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Counting down and planning the BIG DAY

Keep your wedding planning on track with these tips:

10-12 Months Before


Weddings are increasingly lavish affairs: The average cost of nuptials is $22,360, a 47 percent jump since 1990.
  • Introduce both families and announce your engagement.
  • Begin a budget.
  • Create a guest list.
  • Select a tentative date.
  • Choose your wedding party.
  • Create a wedding Web site.
  • Send your engagement photo to the local paper.
  • Book your reception site, and arrange for parking.
  • Book your ceremony location, including rehearsal time.

  • Alert out-of-town guests of wedding date.
  • Book a florist.
  • Sign a caterer.
  • Order your gown and veil.
  • Select bridesmaid dresses.
  • Book your honeymoon.
  • Book a wedding photographer/ videographer.
  • Book your DJ/band.
  • Purchase wedding-dress accessories.
  • Choose your officiant.
4-5 Months Before
  • View wedding invitation styles and research proper wording.
  • Meet with bakers to sample cakes and look at styles.
  • Look for the groom's tux and decide what groomsmen will wear.
  • Confirm your bridesmaids ordered their gowns and choose their accessories.
  • Compare pricing, place your wedding invitation order and book your calligrapher.
  • Purchase your wedding rings.
  • Choose your baker and finalize wedding cake.
  • Reserve rental equipment.
  • Research and book your rehearsal-dinner location.
  • Notify any family or friends whom you would like to give readings, sing solos, etc.
2-3 Months Before
  • Finalize guest list and submit invitations to calligrapher.
  • Book makeup artist and hairstylist.
  • Order your wedding favors.
  • Purchase wedding accessories (candles, ring pillow, etc.).
  • Schedule your last tasting and finalize menu.
  • Find gifts for each other, your attendants and your parents.
  • Confirm tuxes have been ordered for groom/groomsmen.
  • Finalize wedding transportation.
  • Look into joint bank accounts and insurance.
  • Select your music and review with musicians, singers.
  • Update your registry.
  • Finalize rehearsal dinner plans.
  • Mail invitations eight weeks before your wedding day.
1-2 Months Before
  • Have your first bridal-gown fitting.
  • Finalize ceremony readings and songs.
  • Order liquor/beverages not handled by caterer.
  • Meet with your officiant to finalize ceremony.
  • Research where to get your marriage license.
  • Prepare a photo and video shot list, naming important family members and guests.
3-4 Weeks Before
  • Finalize your jewelry.
  • Finalize your "must play" and "don't play" music lists.
  • Design and order your wedding program.
  • Confirm honeymoon arrangements.
  • Call guests who haven't RSVP'd.
  • Pick up your wedding rings.
  • Get your marriage license.
  • Research how to change your name.
  • Mail your rehearsal-dinner invitations.
  • Meet with your stylist to test your bridal makeup and hair.
1-2 Weeks Before
  • Have your final gown fitting.
  • Finalize your wedding-day schedule and share with attendants, parents and vendors.
  • Confirm all of your beauty appointments.
  • Confirm pick-up times, schedules, and addresses with your wedding-day transportation.
  • Pick up your wedding dress and gather your accessories.
  • Pick up the groom's outfit and gather his accessories.
  • Finalize your vows for the ceremony.
  • Give final attendance numbers to vendors and confirm final date/time for deliverables and pick-ups.
  • Pack for your wedding night and honeymoon.
  • Create separate "wedding boxes" to gather your wedding favors and ceremony and reception accessories, and assign people to transport.
  • Finalize your seating arrangements and submit to caterer.
  • Prepare place cards.
  • Confirm dates/times/locations with all vendors and for all photo and video sessions the day of the wedding.
The Day Before
  • Prepare a list of payment envelopes earmarking who is responsible for distributing to vendors.
  • Hand out ceremony, reception, and favor boxes to appropriate people.
  • Rehearse ceremony with officiant and wedding party.
The Wedding Day
  • Try to eat breakfast and drink plenty of fluids.
  • Be sure to wear a button-down shirt for your hair and makeup appointments.
Courtesy of www.weddingchannel.com

Copyright © 2008, The Virginia Gazette

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