Jewish Wedding Checklist

person checking off items on to do list

Task

When

Who

Choose a date for your wedding in consultation with clergy and family

1 year in advance

 

Decide on budget and style

1 year in advance

 

Scout out and choose a reception site

911 months in advance

 

Begin working on guest list and request lists from parents

911 months in advance

 

Choose a caterer

911 months in advance

 

Begin shopping for a gown

68 months in advance

 

Finalize guest list

68 months in advance

 

Meet with rabbi to discuss ceremony; set up prenuptial meetings

6 months in advance

 

Book a band

6 months in advance

 

Choose a gown

46 months in advance

 

Book a calligrapher to make your ketubah

6 months in advance

 

Book a photographer

46 months in advance

 

Register for wedding gifts

46 months in advance

 

Set aside a block of hotel rooms for out of town guests

46 months in advance

 

Decide on wording for invitation

46 months in advance

 

Decide on text for ketubah

46 months in advance

 

Order invitations

4-6 months in advance

 

Book a baker for the wedding cake

24 months in advance

 

Order kippot and bentschers

24 months in advance

 

Reserve rental equipment if necessary

24 months in advance

 

Plan your honeymoon

2-4 months in advance

 

Book hotel room for wedding night

24 months in advance

 

Buy wedding rings

23 months in advance

 

Compile packages for out of town guests to be mailed with invitations

23 months in advance

 

Decide on chuppah – florist, tallis, how you will construct it

23 months in advance

 

Purchase other clothing – veil, stockings, shoes, etc.

23 months in advance

 

Send out wedding invitations

6 weeks in advance

 

As you receive gifts, update registry, and send out thank you notes

6 weeks in advance

 

Order liquor, wine, etc.

6 weeks in advance

 

Map out whole ceremony

6 weeks in advance

 

If you want friends to perform or read something, invite them to do so

6 weeks in advance

 

Decide on and plan pre-wedding ceremonies tisch, bedecken, kabalat panim

4 weeks in advance

 

If you will be celebrating sheva berachot after the wedding work out schedule of locations and guests

4 weeks in advance

 

Choose witnesses who will sign ketubah

34 weeks in advance

 

Get marriage license

23 weeks in advance

 

Have a final meeting with rabbi

23 weeks in advance

 

Work out wedding day timing and details, who picks up when where, etc.

12 weeks in advance

 

Write and print out wedding booklets

12 weeks in advance

 

Determine wedding day assignments

12 weeks in advance

 

Confirm all service providers caterer, band, etc.

12 weeks in advance

 

Go the mikveh

13 days before wedding

 

Bring props kiddush cups, ketubah, etc., – to wedding site

Day before

 

 

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