 |
|
|
Contests  | Promotions  | Subscribe!  |
|
|
Calendar Countdown
Plan well ahead for more choices and less stress. Here's how...
12 TO 18 MONTHS AHEAD - Tell the family. Don’t sweat this one—they’re gonna be pumped!
- Arrange for both sides of the family to meet.
- Pick a wedding date.
- Choose a system for recording wedding research and plans. (Think “checklist.”)
- Determine available funds. The traditional source (the bride’s family) isn’t the rule anymore, so if everybody can help out, they should.
- Make a comprehensive budget.
- Establish joint bank account, credit cards and other financial details.
- Choose best man and maid of honour, and discuss specific duties with them.
- Contact officiator.
- Secure your venues (in writing).
- Hire caterers (after you taste-test their menu selections, of course).
- Consider any rental items. Tents? Porta-potties? Sumo suits?
9 TO 12 MONTHS AHEAD - Register for your gifts. Do so early, as engagement parties/showers will be planned before you know it!
- Let friends and family know where you are registered. This makes it easier for them.
- Choose a photographer and/or videographer.
- Select music for the ceremony and reception.
- Buy/make bridal gown and bridesmaids dresses.
- Let moms know the details—some like to coordinate their outfits to the wedding party colours.
- Talk with officiator about customizing your service and vows. Some don’t allow it—better check before you start writing that poem.
- Pick an MC.
- Check to see if anybody in the family wants to host a reunion—it’s a great pre-wedding event.
- Look into provincial marriage laws.
6 TO 9 MONTHS AHEAD - Purchase your wedding rings.
- Make appointment with florist and order flowers.
- Decide if groom and groomsmen will rent or purchase formal wear, and make appropriate arrangements.
- Determine details of the bar with the caterer: corkage fees, waiters, liquor licence, drink menus, etc.
- Plan the rehearsal dinner.
- Book wedding day appointments for makeup and/or hair. Do any experimenting with hairstyles and new beauty products in advance.
- Research invitation styles and wordings.
- Discuss guest list with family.
- Finalize and order invitations.
- Consider sending save-the-date cards for out-of-town guests. (Actual invites should be sent out 60 days in advance of wedding.)
- Look for wedding outfit accessories (cufflinks, dress shoes, jewellery, lingerie, purse, etc.).
- Consider additional items for the ceremony or reception. (Itemize small things you need, like a cake knife, ring pillow, candles, matches, guest book, etc.)
- Pick and order wedding cake. Again, make sure you taste-test.
- Plan the honeymoon. Do you need passports? Immunizations? Health insurance? Allow time for visas, etc. to be processed.
- Book honeymoon transportation and accommodations.
- Reserve hotel room for your wedding night.
- Check your registry: Do you have enough items for your guests to choose from?
3 TO 6 MONTHS AHEAD - Decide if you want a program for the wedding.
- Book limos—wedding-day transportation can be a big headache if you wait too long. Reserve now.
- Decide on favours for guests.
2 MONTHS AHEAD - Send out invites!
- Start preparing your reception speeches.
- Pick speakers for the reception. Ask them to practise and time themselves.
- Buy memorable gifts for your wedding party. Your friends and family are shelling out their time and energy for you. Show your appreciation with something nice.
- Give your must-have song list (including the first-dance song) to the DJ/band.
- Decide if you want to wear a going-away outfit. Make sure there’s a place to change and a place to stash your outfits, etc.
- Book hair and beauty treatments for a few days in advance of the wedding day.
- Make decisions about your married names. If monikers are changing, get on top of the requisite government forms.
1 MONTH AHEAD - Go through your honeymoon packing list.
- Draft/finalize reception seating plan. Note location of head table and allow for child attendants to be seated with their parents.
- Go through final round of wedding party wardrobe fittings.
- Decide if you want to announce your wedding in the newspaper. If so, write the copy and book the space.
- Work out receiving line essentials (if you’re having one): Who is in it, in what order and where?
- Determine if there will be a coat check.
- Will there be sufficient parking?
- Call to confirm limos, flowers, photographer, videographer, cake, ceremony musicians, reception band/DJ, formal wear pickup, gown pickup, etc.
- Don’t overlook or assume anything—better to triple-check.
1 WEEK AHEAD - Send wedding day schedule to suppliers and helpers.
- Tally up all the RSVPs to make sure that everyone is accounted for. You don’t want to miss anyone!
- Finalize food and liquor order.
- Go to beauty appointments.
- Pack a small bag of emergency items for the wedding day, and ask a trusted attendant to hold onto it.
- Submit your seating plan to the caterer.
- Prepare envelopes with payments for services. Ask the best man to distribute them.
- Pack for the honeymoon. Double-check that all necessary travel arrangements have been made.
- If you’re changing into a going- away outfit at the reception venue, be sure to bring a garment bag for your wedding attire.
- Have wedding rehearsal. Review all duties, such as who’s seating guests.
THE BIG DAY! - Don’t sleep in. Set your alarm!
- Get hair and makeup done.
- Check itemized to-do list: Bring wedding rings, marriage licence, money, travel tickets and/or itineraries (if leaving directly from the reception), car keys and house keys, etc.
- Layer your chosen scent and make it last all day by using perfume, bath gel and body lotion in the same fragrance.
- Keep your dress white all day and night—stick to white wine, vodka and soda, gin and tonic. Avoid the Caesars and red wine!! And try to pace yourself...a little.
- Relax and let others deal with the final (and inevitable) snags.
- Freshen your breath before the big kiss!
- ENJOY your wedding day. Your family and friends are gathered in a show of love and support. This is only the beginning. Congrats!
|
|
