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9
to 12 Months in Advance:
Determine
what you and your families expect your wedding to be.
Determine the religion that the service will be performed
in; the number of guest; and, decide how the wedding
will be financed. The lowest-stress method for everyone
is for the parents to commit a specific amount of money,
which the bride & groom can supplement with their
own money, or keep the extra if they spend less.
Research
wedding costs in your area before drafting a preliminary
budget.
Determine
the style and time of day of the wedding. If money is
an issue, adjust the time of day so that the reception
will be more economical.
Select
a wedding date. This may need to be done in conjunction
with selecting ceremony/reception sites.
Select
and reserve ceremony and reception sites.
Find
a wedding official or clergyman (if one does not come
with the wedding site) and determine the requirements
for them to marry you, and when these requirements need
to be met.
Select
attendants. It's alright not to single one out as the
honor attendant at this time.
Secure
a photographer and/or a videographer for your chosen
date.
Secure
catering arrangements for your reception site, if the
site does not come with a caterer.
Secure
a florist.
6
to 9 Months in Advance:
Select
and order the bridal gown and accessories, or arrange
for a seamstress to make it.
Make
arrangements for music at your ceremony/reception.
Select
and order bridesmaids' dresses, or arrange to have them
made.
Start
working on guest lists. Typically, there are 4: The
bride's family's list, the groom's family's list, the
bride's list, and the groom's list.
4
to 6 months in advance:
Order
invitations and other wedding stationery.
Register
for gifts.
Some
thought should be given to planning the honeymoon.
Mothers
of the bride and groom should select their dresses.
The
groom's family should begin planning the rehearsal dinner.
2
to 4 months in advance:
Select
attire for the men in the wedding party.
Purchase
wedding rings and have them engraved.
Apply
for the marriage license and make sure you know the
requirements for getting married in your state.
If
you will be leaving the country for your honeymoon get
any immunizations you might need.
Reserve
a block of rooms at a hotel for out-of-town guests.
The hotel will usually offer a reduced rate.
6
to 8 weeks in advance:
Mail
the invitations
Consult
relevant newspapers for requirements on wedding announcements.
Have
a formal portrait taken in wedding gown for newspaper
announcement.
Purchase
gifts for each other and for your attendants.
Consult
hairstylist and makeup person about wedding hairstyles
and makeup.
4
to 6 Weeks in Advance:
Investigate
legal details, such as naming fiancé as beneficiary
in will and life insurance, obtaining insurance to cover
joint property, consolidating auto insurance, opening
joint bank accounts, etc.
Decide
on seating plan for reception.
If
you will need foreign money for the honeymoon, make
arrangements to obtain it.
Be
sure attendants are kept informed of rehearsal plans,
other commitments they have.
1-2
Weeks in Advance:
Make
final checks on everything: catering, honeymoon, photographer,
videographer, florist, musicians, officiate, rehearsal,
etc.
Make
sure announcements are addressed and arrange for someone
to mail them on wedding day.
Think
about what you are going to take on the honeymoon, decide
when you will pack.
Buy
traveler’s checks for honeymoon.
1-3
Days in Advance:
Make
sure everyone arriving from out-of-town is met by someone,
knows where everyone else is staying, etc.
Pack
an "emergency kit" containing things like
spare hose, sewing supplies, aspirin, etc. to take with
you to the wedding.
Attend
rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. You may choose to give
gifts to attendants and each other at this event, or
at a more private moment.
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