office door, the folder will be 3 times more expensive. (although you can do without it).

Lock. Fashionable wedding accessory. Usually hung on bridges or fences. Please note that in Moscow there are only a few places where you can legally attach locks. In other places they are cut down.

A towel, a salt shaker and a loaf. The newlyweds are greeted with these items by their parents upon entering the banquet hall. Is it possible to do without them - yes, it is possible.

Icon. For a parental blessing for a happy family life, the icon is then passed on to the new family.

Album for wishes - in a restaurant the album is passed around or left in a visible place and guests can leave wishes there for the newlyweds.

Invitations for guests - these are usually made and given to guests before the wedding. Such invitations will remain as a keepsake for guests later. For invitations, you can use photographs that we take at love-store.

Gifts for guests. Guests give the newlyweds gifts for the wedding. Some newlyweds also want to thank their guests with small but pleasant gifts - surprises. In addition, gifts are needed for competitions that will be held by the host. One of the options for such gifts is chocolates with your photographs or magnets on refrigerator, which we will rent on Love-story. I will also help you make magnets and chocolates.

Candles. Before buying candles for a wedding, coordinate the use of open fire with the restaurant where you will have the wedding. Candles can be used during the ceremony of handing over the family hearth, during a farewell dance, and simply on tables.

Figurine for the cake. A wedding cake is traditionally decorated with a symbolic figurine in the shape of a bride and groom, swans, or something else. But it’s also not at all necessary. Nowadays, many weddings, especially in rustic style, do without this.

Cake cutting devices - naturally, the restaurant will provide you with such devices, but if you want your own, in the style or color of the wedding, then you can think about purchasing and designing them.

Outdoor summer wedding and outdoor photo shoot

Here are a few things to prepare before going outdoors. They will help create a “festive” atmosphere at an outdoor marriage ceremony:

Registrar stand.
Arch decorated with fabric and flowers.
Long carpet.
Chairs with backs.
Chair covers decorated with bows at the back.
Tent or umbrellas (in case of rain or hot sun).
Buffet table.

You don't have to buy all this at all. It is much more profitable to rent.

At an outdoor banquet it is impossible to do without the usual elements of wedding paraphernalia:

Basket of flowers.
Bridal bouquet.
A long white bridesmaid dress with a train, which can easily be converted into a short version of the dress.
Groom's suit.
Wedding rings.
Ring pads.
Civil registration register where the spouses leave their signature.
Marriage registration certificates.
Wedding cake.
Champagne, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Fresh fruit, light salads and snacks.
Glass glasses for newlyweds that can be broken (a sign).
Plastic dishes.
Wedding loaf and handbrake.

At any outdoor wedding, unforeseen situations can occur: sunburn, insect bites, heartburn, injury. This must be taken into account when preparing. You will need the following items in force majeure circumstances:

First aid kit with annotations for medications

The first aid kit should contain a bandage, cotton wool, valerian, ointment for mosquito bites, activated carbon, as well as wound treatment products - brilliant green and iodine. Sunglasses, sun protection, burn ointment. Particular attention should be paid to the availability of hats and caps for children. Raincoats. In some cases (if the weather forecast is rainy), it is recommended to take with you spare shoes, rubber boots, and additional clothes for a change.

Who officiates a destination wedding?

Usually a destination wedding is served by:

administrator,
waiters,
registrar,
toastmaster,
animator and teacher for children,
photographer.

Organizing a photo shoot at a destination wedding: necessary details

Photographs taken “in nature” are characterized by simplicity, naturalness and spirituality. Flowers, green grass, bright sun, curly clouds and river (sea) spaces will decorate the wedding album of any couple. Moreover, an experienced photographer knows what landscapes to take photographs against, how to build a successful composition and what to highlight in the frame.

Here's what else can be useful for a beautiful outdoor photo shoot:

Haystacks.
Wreaths of wild flowers.
Horses and carriage.
Fresh flowers, baskets, juicy fruits.
Bubble.
Umbrellas.
Boat.

