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First Things First
You've just said "yes" to marriage! To feel
serenity and joy on your wedding day, begin planning
these important details right away! Planning a wedding
is a complicated process. You'll have myriad decisions
to make and an infinite number of details to arrange.
As soon as you're officially engaged and the wedding
date confirmed, begin the planning process to avoid
last-minute frustrations and even disasters. Discover
here how to handle some of these traditional, "first-things-first"
details. These are general timelines; therefore, popular
sites or professionals may be reserved earlier.
Clergy
Before you publicly announce a specific wedding date,
reserve the church or other location for the date and
time you will be married, and make all the necessary
arrangements with the clergy or other official who will
perform the ceremony.
Also before announcing your wedding date, confirm the
availability of your reception site. Reservations for
some popular reception locations must be made a year
or more in advance.
Bridesmaids/Groomsmen
Select the bridesmaids. Then, select the dresses they
will wear and the bride's wedding dress. When you have
made these decisions, you'll find that many details
will be much easier to plan and others will simply fall
into place. Traditionally, bridesmaids pay for their
own dresses. Select the groomsmen and make arrangements
to rent tuxedos at this time, as well.
Gift Registration
You'll have fun with this step, and you'll find it will
have positive, practical results. To begin your planning
details on an upbeat note, register for the gifts you
really need or want as you begin life in your new home.
Contact department, jewelry and specialty stores to
choose and register silver, china, crystal and other
gifts you desire. By registering, you are making gift
buying much more easy and convenient for your friends
and guests. Be sure everyone knows where you are registered.
Guest List
Begin compiling your guest list. Be sure to obtain a
guest list from the groom's mother. She will depend
on you to suggest the size of her list.
It's helpful to keep your list on file cards in alphabetical
order. Mark each card according to whether you will
invite the guest to the wedding and reception "®"
or the ceremony only "©".
Mark those you prefer to receive a wedding announcement
only, and no invitation to either event, with an "A".
Wedding Rentals
Contact your wedding rental professional six months
before the wedding date, if you can. Arrange a meeting
to discuss ideas for your wedding and reception. You
might choose from dozens of colors and styles in table
linens, lace, candelabra, center pieces, china, glassware
and flatware, serving pieces - some brides even choose
tents, tables, chairs, lighting, bars and dance floors.
Discover how your rental professional can assist you
throughout the wedding and reception planning process.
Many larger rental centers offer complete planning
services, which can make your other tasks go much smoother.
The wedding-rental center could be a one-stop-shop for
many of your needs for parties and showers, the rehearsal
dinner, wedding, reception, and even the invitations.
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Invitations/Announcements
Order your wedding invitations, announcements and other
stationery about three months in advance. Address both
inner and outer envelopes by hand. Now is a convenient
time to select "thank you" notes, as well.
Mail your invitations about a month before the wedding
date. Allow about two weeks for replies. At that time,
give your caterer the final number of reception guests
you're expecting.
The day after the ceremony, mail wedding announcements
to those not invited to the events.
Caterers/Photographers/Florists/Musicians
Select your caterer, photographer, florist and musicians
at least three months in advance of the wedding. At
that time, supply your caterer an estimated number of
guests from the list you have compiled. In general,
count on about 75 percent of the number of people you
plan to invite. Since your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime
event, choose a professional wedding photographer. If
you are planning to have music at your wedding and/or
reception, also finalize these plans at least three
months in advance.
Displaying Gifts
Wedding gifts generally are displayed in the bride's
home beginning six weeks to a month before the ceremony.
It is not considered proper to attach name cards to
the gifts. To make an artistic display, group china
items together with silver, and show crystal and linen
items in separate groupings. Duplicates should not be
displayed. Contact your rental center for 6-foot or
8-foot banquet tables. Add rental table risers to create
an elegant display.
Transportation/Accommodations
The bride's family is responsible for arranging the
wedding party's transportation to and from the church,
and for arranging accommodations for bridesmaids and
out-of-town guests.
Out-of-town guests generally pay for their own accommodations.
Guests are expected to provide their own transportation
to and from the church and to the reception.
If desired and possible, it's tradition for the bride
to pay for bridesmaids' hotel rooms.
Rehearsal Dinner
The wedding rehearsal is most often held the afternoon
or evening on the day before the wedding. It is customary
for the groom's parents to host and pay for the rehearsal
dinner for the entire bridal party.
The Reception
Contact your wedding rental professional as early as
possible to discuss ysour options for reception decorating,
furnishing and equipment needs. At that time, provide
a good estimate of the number of guests attending. Generally,
you can expect about 75 percent of the number of people
invited. Two weeks before the reception contact your
rental professional to provide a final guest count.
If you are planning to have music at your reception,
finalize these plans at least three months in advance.
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