Necessary Checklist

Checklist:

Things to prepare on your big day

By now, while throwing yourself in the most stressful process of your wedding preparation, you have already prepared a tracking sheet to practically list every detail and schedule of your planning, but it is more practical if you write down the most important wedding essentials in a separate journal to avoid missing other elements.

For the Bride:

Bridal Gown – Depending on your choice of a gown, it is ideal to go to a couture house for fitting two months before your big day to allow enough time to choose the perfect design and fabric. This is also absolutely practical because by this time you already come up with the most ideal trim and it is remotely impossible to lose several pounds for the succeeding weeks.

Shoes – Choose a style that will enable you to walk and stand comfortably. Pumps and Stilleto are perfect choices if you are petite but not too high as it might create a trouble when gliding down the aisle.

Earrings – Choose simple studs if you are planning to wear a tiara. It is messy to look if you have to pick dangling earrings and don tiara at the same time.

Stocking/Garter to wear – If there’s throwing of the garter portion in your wedding program, you may buy a garter but if not, then do not mind having it.

The old rhyme – Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. If you still believe the significance of this old, mythical rhyme, then include the elements in your wedding, but if not, then leave it there.

Fan (optional) – If you think you will be marrying under the summer heat or if the temperature around the reception venue is quite unsettling, you may prefer to buy one.

Purse (optional) – Normally most brides never bring purse at the church but if you want some important thing to stuff on, then bring one that match your gown.

Tiara/Flowers – Most brides wear tiara, though some culture reputed its significance in the wedding day, a tiara traditionally reserves to a bride marrying into society men, but it is now part of the wedding fashion. If you are not into tiara, you can choose flowers instead to adorn your head especially around the bun.

Veil – Normally used to cover the face of the bride when walking down the aisle. Veil can be either plain tulle or lace.

For the Groom:

Groom’s Attire – previously viewed as anything that pleases the groom, now a groom’s attire should be fitted with the occasion. It is silly to see a groom wears something more like that of a school boy uniform beside his stunning bride. He must be dressed appropriately for the occasion.

Types of Groom’s attire:

Barong – A typical Filipino groom get-up, normally in an ivory-embroidered ensemble.

Suit – If the wedding happens in the morning or afternoon before 6:00 pm, you should pick a suit, either pinstripe or plain with matching tie. You may choose a tail-coat or double-breasted button style.

Tuxedo – Normally called a dinner suit, naturally no groom in his correct senses would wear a tuxedo before 6:00 pm, so this get-up should be worn if the wedding occurs after 6:00pm.

Boutonnieres – Definitely the only set of flowers you will ever wear in your entire life. These refer to flowers pinned in the breast of the groom, normally composed of flowers found in his bride’s bouquet. Though you hate the idea of wearing it, well, this is not the right time to argue since it is your big day.

Shoes – Choose the most comfortable shoes which enable you to stand and walk without fidgeting your toes inside.

Attendants:

Flower girls’ outfit

Page Boys’ outfit

Bride’s Maids’ outfit

Groom’s men’ outfit

Maid of honour

Best Man

Essentials/Elements:

Arrhae and coin holder

Bridal bouquet

Bouquet for female attendants

Boutonnieres for male attendants

Cord

Candle (offertory)

Choir/soloist/orchestra

Church’s decorations (fabric, flowers)

Church venue

Confetti (at the reception venue)

Corsages (Parents, witnesses, secondary sponsors)

Flower baskets for flower girls

Flowers (offertory)

Gifts (offertory)

Guests’ book

Headpieces for female attendants/flower girls

Wedding invitation

Menu card

Music selection

Photographer/Video services

Prenuptial venues (it is okay to suggest to photographers)

Reception venue

Reception venue decorations (chair and table covers, fabric, flowers, table cards and center pieces)

Registry

Thank You card

Unity Candles

Veil

Wedding Favours

Wedding Cake

Wedding Rings

First Essentials to prepare/schedule

City/Local registry for marriage license

NSO

Church appointments

Church venue

Reception venue

With each culture, belief, tradition and practices vary in every country, Wedding Essentials/Elements probably differ also depends on the couple’s concept of a joyous wedding celebration.