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You have something
special to plan for and we promise to help make it a memorable
one. Whether you have just become engaged or your wedding is
3 months away, this checklist will help you plan the perfect
wedding.
The list is full of
important details from when to attend premarital counseling to who
to contact after the honeymoon with your name change information.
Start planning now,
by selecting a topic below.
AFTER YOUR ENGAGEMENT
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Contact your local newspaper to announce your engagement. This
will likely get responses from friends and relatives.
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Choose the date of the wedding and a backup date.
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Contact your church, synagogue, or clergyman to select a service
and reserve the location.
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Establish a budget and decide on who will pay for the wedding.
Will the bride and fiancée pay or will the parents pay?
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Contact your caterer and don’t forget to ask if they can handle
special diets.
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Since there are fewer good videographers than photographers, firm
up with a videography a year in advance. You may have to get one
from out-of-town.
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Consider hiring a wedding planner. Wedding planners usually help
you save money.
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Plan an engagement party with family and friends. This will be a
good time to ask friends and family members to serve as wedding
attendants.
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Contact a travel agency and plan your honeymoon.
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Reception locations are often booked up to a year in advance.
Reserve your reception location early. If you are not sure about a
location, ask around and consider alternatives.
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12 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
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Make
final decision about the time and location for wedding.
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Decide the type of wedding you would like to have, i.e. size,
formality, setting, theme, etc.
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Consider possible color schemes.
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Explore pre-marital counseling.
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Start a health and fitness plan.
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Shop
together for your wedding rings.
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Choose your attendants.
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Select dress and headpiece.
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Set
a date for delivery and fittings of the dress and headpiece.
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Give
additional thought to your honeymoon location.
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Confirm ceremony date, time, and site with clergyman.
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Select and book caterers, photographers, videographers, florists,
musicians, and other service providers.
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Talk
with fiancée and all parents about your budget and style.
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Make
sure your insurance policy covers your engagement ring.
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Discuss all wedding expenses with your fiancée' and both sets of
parents.
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Determine the number of guests you can invite to the wedding and
reception.
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Decide how many guests are to be invited by each family.
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Select and book the date and time for your wedding at the church,
synagogue, or other site you choose. If an outdoor wedding is desired,
keep in mind the weather patterns in your city during particular
seasons.
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For
the wedding and reception, obtain cost estimates from the reception
hall’s manager, caterer, florist, photographer, musicians, video
service, and limousine service.
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Reserve the date and time for your wedding rehearsal, which is usually
held one (1) or three (3) days before the wedding.
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Together with your fiancée', meet with the clergyman or judge to
select a service and discuss the ceremony
and requirements. Some churches, particularly the Catholic faith,
require marriage preparation classes. If you
intend to write your own vows, this should also be discussed.
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9
MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
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Attend premarital classes.
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Plan
your color scheme for the wedding and reception. Choose your Maid of
Honor and bridesmaids.
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After discussing price and selection with bridesmaids, select
bridesmaids' dresses and accessories.
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Select shoes to match the bridesmaids' dresses. Shoes can be dyed to
match the color of the dresses.
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You
and your fiancée' should begin compiling your guests list and have
fiancée do his. Do this alphabetically on index cards and you'll have
a handy reference later when writing thank-you notes.
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Start looking for your new home.
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Begin household shopping for your new home.
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Reserve the limousines and arrange for transportation of the wedding
party, to and from the church or other wedding site.
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6 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
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Place deposits and sign contracts for wedding services.
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Choose flower girl's dress.
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Make
sure your visas and passports are up-to-date, if you're traveling.
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Finalize honeymoon plans with fiancée.
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Choose flowers with florist.
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Book calligrapher.
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Discuss rehearsal dinner with fiancée.
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5 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
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Select and discuss your color schemes with the florist and/or
balloonist of choice.
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Again, consider pre-marital counseling.
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Reserve your wedding day rental equipment (i.e. tables, chairs, china,
silverware, gazebo, etc).
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Decide upon a gift registry.
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Begin your record of gifts received.
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Send
thank you notes as soon as possible.
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Start shopping for the men’s wedding attire.
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Choose your china, crystal, and silver patterns. And register them at
the Bridal Gift Registry of a store convenient to your guests.
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4
MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
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Finish
guests list, get fiancée’s list. Shop for trousseau.
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Be sure
wedding rings are ordered.
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Give
request list to photographer, videographer, and musicians.
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Have
portrait taken.
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Order
wedding favors. (Visit
DiscountMegaSite.com)
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Confirm
delivery date on your dress.