An interesting idea is a photo shoot on a motorcycle. Wedding photographs on the “iron friend” are a way of self-realization for those young couples who adore freedom of thought, graffiti on walls and rock and roll.

How to pose correctly for a photographer: successful and unsuccessful poses, typical mistakes.

If you want your photo shoot to be at the highest level? Think about setting up a stylish photo zone.

If the photo shoot takes place in winter, then various winter accessories may appear in the foreground of the photo: snowmen, hats with earflaps, sleighs, skis. To prevent the bride’s white clothes from blending into the sparkling snow, you should add several bright accessories to the frame: 1) black hats; 2) dark or white horses; 3) bouquets of fresh flowers.

Some more useful tips for organizing an unforgettable holiday:

Let only the most “magical” moments be reflected in your wedding photos! Let no incidents or unforeseen situations occur during the holiday! Let all guests be captivated by the festive action! Only then can you oh.

Wedding dresses of newlyweds

An important point in preparing for a wedding is the choice of outfits for the newlyweds.

This is a long and troublesome process, because it is important that all the details of the evening dress are combined with each other, the decoration of the bride and groom looks beautiful and harmonious. In addition, buying clothes requires a significant investment, because newlyweds on their family’s birthday want to look like they’re on the cover of a magazine, to be the most beautiful in new chic outfits

In addition to decoration, it is worth taking care of wedding accessories that will complement the image.

Bride's clothing and accessories

The bride is the main decoration of the wedding celebration, all eyes are focused on her, everyone wants to look at the smallest details on the dress, jewelry and hairstyle, so creating an image should be approached with all responsibility. In order to ensure that no accessory is forgotten during shopping and to make it easier to calculate financial expenses, you should enter all the necessary items and payments into a checklist, where you can always check what has already been purchased and what remains to be purchased or ordered. Watch a video with an example of choosing accessories, an outfit and creating the perfect look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwHBEEFl8TY

The standard list of necessary wedding accessories and elements of a bride’s outfit looks like this:

Wedding Dress. A wide range of outfits, it would seem, should make it easier for girls to choose, but the opposite is true - when they see so many charming clothes, girls get lost and the purchasing process is delayed.
Veil. This is no longer a mandatory accessory for a bride’s look, but if you want to create a classic look, then you can’t do without a veil to match the dress.
Mittens or gloves - depends on the model and style of the bride’s outfit.
Wedding Shoes. It is not only advisable to buy this element of the outfit in advance, but also, if possible, wear it out when wearing it at home, so that on the wedding day the shoes will be comfortable, they will not press or cut, spoiling the mood and holiday of the girl.
Stockings. Although this detail of an evening dress is not noticeable to many people, it is impossible to do without it.
A fur coat and boleros are necessary in the cool season or if a wedding is scheduled.
The bride's wedding attributes - garter, handbag or clutch, bracelet, necklace, tiara, hair accessories, umbrella.

Groom's clothing and accessories

There is a mistaken opinion that choosing and buying an outfit for the groom is a hundred times easier and faster than for the bride. But sometimes it can be difficult to find and choose a beautiful suit, shirt, tie to match. The list of clothes and accessories for the groom includes:

Wedding suit - black or light, classic, three-piece suit or with a tuxedo. The groom should buy an outfit only after the bride’s wedding dress has been chosen, so that the newlyweds look beautiful and harmonious next to each other.
The shirt should also match your beloved’s wedding dress.
Bow tie or tie.
Shoes that should be broken in a little beforehand.
Boutonniere, which can be made of fresh or artificial flowers. In rare cases, the boutonniere is replaced by a beautiful, colored handkerchief.

