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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/Announcement
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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