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Make
appointment with gynecologist.
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Plan
lodging for out-of-town guests.
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Select
your fiancée’s attire.
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Decide what the bridesmaids and ushers are to wear. While the final
decision is yours, it's quite important that the bridesmaids like what
they will be wearing, or they won't have fun. So, get their
suggestions during your planning process.
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Call
City Hall for information on wedding license requirements.
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Verify that the wedding gown, bridesmaid's dresses, and flower girl
dress have been ordered.
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Make
sure addresses for guests list are up to date.
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Choose and order formal wear for fiancée and attendants.
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Make
sure all out-of-town male attendants have submitted their measurements
to your formal wear provider.
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Verify that both mothers have selected and ordered their dresses.
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Investigate requirements for medical test and other records for your
marriage license.
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For
guests, write or print from computer a map of driving directions to
the ceremony and reception sites.
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3 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
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Research, select readings, and select music for ceremony.
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Make
arrangements for rehearsal dinner.
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Review your contracts with all of your vendors and service providers.
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Prioritize, then finalize and alphabetize the guests list (it will be
much easier to keep track of responses).
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Choose small gifts of appreciation for the wedding party.
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Make
arrangements for the wedding party's transportation to and from the
wedding and reception.
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Do a
hair and makeup run-through, and don't panic if you do not like what
you see. There is still plenty of time.
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Finalize plans for the rehearsal dinner, the attendants' luncheon, and
any other events surrounding the wedding.
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Reserve a block of rooms at a nearby hotel for out-of-town guests.
Consider arranging for welcome gifts to be in their rooms when they
arrive. Fresh flowers are always appreciated.
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Complete your guests list.
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Complete your plans and reservations for your honeymoon.
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Select a bakery and order your wedding cake. Don't forget about the
groom’s cake.
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Plan
the details of the ceremony and reception.
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Consult with the florist to decide on the floral arrangements for the
wedding and reception.
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Arrange wedding music with your clergyman.
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Confirm the delivery date for your wedding dress.
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Schedule your wedding and honeymoon vacation time off with your
employer.
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2
MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
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Make
an appointment with your doctor for a complete physical and blood
test.
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Decide on the men’s wedding attire.
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Arrange and plan your rehearsal dinner.
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Purchase your wedding day accessories.
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Arrange attendants’ party.
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Book
a beverage caterer for the reception and make selections.
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Buy
stamps for your invitations.
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Start addressing the invitations and announcements.
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Have
fiancée choose gifts for his best man and ushers.
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Record gifts as they arrive and begin writing thank-you notes.
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Start fittings on your gown, as well as your attendants.
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Make
appointment with photographer to set timetable & schedule formal
wedding portrait.
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Schedule final fitting.
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Finalize bridal registry.
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Confirm ceremony details with your clergyman.
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Finish addressing invitations and announcements.
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Finalize wardrobe for showers, pre-wedding parties, and honeymoon.
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Shop
for gifts for bridal party.
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Shop
for accessories, such as shoes, stockings, garter, purse, cake knife,
candles, and guests registration book.
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Choose wedding rings and arrange for engraving.
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Plan
your bridesmaid's party.
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Finalize and verify all details with service providers.
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Order newlywed address labels (with new address) and use when mailing
out thank-you notes.
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1 month before YOUR wedding
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Obtain your marriage license.
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Have
your attendants' party.
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Create a
calendar of events for the wedding day.
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Buy
your fiancée’s wedding ring. Order engraving.
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Mail
your invitations at least four (4) weeks ahead of time, but no later
than three (3) weeks before the wedding.
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Buy
the gifts for your Maid of Honor and your attendants.
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Have
the final fittings for your bridal gown and the bridesmaids' dresses.
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Apply for your marriage license. Either bride or fiancée may apply;
both are not necessary.
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Buy
stamps for thank-you notes mailings.
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Display and record your gifts.
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Plan
the bridesmaids' luncheon.
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Plan
the rehearsal dinner with your fiancée'.
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Make
a beauty salon appointment for your wedding day hair styling, facial,
manicure, and pedicure.
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Remind your fiancée' to order the necessary flowers for the bride, and
corsages for the mothers and grandmothers of the bride and fiancée.
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Consult with the photographer to determine the quantity and types of
pictures you want.
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An
informal dinner at home, to entertain the fiancée’s family, will be a
nice gesture.
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3 weeks before your wedding
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Record R.S.V.Ps as they arrive.
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Decide on ceremony music.
