bride2be: bride tip #15

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 08:48:18 -0500

bride tip #15

sallywilsonshops: Wedding Planning Timeline You’re engaged!...

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 08:46:22 -0500

Wedding Planning Timeline

You’re engaged! Congratulations! But I’ll bet you’re thinking “What Now??” Here is a general time line of what needs to get done when.

12 - 18 Months before the wedding

- Choose a wedding date. You may have a special date in mind, but both the ceremony and reception site must have the date available. Visit both locations - you may have to choose a date based on availability. The sooner you plan the better chance you have of booking your desired venue on your desired date.

- Start a wedding file. This is a file or folder to keep all your wedding documents, contracts etc… Organization is the key to staying sane during the planning phase! A good tool to have is a wedding planner. It is a handy book that you can keep track of you expenses and plans in. It also contains planning tips to help you along the way.

- Decide on a wedding budget. The last thing you want is to begin your marriage in major debt because of your wedding, so decide on a reasonable budget. You may want to involve your parents to be clear on what they intend on spending.

- Choose the style of your wedding. Pick what best suits your lifestyle, personalities and budget. “Formal”, “Semi-Formal” or “Informal”. This is your day and you should make it your own.

- Put an announcement of your engagement in the local paper. This is optional, but is a nice touch and memento.

- Hire a wedding consultant if you plan to.

- Select a ceremony location and reception location. Keep in mind that reservations are sometimes booked over a year in advance, so if you find one that you like, put a security deposit down to hold the date. (Always check the cancellation/refund policies first and have them in writing).

- Start shopping for a wedding gown. If you’re planning on ordering a custom gown, keep in mind this can take up to a year to prepare. But even if you’re just buying off the rack, alterations and final dress fittings can also eat up extra time. There are no refunds on wedding gown purchases, so make sure your selection is 100% what you want. You can also start looking for a coordinating veil and tiara.

8 - 10 Months before the wedding

- Select your bridal party and request their participation in your special day.

- Interview and Hire the following:
* Wedding Officiant,
* Reception Caterer (If your reception site does not provide a caterer, you will need to arrange for your own. Secure your date with a signed contract and security deposit. Find out about cancellation policies in the event you cancel or change your date.)
* Photographer and Videographer.
* Band or DJ
* Decide on bridesmaids dresses (Order all gowns at the same time to assure an identical dye lot.)

- Start a guest list. Put together your list, his list, his family’s list, your parent’s list and the final list.

- Sign up for a gift registry. Gift registries are a great way of ensuring that you get items you really want and can use. and makes your guests’ shopping much easier. Be sure to choose items from every price range.

5 - 7 Months before the wedding

Finalize the guest list. Determine the number of invitations and thank you cards that need to be ordered.

- Shop for your wedding stationery. invitations and thank you cards.

- Arrange accommodations. Some guest (such as out-of-towners) may wish to stay at a nearby hotel after the festivities. It may be a good idea to print up a list of nearby hotels with phone numbers for your guests. Some hotels let you reserve a block of rooms for your guests.

- Select your wedding cake. Meet and interview local bakeries. You may want to bring in an example of your invitation or a swatch from the bridesmaid dresses to give an idea of color or theme.

- Begin preparations for your honeymoon. Consult with your travel agent and discuss possible honeymoon destinations and prices.

4 Months before the wedding

- Book your florist. Secure your order with a signed contract and a security deposit. Be 100% sure of your selection, and know the refund/cancellation policies in the event you cancel or change your date.

- Shop for your wedding bands. You should do this with your fiance. You will both be wearing these rings for a long time, so you should both be happy with your selection.

- Visit your physician. Get your physical examinations and blood tests if required to obtain a marriage license in your state.

3 Months before the wedding

- Send out your invitations. Double check the postage required to ensure that the invitations reach your guests.

- Select tuxedos. Get all the groomsmen, best man and couple’s fathers together. Measurements should be taken at the tux shop (to ensure a proper fit).

- Arrange for rental of items needed for your ceremony and reception. i.e. arches, candelabras, china, crystal, flatware, flowing punch fountains, and silver if necessary.

