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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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