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Wedding Tips and 12 Month Wedding Checklist
Wedding Tips:
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Be realistic about your budget. If you do not want to spend over a certain amount on your dress, flowers etc. don't frustrate yourself by visiting very expensive shops, venues, etc. You want your day to be special, but you don't want to spend beyond your means. It's easy to get caught up in the swirl of the big day, but remember the bills will have to be paid! As soon as you finalize the date, reserve the necessary hotel rooms. This is especially important if the wedding is taking place in a small town where rooms are limited. If planning an outdoor wedding, use your location's natural décor. So many wonderful outdoor wedding sites feature lovely floral gardens, ponds, trellises, waterfalls, and perhaps a gorgeous view of the setting sun. When searching for your ideal location, look for natural or built-in points of beauty for great backdrops and photo opportunities. (As an added bonus, you'll spend far less at the florist or event designer's when you don't need to decorate the landscape yourself!) If you have small children as part of your ceremony, tape a silver dollar onto the floor where they are supposed to stand. Tell them that they should stand on the coin and if they are good, when the ceremony is over they may keep the dollar. Instead of using costly flower arrangements for reception centerpieces, substitute potted flowers or flowers grown in baskets lined with moss---if you plan in advance, you can even grow them yourself! Make sure you're prepared for emergencies on your big day: take along a purse or bag containing items such as Band-Aids, clear nail polish, needle and thread, aspirin, an extra pair of stockings, and other things that might come in helpful in a pinch. Give them to a bridesmaid to keep for you. If you're unsure about what makeup to wear for your wedding and don't have the budget to pay for a professional makeover, make a trip to your local department store cosmetics counter. They often do makeovers for free and will show you application techniques and help you choose your colors. If you're going to have black and white photographs taken, you may need to change your makeup----the soft colors usually worn by brides don't show up well in black and white pictures, and often photographers suggest wearing more intense neutrals and darker lipsticks. When you address your invitations, try to avoid using "and guest" when you can. If you don't know the name of the person coming with your invited guest, then call the person who will be receiving the invitation and ask what name should be used on the invitation. As a last resort use ´guest.´ Try to keep up to date with your thank-you notes. It's so much easier to do them as you go along, rather than in one large group. Plus, they are so much more meaningful and personal that way. Otherwise, they sound like a mass mailing. Decide where you want your flowers to go after the wedding - special friends and relatives or a local hospital etc.
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Wedding Tips and 12 Month Wedding Checklist
12 Month Wedding Checklist 9-12 months before G Select a wedding date G Formally announce your engagement and introduce both families G Decide whom you would like in you wedding party and ask each person to participate G Purchase bridal magazines and start a "Wedding File". Collect tear sheets of dresses, flowers etc. G Purchase a notebook in which to store your wedding information G Research wedding locations for ceremony and reception G Set a preliminary budget G Determine your wedding theme, style and colour scheme __________________________________________________________________________ 8 months before G Schedule appointments at bridal salons and begin shopping for a dress. Don't forget to bring a pair of stockings, a strapless bra, shoes and a hair clip to each appointment G Reserve wedding locations for the ceremony and reception and send a deposit G Set a preliminary guest list with a maximum number in mind. Have both sets of parents make up lists with proper names and complete addresses G Interview and select a wedding coordinator, if applicable G Interview and select a band/DJ G Interview and select a videographer G Interview and select a photographer G Begin registering for wedding gifts G Determine if you need save-the-date cards (usually if several guests are from out of town or the wedding is on a long weekend) _________________________________________________________________________ 7 months before G Place your final order for your wedding gown, veil, shoes and other accessories G Begin shopping for bridesmaids' dresses G Interview and select a florist G Interview and select a caterer, if necessary G Interview cake designers, sample cake flavours and select your cake G Interview and select an officiant (a priest, minister, pastor, rabbi or judge) G Select three hotels in varying price categories and reserve rooms for out-of-town guests G Order save-the-date cards, if applicable. The information on the cards should include: reserved hotels and rates (with directions and telephone numbers), your wedding date, time and location G Research honeymoon options with your travel agent
Wedding Tips and 12 Month Wedding Checklist
12 Month Wedding Checklist
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Check your passports if you are planning to travel outside the country __________________________________________________________________________
