Tips for planning a Wedding
Things to be done
7 to 12 months before the wedding
| Formally announce your engagement | Have both families met, notify the local newspaper and announce your engagement in print! |
| Select a date | Consider a date that will accommodate those you plan on inviting. |
| Determine your budget | Be realistic when creating the budget. Determine WHO is paying for the wedding: the Bride's family, the Groom's family, the couple or a combination of the above. |
| Book the officiant | Make sure that whomever you want to marry you both is available. Reserve both the wedding and reception locations. Reserving the location of both the wedding ceremony and reception is one of the most important tasks that must be done once and engagement is announced. If the date of the wedding is in close proximity to a holiday, this task becomes even more pertinent. |
| Hire the wedding consultant | If you are considering using a wedding consultant, conduct your interviews now. Make sure you choose a consultant who is not only professional and a member of any accredited wedding consultant association but someone who is amiable and easy to work with. |
| Purchase a handy wedding planner | You can't plan a wedding without a trusty wedding planner. Make sure the planner contains pages on which you can take notes, a daily calendar to keep you on time and pockets to hold those ever-important receipts! Consider a wedding planning software program as a helpful companion that will assist you in maintaining the guest list and tracking the "thank you" notes. |
| Compile the guest list | Although this SHOULD be one of the fun aspects of planning a wedding, it often becomes the basis of many heated debates. Also keep in mind that the length of the guest list is often in direct correlation with the budget. |
| Select members of your wedding party | Honor your family and friends by selecting them to stand next to you both on your special day. |
| Choose a caterer | If you are evaluating a caterer, make sure to sample their menu and personally meet with the caterer. |
| Book the photographer | Don't take these professionals for granted! Good photographers are booked quickly! Keep in mind that he/she is responsible for capturing the formal and candid moments of your day that will last a lifetime. Be picky!!! |
| Book the videographer | More and more couples are opting to capture their wedding day on celluloid in addition to photo paper. Ask the right questions and view some sample wedding videos. Make sure the videographer you interview will be the ACTUAL professional who will be at your wedding. |
| Hire the florist | Considered to comprise one of the biggest shares of the budget "Pie." The florist makes it his/her job to assist you in color coordination and bouquet arrangements. |
| Book the entertainment for both the ceremony and reception | Evaluate demo tapes of the entertainment whether it's a DJ, harpist, soloist, string quartet or live band. Make sure to discuss different music genres in their repertoire. Also, discuss which songs to play during the processional, ceremony and recessional. |
| Order the wedding gown, veil, shoes and other accessories. | The earlier you chose and order your gown, the better off you will be. You want to receive the wedding gown for final fitting weeks in advance......with time to spare. |
4 to 6 months before the wedding
| Shop and order wedding party dresses and tuxedos | If some members of the wedding party live far away, tailor shops and bridal shops in their area can take their measurements. Have each member of the wedding party mail their measurements to your bridal or tuxedo shop. |
| Reserve rental equipment | If you are planning an outdoor ceremony and /or reception, make sure to reserve the tables, chairs and tents now. |
| Order the wedding cake | This is the fun part! Shop the local bakers and make sure to sample their "sweet" confections. Peruse their portfolios and consider referrals from others. Discuss the colors and design of the cake to match the look and formality of the wedding. |
| Order wedding stationery | Includes wedding invitations, RSVP cards, thank you cards and place cards. |
| Make honeymoon reservations | Make sure you have a current passport for international destinations. |
| Make a doctor's appointment, if necessary | If your state requires a blood test, arrange the test now. |
| Book transportation | Reserve any special transportation needed on the day of the wedding: limo, horse-drawn carriage, Rolls Royce, etc. |
| Reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests | Most hotels will offer group discounts if you block/reserve several rooms for your out-of-town guests. |
2 to 3 months before the wedding
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Finalize the guest list |
Approximately 20% of your guest list will not be able to attend the wedding |
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Meet with caterer and/or banquet manager |
Finalize the menu and room decorations |
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Meet with officiant |
Discuss any special readings for the wedding ceremony. Make copies of those readings and forward to those who you have asked to do the reading so they have plenty of time to practice. |
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Arrange gown final fitting |
Make sure you bring along the shoes and lingerie that you will wear on your wedding day. You want to make sure EVERYTHING looks just right! |
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Write your vows |
It takes time to express your love for one another on paper. |
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Arrange rehearsal dinner |
The rehearsal dinner allows close family and friends from both sides to meet each other, some for the first time. The rehearsal dinner is usually a casual affair and never as formal an event as the actual wedding. You can host it at a family member's home, a small restaurant or banquet hall. |
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Purchase wedding favors |
Contrary to popular belief, wedding favors (the gift that each guest takes home with her to remember the day) are not required. If you choose to provide these gifts to commemorate your event, there are many choices available from the quintessential Jordan Almonds to small wine bottles emblazoned with your picture on its label. |
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Purchase wedding party gifts |
You can thank your wedding attendants buy purchasing accessories they can wear on the day of the wedding such as cuff links, earrings or pursers. |
| Purchase the wedding bands | It can be something simple or absolutely extravagant. Most importantly, the wedding bands are the tangible expression of your love for one another. |
1 month before the wedding
| Obtain the marriage license | You can usually obtain the license up to 30 days in advance |
| Gifts for each other | Just to say "I love you." |
| Purchase the guest book | Place the guest book at the entrance to the reception room so that each one of your guest can write a special message. |
| Organize wedding programs | More and more couples are creating programs that will be passed out before the wedding ceremony. The program outlines the ceremony's agenda, its readings and its participants. Most importantly, it can assist those guests who are not of the religion or faith. |
| Change your last name | If you plan to change your last name, consider your driver's license, passport, credit cards and bank accounts |
| Send wedding announcements to newspapers | Let the local newspapers announce your wedding. |
| Mail wedding invitations | Allow your guest enough time to make the necessary arrangements. |
| Inform post office of change in address | A simple form filled out early enough will not interrupt your mail service. |
| Arrange trial-runs | Meet with your hair stylist and/or make-up artists for a run-through. |
| Send out thank you notes | You may receive wedding gifts well before the actual wedding day. Not only is a "thank you" expected by the gift giver but it also acknowledges the fact that you actually received the gift. |
| Pick up wedding dress | Make sure the wedding dress is stuffed to preserve its shape and covered with a protective bag. |
| Finalize seating assignments | Involve both sets of parents. They can inform you of any rifts between family and/or friends. |
| Write speeches | A speech during the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception are both expected. A simple "thank you" for those who have shared in the day's festivities and who have come near and far to witness the love and commitment you have for one another should suffice. |
| Address wedding announcements | Announcements are for those family and friends who were unable to attend the wedding. |
| Make hair and make-up appointment | |
| Pack for Honeymoon | |
| Pack for the day after your wedding | If your reception is at a hotel or a bed and breakfast or a friend's/family member's house and they were kind enough to provide you with a honeymoon suite to overnight in after the reception, make sure to bring clothing for the morning after. |
| Confirm details with vendors | Secure details with florists, photographers, caterers, videographer, entertainment, etc. |
| Pass out wedding day schedules | Make sure each wedding day participant is aware of the day's activities an their role. |