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Rehearse the first dance. Make it a fox trot, a rumba, a waltz, or a
tango. Take some quick lessons, if you do not know how.
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Make
a list of the photographs you want taken and give to the photographer.
And make a list of the people you want in the table interviews and
give to the videographer.
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Confirm that all male and female attendants have been fitted for their
formalwear.
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Set
rehearsal and inform all who needed to be there.
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Make
final menu decisions.
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Discuss wedding photo shots with photographer and videographer.
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If
you choose to publish your ENGAGEMENT picture, rather than your
wedding photograph, submit a 5x7 or 8x10
glossy photograph (black and white preferred) to your local newspaper.
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Buy
fiancée's wedding gift.
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Buy
gifts for your attendants.
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Pick up
dress and headpiece.
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Make
final check with florist for delivery times and fees.
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Time
for your final dress fitting. Remember to try it on with the
undergarments, jewelry, and shoes you'll be wearing to the wedding.
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Go
over final arrangements with caterer, photographer, clergyman, and DJ.
Confirm everything with the following: hotel, videographer, and anyone
else you're depending on.
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Have
the videographer and photographer tour the locations you want covered.
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Give
your caterer the guests count. And if you're having a seating chart,
give the calligrapher a list of names for the place cards.
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Pick
up your wedding rings. Make sure that the engravings are correct and
they fit properly.
2 Weeks before YOUR wedding
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Get
final wedding dress fitting, if needed.
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Get
final fitting for your wedding attendants, if needed.
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Obtain marriage license.
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Purchase your going-away outfit.
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Pick
up wedding gown and confirm that it fits properly.
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Complete your trousseau.
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If
you or your fiancée' are from another city, send a typed announcement
of your wedding to the hometown newspaper.
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Plan
the seating arrangement for the reception and make name cards for the
Bride's table.
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Give
the caterer an estimate of guests you expect to attend your reception.
You can usually count on 80% of the guests invited to attend.
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Check on your accessories, plus those for the mothers and your
attendants.
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1
WEEK BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
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Finalize arrangements with the entertainer(s) and provide a list of
music you would like played during special events such as the first
dance, garter removal, and bouquet toss.
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Contact the guests who have not responded to your invitations.
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Pack.
Get going-away outfits ready.
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Give
and/or attend bridesmaids' party.
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Arrange
to move belongings to your new home.
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Remind
attendants of rehearsal dinner details. Give them gifts that night.
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Wrap
the gifts for your maid of honor and your attendants.
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Hold
the bridesmaids' luncheon.
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Give
the gifts to your attendants at the bridesmaids' luncheon or at the
rehearsal dinner.
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Wrap
gift for your fiancée.
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Give
your wedding trip itinerary to your parents.
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Make
arrangements for someone to check your home while you're away.
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If
you plan to have your wedding gown heirloomed, arrange for someone to
take your gown to a professional dry cleaner
no later than two days after the wedding for removal of stains and
preparation for storage.
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Prepare the wedding announcements that you want mailed on your wedding
day or the following day, by a parent, relative, or your maid of
honor.
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Buy
film and get your camera ready for your wedding trip.
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Prepare your going-away outfit to change into, following the
reception.
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Get
a good night's sleep the night before your wedding.
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DON'T FORGET to send
thank-you telegrams to both sets of parents when you reach your
honeymoon destination; expressing gratitude, from both of you,
for all their help in putting your wedding
together.
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If
you can, take the week or part of the week off from work.
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Pick
up gowns and accessories.
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Wrap
attendants’ gifts.
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Pick
up tuxedos - check sizes and accessories.
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Start packing for your honeymoon. You will not have time later.
Purchase travelers checks and confirm honeymoon reservations.
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Break in your wedding shoes because you'll be on your feet for hours.
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Finalize guests count and make any necessary changes to the seating
chart.
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Don't forget the following: guests book, attendant's gifts, place
cards, and wedding programs.
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If
professionals are doing your hair and/or makeup, determine the time
they will need for the process.
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Confirm transportation for the wedding party.
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Have
your wedding ceremony rehearsal. Insist that the videographer and
photographer attend for any last minute changes.
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Give
final guests count for the reception to your caterer.
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Practice applying make-up for the wedding day, if you're doing it on
your own.
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Confirm details with all service providers.
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Verify that all bridesmaids and groomsmen have picked up their
formalwear.
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Confirm that all attendants know when to arrive at the rehearsal,
rehearsal dinner, and wedding ceremony.
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Confirm honeymoon plans.
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Make
a list of names and pronunciation for the best man to mention in his
introduction, if appropriate.
