Checklist for the Groom

This checklist will help the groom in planning the most important day of his life.
Feel free to print it out and give copies to those helping to plan your wedding (especially the Best Man).

6 Months before the wedding
• Select your best man. Decide how many ushers you need (1 for every 50 guests), and select them.
• Start making out your guest list.
• Arrange visit with minister to discuss ceremony.
• Discuss wedding expenses with fianceé and all parents.
• Discuss honeymoon plans. If traveling abroad, make legal arrangements (passport, visas, innoculations, etc).
• Visit wedding gift registry with fianceé.

3 Months before the wedding
• Complete guest list, give it to fianceé.
• Consult with fianceé and order wedding attire for self, best man, ushers and fathers.
• Arrange transportation (limousines, etc.) for wedding party to ceremony and reception.
• Complete honeymoon plans: buy tickets, arrange hotel, etc.
• Order wedding rings and engraving.
• Arrange to pay for bride's bouquet and going-away corsage; order boutonnieres for men, and corsages for mothers.
• See your doctor for exams and blood test.

6-8 Weeks before the wedding
• Plan rehearsal dinner with your parents.
• Consult with fianceé and arrange lodging for relatives and ushers from out of town.
• Select gifts for best man and ushers, to be given at the bachelor dinner or wedding rehearsal.
• Choose bride's wedding present. Something personal, such as a watch or other piece of fine jewelry, is traditional.
• Make sure necessary documents - legal, insurance, financial, medical, and religious - are in order.
• Give or attend bachelor party.
• Pick up wedding rings, check engraving.
• Help fianceé with thank-you notes.

2 Weeks before the wedding
• Make a date with your fianceé to get the marriage license.
• Arrange with the best man for transportation from the reception to the airport or train.
• Double check honeymoon reservations and hotel for wedding night.

1 Week before the wedding
• Explain any special seating arrangements to head usher.
• Put the clergy member's or judge's fee in a sealed envelope and give it to the best man, to be delivered after the ceremony.
• Purchase traveler's checks.
• Get your going-away clothes ready so you can change after the reception.
• Pack for your honeymoon.
• Arrange to move belongings to new home.
• Remind best man and ushers of the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner details. Present gifts to attendants at rehearsal dinner.
• Arrange for rental returns.
• Be sure you and your bride sign the wedding certificate and see that it is safely put away before leaving on your honeymoon.
• Have best man send a thank-you telegram to your bride's parents the next day saying how lovely both the wedding and reception were.

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