Recently, we had given a detailed checklist for our lovely brides-to-be to help them plan their month-to-month wedding tasks. We are sure that must have come in very handy in meticulously planning things in the days leading up to the W-day. Today, we are presenting a similar checklist, but this time our focus is on the mothers’ of the brides. Naturally, a similar list would be applicable to the groom’s moms as well. In Indian weddings though, majority of the to-dos fall on the bride’s family and particularly the mothers. Hence, we are hoping this list will be helpful for all those lovely mommies planning their darling daughters’ nuptials.
12-9 Months Before The Wedding
- Announce the news to friends and family
- Keep a bridal journal to note down ideas, details, contact numbers and other wedding plans.
- Start preparing for the engagement ceremony. If it is a formal ceremony, book the hotel/venue. Make phone calls to invite guests.
- Help daughter with her shopping: for the main day as well as all related ceremonies like Sangeet, Roka, Mehendi etc.
- Start collecting/polishing the family gold and silver for passing on to the daughter or for use during the various rituals.
- Contact the family priest regarding the Muhurat, Graha Shanti pooja, engagement ceremony and other rituals.
- Start to research various traditions and customs. Get in touch with family elders to get the details.
- Arrange a meal for the groom’s family in order to discuss budget, jewellery details, guests’ lists etc.
9-6 Months Before The Wedding
- Contact the dress maker/tailor for own clothing as well as daughter’s clothing.
- Visit dress fitting/studios/shops for daughter’s lehengas, salwar kameezes, sarees.
- Prepare a list of bridal trousseau items to be handed over to daughter. Start shopping for and packing these items.
- Start shopping for gifts for in-laws
- Buy/customize clothes for men in the family.
- Start a diet/exercise regime with daughter to get in shape for the D-day.
- Start collecting contact details for various caterers/mithai wallas
- Get in touch with different vendors and book them for the wedding day.
- Order wedding invitations.
- Help daughter with bridal beauty treatments.
- Start collecting addresses of relatives near and far to send the wedding invitations.
- Assign tasks to family members, coordinators, helpers.
6-3 Months Before The Wedding
- Finish shopping for the wedding attire and jewellery.
- Start shopping for accessories like hair ornaments, makeup items, shoes, veils, etc.
- Send out wedding invites.
- Finalize dealing with vendors.
- Book hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.
Image Clicksunlimited Photography
3-1 Month/s Before the Wedding
- Supervise house cleaning
- Finish final dress/blouse fittings
- Complete the shopping for wedding accessories
- Make phone calls to guests who have not yet confirmed their arrival.
- Complete the staying/food arrangements for out-of-town guests
- Make pick-up and staying arrangements for bridal party from groom’s side (if they are from another town).
- Go for a mani/pedicure as well as facial or hair treatments if any
- Arrange and finalize preparations for Mehendi, Sangeet and Haldi ceremonies.
2 Weeks Before the Wedding
- Attend to the Mehendi/Haldi and other pre wedding functions and rituals
- Pack for the venue
- Pack the bridal trousseau, gifts for in laws etc
- Call all vendors to make final arrangements and inform them about the final guest list/count.
- Contact the venue/priest to confirm timings and other details
- Rent things/equipment as required for rituals
- Get as much rest as possible in the week leading up to the wedding.
Image Madhurang Studio
A Day Before the Wedding
- Spend quality time with daughter
- Try and rest well
- Attend the pre wedding/rehearsal dinner
- Finalize last minute details for the next day/day of the wedding
- Perform rituals
- Finish packing for the venue
- Help daughter pack her things for honeymoon as well as for her Bidaai to her new home.
On the Wedding Day
- Get your hair and makeup done and assist daughter with hers
- Make sure you and your daughter have a good breakfast/meal
- Relax and try to not fret over small things-leave everything to the vendors, helpers and coordinators.
- Perform the wedding rituals.
- See daughter off in the Doli.
After The Wedding
- Return/arrange to have returned the rented equipment/items.
- Settle vendor bills and final payments.
- Make phone calls to thank people/relatives for attending the wedding and helping out.
- Open and keep away gifts
- Contact wedding video/photographer for prints
- Get some well earned rest
We hope this handy checklist will help brides ‘mothers schedule their activities in time for the big day and also avoid many hassles along the way.
Featured image: Shine Studio
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