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Your Complete 12 Month
Wedding Planning Guide
by beconrad
There is no doubt that
planning a wedding can be a complicated and difficult project, but the results
are well worth the effort. With so many details large and small that must be
taken care of, planning that dream wedding can be intimidating, but the good
news is that proper planning can make an enormous difference. By breaking down
those large tasks into smaller and more manageable parts, it is possible to
plan a great wedding without breaking the bank or raising your stress level.
12 Months or More in
Advance
Ø Start thinking about potential dates for the
wedding. If the wedding is to be held during the busy summer months, be sure
to allow for plenty of alternative dates. This is especially true if the
wedding is to be held at a popular country club or other such venue. It is not
unusual for the most popular wedding venues to be booked many months in
advance. Thinking ahead is the best way to ensure a wedding date that will
work well for everyone in the wedding party.
Ø Now is also the time to think about the theme of
the wedding. It is important to consider things like how formal or casual the
celebration will be, whether the wedding will be held indoors or out and what
the style of dress will be. These decisions are critical, as they will drive
everything from the choice of gown to the selection of the wedding
entertainment.
Ø
Be sure to start thinking about
the budget for the wedding. Unless you are blessed with unlimited funds you
will need to start thinking about how much the dream wedding will cost.
11 Months Before the
Wedding
Ø After the site for the wedding has been determined
and the list of dates prepared, it is time to reserve the wedding venue. If
booking an especially popular wedding venue it will be helpful to have a list
of alternative dates at hand. Be sure to find out about deposit requirements
and get the reservation details in writing.
Ø Now is the time to meet with the clergy or other
officials who will oversee the actual wedding ceremony. As with other aspects
of wedding planning, it is important to begin planning early to ensure that the
chosen clergy members or officiants will be available for the big day.
Ø Choose the members of the wedding party well in
advance. From flower girls to bridesmaids to the maid of honor and best man it
is important to give everyone plenty of notice. Everyone seems to have busy
schedules these days, and getting such a large party together on a single day
can be difficult. When confirming the details don’t forget to schedule time
for rehearsal dinners, dress fittings, tuxedo fittings and other important
events.
Ø
Eleven months in advance is
also a good time to start working on the guest list. Drawing up a realistic
guest list will be critical as the wedding planning process moves forward. From
the catering to the invitations, it will be extremely important to know how
many guests will be attending the ceremony.
Ten Months Before the
Wedding
Ø Ten months before the wedding is a good time to
choose the perfect wedding dress and bridesmaid gowns. It is important to
allow plenty of time not just for dress shopping but for any needed alterations
as well. Many brides-to-be enjoy the experience of shopping with their
attendants, so be sure to allow plenty of time for these fun shopping
excursions.
Ø Now is also a great time to choose the perfect
wedding photographer and wedding video service. When choosing a photographer
and video service it is important to choose someone who not only uses the
latest technology but who has great people skills as well. A photographer with
excellent interpersonal skills may be able to create some truly memorable
candid shots in addition to the more traditional posed shots of the wedding
party.
Ø
Ten months ahead is also a
great time to choose a caterer. When choosing a caterer it is important to ask
for and check references, and to solicit recommendations from family members
and friends. The menu is a big part of any celebration, and it is important to
start looking for a caterer as early as possible. The best wedding caterers
will also be the busiest, so be sure to allow plenty of time.
Nine Months Before the
Wedding
Ø As the wedding date creeps closer it is a good idea
to decide on the décor for the ceremony and the reception. The nine month
point is a good time to order the decorations for the reception hall and the
church, including chair covers, tablecloths, head table decorations and other
items.
Ø The nine month point is also a good time to choose
and book the entertainment for the wedding. Whether the entertainment is to be
a live band or a DJ it is important to book well in advance. As with many
other wedding services, the best wedding entertainers can be very busy,
especially during the popular summer months. Booking early is the best way to
ensure that the entertainment will be top notch.
Ø Now is also a great time to order the wedding
cake. Gone are the days when all wedding cakes were the standard angel food
cake with white icing, and that means choosing the perfect cake can be more
difficult. It is important to consider the options carefully, and just as
important to order the cake early.
Ø It is also important to reserve the wedding florist
well in advance. The best wedding florists in town are likely to be quite busy
as the wedding season approaches, so be sure to reserve the florist and start
choosing the perfect flowers with plenty of time to spare.
