Six to Eighteen Months Ahead
Ø Official engagement notice
Ø Discuss (with families) time and place of wedding and reception
Ø Consult with clergyman or officiator
Ø Tentative guest list
Ø Discuss how much money you want to spend
Ø Choose a reception venue
Ø Shop for engagement ring
Ø Book music or entertainment
Ø Consider professional wedding planner (optional)
Ø Contract photographer (engagement photographs (optional)
Ø Contract a caterer
Ø Choose attendants
Ø Bride – shop for gown, headpiece and attendants dresses, set date to order
Ø Choose china, crystal and flatware patterns.
Ø Wedding gift registry
Ø Pick honeymoon destination (check passport information)
Ø Consult with travel agent and make travel reservations
Ø Finalize guest list and figure out those receiving only announcements
Ø Order invitations and announcements
Ø Order stationery and thank you notes
Ø Decide on color scheme
Ø Contract florist
Ø Arrange all transportation for wedding party
Ø Arrange for speakers at the reception
Ø Arrange rental of groom and ushers formalwear
Ø Make plans to acquire marriage license
Ø Plan events of wedding ceremony with officiator
Ø Shop for wedding rings
Ø Order wedding cake
Ø Figure out wine and liquor needs for the reception
Ø Consult with caterer on details of reception
Ø Make and confirm all accommodations for out of town attendees
Ø Confirm delivery date of gown and make final selection of attendants dresses
Ø Order/confirm all rental items
Ø Mail invitations
Ø Plan ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal party/dinner
Ø Purchase gifts for attendants and gift for new spouse
Ø Bride should consult with hairstylist
Ø Confirm all wedding day beauty appointments
Ø Make final arrangements with photographer and videographer
Ø Finalize arrangements with florist
Ø Have final fitting for your gown
Ø Confirm date of bridal portrait
Ø Address announcements so they can go out the day after wedding
Ø Finalize all transportation arrangements
Ø Confirm delivery and pick up times for attendant’s attire
Ø Purchase marriage license
Ø Plan honeymoon wardrobe
Ø Bride should have appointment with hairstylist to practice wedding day hairstyle with headpiece and veil (confirm appointment for wedding day)
Ø Arrange to change name on official documents (if applicable)
Ø Final arrangements with caterer and liquor representative
Ø Confirm final number of guests
Ø Pick up bridal ensemble
Ø Arrange final fittings and pick up of groom and ushers rental garments
Ø Prepare payments for officiator and musicians
Ø Deliver wedding announcement to local newspaper
Ø Start packing for honeymoon
Ø Have luncheon or dinner for bridesmaids (present bridesmaids with gifts)
Ø Schedule rehearsal for one or two days before wedding day
Ø Inform participants of exact time and place
Ø Go over final details of ceremony and reception with all involved
Ø Finally, remember to take a day for you to just relax. This is the time to go get a facial, manicure, pedicure and massage.
Ø Finish packing for the wedding night and honeymoon
Ø Attend rehearsal party and deliver gifts to attendants
Ø Give payment envelopes to Best Man to be delivered after services
The Day Of (Things to Remember)
Bride’s Home Time
Ø Eat breakfast
Ø Hair stylist, makeup
Ø Maid of Honor arrives
Ø Bridesmaids arrive
Ø Arrival of flowers
Ø Get dressed
Ø Photographer and videographer arrive
Ø Photo session begins
Ø Limousine arrives
Ø Leave for ceremony
***DON’T FORGET CAR KEYS, KEYS TO YOUR HOME, WEDDING RINGS, MARRIAGE
LICENSE, THINGS FOR WEDDING NIGHT/HONEYMOON, AIRLINE TICKETS, MONEY, CONFIRMATIONS, ETC……..
Ø Florist arrives
Ø Ushers arrive
Ø Entertainment/musicians arrive
Ø Groom and Best Man arrive
Ø Parents arrive
Ø Prelude begins
Ø Seating of mothers
Ø Processional begins
Ø Photo sessions begins and ends
Ø Arrival of guests
Ø Cocktail hour (photo session)
Ø Receiving line (unless done following ceremony)
Ø Dinner begins
Ø Toasts
Ø Cake cutting
Ø Bride and Groom’s first dance
Ø Dancing begins
Ø Depart reception
Important Things
to Remember for the Reception
Ø Reception can also be held anywhere you and your fiancé’ choose
Ø Make sure it adequately accommodates number of guests
Ø Make sure all arrangements are IN WRITING
Ø Make sure your menu accommodates most guest’s tastes
Checklist for Reception:
· Reserve site
· Sign agreement and pay deposit
· Decide style, theme and decorations
· Hire caterer
· Plan menu
· Determine if alcohol will be served (make arrangements)
· Determine sequence of events with Master of Ceremonies
· Determine seating assignments
· Guest favors
· Give final guest count to reception site or caterer
*Notes for the Reception
Important Things to Remember About the Honeymoon
Ø Try to work with a professional travel agency for best service
Ø Set a budget and length of time for honeymoon
Ø Get all information for passports 6 weeks in advance
Ø Make sure you plan things to do and also leave time to RELAX
· Select travel agent
· Select destination and determine length of time
· Request time off
· Pay deposit
· Make reservations for wedding night
· Make hotel reservations
· Reserve transportation
· Obtain passports and Visas if needed
· Honeymoon wardrobe
· Pay balance
· Pick up itinerary and tickets
· Pack suitcases
· Makes sue families have travel destination
· Make arrangements for someone to take care of things back home
· Have fun, relax and enjoy yourselves
*Notes for the Honeymoon
Sharing the Costs
This section will help you decide who will pay for what. These days, there are no specific rules for financial responsibility; it just depends on who is financially able. Whatever or whoever the situation boils down to, just remember to communicate and be realistic and courteous. The following is a traditional division of wedding expenses:
Bride and her family
Ø Wedding gift for groom
Ø Wedding ring for groom
Ø Gifts for attendants
Ø Reception food and drink
Ø Bride’s wedding attire
Ø Invitations, announcements, and postage
Ø Engagement and wedding photographs
Ø Rental of church (including organist, soloist and Sexton fees)
Ø Decorating costs
Ø Bouquets for bridesmaids
Ø Transportation for bridal party to ceremony and reception
Ø Bridal consultant
Ø Music
Ø Videography
Ø Wedding cake
Ø Wedding gift for bride
Ø Wedding and engagement ring for bride
Ø Marriage license
Ø Gifts for Best Man and ushers
Ø Bridal bouquet
Ø Boutonnieres
Ø Mother’s corsages
Ø Honeymoon
Ø Rehearsal dinner
Ø Groom’s formalwear
Ø Fee for clergy or Judge
Ø Lodging for out-of-town attendants (optional)
*These are just suggestions. You don’t have to take our word for it !!
