The man of your dreams has just asked you to marry him. You replied by telling
him yes! He slips the ring on your finger and you tell everyone you know about
the engagement!
Now the planning begins! A wedding requires an incredible amount of groundwork,
planning and a lot of money. If you and your partner want to get married with
a wedding that will wow your family and friends, then you need to begin by:
1. Choose a wedding date. Consider all factors, including location availability,
work schedules, family commitments, travel plans of friends and family, holidays
and preparation time. Some locations and vendors give discounts for weddings
on nontraditional days such as Friday and Sunday. Also, keep in mind about when
you want to hold the wedding. Do you want to have the wedding in the morning
or afternoon? A reception may be cheaper than the typical Saturday night. Off-peak
times of the year, such as after the holidays, may also be discounted.
2. Decide on the size and type of wedding you would like. Your dream wedding
may be entirely different from that of your betrothed. Discuss the desire for
a formal or casual event, the ideal location, how many people you would like
to invite (and who they are), as well as family expectations. If you have an
elegant evening wedding in mind and your partner thinks a luau on the beach
would be perfect, keep talking until you close the gap.
3. Set a budget. When looking at options and making choices, bear in mind:
Who is paying? What can they afford? How formal will it be?
4. Select a location. Find out if there will be another event at the same time
as yours. Ask if you can hire an outside caterer.
5. Choose a person. Find someone whose beliefs resonate with yours. Select
from a wide range of religious people, a judge or justice of the peace--or have
a friend do the honors
6. Decide if you want attendants. Choose them early so they can help you. Let
bridesmaids and groomsmen know how much you appreciate their accepting this
important and costly role in your wedding.
7. Create the guest list based on the location capacity limit and your budget.
Get additional names from both sets of parents and divide the list into must-have
people and those you hope to fit in. Get a firm quote from the caterer before
the final cut so you can trim names if the budget requires it.
8. Order a cake. Browse bridal magazines, get references from friends and call
around. Schedule a complimentary tasting session with your top two choices.
Expect to pay $2 to $15 (or more) per slice.
9. Work with a florist to select your flowers, including centerpieces. Keep
in mind that flowers are more expensive and are in limited availability during
the winter.
10. Hire someone to capture the big day on film. Whether you want movies or
black and white, color or digital pictures, find a professional videographer
or photographer.
11. Buy your wedding gown, either off the rack (with alterations) or from a
dressmaker. Expect custom-made gowns to require up to several months for fittings.
Coordinate shoes, stockings, veil and headpiece.
12. Send out a "save the date" notice at least six months in advance
for people needing to make travel and hotel arrangements, or if it is a holiday
weekend. Include a list of contacts for lodging and car rentals.
13. It is a fact that whoever pays for the wedding exerts a fair amount of
control over the process. If that is the bride's parents, the mother of the
bride should be included in the decisions. Both the mother and daughters' wishes
should be equal in the decisions. You bet.
14. Be extremely considerate when you are borrowing a house or garden for your
wedding--the generous offer adds considerable expense, time and anxiety to the
owner's life.
15. Put together a solid plan B in case of bad weather. Select a location that
has an indoor alternative, like a museum, a hall or even a barn. Look into renting
tents or large awnings.
Remember to create a planner and a list to do’s, so you know what needs
to be done. Such as:
12 to 18 Months Before
Reserve Church, Temple, Site of Ceremony
Reserve Photographer
Reserve Videographer
Choose Entertainment
Contact a Wedding Consultant
Hire Musicians for Ceremony
Discuss and Decide on Style and Formality of Your Wedding
6 to 12 Months Before
Arrange Accommodations for Out of Town Attendants
Order Gown and Veil
Select Members of Your Bridal Party
Shop for Attendants' Gowns
Schedule Photo for Engagement Announcement
Arrange Wedding Transportation
Mail Engagement Information to Newspaper
Pick a Color Scheme for Your Wedding
Visit or Call Rental Companies to Review Rental Options
Discuss Honeymoon Plans
Visit Florist and Discuss Floral Arrangements
3 to 6 Months Before
Complete Bridal Registry
Order Wedding Cake
Visit Travel Agent and Make Honeymoon Plans
Send Deposits/Payments for Airline Tickets
Order Invitations and Thank You Notes
Plan Rehearsal Dinner
Order Wedding Band Engravings
2 Months Before
Order Men's Formal Wear
Order Favors for Reception
Meet with Your Function Director
Buy Attendants' Gifts
Send Band or DJ a List of Songs You would Like Played
First Gown Fitting
Hire a Calligrapher to Address Invitations
Have a Formal Portrait Taken
Mail out Invitations
1 Month Before
Confirm Rehearsal with Church
Get Physical Examination
Purchase Final Party Supplies
Make Appointment to have Wedding Bouquet Preserved
Mail Thank You Notes for Shower Gifts
1 to 2 Weeks Before
Apply for Marriage License
Pick Up Honeymoon Tickets
Finalize Flowers
Give Caterer a Final Guest Count
Plan Seating for Reception
Write Out Place Cards for Reception
Pick Up Formal Wear
Confirm Church, Hall, Band, Photo, Video, Limo, Florist, Etc.
1 Day Before
Relax and Enjoy because you will need all your enjoy for the big wedding day
