Groom’s Checklist
Six to Twelve Months Before
• Buy the engagement ring
• Discuss with fiancée the date and type of wedding
• Put together a wedding guest list and have your family make out theirs. You should note
which guests you would like to have seated in the reserved pews of the church or of the wedding
ceremony site
• Choose the best man and ushers. Make an invitation to your friend to be your best man and
select and invite other friends to be ushers.
• Start planning and making necessary arrangements for the honeymoon
• Discuss and plan with your fiancée your new home together. If your fiancée is moving in
with you, start cleaning out closets, cupboards, and drawers to make room for your bride and
wedding gifts.
Four Months Before
• Shop with fiancée for wedding rings
• Complete your guest list, including full names, addresses and zip codes with phone numbers
• Check requirements for marriage license in your state, or the state that you will be married
• Select and order men’s wedding attire with your fiancée
• Finalize all honeymoon plans and send in deposits if required (don’t delay – some resorts fill
up fast in popular months)
Two Months Before
• Meet with officiant to finalize ceremony details
• Assist parents with plans for the rehearsal dinner party
• Discuss the amount and the financial arrangement for the flowers (this is the groom’s
responsibility) Arrange accommodations for out-of-town attendants
One Month Before
• See that all attendants have been fitted and wedding attire has been ordered
• Purchase gifts for the best man and ushers, present at the wedding rehearsal or the
bachelor party
• Select a gift for your bride, if gifts are being exchanged. This gift should be something
personal such as jewelry, a full day at the spa, etc.
• Pick up wedding rings and verify that they fit
• Take care of business and legal affairs (add bride’s name to insurance policies and medical
plans, make a new will, add her name to the joint checking account or joint credit cards). If you
have both agreed to a pre-nuptial agreement, have it drawn up and signed
Two Weeks Before
• Together with fiancée, gather necessary documents and get your marriage license
• Arrange wedding day transportation
• Reconfirm accommodations for out-of-town guests
• If moving, give change-of-address card to post office; arrange to have utilities and phone
service turned on in the new home. If not moving, finish cleaning and reorganizing your home;
help your fiancée move her things
• Get your hair cut
The Week Before
• Discuss all final details with your fiancée (offer to assist if needed)
• Pick up and try on wedding attire
• Make sure that your attendants get their wedding attire
• Pack for honeymoon
• Reconfirm all honeymoon reservations
• Make sure that you have the plane tickets Go to the rehearsal with your attendants and let them know their responsibilities
• Go over special seating or pew cards with ushers
• Make sure luggage is in the car or the hotel where you will stay your first night.
• Attend rehearsal dinner. Relax and enjoy yourself
• Go to bed early
The Wedding Day
• Be sure to eat
• Start dressing one hour before ceremony
• Arrive to the ceremony location on time
• Give the best man the bride’s wedding ring
• Place the officiant’s fee in a sealed envelope and give it to the best man. He will take care of
the fee after the ceremony
• Take the marriage license to the ceremony
• Have the best man and maid of honor sign the wedding certificate as witnesses
At the Reception
• Dance with your bride first, then with both mothers and the bridesmaids
• Thank the bride’s parents and say good-bye to your parents before leaving the reception
After the Wedding
• Send flowers or a telegram expressing your appreciation and thanks the bride’s parents the
first day of your honeymoon