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PRE-WEDDING |
BALANCE |
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Engagement |
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Announcement |
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Engagement party |
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Bridal consultant |
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Stationery |
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Invitations |
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Thank you notes |
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Other stationery |
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Postage |
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Portraits |
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ATTIRE |
BALANCE |
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Bride’s gown |
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Headpiece and veil |
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Bride’s shoes |
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Lingerie |
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Other |
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Accessories |
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Attendant’s apparel |
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Groom’s outfit |
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Groom’s shoes/accessories |
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Usher’s apparel |
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Bride’s going away outfit |
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Dry cleaning/preservation |
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RINGS |
BALANCE |
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Engagement |
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Bride’s wedding band |
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Groom’s wedding band |
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Marriage License |
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Gifts for attendants |
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Gifts for each other |
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Gifts for parents |
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Rehearsal dinner/party |
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Wedding insurance |
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Other |
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Sub-Total |
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CEREMONY |
BALANCE |
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Flowers: |
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Bridal bouquet |
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Attendants bouquets |
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Boutonnieres |
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Corsages |
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Ceremony site |
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Photography: |
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Photography package |
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Videography package |
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MUSIC |
BALANCE |
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Organist |
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Ceremony musician |
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Soloist |
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Other |
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Transportation (Limousine) |
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Fee for Ceremony site |
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Fee for officiator |
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Ceremony assistant’s fee |
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Sub-total |
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RECEPTION |
BALANCE |
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Site fee |
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Food/meal |
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Extras |
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Liquor/bar |
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Serving staff |
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Decorations |
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Large rental (tents) |
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Flowers/decorations |
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Small rentals/crystal, linens, tableware |
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Other (place cards) |
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Wedding cake (topper, knife, groom’s cake) |
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Gifts for guests |
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Music/entertainment |
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Transportation (limousine) |
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Parking and coatroom attendants |
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Other gratuities |
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Sub-total |
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POST-WEDDING |
BALANCE |
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Transportation |
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Wedding night accommodations |
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Honeymoon: |
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Transportation |
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Accommodations |
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Meals |
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Spending money |
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Passports |
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Wardrobe |
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OTHER |
BALANCE |
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Beauty |
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Facial |
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Manicure/pedicure |
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Massage |
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Hair |
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Make-up |
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Other |
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Guestbook/pen |
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Toasting flutes |
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Rice, flowers, birdseed |
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Ring pillow |
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Guest mementos |
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Special touches |
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Sub-total |
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Grand Total |
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Here are some facts to prove why a pro disc jockey is so vital to the success of your wedding reception:
Based on surveys taken by UltimateWedding.com, Modern Bride, Martha Stewart Weddings and TheKnot.com, the following statistics dramatically stress the importance and value of quality entertainment in the modern wedding market:
· 72% of today’s brides are using professional mobile entertainers for their entertainment choice.
· 63% of the guests attending these functions do not remember what was served for dinner, but do remember the entertainment.
· 4-6% is the amount most brides reserve for their entertainment budget.
· The average cost for a mobile entertainment for a wedding is between $500 and $2,000. The cost is largely dependent upon the experience of the DJ, locale and specific client requests.
· The entertainment chosen for a wedding or party is responsible for 80% of the event’s success.
The following statistics were published in St. Louis Bride & Groom Magazine in 2003. Sources include: Simmons, 2001; USA Today, 2002; National Bride Service, 2001; The Knot, 2002;
Brides Magazine, 2001.
AFTER THE VOWS:
· 72% of all brides say they would have spent more time choosing their reception entertainment.
· Almost 100% say they would have spent more of their budget on the entertainment.
· During wedding planning, brides say their highest priority is their attire, followed by the reception site and caterer – reception entertainment is among the least of their priorities. Within one week after the reception, 78% of brides say they would have made the entertainment the highest priority.
· When asked, 81% of guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment.
· 65% of all couples that chose a band to entertain at their wedding said, if they had to do it again, they would have chosen a disc jockey.
According to ProDJ.com:
· The disc jockey industry has increased over 1,000% over the past 10 years and now boasts somewhere between 80,000 and 150,000 disc jockeys.
· Mobile disc jockeys make up roughly 80% of the total US disc jockey business.
· 58% of DJs are full time and the remaining 42% are part-time.