Ø
Now is also a great time to
register for gifts at a favorite store. Creating a gift list can be a great
deal of fun, and choosing the items desired will no doubt be one of the
favorite parts of wedding planning. It is important to create the gift list
well in advance in order to allow family members, friends and other wedding
guests plenty of time to shop for the perfect item. Choosing a wedding
registry that is easily updatable is an important consideration, as is choosing
a store with nationwide reach if the wedding guests are scattered throughout
the country.
Eight Months Before the
Wedding
Ø As the eight month mark approaches it is important
to reserve any items that will need to be rented for the ceremony. From
wedding arches to folding tables there are many rental items associated with
the typical wedding, and reserving them well in advance will help to ensure that
they are available on the big day. When reserving rental items be sure to ask
about any deposit requirements, and be sure to get the reservation in writing.
Ø Now is also the perfect time to research hotel and
other lodging choices for out of town wedding guests. If the list of out of
town guests is a particularly large one it may be worthwhile to reserve a block
of rooms at a local hotel.
Ø While you are researching hotels and making travel
plans it is also a good idea to start planning that dream honeymoon. Like
creating a gift list planning a honeymoon can be a great deal of fun, but it is
important to start planning well in advance. The best honeymoon locations can
be filled very quickly, so be sure to make those hotel and plane reservations
well in advance.
Ø
Now is a great time to decide
on the final menu for the wedding reception. When choosing a menu it is
important to notify the caterer of any special dietary restrictions or preferences.
Seven Months Before the
Wedding
Ø Seven months ahead is a great time to reserve the
limo or car service for the wedding ceremony. If specialty transportation such
as a horse-drawn carriage or antique car is to be used it may need to be booked
well in advance. Be sure to check the deposit requirements and get the reservations
in writing.
Ø Now is also a great time to make the final
arrangements for the musicians who will be playing at the wedding ceremony. It
is important to review the music and the songs that will be played well in
advance.
Ø The invitations should also be ordered at this
point. When choosing wedding invitations it is important to give the guests as
easy way to RSVP. A self-addressed envelope or handy tear-off card are both
excellent choices.
Ø
Seven months in advance is also
the perfect time to order the outfits for the mother of the bride and the
mother of the groom. It is important to allow plenty of time for shopping and
to allow additional time for any alterations that may be needed to ensure a
perfect fit.
Six Months Before the
Wedding
Ø With the wedding now half a year away it is
important to thoroughly research the requirements for a marriage license.
Knowing the rules well in advance will help to avoid any unpleasant surprises
as the wedding date gets closer and it will give the bride and groom plenty of
time to prepare.
Ø Now is also the perfect time to finalize the flower
order with the florist that has been chosen. Many brides like to adorn the
church and reception hall with their favorite flowers, while others prefer to
choose a wide variety of flowers for the floral arrangements. When ordering
the flowers don’t forget about the floral display for the head table, the
corsages, the bouquets and other important floral items.
Ø
Six months in advance is the
perfect time to mail the invitations. It is important to allow plenty of time
for the invitations to be mailed and for the invited guests to respond. The responses
to the wedding invitations will be used to create the final guest list and get
an accurate count of attendees, so be sure to mail those invitations early.
Five Months Before the
Wedding
Ø Five months in advance is the perfect time to
choose the reader for the ceremony. When choosing the reader it is important
to think carefully about the nature of the ceremony and the unique tastes of the
bride and groom.
Ø Now is also the perfect time to order the tuxedos
and other attire for the men in the wedding ceremony. It is important for the
male wedding participants to have a professional fitting done in order to allow
time for any needed alterations. When reserving the tuxedos be sure to ask
about any required deposits and to get the reservation date in writing.
Ø
The five month mark is also a
great time for the initial fitting of the wedding gown. At the initial fitting
any needed alterations will be discussed and those enhancements can be made in
time for the next fitting.
Four Months Before the
Wedding
Ø The second fitting of the wedding gown can take
place four months before the wedding date. The bride should ensure that any
requested alterations have been made and determine if further changes are
needed. If additional alterations are needed an appointment for a follow-up
fitting should be made at this time.
Ø
The guest list should be
finalized at this time. Use the RSVP’s that have been received to draw up the
final guest list and begin making seating arrangements. It is important to
consider the seating arrangements carefully and to create the table cards well
in advance.
