PERFECT MUSLIM WEDDING PLANNING CHECKLIST

Bride Groom 6-12 Months Before:

Hold Engagement (Depending on how formal it is, this may require a separate
planning checklist :)
Explore wedding dates
Explore what type of wedding you want, formality, time of day, number of guests,
indoor, outdoor, destination, etc.
Determine your budget with all key parties who are contributing to it.
Begin work on the guest list for both bride and grooms side to get a rough head count
for each event, nikah, mehndi, reception, walemah etc.
Get referrals and interview wedding planner, decorator, florist, photographer,
videographer roles depending on what you plan to do yourself versus have someone
else do.
Start researching ceremony and reception sites. This may be in conjunction with the
wedding planner
Explore who is available to conduct the nikah eg Imam
Select how you will organize all the wedding items. Perfect Muslim Wedding
provides you templates and spreadsheets for all the key vendors. You can adapt this
and other checklists based on your needs. You can keep these all on a laptop or make
hardcopies and put in a binder or folder to keep organized. You can also do these
online or on your mobile device or tablet depending on your preference. Don’t forget
to keep a calendar and mark on it important dates.

3 - 9 Months Before
Enroll in a bridal-gift-registry if you are planning to have one
Explore wedding dress options
Hire or assign the wedding planner, florist, decorator etc and the other key roles inc
photographers/videographers
Finalize the guest list and request in-laws headcount. Finalize total count to
determine size of wedding.
Select nikah and reception site(s) and reserve them.
Determine your color scheme if you are having one.
Talk to caterers. Decide on the menu options and packages available.
Lay out how you want the wedding events to roll out and share with key
stakeholders.
Meet with your Imam to discuss the ceremony structure and any religious or cultural
customs you want to include.
Explore wedding cake options and reserve.
Pick invitations and finalize wording. Check proofs.
2 - 6 months before:
Order wedding invitations, envelopes, thank-you cards, etc.

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 Order or buy your wedding dress along with outfits for other events eg Mehndi,
Nikah, Waleemah.
Grooms decide on formal wear and order it.
Compile hotel information and other items and send out to guests who will be taking
advantage of your negotiated hotel rate.
Discuss and decide on floral arrangements
Reserve any extra equipment (tables, chairs, A/V, etc.) that you may need for the
ceremony or reception.
Plan and book your honeymoon. Give yourself a buffer of a day so you are not rushed.
Collect passports, get visas if need be. Make reservation in maiden name as any name
change won’t be in place.
Arrange your honeymoon suite for night of wedding or setup your new apartment or
house appropriately
Bride Groom 1-4 Months Before:
Call County Registrars Office for Marriage License requirements.
Have a physical. Get a blood test, if needed for a license.
Meet with the caterer or banquet manager to finalize menus, service style
Finalize the wedding cake
Brides buy accessories (shoes, jewelry,etc.) to go with your dress.
Shop for and purchase wedding rings.
Brides get all lingerie for wedding night.
Brides confirm arrival date of dress and schedule first fitting.
Grooms get fitted for your tux or other formal wear.
Send out invitations allowing people enough time to respond and for you to make
any adjustments.
Arrange and reserve wedding day transportation for you, your spouse and your
wedding party and guests if needed.
Bride Groom 2-8 Weeks Before:
Design and print ceremony programs if you are having one.
Buy a guest book and pen and any other items you want at your
reception/ceremony, such as a unity candle.
Work on a music list and finalize music selections for the ceremony.
Pick up wedding rings.
Have a final meeting with the Imam to go over the details of your nikah.
Work out wedding day timing and details. Give lists of assignments to wedding
party.
Bride Groom 1-2 Weeks Before:
Follow up with Imam and make sure they know the details of nikah time and place. If
it is not their local masjid make sure they know how to get there or get them a ride.
Confirm all wedding day details with photographer/videographer and give them a

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 must shoot list.
Prepare any speeches. MC practice your MCing
Distribute wedding day directions, schedule and contact lists to all parents,
attendants and vendors.
Ensure all payments for vendors are taken care off.
Most weddings are “no boxed gifts” (cash only), should anyone bring them have
someone responsible for them. Cash/check envelopes can add up, make sure they
are attended to and someone is responsible for them.
Discuss seating arrangements, total segregation, mixed or some combination? Assign
tables for the in-laws and guests as well as the brides family. Also tables for guests
who may not be familiar with the customs, eg neighbors, co-workers.
Confirm delivery times and process with cake maker. Eg Hand off between them and
reception. Does it need to be refrigerated.
Grooms pick up suit/tuxedo and try it on.
Bride Groom 1 Week Before:
Give your final headcount to all the vendors eg reception, caterer
Apply for marriage license
Pack for honeymoon and ensure ride to airport, flights and hotel reservation for
honeymoon are all in check.
Bride Groom The Day Before:
Collect all items for the bride (and groom) eg dress, jewley, accessories, in one place.
Collect all items that will be required for the reception hall eg favors, guest book and
pen and other items
Relax, get a massage, get some sleep! Make sure you have a wakeup call just incase
and backup alarm set.
Bride Groom Your Wedding Day:
Its show time, relax, you have done all you can, go with the flow
Keep paperwork from Nikah to be submitted to the registrars office.
Bride Groom Day After & Beyond:
Write thank you notes for all guests in 4-8 weeks maximum
Watch the first cut of the wedding video and give feedback. Select photos for the
wedding album and share with family and friends
Decide which mementos you would like to preserve eg favors, napkins, agenda
Work on your marriage, pray and enjoy each other

Perfect Muslim Wedding Planning Checklist Copyright 2013

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