Planning A Catholic Wedding: Complete Checklist

A bride and groom's guide to the requirements and traditions of a Catholic wedding. How to prepare, organize and budget for the perfect wedding.

Planning a wedding, no matter what religion you are, takes plenty of time and preparation. If you're having a Catholic wedding, your place of worship might have requirements which must be met before the vows will be exchanged. In addition, some things will need to be booked months in advance to make sure they'll be there on that special day. Up to a year before the big day, start planning a budget and deciding who will pay for which things. Choose who the bridesmaids will be, the maid of honor and the groom's attendants. If you'll be using a wedding coordinator, they need to be contacted at least nine months in advance. Book the wedding day and time with your priest. At this time, you might also want to check with the preferred caterers to book your chosen date. Speak to a photographer and videographer if you'll be using a professional to take the pictures. Decide on what colors you'll be using, or what theme. You might also want to start planning your honeymoon. Your priest might require the future bride and groom to meet with a mentor couple or a marriage preparation program, so schedule these and plan to meet once a week, or whatever the requirements are. Begin writing the guest list and let out-of-town guests know about the upcoming day. Start reviewing scriptures and deciding on which ones you might use. By now you should be almost certain of the wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses. You should also have selected a florist and chosen particular flowers or colors. Discuss what type of music you'll have and begin choosing potential songs. Also, choose a cantor who knows the Catholic Mass. Select a musician, band or songs for the reception. Your musicians may have to be notified well in advance of 6 months to schedule your day. Discuss ideas for the ceremony with your priest.

About four to six months before the wedding, order your invitations and thank you notes. Choose friends or relatives to give readings. This will give them plenty of time to prepare. Start planning the menu and order your cake. Purchase rings, get engraving done and purchase accessories, such as the ring pillow or flower girl basket. Registries should also be done at this time, and should actually be done before sending out invitations. Reserve chairs and tables or other rental equipment. Two or three months before the wedding, confirm all the arrangements with your priest, check with the wedding coordinator and make final choices of music and scriptures. Your priest might have a list of appropriate scripture and song choices, so check with him about these things. Schedule and attend the final classes of the marriage preparation program. Finalize your guest list and contact professionals if you'll be using them to do your hair or make up. Make all necessary arrangements for the honeymoon, including travel plans and motel reservations. If you'll be leaving the country on your honeymoon, make sure your passport is up to date. Take a day to shop for gifts for the attendants and parents, get the final fitting for your gown, and make any last minute arrangements or purchases.

At about six weeks to eight weeks before the day, send out invitations and begin recording RSVPs as they arrive. Be sure out-of-town guests have details of hotels and motels in the area. About a month before the wedding, make final decisions on all readings, scriptures, psalms, and music, including the processional and recessional tunes. Meet with your priest one final time, register for your marriage license and check on all attire to see that it is near completion. When there's only a month to go, design and order your wedding program, making sure first that all ceremony details have been decided. Future bride and groom should get together and write the prayers of the faithful or special intentions. Call guests who have not notified you to verify if they're planning on coming and notify the caterers of the final guest count. Check with the florist, photographer, band and other reservations to see that everything is in order. A week or so before the wedding, pick up all attire, shoes and accessories for the bride, groom and all attendants. Make a list of plans to give to attendants and drivers. A day or so before the wedding, have the rehearsal and pass out the gifts to your attendants. Arrange for payment of all vendors, including tips and other gratuities. If your priest does not make an actual charge for this service, include an arrangement for a donation to him. Have the priest bless the rings.Finish up on all appointments, such as the manicurist or hairdresser. On the day of the wedding, try to take some time before all of the excitement begins, to be alone and pray. Your priest might want to meet with each of you separately for a word of prayer. Do this before dressing in your wedding attire. With everything now completed, you're ready for your big moment.

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