6-9 months before the wedding

Agree with the photographer When choosing a photographer, pay attention to recommendations and portfolio. It is important that his vision of photography and processing coincides with yours. Don't ignore a personal meeting - it is important that you feel comfortable in the company of the person who will accompany you on your most important day.
Agree with a videographer If you order video shooting from another person, when choosing an operator, follow the same principles as in the case of a photographer.
Choose a host/toastmaster Choosing a wedding host is a very, very important point. The atmosphere and success of your holiday will depend on it. Feel free to ask questions and ask about work experience.
Choose a catering company If you need outdoor catering services for your wedding, then it’s better to choose a catering company and sign an agreement with it now.
Start choosing a wedding dress Choosing a wedding dress is a long and difficult process. Start looking closely at the models now, because you still have a few more fittings to do - there should be enough time for everything.
Select registry office
Appoint witnesses and, if necessary, bridesmaids if the wedding is in a European style. Once you have decided on your candidates, inform them of your selection so that future witnesses know your plans in advance.

Download wedding check sheet template in Excel

Lovers who are preparing for a wedding celebration, as a rule, are doing this for the first time, so even drawing up a checklist causes them panic and difficulties. Ready-made standard templates can make the task easier for future spouses. Naturally, all couples can make their own adjustments to the general list in order to add individuality to the wedding celebration and make everything special. You can download the finished checklist using this link:

Preparing for a wedding celebration will be much easier, more convenient, and faster if you make a list of necessary accessories in advance, schedule the course of action, and clearly plan time and resources. A checklist can make the life of the newlyweds much easier, making the process of preparing for the event an enjoyable experience, far from fuss, unnecessary hassle and conflicts.

Bride's cosmetic bag

This sacred item should not be underestimated. A small handbag conceals the bride's confidence in her perfection and beauty on her most important day! We're not just talking about cosmetics, so you'll have to choose a larger cosmetic bag to fit:

Mirror.
Powder, concealer, mascara, eye shadow palette or eyeliner - everything you may need to touch up during the day.
Lipstick or lip gloss - at a wedding you will have to eat, drink and kiss a lot, and even long-lasting lipstick will not withstand such a load.
Bobby pins, hairpins, silicone hair bands - so that you can straighten your hairstyle at any time or beautifully remove your hair if it starts to get in the way.
Comb.
Hair fixation spray.
Threads with a needle, buttons - it’s better to have spare buttons and other small decorations on your wedding dress in case something comes off and gets lost.
Pins.
An antistatic and adhesive roller is more for the groom, especially if he has a dark suit.
Shoe sponge.
Wet wipes - they perfectly remove small stains even from a snow-white wedding dress.
A handkerchief or paper tissues can come in handy if at some point you cannot hold back your tears of happiness.
Spare stockings or tights.
Hygiene products, if necessary (daily diapers, pads, tampons).
Mattifying facial wipes, thermal water (especially during the hot season).
Deodorant, perfume.
Hand cream.
Nail file, manicure scissors.
Transparent nail polish is a universal product that is designed to save not only manicures, but also stop creases in stockings.
Breath freshening spray or mints.

List for the bride

Even the most attentive and responsible bride can forget about something on such an exciting day. So that nothing takes you by surprise, the bride should have the following things ready on the list for her wedding day:

Wedding Dress. Veil. Underwear. Stockings or tights, including a spare pair. Garter. Shoes. A replacement pair of comfortable shoes. Handbag. Gloves.

Jewelry: earrings, bracelet, tiara, etc. Cosmetics and mirror - powder, lip gloss, mascara. Weather and emotions can ruin even the most durable makeup, so you should definitely have the most necessary products on hand. Antistatic. Antiperspirant, eau de toilette. Adhesive plaster, pain reliever, tablets for stomach and intestinal upsets. Wet and dry wipes. Hairpins and a comb if you suddenly need to straighten your hair. Clear nail polish and a safety pin for an emergency repair of tights or an outfit. Mobile phone with all necessary numbers: parents, drivers, photographer, restaurant administrator, hotel contacts