Helpful Tips and Guidelines Continued

3 to 6 WEEKS

Plan seating arrangements for guests at the reception.
Speak with the DJ/band about important musical requests. Confirm that everything is to your satisfaction.

Speak with the coordinator at the reception site to find out what time the cake and flowers will be delivered on your wedding day. Ask if deliveries should be made at a special entrance.

Talk with the photographer to confirm what time you need to be prepared for pictures on the big day. Communicate that time to guests and family who need to be there for photographs.
Contact guests who have not responded.

Give photographer and videographer list of "must-have" shots.


2 WEEKS

If you'd like your wedding announced in the newspaper, call the paper for information.

Arrange for your fiancé to be made beneficiary of your life insurance. If you each have health insurance, choose the plan that's best suited for both of you and make arrangements accordingly.

Write checks for the officiate, photographer and videographer and mark in envelopes. No one will want to be filling out checks on the big day.

Put someone in charge of transporting gifts to the proper location at the end of the event.

Pick up the rings and check the engravings.

Have the final fittings for your and the attendants' gowns.

Arrange to have the gowns pressed and tell the shop when they will be picked up.

Get your marriage license.

Arrange for gown, bouquet and/or cake preservation.

1 WEEK

Provide caterer with the total guest count and confirm all details.

Go over last-minute details with florist, musicians, etc.

Take a few minutes to write and mail a note to both sets of parents, thanking them for their love and support.

Put together everything you'll need for the wedding day: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Include your jewelry, an extra pair of pantyhose, aspirin, antacid, bobby pins, safety pins, perfume, mints, scotch tape, sewing kit and your undergarments. This is your personal crisis kit. Don't leave for the ceremony without it.

Provide caterer, videographer, florist, DJ/band and any other vendors with proper directions, a contact name, arrival time and where to set up.
Review details and timetables with all vendors.

Pick up tickets and travelers checks for honeymoon.

Finalize your transportation, flowers and cake details.

Begin packing for the honeymoon.

3 DAYS

Speak to the head usher about any unique seating arrangements or guests with special needs.

Give the marriage license to the maid of honor or best man and remind this person to bring it to the ceremony.

Give the best man sealed, labeled envelopes with checks of any vendors or the officiate you'll be paying on the big day. Remind him to bring the envelopes with him on the big day.

Remind the attendants and parents what time they will need to arrive at the rehearsal. Give your attendants their gifts at the rehearsal dinner.
The details are done. Forget about the logistics of the impending event and enjoy the party.
Greet your guests.
Remember to eat.

Try to get some rest.

THE WEDDING DAY

Eat something for breakfast.

Give your maid of honor and best man the appropriate wedding band.

Meet with your hair stylist and makeup artist for final preparations.

Gather all of your pre-packed belongings and head for the altar. Wear a shirt that buttons, so as to not mess up your make-up and hairdo.

Get there on time.

Relax. Enjoy. Congratulations-you made it.


AFTER THE HONEYMOON


Write thank you notes for gifts received.

Have gown cleaned and/or preserved.

Attend to financial, insurance and legal affairs. If adopting a new name, update personal identification and financial records immediately.

Please note that these are only suggestions as to the general timeline, each wedding professional ( vendor ) may have a different view.




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