WEDDING COUNTDOWN CALENDAR

 

 

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.

 

 

Four to Six Months Ahead

 

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

 

 

Three Months Ahead

 

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

One to Two Months Ahead

 

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

 

 

One to Two Weeks Ahead

 

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.

 

 

The Night Before

 

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……..

 

 

Ceremony Site                                                                                                                    Time

 

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

 

 

Reception Site                                                                                                                  Time

 

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 Ceremony

 

Ø                  Ceremony can be held anywhere from a church to a garden as long as it accommodates the number of guests.

Ø                  Contact officiator and discuss any special wishes

Ø                  Keep in mind weather, family commitments, and local events and celebrations

Ø                  Find out facility’s wedding policies on decorating, music and photography restrictions, if any.

 

 

Checklist for Ceremony

 

·         Determine level of formality

·         Select and reserve site

·         Select an officiator

·         Plan ceremony

·         Inquire about restrictions

·         Attend pre-marital classes

·         Select attendants

·         Hire musicians (select music)

·         Write vows

·         Schedule rehearsal

·         Reserve rental items

·         Place officiates fee in envelope and give to Best Man

·         Flowers for ceremony

·         Transportation for ceremony

 

 

*Notes for the Ceremony

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Checklist for Honeymoon

 

·         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

 

 

Groom and his family

 

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 !!

 

 

 

 

The Wedding Budget                        *cross off any that do not apply to you

 

PRE-WEDDING	BALANCE
Engagement
Announcement
Engagement party
Bridal consultant
Stationery
Invitations
Thank you notes
Other stationery
Postage
Portraits

 

ATTIRE	BALANCE
Bride’s gown
Headpiece and veil
Bride’s shoes
Lingerie
Other
Accessories