Groom's Timeline

[ printable version ]

Gentleman, without a doubt, planning a wedding by tradition is the responsibility of the bride and her family; however, today’s grooms are becoming more involved in the wedding planning. Most couples today are both working professionals. You have a very clear understanding of the costs involved, and want to have a voice in the decision process. Use this valuable time as an exercise in learning to work and plan together. It’s a great way to see how, as a couple, you compromise, negotiate and work together as a team. It will be this way for the rest of your life.

There are many events that you may enjoy attending such as, appointments to sample cakes, compare caterers and, yes, select your formalwear. Depending on your wedding ceremony, you may be required to attend marriage preparation classes. The wedding industry is a business, so use your business savvy to negotiate with vendors and thoroughly review the contracts.

To help you get started we have provided a timeline that is packed with valuable information. Have a BLAST planning with My Kentucky Wedding!

Six to Twelve Months Before the Wedding

Set your wedding date and time of ceremony with your fiancée.
Determine the formality of the ceremony and reception.
Establish the budget and determine your financial obligations towards the wedding.
Select your groomsmen, best man and ushers.
Prioritize your desires (wants vs. needs).
Determine the number of invited guests and start compiling addresses for your list of invites and your parents.
Start planning your honeymoon, remembering to include your fiancée, unless you prefer a surprise.
Begin plans for house or apartment hunting and discuss how finances will be handled after you are married.

Four to Six Months Before the Wedding

Register with a bridal registry in the town of both families.
Finalize your guest list and all addresses.
Apply for or renew passports, if necessary.
Shop for wedding rings and allow time for engraving, if desired.
Make arrangements for hotel accommodations for the night of the wedding.
Contract transportation to have your bride taken from her home to the ceremony location the day of the wedding.
Contract transportation at the conclusion of the reception to take you both to the hotel.
Select and order formalwear for entire wedding party including fathers, grandfathers and ushers.
Discuss the rehearsal ceremony time and begin rehearsal dinner arrangements working with your fiancée and your parents.
Make final arrangements for joining bank accounts, completing insurance policies and any other financial changes. All business and legal affairs.

Two to Three Months Before the Wedding

Select, design and order invitations to the rehearsal dinner including all out-of-town guests, immediate family and wedding party in your numbers.
Begin making arrangements for a video montage to shown at the rehearsal dinner, if desired.

Four to Six Weeks Before the Wedding

Contact all guests on your list who have not responded to the invitation, so you can have accurate numbers for your bride.
Mail invitations to the rehearsal dinner one to two weeks after the wedding invitation.
Shop for any honeymoon attire.
If traveling abroad, make sure to check with government agencies or your travel agent if proof of vaccinations is needed to enter a certain country. Exchange money in the currency of the country you are traveling. Make sure to have emergency information available and see if your medical insurance is honored in the country you are visiting.

Two to Three Weeks Before the Wedding

Purchase gifts of thanks for your parents and honored guests.
Purchase a gift for your fiancée and schedule a romantic and quiet dinner for the two of you to enjoy.
Finalize the details for the rehearsal making sure all groomsmen and family members know the start time.
Obtain your marriage license with your fiancée.
Finalize any remaining rehearsal dinner items with your parents and fiancée.
Write your wedding vows, if this is part of your ceremony.
Pick up wedding rings from jeweler and keep in a safe place.
If moving, take care of all arrangements such as utilities, change of address forms, cable, phone and internet service for your home. If your fiancée is moving into your current home, start re-organizing all your stuff so she has room for her things.

One Week Before the Wedding

Prepare your remarks for the rehearsal dinner.
Give final numbers to your caterer or contact for the rehearsal dinner. Also provide to them any items or gifts that you need them to store for that evening. Make sure to test the Montage Video if you are showing one.
Pick up and try on your wedding attire including everyone in your wedding party.
Pack for your honeymoon and make one last call that everything is set.
Notify post office to hold your mail while on honeymoon.
Make arrangements for food and drinks in the groom’s suite at the ceremony location.
Contact the transportation company and arrange for alcohol or drinks to be ready for the entire wedding party or just for you and your bride.
Write a personal thank you note for the officiant or clergy with your fiancée. Include a cash gratuity for performing the ceremony. This is separate from the church or facility rental fee. It is a gesture of thanks.

The Rehearsal Day

Ready the suitcases for the honeymoon including your passport and any necessary
Bring the marriage license to the rehearsal to give the officiant or clergy.
Give the wedding rings to the best man.
Remind all wedding party attendants of the times and locations on the wedding day. Ask them to please be prompt.
Enjoy the day with your family and friends. The planning is over and the FUN begins.
Get a good night sleep.

The Wedding Day

Enjoy a nice hearty breakfast.
Make sure to get your bride’s suitcase earlier in the day and check into the hotel. Request for an early check-in, so you can go right to your room after the reception. The suitcases can be held at the bell desk and delivered to your room if early check-in is not possible.
Make plans for lunch if having an evening wedding.
Arrive, on-time, at the ceremony location and for pictures. Allow enough time to dress, and bring with you a lent brush remover to clean up before the ceremony.
Don’t forget the food and drinks for the groom’s suite at the ceremony.
At the reception, you will dance with your bride first, but reminder to dance with both mothers and all bridesmaids.
Make sure to thank the bride’s parents and don’t forget your parents. Tell them goodbye as well before you leave.

After the Wedding

Make arrangements for someone to pick up your attire and return while you are on your honeymoon to avoid late fees.
Write thank you notes immediately for all gifts received at the wedding upon your return
Arrange to have flowers delivered to your parents while on your honeymoon as another
Send flowers and a kind, hand-written note to your bride’s parents thanking them for a wonderful wedding.
Enjoy being someone’s husband and have a long, healthy and happy marriage!