Things Needed for Planning a Wedding: A Complete Checklist

Everything You Need To Plan A WeddingAlmost everyone has a dream wedding plan in their head: white dress, smart tuxedo, that first dance, leaving for your honeymoon in a beautiful vintage car.While it's easy to get caught up in the romance of it all, there are a lot of things big and small that you may not think to consider when preparing for a wedding. With a wedding, the details--whether it's gifts for your groomsmen or having a repair kit handy--can make or break the day.Below, you can find a checklist to help you make sure that you've thought about and planned for every part of your wedding: from the earrings worn by the flower girls to the ribbons on your car.? Extra Bouquet. If you plan to throw the bouquet at the end of the reception, you should think about whether you want to toss the one used in your ceremony or have a second one made up especially for the bouquet tossing.When preparing the church, hall, garden or other location for the wedding you need to make sure everything's organized and suitable.? Chairs. If you plan to wed outdoors or in a hall you may need to hire seats. You may also want to make sure there are cushions, particularly if it will be a long ceremony. If you're getting married outside, you'll also likely want to avoid metal chairs, which can get very hot under the sun.? Flowers. Decorations at the front of the venue or at the trellis or canopy where the couple are to be wed.? Chair Decorations. Either on the pews or on the backs of chairs. Some also prefer to string ribbon or tulle along the chairs next to the aisle to mark the aisle off as well.? Cushions. Particularly if the bride and groom will be kneeling at any stage. If it's a Jewish wedding, you'll want to make sure you have something glass for the groom to break at the very end.The ReceptionOnce you've chosen and paid for the reception venue you'll need to make sure everything's arranged and ready:? Table Decorations. Whether it's a floral centerpiece or some artfully arranged stones, you'll want to have some decorative item on your guests' tables.? Tablecloth and Chair Covers. Sometimes supplied by venue. If not, you'll need to coordinate with the vendor who will be supplying these items.? Music. You can go the traditional route and hire a band or DJ or you can use your own music and put together the wedding playlist of your choice. Don't forget to choose a special song for the first wedding dance.? Cake. Some venues will charge an extra fee for storing the cake before the wedding as well as cutting and bagging it after the official "bride and groom cutting".? Favors. Will you provide bomboniere or wedding favors to guests? Favors can often by a small piece of fancy chocolate or a packet of seeds they can plant when they come back home.? Wedding Photo Album. Do you want your wedding album or some sort of picture of hte two of you available for guests to sign?? Gifts. Do you want to have a wedding registry? Do you have any preference in gifts you do or do not receive? Would you prefer guests to pay for their meal in lieu of gifts? Where will the gifts be placed?? Table Plans. Do you know where everyone will sit? You could decide to let people sit wherever they would like or you could arrange the tables in a way you think would be best.? Place Cards. So guests can easily find their seats.The Photographs? Location. You need to decide if you'll have the official wedding portraits taken before or after the ceremony, where you will take the official photos, and whether you'll also want more casual or candid pictures taken during the reception as well.? Video. Will you have a professional wedding video? If not, you could also recruit a friend to be the videographer for you.? Props. Are you planning to have any special keepsakes, memorabilia, or other items in the photo shoots?? Payment. Make sure you've got money with you if required for payment, or have arranged to pay either before or after.Cars & Transport? Bridal Car. For transporting the bride and the father of the bride to the wedding ceremony and then the bride and groom to their honeymoon.? Bridesmaids' Car. For transporting bridesmaids and flower girls.? Groom's Transport. For taking the groom and groomsmen to the wedding before the start of the ceremony.? Honeymoon Car. Usually the couple or man's car. Remember that it's traditional in many places to decorate the vehicle in various ways including painting "Just Married" on the back windscreen or attaching tin cans to the bumper.? Guests Without Transport. Elderly relatives or those without transport may need transport and/or accommodation arranged. If the reception is far from the ceremony venue, you may also want to consider arranging transportation for all the guests just to cut down on confusion and make sure everyone gets there on time.? Car Ribbon. These can be sourced from sewing shops or bridal shops or even online.Important People? Officiant or Priest. This is one person you better not forget! You should check with them first, some will wish to join you at the reception while others consider it more professional not to.? Wedding Planner. Many people hire a wedding planner to take some of the stress out of dealing with all the details of preparation. Wedding planners have contacts in the business and often know the best and cheapest places to go to make arrangements for your ceremony.? The Emcee. The Master of Ceremonies plays an important role in most weddings. His or her job is to make sure everything runs smoothly on the day (you'll be too busy!) and introduce the couple and wedding party at the reception, as well as introducing guest speakers and telling a few anecdotes.? The Photographer. You'll have choices when you choose what photographer and what price you pay for wedding photos. You can start out with basic photos or buy a wedding package with certain items in it. Depending on how much you wish to pay, you can have the photographer take photos during wedding preparation, at the wedding, reception and when leaving for the honeymoon as well as a wedding video. If you wish to go the cheapest way possible, simply arrange for one set of wedding photos at a park or nice location. Here are some more tips on choosing a cheap and high quality wedding photographer.? Ushers and Organisers. You'll need people to do any last minute setups (while you're busy getting dressed for the wedding), organise last minute details, make sure things run smoothly and also ushers ready to help people get to their seats, both at wedding and reception.The Bridal BagOn the special day chances are you'll need all sorts of little things. Pack a small bag that contains all the little extras just in case. Give the bag to someone who'll be nearby most of the day and carry it discreetly. Here's an idea of what to put in it:Mobile Phones. For members of the bridal party.White Chalk. Great for covering up stains on white dresses.Needle and Thread. For little mishaps.Colored and White Ribbon. For patching up, covering, and fixing any hair problems.Tampons or softcups.Safety PinsDouble-Sided TapeExtra MakeupHairsprayAntihistamines and TylenolDental Floss/Breath MintsWet WipesBobby PinsPerfume or Deodorant? Transport. Do you have a honeymoon car ready to whisk you from the wedding to your destination?? Clothing. Do you have a suitcase packed for both bride and groom with everything you'll need on the honeymoon?? Tickets and Travel Arrangements. Have you booked your holiday?Other Things To Remember? Wishing Well. For guests to place money or cards.? Gifts. For bridesmaids, groomsmen and people such as the parents of the bride and groom.? Wedding Rings. Keep them in their original boxes so they're harder to lose or smudge.? Ring Cushion. For the page boy or ring bearer.? Thank You Cards. To send out after you get back from the honeymoon and sort through the gifts.? Cleanup, Gift Pickup & Payment. Will any bar tabs or reception costs need to be paid following the wedding? Who will take the gifts home from the reception? Will anyone need to clean up or pack up once the bride and groom leave the wedding reception to start their honeymoon?? Rentals. Do you need to rent any chairs or other items, especially if you are having an outdoor wedding?Please note that I am a work-at-home mum who makes a living writing online. If you're planning to copy this article elsewhere, please take a moment to link back to it. If you are not seeing this article on wrylilt.hubpages.com, it is in breach of copyright and you may be at risk of having a DMCA filed on yourself or the site where it posted. I've had to post this due to the number of people reposting my content without any attribution. Thank you for understanding.