wedding checklist

today, i went through the checklist that jody liwanag of events experts gave to me and updated the things that we still need to do for the big day in december.

12 months before (december 2004)
Plan the Pamamanhikan and announce the engagement.
Choose a wedding date and time.
Draw up a budget with your fiancé. Consult your parents if necessary.
Determine the number of guests you are able to invite.
Look for ceremony and reception sites.
Reserve chosen ceremony and reception sites.
Compile your guest list from the list you and your fiancé will make.
Notify out-of-town guests so they can make early confirmation of attendance.
Decide on your new home after the wedding.

11 months before (january 2005)
Select your ceremony officiant and check his availability.
Select primary sponsors. Check their availability and personally invite them.
Choose members of the wedding entourage. Check their availability and personally invite them.

10 months before (february 2005)
Decide on the color scheme and wedding theme.
Finalize your guest list.
Consult a Travel Agent regarding Honeymoon Plans especially if you will be traveling to countries that require entry visas.

9 months before (march 2005)
Start and canvass for caterers, if necessary.
Secure birth certificates from NSO.

8 months before (april 2005)
Select the style of your wedding gown and your entourage’s attire.
Ask your mother and your fiance’s mother to choose their attire.
Canvass and select a reliable couturier and/or dressmaker.
Schedule measurements and fittings for your bridal gown as well as entourage’s attire.

7 months before (may 2005)
Canvass and select a reliable florist.
Canvass and select a reliable photographer/videographer.
Canvass and select musicians.

6 months before (june 2005)
Select and order wedding souvenirs, and decide on packaging so you can order this as well. Ensure timely delivery of it.
Shop for wedding rings.
Canvass and select gifts for the Principal Sponsors, Entourage and even parents if desired.

5 months before (july 2005)
Finalize the members of the wedding entourage.
Select the mass readers and program hosts. Check their availability.
Double check full names (including middle initials) of your wedding sponsors, members of the entourage, mass readers and program hosts.
Canvass and select wedding stationery printers and calligrapher.
Order invitations, missalettes and other stationery required like thank you cards.
Canvass and select make-up artist/hairdresser.
Start to have your trial make-ups. Take a photo of ourself afterwards to see if make-up is too heavy or light.
Canvass and select cake maker.
Canvass and book other wedding service providers (i.e. decors, butterflies, candles, etc.).
Obtain a sample copy of a sample missalette from your officiant and have it approved by your officiating priest and the church or ceremony venue.
Draft your ceremony program.
Begin planning out your honeymoon.
Start working on your vows, if you are saying your own.
Secure Certificate of No Impediment from the Australian Embassy and statutory declarations for spouse visa application.
Secure original or certified true copies of your and your fiance’s baptismal, confirmation and residence certificates.
Obtain marriage license from your city/municipal hall. Be sure to have all needed documents.
Measurement taking with Veluz.
Groom: Secure certificate of freedom to marry from your parish in Canberra.

4 months before (august 2005)
Decide on and finalize wedding details/contracts/agreements with your florist, musicians, photographer, caterer, couturier, make-up artist, and other suppliers of your choice.
Complete Honeymoon plans and book your itinerary.
Have passports ready and secure visas, if necessary.
First fitting with Veluz. Pay second installment (25%).
Book a calligrapher or a social printer for addressing of invitations. If invitations and guest list are ready, go ahead with the calligraphy/printing.
Reserve the Church for a wedding rehearsal.
Confirm fitting schedules with your couturier and provide those concerned with a copy of these dates.
Schedule prenup pictorials with Mimi.
Attend pre-cana seminar.
Finalize on the menu with your caterer or hotel.
Order the bridal accessories and paraphernalia.
Shop for a new home.
Second fitting with Veluz.
Get a complete medical check-up.
Resign from work!
Civil wedding.