Ø
The wedding favors should be
chosen at this point as well. It is important to choose wedding favors that
will be unique and memorable while not going over the established budget for
the wedding. There are some wonderful gifts that are also inexpensive, so let
your imagination be your guide. Items like disposable cameras, picture frames
and champagne flutes stocked with gourmet chocolates are always a treat.
Three Months Before the
Wedding
Ø Three months in advance is a great time to make an
appointment with the hairdresser who will be creating the perfect wedding day
hairstyle. The best wedding hairdressers also tend to be the busiest, so
booking well in advance is crucial.
Ø If custom makeup is to be applied for the wedding
it is also a good idea to book an appointment with the makeup artist well in
advance. A good makeup artist can make any bride sparkle on her big day, but
the best makeup artists are often booked well in advance.
Ø Three months ahead of time is also a great time to
start thinking about wedding vows. Whether the vows are to be from a standard
list or composed by the bride and groom it is important to start thinking about
them well in advance.
Ø Now is also the perfect time to confirm the details
of the ceremony with the clergy or other wedding official. It is important to
review the details of the wedding ceremony well in advance.
Ø
The details of the ceremony,
including any special songs or music, should also be confirmed with the
musicians and/or soloist to be used at the wedding.
Two Months Before the
Wedding
Ø The wedding programs should be created and printed
at least two months in advance. It is important to allow plenty of time for
the programs to be proofread and any needed revisions made.
Ø Now is also the perfect time to buy gifts for the
parents of the bride and groom and for the wedding attendants. It is important
to allow plenty of time to find the perfect gift for every member of the
wedding party.
Ø The appointment for the pre-wedding manicure and
pedicure should also be made at this time. The calendars of good nail salons
and spas can fill up very quickly, so be sure to book well in advance.
Ø Many brides-to-be also enjoy the relaxation of a
great massage a day or two before the wedding. The two month mark is a great
time to make such an appointment.
Ø
The final fitting for the
wedding gown should also be scheduled two months in advance. This scheduling
will allow the dressmaker to make any final alterations well in advance of the
big day.
One Month Before the
Wedding
Ø With the wedding a mere month away it is important
to apply for the actual marriage license. It can take some time to process the
request and an early application is the best way to ensure a trouble free
marriage license process.
Ø The rehearsal dinner should also be planned a month
ahead of time. The rehearsal dinner can be a lot of fun but it is important to
plan it well.
Ø The bride and groom should meet with the wedding
photographer and video service a month in advance to go over any details and
review expectations. It is important to discuss not only the traditional posed
shots but any desired candid shots and special shots as well.
Ø When the wedding date is about two weeks away it is
a good idea to throw a party for the wedding attendants. A party is a great
way for the bride and groom to express their appreciation for their
participation and thank them for their hard work.
Ø The two week mark is also the perfect time for
drafting any speeches and for finalizing any last minute details for the
wedding reception.
Ø Song lists should be reviewed with the DJ or band
at least two weeks in advance. Be sure to include any special song requests
for the couple’s first dance and the bride’s dance with her father.
Ø The honeymoon reservations should be confirmed at
least two weeks in advance in order to allow time to work out any last minute
kinks.
Ø The seating arrangements should be finalized at
least a week in advance. Any last minute changes in seating arrangements can
be made at that time and place cards can be changed as needed.
Ø The order for the wedding procession should also be
determined at the one week mark.
Ø The rehearsal dinner should be held at least a week
in advance.
Ø The final details should be confirmed with the
caterer, photographer, video service, limousine company and other wedding
vendors.
Ø
By one week in advance the
marriage license should have been received. Upon receipt the marriage license
should be delivered to the clergy member or official who will be performing the
ceremony.
On the Wedding Day
When the big day finally
arrives it is important to attend to all those last minute details. Among the
tasks that must be done on the wedding day are:
Ø The wedding bands should be given to the best man
Ø The gifts should be presented to the bride and
groom’s parents and to the wedding attendants
Ø
The appearance of the church
and reception hall should be reviewed one final time
After the Wedding
After the perfect wedding
is but a memory it is important to thank everyone for all their hard work and
to make plans to preserve those wonderful memories. Among these important
post-wedding tasks are:
Ø Create a gift list and prepare the thank you notes
for your guests
Ø Send letters of thanks to all the wedding
attendants and wedding suppliers
Ø Freeze a piece of the wedding cake to be enjoyed on
the one year anniversary
Ø
Make arrangements for the
cleaning and preservation of the wedding gown
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