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Attendants - Bridal Party - Ushers etc.
 Choose
Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids
Choose
Best Man, Attendants and Ushers
 View
more on attendants/bridal party
General
Set
date for engagement party if you are having
one.
Honeymoon
Plan
excursions and entertainment for your honeymoon
location.
Research
destinations and contact travel agents for brochures and information
about cruise packages, resort sites and/or action/adventure
honeymoon packages.
Research
travel guides and online travel sites for excursion ideas.
View
more on honeymoons
Paperwork
Determine
guest List - consult with both families.
Determine
how much to spend.
Begin
to compile a list of friends, family, and vendor contact details.
Plan
your wedding budget
Write
and prepare engagement announcement for the newspaper.
 Submit
your engagement
announcement on our site
View
our Free guide to inivitations and announcements
Personal
Choose
a diet or exercise program.
Discuss
diet and exercise options with your physician or a licensed
nutritionist.
Join
a gym or register for classes (if applicable)
Make
your weekly exercise schedule
(and plan to stick to it)
Make
weekly menu plans.
Purchase
appropriate exercise equipment,
attire and shoes.
Research
health clubs and personal trainers
in your area or more information
and rates.
Reception
View
possible reception venues. As many venues can
be booked up to 2 years in advance, it may
be advantageous to confirm the venue you like
as soon as possible.
Shopping
Select
and order a ring for the bride.
Wedding Details
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)
Vendors
You need to keep track of all contracts
Select
Bridal Consultant
Florist
Research
florists and select one that fits within your budget and
style, and color scheme.
Meet
with florist to browse selection
and order your floral arrangements
- Enter into Vendor Details
Music / Entertainment
Review
a variety of music -- Classical,
Traditional, contemporary,
Alternative -- Select your
style.
Research
D.J's/musicians, listen to
their tapes/cd's.
Select
and book D.J's/musicians of
your choice.
View
our Wedding Music Library
Outdoor
Reserve
tent if you will be renting
one for an outdoor wedding.
Photography - Video
Have
engagement photo taken.
Select
Photographer
Meet
with several candidates and
review their samples/portfolios
determine photos to include
(ceremony shots, reception
shots, formal bridal portrait
and wedding party portrait)
Research
videographers and review tapes.
Select
a videographer and book for
the events you choose to include
in your wedding video - Enter
into Vendor Details
Attendants - Bridal Party - Ushers etc.
Choose
Flower girl and ring bearer
View
more on attendants/bridal party
Attire
Choose
and order flowergirl(s) dresses, accessories
and dye shoes to match (if applicable)
Have
your first fitting for your gown ASAP
Help
both mothers select their dresses.
If
your gown is an heirloom, allow time for cleaning, dressing,
and any alterations that may need to be made.
Order
attendants gowns; buy shoes and have them dyed to match (if
applicable)
Purchase
desired attire accessories: hosiery, garter, lingerie, corset,
jewelry, etc. ready for first fitting.
Review
your gown budget.
Select
wedding gown, headpiece/ veil
Set
the date to order the dresses for the bridesmaids and outfits
for attendants.
View
more on attire
Honeymoon
Book
airline, hotel/resort, and rental
car reservations ASAP.
Meet
with travel agency to discuss
honeymoon trip.
Send
necessary deposits for honeymoon
ASAP.
View
more on honeymoons
Paperwork
Arrange
for pickup and/or delivery of announcements
Choose
the wording for your pre-event invitations.
Divide
list into guests receiving invitations to the ceremony and
reception, and ones receiving invitations to the ceremony only.
Determine
design, wording, stock, font and paper stock for your invitations
Finalize
Guest list. Compare with Fiancees list.
Order
personal Stationery, thank you notes, etc..
Place
print order for your wedding announcements & invitations
and envelopes
Review
and approve proofs of your wedding
announcements.
View
our Free guide to inivitations
and announcements
Shopping
An
idea would be to find out what bridal shows are
on in your area.
Order
wedding rings and arrange for engraving
Insure
your wedding rings.
Purchase
desired attire accessories: hosiery, garter, lingerie, corset,
jewelry, etc.
Registry
- Register at bridal registry
- Enter into Vendor Details
Registry
- Select stores and begin
browsing now, as you can add
and modify your registry as need
be.
Shop/Arrange
for decorations for the reception.
Vendors
Get
estimates from florist
Hire
a driving service for bridal party, family and/or guests -
Enter into Vendor Details
Meet
with caterer to discuss menu
and beverages.
