Countdown to a Fascinating Wedding
By CTW Features
Getting Started
• Share the news of your engagement with your family and friends and announce it in the local newspapers.
• Discuss finances with everyone contributing to the event and set a budget.
• Set the date and ceremony/reception locations. If you’re set on getting married at a certain time of year, choose the date first, then the location. If you have your heart set on a specific venue, let that drive your decision.
• Meet with the officiant or the clergy at your church/temple/mosque.
• Establish a guest list.
• Start interviewing wedding planners/events designers, if you’re thinking of enlisting the help of one.
• Start thinking about the style and theme of your wedding.
• Start shopping for a gown.
• Oh yeah … If your parents haven’t met, now would be a good time for that.
6-9 Months Before Your Wedding
• Mail out Save-the-Dates
• Interview and book your vendors – and don’t forget to get a signed contract: Caterer. Baker. Florist. Photographer/Videographer. Musicians/DJ. Transportation.
• Choose your attendants and shop for their dresses.
• Order your stationery – invites, envelopes, thank-yous, etc.
• Start looking into honeymoon locales.
• Get your wedding Web site up and running, if you’re having one.
• Schedule any beauty treatments you’re planning on having leading up to the wedding.
• Register for gifts.
4-6 Months Before Your Wedding
• Book your hair/makeup help for the big day.
• Make any final amendments to the guest list.
• Plan the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
• Help the moms get shop for their wedding-day attire.
• Shop for wedding bands with your fiancé
• Find accommodations for out-of-town guests and reserve a block of rooms.
• Finalize your honeymoon plans.
2-4 Months Before Your Wedding
• Start addressing invitations.
• Buy attendants’ gifts.
• Get the men’s fashions in order – groom, groomsmen and ushers.
• Choose readings for the ceremony.
• Select music for the ceremony/reception.
• Check marriage-license requirements.
• Make sure your vendor contracts are complete.
• Meet with your caterer to discuss menu and drinks.
• Order the cake.
• Pick out favors.
• Plan and shop for welcome bags.
• Arrange party rentals, if necessary.
• Book your wedding-night room.
4-8 Weeks Before Your Wedding
• Mail out your invites.
• Do a hair/makeup run-through.
• Discuss insurance/bank account changes you’ll need to make.
• Send ceremony programs and reception menu and place cards to be printed.
• Write vows.
2-4 Weeks Before Your Wedding
• Submit a shot list to your photographer and setlist to your DJ.
• Finalize the seating chart and prepare escort/place cards.
• Update registry.
• Call anyone who hasn’t RSVP’d.
• Confirm details with your vendors.
• Get your final dress fitting.
• Write a toast for the rehearsal.
1 Week Before Your Wedding
• Give your caterer the final headcount.
• Pick up your dress; break in your shoes.
• Give scripts to your readers.
• Pack for your honeymoon.
• Find someone to transport heirlooms (candles, glasses, cake knife) to and from the reception site.
• Organize your wedding-day payments and decide who will distribute them.
1 Day Before Your Wedding
• Get a mani-pedi.
• Enjoy the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
• Get plenty of sleep.
The Big Day
• Keep your meals small and light.
• Give yourself plenty of time for hair/makeup before the photographer arrives.
• Give yourself a bit of time to relax before the big day.
Good luck!
