Prep - Wedding Prep Timeline and Checklist
2:42:00 PMThere are many versions of timelines and checklists available on the web, but do remember to search for those in Singapore because the Western timelines would be rather different from Traditional Chinese Weddings. We've done our research and realized that most websites have their timelines from 12 months till the actual day of the wedding. If you're easily stressed and bad in managing time (or a Bridezilla, haha!), it's always better to start planning more than 12 months prior to your wedding!
So, based on what we need and are having for our wedding, here is our Wedding Prep Timeline and Checklist for your Big Day. Kindly note that we are not engaging a Wedding Planner or getting external vendors for decorations or invitation cards. Hence, we have created our own wedding to-do list, which might be more appropriate for couples doing the same :)
> 12 months (but after the engagement)
- Attend as many wedding fairs / shows at hotels or shopping malls to get an idea of the different venues or bridal shops you might be interested in. Click here for the Schedule of Wedding Shows, all thanks to SingaporeBrides.com
- Create an email account for both you and your partner to use for all wedding-related emails (Gmail preferred, so that you can create Google Spreadsheets to share with each other and also your bridesmaids/groomsmen later on)
- Estimated Guest list from the Groom, Bride, Parents, Parents-in-law (Draft 1)
- Organize a Meet-the-Parents session (Click on link to read about our experience!)
- Select your Wedding Date
- Shortlist Wedding Venues (hotels / restaurants / church) according to your preferences
- Call up shortlisted venues and enquire on the availability of the venue on your preferred date
- Plan for your Church Wedding (Click on link for our Part 1 Guide to Holy Matrimony)
- Shortlist Bridal Shops according to your preferences
- Shortlist Pre-wedding and Actual Day Photographers and Videographers according to your preferences
- Set a Wedding Budget
- Source for suitable credit cards that would offer the best rebates for your purchases (will be coming up with a Blogpost soon on this!)
- Book your Church Wedding Venue
- Register for Catholic Engaged Encounter (CEE) or Marriage Preparation Course (MPC)
- Create "Wedding Spending" Spreadsheet to note down how much has been spent (and will be spent in the coming months)
- Book Wedding Banquet Venue and place deposit (usually 30% or 50% of total amount)
- Book Bridal Shop Package and place deposit (usually 50% of total amount)
- Book Photographers and Videographers, and place deposit (usually 50% of total amount)
- Fix date for Pre-wedding photoshoot with Photographer and Bridal shop (if using gowns for photos)
- Source for tailors or gown rental shops for Mother's & Mother-in-law's Gowns
- Select Bridesmaids & Groomsmen, Flower Girl and Page Boy
- Decide on Wedding Style / Theme / Colour-theme (we recommend downloading the Pinterest App to get started!)
9 - 10 months
- Shortlist Caterers for Church Lunch Buffet
- Shortlist Musicians for Wedding Banquet
- Shop around and shortlist favourite wedding ring designs / shops
- Source for tailors, shops or online shops for Bridesmaids outfits
- Arrange with Bridal Shop assistant for your first appointment to try out some gowns
- Plan your honeymoon (always good to plan early so that you can lookout for cheap(er) tickets!)
- Book hotel, air tickets & travel insurance for honeymoon
- Send Save-the-Date messages to confirmed guests and relatives
- Make a trip to the Bridal Shop to shortlist gowns for your Pre-Wedding Photoshoot and Actual Day Wedding
- Finalize Mothers' Gowns designs at Tailor
- Schedule to go for more regular Facials (brides, don't just pamper yourself, remember to bring the groom along too!) for the remaining months leading up to your wedding day!
- Purchase wedding rings from Jeweler
- Book Wedding car & assign drivers for the cars
- Book Musicians / Wedding Band for Wedding Banquet
- Design and print Church Wedding Invitation cards
- Purchase items for 过大礼 (both Bride and Groom)
- Order Wedding Cake (for Church Wedding)
- Take pre-wedding photographs
- Confirm Actual Wedding Day Gowns and Suits (1st Bridal Fitting)
- Meet up with Church Wedding co-ordinator and wedding decorations team
- Arrange for 2nd Meeting with the Priest (Celebrant for your Holy Matrimony) after getting ready the MPC or CEE course certificate and updated Baptism certificate
- Check with the Church choir (of your choice) if they are available to sing for your wedding
- File application for marriage with ROM (at least 3 months before your wedding)
- Prepare duty list for Bridesmaids, Groomsmen and wedding helpers and hold a first meeting to run through their programme and duties for the actual day
- Organize Hen's and Stag night
- Come up with Seating Plan for Wedding Banquet
- Choose Wedding Invitation Card design (from hotel for Banquet)
- Choose wedding decoration, flowers and theme for dinner banquet
- Collect Church Wedding Invitation Cards
- Arrange for Food Tasting Session
- Arrange 过大礼 date
- Attend Food Tasting session at chosen hotel / restaurant
- Confirm food and beverages for church wedding and banquet
- Choose wedding favours (if using from wedding package by the hotel)
- Mail Invitation Cards (Church and Banquet) and request for RSVP
- Collect Wedding Rings from Jeweler
- Try out Actual Day Wedding Gowns and Suits to see if any last minute alteration is needed (2nd Bridal Fitting)
- Bring Mothers' to tailor to try out customized Gowns to see if any last minute alteration is needed
- Purchase Bridesmaids outfits
- Purchase Flower Girl and Page Boy outfits
- Choose pre-wedding photographs
- Select music for wedding march-in and first dance (we've shortlisted what we want for ours. Oops, too early?!)
- Print Church Programme Booklet (for priest and Wedding couple)
- Arrange for Church Wedding rehearsal & check with helpers, parents, bridesmaids and groomsmen on their availability
- Write Speeches and toasts
- Final Dress Fitting at Bridal Shop
- Collect Mothers' Gowns from Tailor
- Chase guests who have not RSVP-ed for Church Wedding and Dinner Banquet
- Finalize Wedding Guest list
- Finalize entire Wedding Day Programme (Church, Tea Ceremony and Banquet)
- Finalize AV arrangements (Church, Banquet)
- Pay 2nd Deposit for Wedding Banquet to hotel (some hotels will request for this 3 months before wedding)
- Meet up with Wedding Consultant for Banquet to go through the confirmed layout and procedure for the actual wedding
- Prepare the necessary for Tea Ceremony
- Hold 过大礼 ceremony
2 weeks
- Finalize Seating Plan according to the most updated Guest list
- Final confirmation of guest attendance, floor plan and wedding programme
- Confirmation of Bridal Cars arrangement
- Hold Church Wedding Rehearsal (parents, helpers, bridesmaids and groomsmen to attend if possible)
- Hold Hen's & Stag night
- Collect Marriage Certificate from ROM
1 week
- Collect Gowns and Suits
- Prepare Red packets for Wedding Helpers
- Pack luggage for Honeymoon (if leaving right after wedding day)
- Pack clothes and toiletries for hotel stay on the night of your wedding
- Confirm transportation and logistics with photographers, videographers, make-up artists and wedding helpers
- Prettify your nails with a good manicure and pedicure (include the Groom too, he might do with some foot scrub and massage!
- Drive bridal cars to Bridal Shop / Florist for floral decorations
- Collect fresh flowers and Hand Bouquet
- Confirm Transportation for the Wedding Day
- Put on a facial mask, some classical music and have an early night's rest
1 comments
I bet you feel satisfied and organised, this is a very efficient itinerary!
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