Reserve
transportation between ceremony
and reception sites
Select
a baker and plan wedding cake,
be sure you both taste several
favors. - Enter into Vendor Details
Wedding Details
Your
religion may require you to complete a premarital
course before the wedding day, so inquire as
to the necessary arrangements.
Attire
Begin
shopping for trousseau.
Discuss
and confirm attire with ushers and refer them
to local formal wear shop(s).
Discuss
and confirm attire for ring bearer and refer to local formal
wear shop.
Groom:
Visit retail shops to choose formal wear.
Have
your second gown fitting.
View
more on attire
Honeymoon
Complete
honeymoon plans with travel agency
Research,
Purchase and Insure personal cameras and/or video
cameras for your honeymoon
Shop
for luggage for honeymoon (if needed) and have luggage monogrammed
with post-wedding initials.
View
more on honeymoons
Personal
Begin
shopping for home furnishings.
Make
appointment with a stylist and/or hairdresser to practice hairstyles
(don't forget to bring your veil)
Plan
your new home - meet with Realtor
or visit apartments.
Research
blood test requirements in your
state.
 Shopping
Order
rental items for the ceremony and reception
(i.e. chairs for outdoor ceremony)
Order
wedding cake.
Registry
- For bridal showers, consider adding lower priced items
to your register.
Registry
- Remember to check seasonal items for availability.
Wedding Details
Plan
rehearsal dinner site.
Vendors
Choose
calligrapher if using one - Enter into Vendor
Details
Attendants - Bridal Party - Ushers etc.
Arrange
lodging for out-of-town wedding attendants.
Choose
a guest book attendant
View
more on attendants/bridal party
Attire
Groom:
Have attire fitted
Groom:
Buy or rent cufflinks and/or any other accessories such as
shoes, shirt stays, cufflinks, and a pocket square.
Order
best man and usher's attire.
Have attire fitted.
View
more on attire
Honeymoon
Arrange
for wedding night accommodations.
View
more on honeymoons
Paperwork
Address
Invitations
Determine
method of addressing announcements
(calligraphy or labels)
Personal
Stationery and thank you notes
should be ready.
Review
your beauty budget
View
our Free guide to inivitations
and announcements
Personal
Get
necessary inoculations/vaccinations for your
honeymoon destination
Make
day-of-wedding hair appointment
Make
appointment with a make-up artist
Make
appointment for groom's haircut,
if needed
Make
appointment for physical exam
or check up
Make
appointments for pedicure, manicure,
waxing, teeth clean/bleach
Renew
or obtain your passport or visa
if traveling abroad.
Shopping
Choose
a guest book and pen.
For
Jewish weddings: obtain a light bulb or glass
to wrap in a handkerchief and step on.
If
you will choose something to be thrown at your Wedding, (rose
petals, confetti, bird seed or butterflies) Choose and order
what will be.
Purchase "Love" Postage
stamps
Purchase
or gather toasting goblets.
Purchase
a ring bearers pillow
Purchase
a garter.
Purchase
candles, or arrange for candles
with wedding coordinator
Wedding Details
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.
Vendors
Ask for
a song list from your DJ/Musician to make selections.
Confirm
floral order and arrange for delivery times at each location.
Meet
with caterer for final food
and beverage decisions.
Select
wedding ceremony music
View
our Wedding Music Library
Attire
Arrange
for final gown fitting (don't forget to take
undergarments and shoes worn with your gown to
the final fitting)
Choose
going-away outfit.
View
more on attire
Attendants - Bridal Party - Ushers etc.
Meet
with ushers to decide duties during the ceremony.
View
more on attendants/bridal party
Honeymoon
Check
online sites about your honeymoon destination.
Purchase
appropriate language phrase books or destination guidebooks
for your honeymoon
View
more on honeymoons
Paperwork
Keep
wedding and shower gift records.
Mail
invitations (6-8 weeks prior to wedding)
Review
Newspaper wedding announcement guidelines and comply.
Send
thank you cards for gifts as
they arrive.
View
our Free guide to inivitations
and announcements
Personal
Complete
your blood tests and obtain the results.
If
you have any skin irritations or blemishes, see a dermatologist.
Meet
with hairstylists. If you color or lighten your hair, make
appointment for touchup.
Organize
moving arrangements.
Start
tanning sessions.
Rehearsals
Decide
rehearsal budget.
Decide
size of rehearsal.
Decide
type of rehearsal.
Reserve
a bartender for rehearsal.
Start
your rehearsal guest list.
Decide
on wording for invitaions for
the rehearsal.