- Discuss finalized menu options and costs with your caterer. Confirm arrival and departure times, as well as any added extras.

- Arrange transportation/limo service for the wedding party to the ceremony and reception.

- Order Wedding Favors.

Don’t forget the extra’s such as napkins (printed), matches, and coasters.

- Begin any necessary counseling sessions with your wedding officiant.

2 Months before the wedding

- Choose your wedding music and share your selections with your Band or DJ.

- Select a location for your rehearsal dinner and make the necessary reservations & deposits.

- Schedule your alterations and final fitting for the gown.

- Schedule fittings for the bridesmaids and flower girl.

- Order address labels with you & your future husband’s new name & new address.This adds a nice touch when sending out thank you cards.

- Confirm your order with the florist.

1 Month before the wedding

- Design your Wedding Programs. You don’t want to do this too much sooner than this because things inevitably change. Check with where your wedding is held, they may print them for you, or you can design your own by purchasing (DIY Wedding Program) kits and printing them from your own printer.

- Apply for your marriage license.

- Have a final gown fitting.

- Visit your hair stylist, work on a style with your veil. Visit with your make-up artist also.

- Discuss and finalize details with wedding service providers.

2 Weeks before the wedding

- Call any guests that haven’t sent back their response card. (there will almost always be a few).

- Give the caterer a finalized head count.

- Pick up your marriage license.

- Confirm rehearsal plans with your officiant.

- Complete reception seating plan.

1 Week Before the Wedding

- Organize your wedding day attire, try everything on & it fits perfectly.

- Confirm honeymoon reservations.

- Pick up passports (if necessary).

1 Day before the wedding

- Go through list and make sure all your bases are covered.

- Give rings to best man.

- Try to get a good night’s sleep!

YOUR WEDDING DAY!

Enjoy - you’ve worked hard !! Most Importantly… If anything doesn’t go according to plan, don’t worry, your guests probably won’t even notice.

AFTER THE HONEYMOON

- Have your wedding gown and flowers preserved.

- Write Thank-You notes.

my love everything. <8

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 04:25:00 -0400

my ~~love~~ everything. <8

The cake I wouldn’t eat as it’s crafted so wonderfully.

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 04:21:10 -0400

The cake I wouldn’t eat as it’s crafted so wonderfully.

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Wed, 06 Jun 2012 04:18:43 -0400

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Wed, 06 Jun 2012 04:10:16 -0400

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Wed, 06 Jun 2012 04:09:37 -0400

I’d like my future fiancé to take note, I want this setting. Ask...

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 04:08:10 -0400

I’d like my future fiancé to take note, I want this setting. Ask me later about the stones.

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Wed, 06 Jun 2012 04:06:58 -0400

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Wed, 06 Jun 2012 04:06:18 -0400

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Wed, 06 Jun 2012 04:04:39 -0400

to have and to hold.

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 04:03:00 -0400

to have and to hold.

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Wed, 06 Jun 2012 04:01:52 -0400

beautiful summer wedding

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 04:01:02 -0400

beautiful summer wedding

#perfectgetaway. :)

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 04:00:16 -0400

#perfectgetaway. :)

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Wed, 06 Jun 2012 03:57:52 -0400

twirkles: “And at last I see the light…”

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 03:57:18 -0400

twirkles:

“And at last I see the light…”

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Fri, 25 May 2012 03:43:13 -0400

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Fri, 25 May 2012 03:43:01 -0400

To Infinity and Beyond :)

bride2be: bride tip #15

sallywilsonshops: Wedding Planning Timeline You’re engaged!...

Wedding Planning Timeline

my love everything. <8

The cake I wouldn’t eat as it’s crafted so wonderfully.

Photo

Photo

Photo

I’d like my future fiancé to take note, I want this setting. Ask...

Photo

Photo

.

Photo

to have and to hold.

Photo

beautiful summer wedding

#perfectgetaway. :)

Photo

twirkles: “And at last I see the light…”

Photo

Photo