6 months before G Begin shopping for invitations G Review invitation options G Create a "B" invitation guest list G Order thank-you cards, these will be handy for both engagement gifts and wedding gifts G Place your final order for the bridesmaids' gowns and any accessories G Have the groom's mother and your mother coordinate and select their dresses G Check to see if your wedding facilities require proof of liability insurance G Reserve rental equipment, including chairs, tables, tents etc. G Select and reserve any specialty rental items you might want to use and see samples of each, including table linens, glassware and charger plates G Finalize your gift registry _________________________________________________________________________ 5 months before G Finalize the overall budget G Select floral arrangements for the ceremony, reception and bridal party G Finalize your décor ideas G Mail any outstanding deposits to vendors G Begin shopping for party favours for the wedding, if applicable G Shop for your wedding rings G Begin shopping for the groom's wedding attire G Select the groom's attendants' attire. Send out tuxedo measurement forms to all groomsmen G Finalize dates for showers and bachelor or bachelorette parties _________________________________________________________________________ 4 months before G Finalize all the information for the wedding invitations and order them G Notify any family or friends that you would like to participate in your wedding as an escort card table attendant, gift attendant or photo liaison for families G Submit menu and beverage selections to the hotel or caterer G Begin music selections for the ceremony. You will need a processional song for the groom, parents and attendants, a bridal song and a recessional song G Interview and hire any additional management staff and babysitters, if applicable G Select a responsible person to handle the guest book and determine its location G Scout and reserve rehearsal dinner locations
Wedding Tips and 12 Month Wedding Checklist
12 Month Wedding Checklist Complete your gift registry (You can request stores send gift cards and not the actual gifts until after the wedding) G Place your final order for party favours G Schedule tests for makeup and hair _________________________________________________________________________
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3 ½ months before G Complete your wedding invitation list G Meet with the stationer and select and order menus, table numbers, hand towels, napkins and any other accessories G Finalize the date, time and place of the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner G Make a guest list for the rehearsal dinner G Attend your first appointment with the wedding officiant to review details for the ceremony G Select the traditions you would like to include in your reception; for example, the bride and groom's first dance, the formal cake cutting, the first toasts or the father-daughter or mother-son dance G Select special readings and begin writing personalized vows, if applicable G Make all arrangements for makeup, hair, nails, etc. _________________________________________________________________________ 3 months before G Determine who will be giving speeches at the rehearsal party and the reception G Schedule an appointment for a food tasting and a meeting with the caterer or hotel catering staff G Set up an appointment to see a sample of your flower centerpieces and if possible, your linens, china and glassware with your florist and reception venue. Bring your wedding coordinator if you have one G If you have special music requests for the ceremony or reception, purchase sheet music G Begin writing thank-you notes as wedding gifts arrive. It's easier if you keep up to date G Purchase hostess gifts and cards for your showers. Have them gift-wrapped and write thank-you notes G Purchase plenty of stamps and several pens that match your stationery for thank-you notes G Purchase a guest book, sign-in pen, cake knife and lifter, and champagne flutes G Purchase disposable cameras for the reception, if necessary G Book and reserve your bridal preparation suite and honeymoon suite G Finalize the date and time of the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner and post-wedding brunch G Prepare your passports and get vaccinations for honeymoon, if applicable G Check your provincial requirements for blood testing and marriage licenses G Purchase your wedding weekend outfits, including something for the rehearsal dinner and post wedding brunch and other outfits for the honeymoon
Wedding Tips and 12 Month Wedding Checklist
12 Month Wedding Checklist Finalize your plans for the honeymoon with your travel agent G Schedule your first fitting for your wedding gown and your groom's tuxedo or suit. Remember to bring your stockings, shoes, bra, hair accessories, jewelry, camera and best friend __________________________________________________________________________
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2 ½ months before G Purchase gifts for each other and thank-you gifts for your wedding party attendants and your parents G Order rehearsal dinner invitations G Finalize your selection of wedding music. You'll need a processional bridal song and recessional G Finalize the ceremony readings and songs to be performed by guest(s) _________________________________________________________________________ 2 months before G Mail wedding invitations to all your guests G Prepare an out-of-town guest information letter G Begin composing the wedding weekend schedule information G Finalize your selections for the cocktail hour and reception songs. Review them with your band or DJ G Apply for a marriage license _________________________________________________________________________ 1 ½ month before G Submit the wedding program information to a stationer G Finalize all details with your caterer, florist and musicians G Finalize all transportation, including any special plans for your family and bridal party G Finalize out-of-town transportation, if applicable G Finalize pertinent information for inclusion in a Wedding Weekend Newsletter for out-of-town guests and bridal party members. Include restaurant recommendations, a photo schedule for your family and bridal party, detailed driving directions G Finalize your schedule for the wedding day with your wedding venue contact, band emcee and wedding coordinator, if applicable G Finalize the wedding ceremony processional and recessional information with your wedding coordinator or wedding venue contact G Prepare a photo and a video shot list, naming important family and guests. Include each person's relationship to you. Assign a member from each family to act as liaison with the photographer and videographer G Pick up the wedding rings, making sure they are sized and engraved