Order
or make invitations for rehearsal.
Reserve
rehearsal location.
Reserve
rehearsal catering.
Decide
if you need babysitters for
the rehearsal.
Create
map and directions to rehearsal.
Mail
rehearsal invitations.
Hire
photographer for rehearsal
if being used.
Hire
videographer for rehearsal
if being used.
Purchase
flowers for rehearsal if being
used.
Shopping
Arrange
for gift-wrap of all gifts.
Choose
gifts that your attendants will treasure.
Purchase
gifts for attendants and ushers.
(Have gifts for attendants personalized/engraved,
if appropriate)
Purchase
special gift for flower girl
and ring bearer.
Purchase
gifts for mother and father
of both bride and groom.
Purchase
gifts for out-of-town attendees.
(Hint: a welcome gift basket
of fruit and champagne in their
hotel room is a great idea).
Registry
- Update registry. Majority
of people will now consider
buying gifts, so be sure to
have a wide range of items
and price brackets.
Select
party favors for reception.
Wedding Details
Meet
with financial planner if you have one.
Review
details of wedding ceremony.
Write
a ceremony program.
Write
wedding vows if writing your
own.
Vendors
Not
really a vendor, but have you considered a
baby-sitter if it is necessary for your wedding
day?
Attendants - Bridal Party - Ushers etc.
Check
wedding party apparel.
Confirm
date and time of rehearsal.
Notify
wedding party and family of rehearsal.
View
more on attendants/bridal party
Attire
Bride/Groom: Break
in your wedding shoes before the big day.
Make
sure that all bridal attire fits perfectly and arrange for
pickup or delivery.
View
more on attire
Guests
Arrange
lodging for out-of-town guests.
It's
proper to send lodging information to your out-of-town guests,
most facilities will do so for you if provided with your guest
list.
Honeymoon
Finalize
honeymoon plans/itinerary.
Paperwork
Create
or order place cards for the reception if
required.
Acquire
all forms and submit name-change form to legally
change your name
Driver's
License or State ID card
Passport
Social
Security
State
and Federal Tax Boards
Send
change-of-address/cancellation/renewal
notices to...
Animal
minders, vets, etc.
Banks.
Cable
company.
Computer
company/supplier/service co.
Credit
card companies.
Department
stores.
Doctors,
dentists, accountants& other professionals.
Electrical
appliance service agents, electricians, etc.
Friends,
relatives, associates!
Government
dept's / tax etc.
Home
maintenance, gardeners, windows, etc.
Insurance
companies.
Laborer,
plumbers, service men, painters, etc.
Magazine
subscriptions.
Motor
vehicle - garages, mechanics, service, etc.
Music
clubs, garden clubs, societies, groups etc.
Non
profit organizations you may donate to.
Religious
organizations and personal associations.
Schools,
and all associated clubs, groups, tutors and organizations your children belong
to.
Utilities
and phone companies.
Your
internet provider.
Notify
Mortgage Company or landlord of name change for
mortgage, rent and lease purposes.
Write
and prepare wedding announcement for the newspaper.
View
our Free guide to inivitations
and announcements
It
would be wise to be careful sending
cancellations to services such
as phone power, cards etc. if
you need them until the wedding
day. Many though allow you to
specify when the new change is
to take affect so you can send
them now. Some may choose to
send forms after the wedding
day to be safe, but fill them
out now ready to send, as you
won't have time later.
For
couples with older children it would be advisable
to give a copy of this list to your siblings
as they may have correspondence with ones you
may be unaware of.
Personal
Here's
a wonderful idea - Book in for a full body massage
the morning of your wedding to relax yourself.
You can even have them come to your house or
hotel. You'll be thankful you did!
If
you have sensitive skin, make sure to select and apply only
hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic cosmetics.
Meet
your health and exercise goal.
Groom
be prepared for your bachelor
party.
Visit
hairstylist for your appointment
for touchup if you have colored
or highlighted your hair.
Shopping
Buy
plenty of film and/or videotape for your honeymoon
Planning
an outdoor wedding? Arrange a supply of umbrellas to have on
hand to help ward away the rain.
Recharge
or buy batteries
Select
a special gift for your parents
as a gesture of thanks. Present
it to them the morning of the
wedding.
Vendors
Meet
with insurance representative to update policies
Photography - Video
Arrange
for preparation/storage area for videographer
at each venue.
Arrange
for preparation/storage area for photographer at each venue.
