Groom's Timetable

The groom will help the bride and her family with much of the wedding planning. However, the timetable below lists some of the traditional things a groom needs to do in preparing for the wedding.

Twelve or more months ahead

• Buy the engagement ring. Choosing one together is a good idea. However, if you would like to have one to propose with please ensure that is returnable, just in case she doesn't like it.

Six or more months ahead

• Put together a guest list and check with your family that you have not left anyone out.
• With the assistance of your fiancé work out what you would like in terms of wedding gifts for your home.
• Select outfits for the groom and his party.
• Discuss honeymoon destination and make bookings. Organise an MC for the reception
• Start applying for passports if they are going to be required for your honeymoon,.
• Choose your bridal party.
• Book florist.
  

four to six months ahead

• Purchase wedding rings.
• Finalise your honeymoon arrangements and pay deposits involved.
• Book a room for wedding night.
• Check with the florist, and make final arrangements for the bouquets and corsages.
• Sign up for dance lessons.
• Start buying any clothes you will need for the honeymoon.

two to four months ahead

• Check that the appropriate legal and religious paper work has been completed and submitted as necessary.
• Update your various insurance policies to cover your bride, such as health, cars, home and contents (remember to include the weddings rings in the policy).
• Start discussing changes to wills.
• If you are giving the bride a wedding gift now is the time to choose and order it.
• Write or choose your wedding vows.
• Schedule rehearsal time and rehearsal dinner.
• Reconfirm travel arrangements
  

one to two months ahead

• Help write thank-you notes as gifts arrive.
• Send change of address details to the post office.
• Contact local newspapers about publishing wedding announcements.
• If you have people travelling from out of town, confirm their travel arrangements and collection fro arrival point.
• Hold bachelor party
• Choose gifts the best man and groomsmen.
  

Two weeks ahead

• Double check the arrangements for leaving the reception. If you've hired a car confirm it.
• Check the bridal party outfits are in order.
• Help with seating plan.
• Hold rehearsal dinner.
• Reconfirm honeymoon reservations .
• Write toasts and speeches for rehearsal dinner and wedding reception.

One week ahead

• Finalize seating plan.
• Assign specific responsibilities, such as handing out corsages, to members of your wedding party.
• Give any fees that have to be paid by you after the wedding to your best man in an envelope.
• Confirm details with caterer.
• Confirm honeymoon arrangements, and give your itinerary to a friend or family member in case of emergency.
• Pack for honeymoon.
• Give your gifts to the bridal party. The rehearsal dinner is the appropriate time if you are having one.
• Buy any travellers cheques you may need.
• If you are not living together, now is the time to start moving.

One day ahead

• Confirm transportation arrangements for ceremony and reception.

On the day

• Relax and enjoy yourselves!

Something to add?
We would love to hear from you if you have any tips, advice, or stories about your wedding experiences that we could add to our site. Please email us at info@invitingconcepts.com.au