Planning a wedding is no easy business. It is especially the case with Chinese weddings, what with all the tradition that comes with a typical Chinese wedding. So in order to ensure that you have plenty of time to prepare all that you need to have your dream wedding, here’s an ultimate wedding checklist for Chinese weddings. Once you’ve ticked everything off this wedding checklist, you’ll be completely ready to marry the love of your life!

6 – 12 months before the special day (after the proposal)

Have a meeting between parents to announce wedding and discuss details(Wedding date, what type of wedding ceremony should be held, who pays for what, dowry, etc.)

Make an appointment with traditional marriage services (to choose the right wedding date / time for each part of the ceremony)

Decide on a wedding budget (Make sure to stick to it!)

Register your marriage (R.O.M.)

Start working on your guest list!

Book your wedding venue

Make a fitness plan (If you’re planning on shedding some pounds before the wedding)

Hire a wedding planner (To help make wedding planning easier and less of a hassle)

Announce wedding date or save the dates

Book your wedding stylist

Book your makeup artist (Book at least two so that you try out which one suits you best)

4 – 5 months before the wedding

Finalize guest list

Choose your ‘heng dai’ and ‘ji mui’

Find the perfect wedding dress / suit

Decide on theme of wedding

Select outfits of bridesmaids and groomsmen to suit the theme

Get your pre-wedding photoshoot or videography done

Book your florist (wedding bouquet, wedding decorations)

Book your wedding car / any other transportation that’s required (buses for family members living far away etc.)

Book wedding entertainment

Shop for wedding bands

Make plans for your honeymoon

2 – 3 months before the wedding date

Plan your wedding itinerary and ceremony formalities

Groom’s family should purchase Grand Gift (guo da li)

Bride’s family should purchase dowry (jia zhuang)

Book wedding photographer or videographer

Do hair and makeup trial

Hire caterer for the morning ceremony

Select your wedding playlist and pass it to the DJ

Decide on your ‘dai kam jie’ (find out how to find the right one here)

Ensure that you have everything ready for your honeymoon (passport, visa, outfits, etc)

Send out wedding invitations

1 month before the wedding

Delegate responsibilities to your wedding party

Final fitting for wedding dress and qi pao or kwa (with bridal shoes, wedding veil, and other accessories)

Decide on what ritual formalities you will adopt during the day

Decide on seating arrangement

Confirm with vendors that everything is in order

Confirm wedding day programme with emcee, musicians etc.

Purchase gifts for parents and wedding party

Have the Guo Da Li ceremony

2 weeks before the wedding

Invite wedding party to dinner

Confirm banquet menu

Purchase guestbook and money box for Li Shi money

Ensure all guests have RSVP’d

1 week before the wedding (You’re almost there!)

Prepare bride’s emergency kit (wet wipes, tissues, makeup, etc.)

Confirm with dai kam jie about itinerary for wedding day

Prepare cheques for wedding day (to pay vendors)

Break in your wedding shoes

Order roast suckling pig for Three-Day Return visit to bride’s home

Final facial session

Arrange for rental items to be returned

Pack for your honeymoon

Conduct An Chuang ceremony

1 day before the wedding (It’s almost time!)

Pack all your wedding day items and pass it to the person in charge

Check that you have everything (wedding dress, accessories, bouquet, etc.)

Send wedding car for decoration

Go for a massage or spa to relax

Sleep early!

Perform the ‘Shang Tou’ 上头 or hair combing ceremony

With this wedding checklist, you can ensure that you have everything you need to have your dream wedding, no problem. Not only that, it will also help reduce stress of wedding planning. After this, all you have to do is enjoy your wedding and being able to spend the rest of your life with the one you love.