Timeline For General Wedding Details, Before and After Your Wedding Day

Wedding Details

12-18 Months
Choose Your Wedding site - Enter into Vendor Details.
Determine color scheme - Enter into Vendor Details.
Inform mother and fiancees mother of color scheme.
Meet with officiant.
Meet with priest.
Select date & time of your wedding - Enter into Vendor Details.
Select style and size of wedding.
(i.e. formal, semiformal, informal)

6-12 Months
Your religion may require you to complete a premarital course before the wedding day, so inquire as to the necessary arrangements.

4-6 Months
Plan rehearsal dinner site.

3 Months
Apply for marriage license (depending on where you live, more time for filing may be necessary)
Fulfill your marriage license requirements and obtain your license.

2 Months
Meet with financial planner if you have one.
Review details of wedding ceremony.
Write a ceremony program.
Write wedding vows if writing your own.

1 Month
Provide directions to venues, church, accommodations etc.

2 Weeks
Arrange for delivery and placement of accessories on the day of the wedding.
Gather and verify all of your ceremonial accessories.

1 Week
Arrange for a close friend or relative to transport gifts that are delivered to the reception to a designated place.
Determine drivers, if needed, for transportation between ceremony location and reception location.


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Night Before
Be sure to get a good nights sleep before the wedding. You'll be glad you did!
Some brides choose to sleep at the hotel (if using one) the night before for peace of mind. You could even have your maid of honor there.


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Day of the Wedding
See Also: What the bride can expect today, a specialized time table for the wedding day.

Brides - Have a light snack before leaving for the ceremony. Many brides never taste the food at their reception. Not eating well has caused some brides to faint.
Check weather report in case changes need to be made.
Did you take our advice to have a full body massage this morning? If not, why not have a relaxing bath at least to prepare for the day ahead.
Give the bride's ring to the best man.
Present gift for your parents as a gesture of thanks.
Remind the wedding party to gather quickly after your vows for group photographs.
Send a romantic telegram or flowers to your fiancee just before the ceremony.
You'll want to greet waiting guests as soon as possible.


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The Ceremony
Processional Guidelines
What to Expect Today
THE RECEPTION

Ask your bridesmaids to place their bouquets around the reception area as additional decoration. They'll be thankful not to hold them during the celebration.

The best time to cut the cake at the reception is immediately after the main course is cleared. Eating the first piece of cake together symbolizes your first meal together.

The grain it's made of stands for fertility and fruitfulness. Proposing a short toast to one another reinforces the mood of the moment, making it a special one.


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After the Wedding
Be sure to have your gown cleaned after the festivities. Stains that may not be visible now may yellow later.
Gowns are best stored in a cool, dry place. When stored on a hanger, sew straps to the waistline to relieve pressure on the shoulders. Wrap the gown in a sheet or muslin, stuffing the sleeves and bodice with white tissue to prevent wrinkling. Take equal care with the headpiece and veil.
Groom: Arrange for your rented tux to be returned to retail shop.
On the first day of your honeymoon, it's a nice gesture to send flowers or a telegram thanking the bride's parents for a beautiful wedding and reception.

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