Groom’s Planner

A wedding should be planned in stages with every decision made as early as possible.
The groom has plenty that he is traditionally responsible for.

12 Months Before

• Select engagement ring.
• Discuss wedding plans and budget with fiancée and all parents.
• Select attendants and at least one usher for every 50 guests.
• Decide on ceremony and reception with fiancée.

9 Months Before

• Arrange a visit with clergymember or justice of the peace to discuss ceremony.
• Start compiling your guest list.
• Discuss honeymoon destinations with fiancée; consult travel agent.

6 Months Before

• Arrange to pay for bride’s bouquet; order boutonnieres and corsages.
• Visit gift registry with fiancée.
• Complete honeymoon plans.
• For travel abroad, update passports, visas and inoculations.
• Arrange transportation to ceremony and reception for wedding party.

3 Months Before

• Complete guest list; give to fiancée.
• After consulting fiancée, order wedding attire for yourself and ushers.
• Shop for honeymoon clothes.
• Order wedding rings.
• After consulting fiancée, reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.
• Plan rehearsal dinner with parents.

6-8 Weeks Before

• Help fiancée with thank-you notes for gifts.
• Get legal and religious papers in order.
• Pick up wedding rings; check engraving.
• Buy gifts for fiancée and ushers.

2 Weeks Before

• Go with fiancée to get marriage license.
• Arrange for transportation from the reception to the airport, if applicable.
• Attend bachelor party.
• Double-check honeymoon reservations.
• Arrange to move belongings to new home.

1 Week Before

• Remind ushers of rehearsal dinner details (give them the gifts that night).
• Put officiant’s fee in a sealed envelope and give it to best man to deliver after the ceremony.
• Explain any special seating arrangements for family members, etc., to ushers.
• Purchase traveler’s checks.
• Pack for honeymoon.

Jim Nelson Photography

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