Ceremony Checklist

If you've never planned a wedding  before, odds are you don't realize all the little details that go into making it run smoothly. A little thought, preparation, and attention to detail can go a long way. From the aisle runner  to the bouquets,  chuppah  or unity candle,  this guide you take you through step by step, ensuring your steps down the aisle are as perfect as you planned them to be.

First Things First

Choose a date for your wedding so you can scout out ceremony AND reception sites. You'll need to find locales that are both free on the day that you want to marry. Some couples choose to have their ceremony in the reception hall. This will simplify your planning since you will only need to secure a date with one venue. Once you have a date established and have found the right site, book it as soon as possible! Usually no later than seven to nine months prior to the wedding. Make sure that before booking you interview the site manager or whomever is in charge. You'll need to have all your important questions answered. See Questions to Ask at a Reception Hall or Ceremony Site for more information.

Next thing you'll need to work on is finding an officiant. It's best to try and hire an officiant at least six to nine months prior to your wedding especially if you don't already have one in mind.  You'll want some get-to-know-you time with him or her so that the ceremony can be a more personal experience. Check out the article on Choosing an Officiant for more information.

The Details

Once you have the ceremony site and officiant chosen, you need to start working on the basics. These details should be taken care of within seven to five months before the wedding.

• Start researching ceremony music. This way when it comes time to hire musicians, you'll have a good idea of what you are looking for.
• Choose your wedding attendants.
• Look for readings and poems that you might want to use in the ceremony. See the guide to Ceremony Readings for inspiration and suggestions.
• Consider whether you want to write your own vows.

Four Months to the Wedding

• This is the perfect time to talk to your officiant and plan your ceremony. Talk about details for music, readings, the vows you plan to use, and any special decorations or customs that you want to include in the wedding. Here is a full list of the details.
• Date and time.
• Ceremony length.
• Ceremony order.
• Number of guests. You might also want to come up with a seating arrangement on your own.
• Discuss what you have in mind for decorations and verify that there are no restrictions on any of the following items: flowers,  candles,  decorations,  items to be thrown outside the church, music, photography, and video. In reality, it's best to ask these questions before hiring an officiant. Don't sweat it if you didn't. Just be sure to do it as soon as possible. Otherwise, come wedding day, you may find yourself dealing with issues that could have been avoided.
• What time you may start taking pictures and decorating.
• What time your guests may arrive and when the bridal party may use the dressing rooms.
• Where people can park.
• What fees need to be paid, if they haven't already been taken care of.
• The time for the rehearsal. Remember to extend an invite to the officiant and his or her spouse to the rehearsal dinner.
• If you are having a Jewish ceremony, this is a good time to order the ketubah  if you plan to have one.
• Select and order your wedding bands.  You might also want to order the ring pillow  and flower girl basket. 

Three Months Left

• Order your confetti,  birdseed,  bubbles,  or rose petals. 
• Also make sure that you have all the candles,  vases,  or decorative items that you might want at the ceremony. See the guide to Ceremony Decorations for a full list of things that you might need.
• Order a unity candle  and guest book. 

One Month Left

• Choose someone to be in charge of handing out bubbles, rice, birdseed, etc.
• Choose your old, new, borrowed, and blue items.

Related Guides
Vow Renewals	Wedding Ceremony Music	Receiving Lines	Rehearsal Dinner	Ceremony Seating