Congratulations on your engagement! Now it’s crunch time and the process begins. Your wedding will take a lot of planning and preparation. While setting dates, calling vendors, finding the perfect dress and keeping calm during it all, everything must be perfect. To help you control the stress and not forget the important things, below is a checklist that will assist you in planning the perfect wedding.
- 10 to 12 Months Before Your Wedding Day
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- Buy an easy to use wedding planner
- Interview different wedding consultants and planners
- Have a girl day with all of your friends and discuss ideas and tips for the wedding
- Reserve the location/date on the following:
- Ceremony location
- Reception site
- Rehearsal dinner
- Discuss the wedding budget with all parties involved
- Cathy's Tip: "Start a folder of clippings that catch your eye (i.e. bouquets, favours, dresses, wedding photography, etc.). It's always helpful to show vendors exactly what you're looking for.
- 7 to 9 Months Before Your Wedding Day
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- Ask your family/friends to be important players during the wedding. They are not part of the wedding party but ones that you can rely on for a task or issue that needs to be addressed
- Begin shopping for wedding gown and accessories. Make sure you order a size that fits you at the current time
- Begin shopping with your ladies - make a day of it
- Register and complete bridal registry
- Hire the following:
- Baker
- Florist
- Photographer and videographer
- Musicians or DJ service
Schedule an engagement photo session with photographer
- 4 to 6 Months Before Your Wedding Day
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- Begin search for makeup artist and hair dresser
- Book a transportation that will be needed before and after wedding
- Start shopping for men's formal wear, mother's dresses, etc. Make a fun day!
- Complete and finalize the guest list for wedding
- Order wedding invitations, envelopes, guest book, etc
- By the end of month 4, have the rehearsal dinner plans ready to go
- 2 to 4 Months Before Your Wedding Day
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- 3 months before the wedding - get your marriage license application!
- Write and mail all invitations
- Finalize the following:
- Menu items for wedding reception
- Finalize music selections for ceremony and reception
- Wedding favours
- Bakery
- Floral arrangements
- Seating arrangements
- Shop till you drop!! Buy lingerie, honeymoon clothes, attendants gifts, a special gift for your fiance
- Make an appointment with the following:
- Hairdresser (practicing styling and working with the veil)
- Manicure and Pedicure
- Makeup artist
- Fittings for final sizes
- You may want to book everything on the same day so you will be able to see the completed look
- Cathy's Tip: Try to meet with the wedding photographer to review portrait location(s). Remember to always consider mother nature and have a secondary location to take your pictures!
- 4 to 8 Weeks Before Your Wedding Day
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- Gather a list of must have wedding photos
- Address a legal matters concerning name changes, etc.
- Send local newspaper or other publications of your wedding announcement and supply photograph
- Reconfirm all reservations with all vendors
- Write your vows and/or special reading for the ceremony
- Write thank you notes as you receive gifts (less stressful later)
- Finalize the following:
- Bridal fittings
- Receiving line, timeline and the itinerary for the day
- Responsibilities for those assisting with special tasks and issues
- Arrange rehearsal dinner guest list
- 2 to 3 Weeks Before Your Wedding Day
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- Pick up wedding gown and be sure to hang in a safe and dry place while avoiding sunlight
- Write your toast for the rehearsal dinner
- Begin packing for honeymoon and leave the itinerary with someone incase of emergency
- Finalize seating plan
- Cathy's Tip: Don't forget about out-of-town guests! Create a nice gift bag or note to welcome them!
- 1 Week Before Your Wedding Day
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- Review last minute details with all vendors
- Complete packing for honeymoon
- Remind groom to pick up his formal wear
- Enjoy wedding rehearsal dinner
- NO STRESS!!
- Day Before Your Wedding Day
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- Everyone is aware of responsibilities and obligations
- Double check all packed items...always good to double check!!
- Try to relax and spend time with your fiance
- Cathy's Tip: Try to have a date with your fiance (i.e. Couple's massage, sports event, walk on the beach, etc.).
- Your Wedding Day
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- This is your special day. Enjoy every minute. Your wedding party and key players are there to help support you and make this day as stress free as possible for you and your husband. Don't let athing ruin your day
- Congratulations on a beautiful wedding!