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Cancel newspaper and mail deliveries while you're away or ask a
relative to pick them up for you.
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Pay
upcoming bills that will be due while you’re away.
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Review any special seating arrangements with ushers.
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Fiancée to pick up formalwear.
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Make
sure to have marriage license.
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Make
sure your marriage license is in order.
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Prepare seating arrangements, if necessary.
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Have
your wedding ceremony rehearsal.
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Instruct your wedding party on what you would like them to do on the
day of the wedding.
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Have
your rehearsal dinner.
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Make
sure all wedding attire fits properly.
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Give
the best man the amount that each professional should be paid on the
day of the wedding.
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Confirm that out-of-town guests have transportation and sleeping
accommodations.
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Check with your florist and/or balloonist to make sure they will
arrive when scheduled.
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The Night Before
You want to look
and feel your best. So… sleep, sleep, and sleep. You have the biggest
day of your life ahead of you. Make sure you spend time with your
family, especially parents, to share memories of times gone by and to
say thank you. Capture photos of your last hours at home as a single
person and take some time for yourself to be quiet. Close your eyes
and visualize every step of the coming day. This will relax you and
help prevent unexpected incidents.
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YOUR WEDDING DAY
The morning of……
Have a small meal
before leaving for the church. And don’t take too many personal items
to the church; this will ensure that you will have less to worry
about. REMEMBER, stay calm!! If you run behind schedule, take a deep
breath and remember that the ceremony will wait for you!!! Your family
and friends want to see you shine, not frazzled.
Countdown to “Your
walk down the aisle.”
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Relax, enjoy yourself, and remain calm. Allow at least
two hours for dressing.
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Allow plenty of time to apply your makeup and style your hair.
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If
photographs are to be taken before the ceremony, allow plenty of time
for that.
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Remember to take the rings and marriage license. Place them in your
carrying bag for the church or wedding site.
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Guests will be seated as they arrive.
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Breathe deeply and don’t worry. SMILE
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2
hours till "I Do"...
Fiancée, best man, and groomsmen should get together and begin
dressing.
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45 minutes...
Ushers should arrive at the wedding site, pick up boutonnieres and
programs, go over seating plans, and wait at the entrance to the
church for guests to arrive.
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30 minutes...
Organ or some type of music begins; perform final check of marriage
license. Mother and attendants leave for the wedding site, ushers will
seat guests.
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20 minutes...
Fiancée and best man arrive; father (or brides escort) and bride leave
for the ceremony site.
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10 minutes...
Bridal party and parents wait in the back of church while other
relatives are seated.
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5
minutes...
Mother of the fiancée is escorted to her seat (unless a Jewish
ceremony) with fiancées father walking right behind the usher, then
taking his seat beside his wife...mother of the fiancée in the pew
first with the father sitting on the aisle. Bride and father arrive at
the ceremony site and mother of the bride is escorted down the aisle.
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1 minute...
If there is an aisle runner, two ushers walk in step to the front of
the church and unroll the runner and walk in step to the back of the
church, unrolling runner as they go... they then take their place in
the procession. And now the moment you have waited for......the
minister, priest or rabbi takes his/her place along with groom and
best man. (In Christian tradition, the groom and best man enter from
chancel door and stand facing the congregation-at an angle-the groom
standing nearest the minister, the best man one step behind the groom.
In Jewish tradition, the groom and best man are part of the wedding
procession. As the ceremony begins, the guests will stand to watch the
bride make her entrance. Smile... this is your moment!!!
Congratulations! “To
love is to receive a glimpse of heaven.” And we wish you much
happiness in your future life together.
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After the Honeymoon
Using the list of
documents and/or offices below, update your marital status as soon as
possible.
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Your
Driver's License
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Auto
Registration & Title
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Auto
Insurance
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Credit Cards
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Checking and Savings Accounts
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Health Insurance Policies (Check for Maternity and Family Protection)
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Income Tax Deduction Status With Your Employer
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Life
Insurance Policies
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Telephone Number & Listing
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Post
Office
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Lending Institutions
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Medical Records
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School Records
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Wills
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Accountant or Securities Broker
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Check Cashing Cards
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Leases With Landlord
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Library Card
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Magazine Subscriptions
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Voter Registration
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Organization Memberships
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Passport
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Safe
Deposit Box
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Last
but not least and most important, report your name change to the
Social Security Administration’s office. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit
them online at www.ssa.gov.
DISCLAIMER
- You are advised to consult with a wedding planner. Information
contained in this checklist has been provided as a guide, only.
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