Grooms Checklist

Preparing for your big day is a stressful task, use this check list to help you with your organization and planning.

At Least One Year in Advance

Ten to Twelve Months in Advance

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

Six to Ten Months in Advance

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 from national tuxedo rentals
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

Four to Six Months in Advance

Hire limo driver or make other arrangements for transportation after reception
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

Three to Four Months in Advance

Decide on living arrangement once married
Two to Four Months in Advance
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

Two Months in Advance

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

One Month

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)

Two Weeks in Advance

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

One week in Advance

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)
Ensure delivery of flower arrangements for wedding rehearsal dinner have been made
Receive tuxedos from nationaltuxedorentals.com, check for correct sizing.

Day Before Wedding

Morning of Wedding

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!!