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| Careful planning is the key to the perfect wedding. With planning, you can create the wedding of your dreams.
When shopping for vendors and items for your wedding, contact our Special Event Network members.
12 to 18 Months
- Shop for your engagement ring.
- Decide on a wedding date___________________________.
- Check with your officiant to make sure the date is available. If it is not available, discuss alternative dates. Officiant__________________ Phone_________
- Choose a location for your ceremony. Location_______________________ Phone_____________.
Make sure the church or location for your ceremony is available.
- Decide on a budget for your wedding.
- Decide what type of wedding you want: ___formal, ___semi-formal, ___informal
- Start putting together your wedding guest list, and include both families to give you an idea as to how many guests you may have at your wedding. Bride's list___________ Groom's list___________
- Check out reception venues, noting their capacity. Choose a location, and reserve the date. Location____________________ Phone___________.
- Check out the catering facilities if you are holding your reception at a hotel or club.
- Select a caterer if your reception venue does not have one. Caterer_________________________ Phone_______________
- Select and hire a photographer_______________________________ Phone_______________
- Select and hire a videographer________________________________ Phone_________________
- Select and hire a Disc Jockey or Band___________________________ Phone_________________
6 to 12 Months
- Decide on the size of your wedding party and choose your attendants.
- Shop for your wedding gown and veil. Shop___________________ Phone_____________.
- Announce your engagement in the newspaper.
- Decide on colors, and shop for attendants gowns. Colors_________________ Shop_______________________ Phone_________________
- Select a Florist_______________________________ Phone______________
- Select a honeymoon location and make reservations. Travel Agent___________________________ Phone___________________
- Select patterns for silverware, crystal and china and set up a gift registry at your favorite store__________________________________.
- Send out save-the-date cards to guests who will be invited to the wedding.
4 to 6 Months
- With your fiance', select the men's attire. Shop_________________________ Phone_____________
- Select and order wedding invitations and accessories (napkins, imprinted ribbons for favors, programs or program paper, etc). You will need to bring the following information with you when ordering your invitations:
Ceremony Location, Address & Time
Reception Location, Address & Time
Whether you are inviting your guests as a couple;
If the guests are being invited by the Bride's parents;
If the guests are being invited by both parents
Shop_______________________________Phone________________
- Select favors for guests (usually one per couple). Shop_____________________________Phone______________
- Get together with your Disc Jockey or Band and select music for your wedding reception for special dances and go over the format for the reception.
- Select music and any special ceremonies (unity candle, rose ceremony, etc) for your wedding ceremony.
- Shop for bridal accessories.....guest book, ring bearer pillow, flower girl basket, cake top, aisle runner, unity candle and holders, wedding jewelry, etc at your local party store and sign up for a bridal registry if they have one.
- Select your wedding cake. (Caterer or Bakery)__________________________ Phone________________
- Decide where you will live after you are married.
- Make sure both Mothers have selected their dress for the wedding.
- Reserve transportation....limousine, trolley, carriage, etc. Type transportation_____________ Contact___________________________Phone___________________
2 to 4 Months
- Reserve rental items at your local rental store.........linens, skirting, arches, dinnerware, tents, tables, chairs, candleabra, etc. Rental Store____________________________ Phone_________________
- Confirm all arrangements with vendors......florist, reception location, musicians, photographer, videographer, etc.
- Address your wedding invitations and have them ready to mail 4-6 weeks before the wedding.
- Purchase gifts for your attendants and your fiance'.
- Experiment with different hairstyles and makeup for your wedding.
- Shop for clothes for your honeymoon.
- Select and order your wedding rings. Jeweler_________________________ Phone___________________
- Prepare your wedding announcement for the newspapers.
- Reserve a block of rooms for out-of-town guests and include a note with their invitations with phone number and contact information. Note: If your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, graduation weekend, or weekend with a major event in the area, you will need to reserve rooms earlier.
1 to 2 Months
- Put an invitation together and take it to the post office to be weighed to make sure that you have the proper amount of postage on the envelopes.
- Mail wedding invitations 4-6 weeks before your wedding. Date to Mail________________________.
- Make out your wedding announcements to be mailed on your wedding day.
- Set up appointment for final fitting for your gown. Date_________________ Time__________________
- Select Guest Book Attendant
- Set up appointments for final fittings for your attendants attire.
- Make final decision on decorations for your wedding reception.
- Confirm arrangements for honeymoon.
- Make arrangements for your bridesmaids luncheon or brunch if you are planning one.
- Discuss the rehearsal dinner with whoever is hosting it. Reservations should be made.
2 weeks to 1 Month
- Confirm reservations at hotels for out-of-town guests.
- Pick up wedding bands from Jeweler and make sure they fit.
- Schedule appointments for hair, nails, facial, etc.
- Keep a record of gifts and write thank you notes as the gifts are received.
- Schedule time for rehearsal.
- Invitations should be sent to guests for the rehearsal dinner following the rehearsal.
- Along with your fiance', fill out the paperwork for your wedding license.
- Start filling out the paperwork for name and address change if you are changing your name and/or moving to a new location. (see Changing Your Name article with on-line forms).
- Start moving your belongings to your new home if you are moving.
- If you are having arranged seating at your reception, start working on your seating arrangement when you receive confirmation from your guests.
- Confirm final arrangements for your wedding....transportation for you and your wedding party (times), florist, caterer, etc.
- Make arrangements to have your gown cleaned and preserved after the wedding.
1 to 2 Weeks
- Contact guests who have not responded and give final count of guests expected at the reception to the caterer.
- Have your fiance' remind his attendants of the date and time to pick up their wedding attire.
- Make a schedule up for the wedding day and give a copy to the Maid of Honor, Best Man, etc.
- Start packing for your honeymoon.
- Make any final contacts for services hired and inform them of any changes.
Wedding Day
- Have a good breakfast.
- Have your hair done at least 3-4 ours before the ceremony and allow plenty of time for your makeup and nails.
- Relax and enjoy the day.
Compiled by the Special Event Network Staff
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