Groom's Checklist

Okay grooms! So you want to know the bare minimums on what you need to do to pull this wedding off? Here's the scoop. This list includes all the things you will/may need to do before the big day. The basic order of events is more important than the exact time-line here. But make sure you allow enough time for everything. For example, you won't be able to book the honeymoon of your dreams one month before the wedding -- the rooms will probably all be booked by this time! If you have anything to add to the list, please email me and tell me the task and where it fits into the time-line presented here.

At Least One Year in Advance

• Choose wedding date
• Decide type of wedding desired (traditional, big/small, etc.)
• Determine what religion the service will be performed in, if any
• Decide time of wedding and reception
• Choose desired location for wedding ceremony
• Choose desired location for reception
• Set wedding budget and decide how wedding will be financed

• Ensure home/renter's insurance covers engagement ring or buy additional jewelry insurance
• Decide if all/part of vows will be written by bride/groom
• Set honeymoon budget
• Announce engagement to friends and family
• Put engagement announcement in local paper

• First meeting with minister/officiant
• Begin writing vows
• Choose your best man and ushers and ask if they'll accept the position
• Pick out tuxes for groom and groomsmen/ushers/fathers
• Choose/book desired location for rehearsal dinner
• Make first draft of invite list
• Plan honeymoon and book all lodgings/transportation/event tickets
• Check passports/visas

• Hire limo driver or make other arrangements for transportation after reception
• Buy any wedding attire accessories (shoes, cufflinks, etc.)
• Pick out/order wedding bands
• Decide if groom's cake is desired; if so, choose flavor and style and inform baker
• Make 2nd draft of invite list
• Get measurements from groom/ushers/fathers/groomsmen for tuxedos

• Decide on living arrangement once married

• Determine wedding band inscriptions
• Determine seating arrangement at rehearsal dinner with groom's mother if desired
• Choose song for mother/groom dance
• Finalize vows and memorize (if necessary)
• Buy gifts for groomsmen, parents, fiance, ushers
• Finalize guest list
• Get addresses of all people on invite list
• Ask mom if she wants rehearsal dinner invitations and/or place cards matching invitations
• Set date with fiance to get marriage license (check restrictions on how long it's valid prior to wedding)
• Get blood tests/physicals for marriage certificate if required
• Get any immunizations you will need for the honeymoon

• Schedule hair appointment
• Book rooms for out-of-town attendants at hotel
• Choose one person to whom the groomsmen can return their tuxes, and have that person return the tuxes to the rental place if desired
• Determine who will take the groom's tuxedo back to the rental place
• Buy honeymoon clothes and going away outfit if necessary
• Buy/decide on rehearsal/rehearsal dinner outfit
• Get wedding band inscribed
• Call to inform all people who need to be at rehearsal
• Obtain marriage certificate
• Last meeting with minister/officiant
• Determine where groom and attendants will get dressed (at hotel or ceremony site?)
• Buy wrapping paper for attendant, etc. gifts
• Ensure formal-wear shop has all tuxedo measurements

• Box and wrap all gifts for bride/groomsmen/ushers/etc.
• Ensure groom's mom has addressed/mailed rehearsal dinner invitations if his parents are hosting it
• Order flower arrangements for rehearsal dinner tables if desired
• Pick up wedding band
• Ensure home/renter's insurance covers wedding bands or buy additional jewelry insurance
• Confirm honeymoon reservations
• Open joint checking and savings accounts
• Change beneficiary to fiance for will and life insurance policy
• Inform car/home/renter's insurance of marriage (discounted rates may apply)

• Meet with rehearsal dinner caterers for final details
• Confirm hotel reservations for wedding night
• Confirm hotel reservations for attendants
• Determine personal wedding morning itinerary (time to wake up, ... time to leave for to church, etc.)
• Hair appointment
• Move belongings to new home

• Pack for honeymoon
• Get traveler's checks for honeymoon; exchange money to foreign currency now if desired
• Remind attendants about rehearsal time
• Give best man clergyman's fee (if to be payed day of ceremony, otherwise pay this week)
• Remind groom/fathers/ushers/groomsmen to pick up tuxedos on day before wedding
• Ensure delivery of flower arrangements for wedding rehearsal dinner have been made

• Pick up tux
• Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

• Give groom's wedding band to Maid of Honor and bride's wedding band to Best Man prior to ceremony
• Relax and let it all sink in!!