| 8 TO 12 Months Before the Wedding | |
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Select
a wedding date and time. Decide the type of wedding you would like to have (size, formality, and setting). Begin your guest list. Consider possible color schemes. Start health and fitness plan. Select your professional: photographer, caterer, consultant, music, etc. Shop together for your wedding rings. Decide upon your budget. Determine who will pay what expenses. Book your wedding location(s). Choose your attendants. Determine the sizes of your attendants. Select dress and headpiece, and set a date for fittings and delivery. Select your bridesmaids' dresses and accessories. Give thought to your honeymoon location. |
| 5 to 8 Months | |
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Check
the requirements for marriage license. Select and discuss your color schemes with the florist and/or balloonist of choice. Reserve your wedding day rental equipment (tables, chairs, china, silverware, gazebo, etc.). Decide upon a gift registry and select your gift choices. Begin your record of gifts received. Send thank you notes as soon as possible. Order your invitations and related stationary needs. Start shopping for the mens’ wedding attire. |
| 3 to 5 Months | |
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Finalize
your guest list. Decide upon and order your favors. Select your baker, then choose your cake, groom’s cake, and mints. Help both mothers coordinate and find their wedding day clothing. Review your written agreements forms with all of your professionals (photographer, caterer, D.J., site coordinator, transportation, etc.). |
| 2 to 3 Months | |
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Have
engagement portraits taken. Place your engagement announcement in the newspaper. Mail out invitations and announcements. Decide on the mens’ wedding attire. Arrange and plan your rehearsal dinner. Purchase your wedding day accessories. Arrange attendants' parties. Book a beverage caterer for the reception and make selections. Prepare accommodations for out-of-town attendants and guests. Consider a hairdresser and/or makeup artist and book appointments. Finalize all honeymoon plans. |
| 2 to 4 Weeks | |
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Final
wedding dress fitting. Final fitting for your wedding attendants. Obtain marriage license. Have your attendants' parties. Purchase your going-away outfit. Draw a map to direct your guests to the site(s), if necessary. Create a calendar of events for the wedding day. Make sure your accessories are in order (rings, pillow, garter, etc.) |
| 1 to 2 Weeks | |
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Finalize
arrangements with the entertainer(s) and provide a list of music you would
like played during special events such as first dance, garter removal
and bouquet toss. Pick up your wedding rings and make sure that the engravings are correct and they fit properly. Contact the guests who have not responded to your invitations. |
| 1 to 7 Days | |
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Make
sure your marriage license is in order. Prepare seating arrangements, if necessary. Purchase travelers checks, confirm honeymoon reservations. Pack your baggage for your honeymoon. Have your wedding ceremony rehearsal. Instruct your wedding party on what you would like them to do on the day of the wedding. Have your rehearsal dinner. Make sure all wedding attire fits properly. Give the best man the amount the professionals are to be paid on the day of the wedding. Inform your caterer of the total guest count. Confirm out-of-town guests have transportation and sleeping accommodations. Check with your florist and/or balloonist to make sure they will arrive when scheduled. |
| Your Wedding Day | |
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Relax,
enjoy yourself, and remain calm! Allow at least two hours for dressing.
Allow plenty of time to apply your makeup and style your hair. If professionals are doing your hair and/or makeup, ask them in advance how much time they will need. If photographs are to be taken before the ceremony, allow at least one and one-half hours. Remember to bring the rings and marriage license. Seat guests as they arrive. The groom’s parents should be seated about 5 minutes before start time, the mother of the bride is normally seated last. Take a deep breath, don't worry, and SMILE!  |