3 months before (september 2005)
Set an appointment with your wedding officiant for pre-marital counseling.
Request respective parishes to have your wedding announced for three weeks.
Obtain a wedding ban certificate.
Submit marriage contract to officiant or his assistant. Be sure to give all needed documents.
Have missalettes printed. This should give you ample time for corrections.
Shop for your undergarments.
Order and finalize design for wedding cake.
Complete gifts for the sponsors, entourage (if needed).
Finalize décor details with the florist, if needed arrange for a mock set-up.
Re-confirm with the musicians and choose songs for the ceremony and the reception.
Start working on your reception program.
Invite participants for your reception program and check their availability like a friend who will sing.
Pay the Palms (50%).
Third fitting (shantung) with Veluz.
Prepare your AVP if desired.
Organize your calendar to accommodate all pre-wedding affairs (shower parties, etc).
Finalize your arrangement with your make-up artist/hairdresser of your choice.
Arrange for purchase of liquor or bar requirements with the reception venue.
Have passport amended. Then, apply for a spouse visa.
Start decorating your new home.

2 months before (october 2005)
Address and send out invitations. Personally deliver invitations to your primary sponsors
Finalize your ceremony plans and reception program.
Canvass and book for a bridal car service (if it is not provided by the venue). Arrange for your florist to decorate the bridal car.
Make other necessary transportation arrangements to and from the ceremony and reception sites.
Have wedding rings engraved.
Double check favors, accessories and paraphernalia.
Designate at least two people to handle RSVP and prepare a list for monitoring acceptances.
If desired, book a hotel room for your wedding day.
Pay photographer 50%.
Start moving things to your new home.

1 month before (november 2005)
Confirm attendance of guests, make follow-up calls to those who do not respond to R.S.V.P. Give the final count of guests to your caterer/hotel/restaurant.
Have the final meeting with the caterer/hotel/restaurant to confirm details of decors, arrangements, lay-out, etc.
Final fitting (piña) with Veluz. Pay 25%.
Arrange for final fitting for your entourage. Set delivery time.
Pick up missalettes.
Finalize all food and beverage arrangements.
Delegate duties and responsibilities to the participants/entourage involved.
Set final dates for wedding gown delivery, and call times for florists, photographers, and other deliveries/services on your wedding day.
Finalize instructions for your photographer/videographer.
Discuss reception program with your emcee.
Inform parents, sponsors, friends who will give speeches and toast.
Attend wedding rehearsals, bridal showers and bachelor’s party.

2 weeks before (08 december 2005)
Delivery/pick-up bridal gown. Pay last 25%.
Pay The Palms and String Minstrels in full.
Attend wedding rehearsals and last minute showers.
Confirm honeymoon arrangements and transportation arrangement.
Pack for your honeymoon.
Confirm check-in time and date in the hotel for prepration.
Go to the dentist.
Brides: Practice walking in your shoes.
Confirm final payments to your wedding suppliers.
Start to sleep early and do away with smoking environments.

1 week before (15 december 2005)
Organize accessories/paraphernalia according to category.
Make a phone call to your entourage re: call time to the church or preparation area and inform them of specific tasks assigned to them.
Make a phone call to your mass readers, offerors, emcee, ushers re: call time and inform them of specific tasks assigned to them.
Assign an authorized person to receive all turn-over items of the coordinator.
Rehearse your speeches.
Remind parents, sponsors, and friends who will give speeches to prepare already.
Head to the Spa! Get a massage, scrub, Javanese bath. The works!
Go to confession.
Spend quality time with your family especially with your parents.

1 day before (21 december 2005)
Get your final manicure and pedicure.
Pack for the things that you have to bring in the hotel or preparation venue.

the big day (22 december 2005)
Relax.
Give yourself enough time for hair and make-up.
Remember to wear a robe or button-down shirt so you don’t ruin your hair-do and make-up when you undress.
Savour and enjoy special moment of your big day.
Take pleasure in being the most beautiful bride ever.
Pay videographer 60%.

Phew! that was long! i think we're right on schedule, except for that red bit there. still undecided. =(