Meet
with photographer for bridal
portrait sitting
Determine
when photographer should arrive
at ceremony venue - Enter into
Vendor Details
Determine
time for videographer to arrive
at various venues - Enter into
Vendor Details
Music / Entertainment
Arrange
for preparation/storage area for musicians
at ceremony venue.
Make
musical selections for your D.J's/musicians. Also songs
NOT to play!
View
our Wedding Music Library
Wedding Details
Provide
directions to venues, church, accommodations
etc.
Attendants - Bridal Party - Ushers etc.
Thank
your attendants by having a cocktail party or
going out for dinner and drinks.
View
more on attendants/bridal party
Honeymoon
Arrange
for transportation to and from the airport.
Confirm
all honeymoon travel and hotel.
Have
appropriate items for honeymoon trousseau dry-cleaned.
Purchase
Traveler's Cheques and exchange money for currency according
to your destination.
View
more on honeymoons
Paperwork
All
response cards should be in (follow up on all
response cards not yet received)
Update
your wills.
Personal
Arrange
to move items to new home.
Keep
your dental appointment.
Make
sure to view make-up application
in a variety of lighting conditions
to assure you look your best
in every setting.
Practice
various techniques for applying
cosmetics -- using magazines
as a guideline.
Schedule
appointments for manicure and/or
pedicure.
Schedule
appointment for waxing at a professional
salon.
Wedding Details
Arrange
for delivery and placement of accessories on
the day of the wedding.
Gather
and verify all of your ceremonial accessories
Vendors
Finalize
details with your:
-Caterer
-Give
the final head count to your caterer and review details
-Ceremony
music
-Florist
-Hairstylist
-Officiant.
Special preferences, readings, or other ceremony details.
-Photographer
-Reception
site
-Reception
decorations and place cards
-Reception
entertainment
-Rental
items
-Transportation
-Transportation
- Fax Limousine (transport) company a schedule of addresses for pickup and deliveries.
-Travel
agent
-Videographer
-Wedding
attire
-Wedding
cake
Attendants - Bridal Party - Ushers etc.
Gift-wrap
presents for attendants and include personal
thank you cards.
Give
gifts to attendants at rehearsal
If
you're planning on candles, be
sure to appoint someone to light
them.
Remind
the bridal party of the rehearsal
date, time, and place.
Review
wedding day checklist with the
maid of honor and best man
You
should have the wedding rings
and made sure they fit.
View
more on attendants/bridal party
Attire
Groom:
Go for final attire fitting.
Pick
up gowns and shoes.
Select
a pretty handkerchief to tuck into your bouquet for sentimental
moments. Walk down the aisle with your mother's or
grandmother's handkerchief as your something old.
View
more on attire
Honeymoon
Leave
your honeymoon itinerary with a family member.
Make
sure luggage is in car or hotel room of wedding night stay.
Pack
suitcases for honeymoon.
Reconfirm
honeymoon reservations/tickets.
Paperwork
File
change-of-address form with post office.
Put
marriage license in safe place until wedding day.
Personal
Bride -
Pack a small emergency bag for your dressing
area: iron, needle and thread, hairspray, aspirin,
nail polish, safety pins, extra panty hose, etc.
Gift
wrap gift for bride / groom.
Get
manicure and pedicure done.
Make
all necessary arrangements for
care of pet(s), house or apartment,
plants and mail while you're
away.
Shopping
Registry
- Update your registry. It can be
frustrating for guests when odd items are left,
unreasonably expensive ones or even worse cheap
gifts embarrassing to purchase on there own.
Keep in mind the registry may now even be empty!
Wedding Details
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.
Vendors
Select
tables to display and collect your wedding
gifts
 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.
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 fiancé just
before the ceremony.
You'll
want to greet waiting guests
as soon as possible.
The
Ceremony
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. View
our helpful article on how to write and deliver
a toast.
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.
Paperwork
Make
sure all thank you notes have been sent.
If
you haven't already, as listed above, send
change-of-address notices to all credit card companies, your
internet provider, all magazine subscriptions, have utilities
and phone shut-off at old address, arrange for utilities and
phone hook-up at new address, notify cable company of change
of address.
Shopping
Registry
- As missing pieces of sets can often be
purchased for a discounted price, now is the
time to complete your registry.
Registry
- Return all gifts such as double ups, or ones you may
have changed your mind on. Do this now as some businesses
may not accept returns if an unreasonable amount of time
has passed.
Registry
- Friends that were not
invited or could not make the
wedding may still wish to send
you a gift, so keep your registry open
for one year. This is generally
the time allowed for a gift
to be sent and not considered
to be late. (According to some
views)
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