| You've now taken the plunge and said you to his | | | | - Delegate duties to the bridal party i.e planning |
| marriage proposal. You're excited but have some | | | | bachelor/bucks party and brides party/hens night |
| trepidation about the next step. Embarking on | | | | - Select wedding rings |
| wedding preparations can be a daunting | | | | - Select bonbonniere. (If they are to be made, |
| experience. But don't worry there is help at hand. | | | | begin preparations.) |
| This beginner's guide to wedding planning will give | | | | - Make appointments for hairdresser, nail salon, |
| you a good starting point for planning the biggest | | | | makeup, tanning salon |
| celebration of your life. | | | | - Try new hairstyle now, rather than just before |
| The First step is to consider the date. Do you | | | | wedding. |
| want an autumn wedding or do you prefer the | | | | - Order invitations, wedding stationery, personal |
| symbolism of a springtime celebration. Whichever | | | | stationery with your married name, etc. |
| you choose you need to allow yourself enough | | | | - Reconfirm plans with ceremony and reception |
| time to book your venues as most a booked | | | | sites, clergy person, caterer, florist, Photographer, |
| months in advance. | | | | videographer, ceremony and reception musicians, |
| The budget is the next step in planning your | | | | baker, and travel agent for honeymoon plans. |
| wedding. How much you are willing to spend will | | | | - Check on status of attendants' gowns. |
| determine the type of wedding you'll have. Big or | | | | - Write and review wedding vows, if appropriate. |
| small. Extravagant or simple. A fully catered event | | | | - Ask special people to do reading at the |
| or a cocktail party. To put a budget together you | | | | ceremony. |
| should estimate the cost of everything and then | | | | - Design wedding program handout for ceremony |
| try to keep to your budget. Make sure you | | | | and arrange to have wedding program printed. |
| expectations and budget are realistic. | | | | - Make sure all deposits are paid, and contracts |
| Research suppliers and vendors you think you | | | | signed. |
| might use for your wedding. Below is a suggested | | | | 2 TO 4 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING |
| checklist with timelines. | | | | - Address wedding invitations. (Invitations should |
| 12 TO 24 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING | | | | be mailed six weeks before wedding date.) |
| - Announce your engagement to family, and then | | | | - Select gifts for attendants |
| friends | | | | - Compile bridal shower guest lists. |
| - Decide upon a budget and list who will pay for | | | | - Purchase garter, cake top, knife, toasting |
| what | | | | glasses |
| - Determine wedding style and degree of | | | | - Set up a Bridal Registry |
| formality of your wedding | | | | 1 TO 2 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING |
| - Meet with clergy. Arrange for pre-marital | | | | - Have fittings for gown and attendants' gowns |
| counselling or classes suggested by clergy | | | | - Obtain marriage license. (30 days before |
| - Select ceremony site (have alternative plan if | | | | wedding date) |
| wedding is held outside) | | | | - Purchase wedding gift for fiancé. |
| - Select reception site (have alternative plan if | | | | - Prepare seating list for reception and make place |
| wedding is held outside) | | | | cards, if appropriate. |
| - Set date and time of wedding and reception | | | | - Confirm ceremony details with officiate. |
| Note: You must coordinate your ceremony site, | | | | - Finalize wedding music |
| reception site, date and time of wedding, budget | | | | - Finalize music list for reception. Request special |
| and size of the wedding before any other definite | | | | dances, songs, etc. |
| plans can be made | | | | - Make an itinerary for your wedding day. Give to |
| - Both families begin to compile guest lists. (Set a | | | | all wedding party members, parents, and wedding |
| definite date for final lists.) | | | | consultant. |
| - Develop a record-keeping system for all | | | | - Make sure all transportation arrangements for |
| wedding details, contracts, etc. | | | | wedding party have been finalized. |
| - Develop a record-keeping system for guests, | | | | - Confirm that all men have been fitted for |
| invitations, gifts, and thank-you notes | | | | formalwear. |
| 6 TO 9 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING | | | | 2 WEEKS BEFORE WEDDING |
| - Select colour scheme and wedding theme | | | | - Call guests who have not responded to |
| - Select photographer/ videographer | | | | invitations |
| - Select music for ceremony | | | | - Confirm time and date of wedding rehearsal |
| - Select reception entertainment | | | | with all wedding party members. |
| - Select florist | | | | - Obtain travel tickets, itineraries |
| - Select limousine service or other transportation | | | | 1 WEEK BEFORE WEDDING |
| - Select caterer (if not provided by reception site) | | | | - Try on wedding gown to check fit and make |
| - Select and order wedding cake | | | | sure it is pressed. |
| - Choose your attendants including bridesmaids | | | | - Reconfirm all wedding plans: ceremony and |
| and groomsmen. | | | | reception site, florist, photographer, videographer, |
| - Shop for your gown, veil, headpiece, jewellery | | | | musicians, baker, and honeymoon plans. |
| and accessories | | | | - Give caterer/reception site final head count. |
| Note: You should order your gown at least 7 | | | | - Make final payment for any services that |
| months before your wedding date. | | | | require prepayment. |
| - Select bridesmaid's gowns | | | | - Verify that all attendants have wedding apparel. |
| Note: These gowns should also be ordered at | | | | 1 DAY BEFORE WEDDING |
| approximately same time as your gown. Obtain a | | | | - Set aside everything you will need at ceremony |
| swatch of fabric to coordinate all other wedding | | | | site: gown, headpiece, veil, accessories, shoes, |
| colours. | | | | stockings, slip, purse, brush and hairspray. |
| - Select shoes for you and bridesmaids. | | | | - Attend rehearsal |
| - Select formalwear | | | | - Get a good nights sleep! |
| - Finalize honeymoon plans | | | | WEDDING DAY |
| - Apply for passport and arrange for inoculations | | | | - Forget any details that run amok. |
| (if necessary) | | | | - Eat a good breakfast. |
| - Select beauty consultant | | | | - Take a relaxing bath. |
| - Make arrangements for rehearsal dinner. | | | | - See hairdresser for wedding hairstyle. |
| - Reserve wedding night hotel suite | | | | - Have makeup applied. |
| 4 TO 6 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING | | | | - Don't forget rings and wedding license. |
| - Finalize guest list, eliminate duplicates | | | | - Thank everyone for their help. |
| - Enter guests' names, addresses, and phone | | | | Enjoy the day! |
| numbers into appropriate record book. | | | | |