Wedding Tips and 12 Month Wedding Checklist
12 Month Wedding Checklist Finalize your jewelry selection, including something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue G Schedule a final test makeup and hair session with your stylists. Bring you veil G Make arrangements for the bridesmaid's luncheon G Attend to business and legal details. Get the necessary forms to change names on your social security card, driver's license, insurance and medical plans and bank accounts _________________________________________________________________________
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1 month before G Schedule your second bridal gown fitting G Mail your rehearsal dinner invitations G Schedule a final meeting with your officiant to discuss the ceremony G Confirm your final appointment with your makeup artist and hair stylist G Give all musicians the lists of music for the ceremony and reception G Practice your "First Dance" with you music -wearing your bridal shoes G Appoint a family member or friend to gather the gifts at the end of the reception for delivery to the proper location G Determine if there is to be a receiving line at the reception. If there is to be one, decide who will be included, and at what time _________________________________________________________________________ 3 weeks before G Reconfirm your hotel room for the wedding night. Reconfirm your bride's dressing room with your hotel or ceremony location, if applicable G Send final confirmation for all your honeymoon reservations G Finalize the wedding day timeline and fax, mail or e-mail to all appropriate vendors. Call them to make sure they understand all the information and feel comfortable with the arrangements you have made G Submit final numbers to rental companies, the florist and the reception venue managers G Mail your wedding day schedules. Make sure each wedding day participant is aware of the day's activities and their role G Mail your Wedding Weekend Newsletter to out-of-town guests G Finalize your seating arrangements (making sure you involve both sets of parents) G Purchase and print rehearsal dinner seating cards if needed _________________________________________________________________________ 2 weeks before G Send final payment to all vendors G Send the final guest count to your caterer or wedding venue coordinator G Prepare a toast for your wedding reception
Wedding Tips and 12 Month Wedding Checklist
12 Month Wedding Checklist
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Finalize the vows you have written for the ceremony Have any hair treatments done - highlights, trim etc. (Don't wait until two days before the wedding!) __________________________________________________________________________
1 week before G Make sure to have a least one person assist you with your errands the last week prior to your wedding G Confirm the whereabouts of your guest book and pen, cake knife and lifter, champagne flutes etc. and put them together in one box or bag marked "Cake Table" G Confirm the whereabouts of your marriage license and wedding rings and put them in a box or bag marked "Ceremony". For a Jewish wedding add the ketubah, the Kiddush cups, the kosher wine, the tallis and yamulkes. Add a unity candle and the Bible for a Christian/Catholic wedding G Pick up your bridal gown and veil and make sure all of your accessories are together. Also make sure the wedding dress is covered with a protective bag and stuffed with tissue to preserve its shape G Pick up the bridal party outfits and bring them to the bridal dressing room on the day before the wedding, if possible G Pick up the groom's outfit and make sure all of his accessories are together G Groom to get a haircut G Confirm all appointment times for hair, makeup, nails, etc. G Get a facial (Don't wait until two days before the wedding!) G Write any final thank-you notes to bridal party members or parents G Attend the bachelor and bachelorette parties, if applicable G Pack your wedding night and day-after clothes G Prepare all your outfits, including the rehearsal dinner, wedding day and post-wedding brunch G Prepare and pack for your honeymoon G Arrange transportation to your hair and makeup appointments G Give your marriage license to the officiant G Arrange who will return any rental items that must be returned after the wedding __________________________________________________________________________ On the Wedding Day G Eat a well-balanced breakfast. You have a big day ahead of you, and some brides have been know to faint because they forget to eat G Drink lots of water and refrain from an excess of caffeine and alcohol G Take a lavender bath - it's very relaxing G Remember to wear a button-down shirt for your hair and makeup appointments G Give the Wedding bands to the Best Man and Maid of Honour G Take a deep breath and enjoy - remember this is your day! ___________________________________________________________________________