WEDDING TIMELINE

from KGAN-TV Bridal Showcase

Six to Twelve Months Before the Wedding

· Arrange for families to meet, if they haven’t already

· Set a budget

· Decide on wedding style and level of formality

· Develop guest list (Save them as reference for thank-you notes)

· Choose date & time (Consider key participants, site availability, religious holidays, work schedule, weather and competition from other events.

· Select officiant (Discuss marriage classes, ceremony content, vows, video, photographs, decorations and musical selections.

· Reserve ceremony location.

· Reserve reception location.

· Have engagement picture taken.

· Send newspaper engagement announcement.

· Ask attendants to participate.

· Reserve hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.

· Reserve rehearsal dinner location.

· Book musicians for ceremony and reception.

· Book photographer.

· Hire caterer.

· Hire florist.

· Select wedding dress (Inquire about alterations.)

· Choose bridesmaids dresses and schedule appropriate fittings.

· Make honeymoon reservations. (Make sure the name on your passport will match the name on your airline tickets.)

· Make post-wedding housing arrangements.

Three to Six Months Before the Wedding

· Write vows

· Confirm ceremony content

· Secure tuxedo rentals and obtain measurements

· Choose bridal accessories (Find something old, new, borrowed and blue)

· Determine mothers’ attire.

· Order invitations, personal stationary, announcements, and thank-you notes. (Obtain extras for the scrapbook and mistakes.)

· Design maps.

· Meet with musicians to discuss musical selections.

· Order cake. (Look at pictures and sample. Discuss fees and delivery.)

· Arrange transportation for the bridal party.

· Complete bridal registry.

· Select wedding rings

· Determine logistics of: reserved pews, processional and recessional, receiving line, reception room layout (including tables for gifts, cake and place cards.)

· Meet with hired professionals including caterer, florist, and photographer. (Complete any necessary paperwork.)

· Arrange necessary fittings of wedding attire.

· Plan bridesmaids’ luncheon and bachelor dinner/party.

· Finalize rehearsal dinner details.

· Secure any rental items needed.

· Send newsletter to bridal party to update.

· Secure unity candle, toasting glasses, guest book, ring pillow, flower girl basket, and cake knife.

· Shop for going-away and honeymoon attire.

· Confirm lodging arrangements for out-of-town attendants.

· Hire videographer.

· Make or order favors.

One to Two Months Before the Wedding

· Arrange final fittings of all wedding attire.

· Determine accessorizing details such as shoes, jewelry, and gloves.

· Make necessary appointments for bridal portrait, hair (schedule a trial run first), nails and makeup.

· Address and mail invitations. (Guests should receive invitations four to six weeks prior to wedding, eight weeks in advance is appropriate for a holiday wedding. Include map and hotel information. Make sure you’ve used the correct amount of postage.)

· Track responses and begin to coordinate seating arrangements.

· Address announcements.

· Buy gifts for groom, parents, attendants and other special helpers.

· Obtain marriage license and make necessary doctor appointments.

· Record gifts received and thanks sent.

· Schedule attire pickup.

· Break in wedding shoes and practice bustling gown.

· Determine wedding day dressing arrangements.

· Send wedding announcements to newspapers, including photos.

· Send rehearsal dinner invitations.

· Send bridesmaids’ luncheon and bachelor dinner invitations.

· Finalize wedding day agenda. (Determine the appropriate order of events including photographs, receiving line, toasts, and the serving of food, drinks and cake.)

· Remind family and bridal party members of assigned wedding duties.

· Arrange transportation to and from the airport for out-of-town guests.

· Attend showers and send appropriate thanks. Bring hostess gifts.

· Investigate moving arrangements for transfer to new home.

The Week of the Wedding

· Relax

· Give announcements to someone to be mailed the day after the wedding.

· Give caterer final count and finalize seating arrangements and place cards. (Deliver these items, along with the cake knife and toasting glasses, to caterer.)

· Make reminder phone calls to all hired professionals to confirm times and scheduled deliveries.

· Give wedding day agendas to photographer, videographer and musicians. (If the band leader or DJ will serve as emcee, provide him with names of bridal party and family for announcing along with the correct pronunciations.)

· Pack for honeymoon.

· Prepare honeymoon itinerary for family in case of an emergency.

At Rehearsal

· Remind attendants of duties, give necessary equipment and confirm dressing and photograph times.

· Give ushers a list of special guests and review seating instructions.

· Present gifts to attendants.

· Bring ribbon bouquets from bridal showers to rehearsal for practice.

The Wedding Day

· Bring maps, wedding programs, guest book, ring pillow, flower girl basket, unity candle, and favors.

· Bring an emergency kit filled with items such as needle and thread, safety pins, extra panty hose, clear nail polish, and other toiletries.

· Bring phone numbers of professionals you’ve hired including the organist, caterer and band leader. Also, bring contract in case you need to settle a dispute.

· Bring your marriage license, rings, and money for clergy (a crisp new bill).

· Bring going away outfit and accessories.

· Bring luggage if leaving right away on honeymoon. Also, bring airline tickets, hotel confirmation numbers, traveler’s checks and passport.

· Wear a smile.

· Enjoy your day as it will be over before you know and believe it!

After the Honeymoon

· Select and order wedding photos.

· If taking husband’s name, make necessary changes on documents such as social security card, driver’s license, insurance policies, bank and charge accounts, subscriptions, passport, safe-deposit box, wills, and voter registration.

· Send thank you notes.