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Even the most organized groom can use a bit of help preparing for the wedding. With so many new things to take care of, a comprehensive groom’s checklist is definitely in order. Follow this groom’s checklist month by month and you’ll follow a smooth path down the aisle.

At Least One Year Before the Wedding

• Choose the wedding date
• Decide what type of wedding you desire (small/big, traditional, etc.)
• Determine what religion the service will be performed in, if any
• Choose the time of the wedding and reception
• Choose the location desired for the ceremony
• Choose the location desired for the reception
• Set the wedding budget and decide how the wedding will be financed

10-12 Months Before the Wedding

• Ensure home/renter's insurance covers engagement ring or buy additional jewelry insurance
• Decide if all/part of the vows will be written by bride/groom
• Set a honeymoon budget
• Announce engagement to family and friends
• Put engagement announcement in the local paper

6-10 Months Before the Wedding

• First meeting with minister/officiant
• Begin writing vows
• Choose your best man and ushers and ask if they will accept the position
• Pick out tuxes for the groom and groomsmen/ushers/fathers
• Choose/book desired location for rehearsal dinner
• Make first draft of invite list
• Plan honeymoon and book all lodgings/transportation/event tickets
• Check passports/visas

4-6 Months Before the Wedding

• Hire limo driver or make other arrangements for transportation after reception
• Buy necessary wedding attire accessories (shoes, cufflinks, etc.)
• Pick out and order wedding bands
• Decide if groom's cake is desired; if so, choose flavor and style and inform baker
• Make second draft of invite list
• Get measurements from groom/ushers/fathers/groomsmen for tuxedos

3-4 Months Before the Wedding

• Decide on living arrangement once married

2-4 Months Before the Wedding

• Determine wedding band inscriptions if applicable
• Determine seating arrangement at rehearsal dinner with groom's mother if desired
• Choose song for mother/groom dance
• Finalize vows and memorize (if necessary)
• Buy gifts for groomsmen, parents, fiancee, ushers
• Finalize guest list
• Get addresses of all people on invite list
• Ask mom if she wants rehearsal dinner invitations and/or place cards matching invitations
• Set date with fiancee to get marriage license (check restrictions on how long it's valid prior to wedding)
• Get blood tests/physicals for marriage certificate if required
• Get any immunizations you will need for the honeymoon

2 Months Before the Wedding

• Schedule hair appointment
• Book rooms for out-of-town attendants at hotel
• Choose one person to whom the groomsmen can return their tuxes, and have that person return the tuxes to the rental place if desired
• Determine who will take the groom's tuxedo back to the rental place
• Buy honeymoon clothes and going away outfit if necessary
• Buy/decide on rehearsal/rehearsal dinner outfit
• Get wedding band inscribed
• Call to inform all people who need to be at rehearsal
• Obtain marriage certificate
• Last meeting with minister/officiant
• Determine where groom and attendants will get dressed (at hotel or ceremony site?)
• Buy wrapping paper for attendant, etc. gifts
• Ensure formal-wear shop has all tuxedo measurements

1 Month Before the Wedding

• Box and wrap all gifts for bride/groomsmen/ushers/etc.
• Ensure groom's mom has addressed/mailed rehearsal dinner invitations if his parents are hosting it
• Order flower arrangements for rehearsal dinner tables if desired
• Pick up wedding band
• Ensure home/renter's insurance covers wedding bands or buy additional jewelry insurance
• Confirm honeymoon reservations
• Open joint checking and savings accounts
• Change beneficiary to fiancee for will and life insurance policy
• Inform car/home/renter's insurance of marriage (discounted rates may apply)

2 Weeks Before the Wedding

• Meet with rehearsal dinner caterers for final details
• Confirm hotel reservations for wedding night
• Confirm hotel reservations for attendants
• Determine personal wedding morning itinerary (time to wake up, time to leave for to the wedding venue, etc.)
• Hair appointment (to avoid that freshly-cut look in the wedding pictures)
• Move belongings to new home

1 Week Before the Wedding

• Pack for honeymoon
• Get traveler's checks for honeymoon; exchange money to foreign currency now if desired
• Remind attendants about rehearsal time
• Give the clergyman's fee to the best man (if it will be paid on the day of the ceremony, otherwise drop it off in advance)
• Remind fathers/ushers/groomsmen to pick up tuxedos on the day before the wedding
• Ensure delivery of flower arrangements for wedding rehearsal dinner have been made

1 Day Before the Wedding

• Pick up tux
• Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

The Morning of the Wedding

• Give the groom's wedding band to the Maid of Honor and bride's wedding band to the Best Man prior to ceremony
• Relax and let it all sink in!!