Wedding Planning Articles
Getting Organized
 

 

 

 
 

# 1 - Pick Your Wedding Date
Your wedding date should be very special and personal to both of you. The day you select will be the anniversary date for years to come. Preferably the date you select will not conflict on the days of special birthdays, anniversaries, or major religious or national holidays. Check with close family members to see if the date sets well with them, but keep in mind that the day you and your loved one prefer will get top consideration—you can’t please everyone. Don’t forget to consider the weather. If you always dreamed of a beach wedding, then review the almanac for the best time of the year for your location. If you are planning a religious ceremony, make sure your wedding date will not conflict with any major religious event. Have you noticed that most weddings take place on Saturday? A wedding can actually take place on a Friday, or Sunday, or on any day of the week. If you plan on a large wedding, then Saturday works best for your guests. Are you considering marrying on a holiday? That may work for you or against you. Many of your guests already have an extra day off from work for a major holiday and can make your wedding a part of their little vacation or holiday. Regrettably, many guests have “get-away” plans for the holiday. Take extra consideration if you are narrowing down a date that falls on a huge holiday. It might work in your favor!

# 2 - Most Popular Months to Marry
June and August are the most popular months to get married, followed closely by May, September and October. The fewest weddings occur in January and March. These months may prove to be a good time to get the best prices. Source: BRIDE'S Magazine Reader Study 2001

# 3 - Special Holidays and Events
Jot down a list of everyone's birthday (family members) and consider holidays and weather before you select a wedding date. Here are some special holidays for 2007 and 2008 [Leap Year].
Jan 01, 2007, Sun; New Year's Day Jan 01, 2008, Tue, New Year's Day
Jan 15, 2007 Mon; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Jan 21, 2008 Mon; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Feb 14, 2007, Wed; St. Valentine's Day Feb 14, 2008, Thu; St. Valentine's Day
Feb 19, 2007, Mon; President's Day Feb 18, 2008, Mon; President's Day
Feb 21, 2007, Wed; Ash Wednesday Feb 06, 2008, Wed; Ash Wednesday
Mar 11, 2007 Sun; Daylight Savings Time begins Mar 09, 2008 Sun; Daylight Savings Time begins
Mar 17, 2007, Sat; St. Patrick's Day Mar 17, 2008, Mon; St. Patrick's Day
Apr 01, 2007, Sun; Palm Sunday Mar 16, 2008, Sun; Palm Sunday
Apr 03, 2007, Mon; Passover Apr 19, 2008, Sat; Passover
Apr 06, 2007, Fri; Good Friday Mar 21 , 2008, Fri; Good Friday
Apr 08, 2007, Sun; Easter Sunday Apr 08, 2008, Sun; Easter Sunday
May 03, 2007, Thu; National Day of Prayer May 01, 2008, Thu; National Day of Prayer
May 13, 2007, Sun; Mother's Day May 11, 2008, Sun; Mother's Day
May 28, 2007, Mon; Memorial Day May 26, 2008, Mon; Memorial Day
Jun 14, 2007, Thu; Flag Day Jun 14, 2008, Sat; Flag Day
Jun 17, 2007, Sun; Father's Day Jun 15, 2008, Sun; Father's Day
Jul 04, 2007, Wed; Independence Day Jul 04, 2008, Fri; Independence Day
Sep 03, 2007, Mon; Labor Day Sep 01, 2008, Mon; Labor Day
Sep 13, 2007, Thu; First Day of Rosh Hashanah Sep 29, 2008, Thu; First Day of Rosh Hashanah (sunset)
Sep 22, 2007, Sat; Yom Kippur (begins sunset night before) Oct.08, 2008, Sat; Yom Kippur (begins sunset night before)
Oct 08, 2007, Mon; Columbus Day Oct 13, 2008, Mon; Columbus Day
Oct 31, 2007, Wed; Halloween Oct 31, 2008, Fri; Halloween
Nov 06, 2007, Tue; Election Day Nov 06, 2008, Tue; Election Day
Nov 11, 2007, Sun; Veterans Day Nov 11, 2008, Tue; Veterans Day
Nov 22, 2007, Thu; Thanksgiving Day Nov 27, 2008, Thu; Thanksgiving Day
Dec 05, 2007, Wed; First Day of Hanukkah (sunset) Dec 21, 2008, Wed; First Day of Hanukkah (sundown)
Dec 25, 2007, Tue, Christmas Day Dec 25, 2008, Thu, Christmas Day

# 4 - You Have a Date, Now What Time?
Late morning? Noon? Afternoon? Evening? A lot of components influence and determine the time of your wedding. If you are marrying in a church, they may only perform weddings at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. If you have a wedding at a private home and hire a clergy, then your options are much more flexible. A morning wedding is a good idea if it's summer and the day gets hot and sticky as it gets old. Also, you can serve a light lunch and refreshments and save on your budget. An evening wedding is romantic and appropriate for a "black tie" type of an event. Candles and fine wine will create a special event for your guests as well. An afternoon event is the most popular time to marry. The morning isn't as rushed, and it's early enough for the grandparents to enjoy the day without feeling obligated to staying late into the night. The time you select will definitely impact the mood you want on your special day.

# 5 - Marrying Before the Wedding Date
Why are couples opting to marry in secret before their public exchange of vows? Every couple has their own personal reason. Some may find it less stressful by sharing an intimate time together without the hundreds of decisions to be made for the big event. Some may have to marry for citizenship reasons. As we find out more information on why this trend is increasing, we will keep you posted.

# 6 - Your Wedding Tasks
The average wedding consists of approximately 300 tasks (yes! including having your mail on hold while on your honeymoon, transporting your wedding gifts to mom's house the night of your wedding, printing out your airlines tickets on-line 24-hours before the flight). May we suggest a planner to help you move through these tasks without going insane? Visit our software product and our written planner with incredible worksheets. Whatever method you decide, we would like to discourage you from keeping it all in your head because you need to get plenty of rest on the weeks before your wedding.

# 7 - Twelve Months Before Your Wedding
Having twelve months to plan your wedding is a luxury. Take advantage by securing a site that's very popular where you have always dreamed of marrying. You can also take the tasks listed below for six months planning, and stretch it out so you can really read the vendor fine print, see and taste samples of menu items, call vendor references, manage a workable budget, and get organized for that last busy month before your wedding. The last month before your wedding will be very much the same as for a bride and groom who have only six months to plan their wedding.


Six Months Before Your Wedding
  • [__] Special meeting with your sweetie about the wedding style, date, location, budget and honeymoon
  • [__] Special meeting with the parents
  • [__] Decide if you have time to plan the wedding and who will take which tasks. Else, consider hiring a wedding consultant (offer many flexible services)
  • [__] If marrying at your place of worship, make an appointment to speak with the officiant about all the requirements. If you need an Officiant, start asking friends and family for references, attend shows, search yellow pages and interview on the telephone.
  • [__] The guest list is a necessary component that is very time consuming. Gathering names and addresses is always a challenge. You may find you have to divide the guest list into the A list and B list because you are on a tight budget. As regrets are received, you can add the next guest from the B list.
  • [__] Work on the budget. You will be surprised how little $5,000 buys for a wedding. Use the Wedding's a Breeze worksheets or software to instantly determine your budgetary constraints and how you can make changes according to what's important. Perhaps the $500 favors are not really needed ....
  • [__] Shop for your gown. It's really too early but certainly the most fun. Try not to buy a dress on your first visit--many brides change their mind as the months pass and new dresses appear in the magazines and bridal shops.
  • [__] Make appointments to see several sites. Actually stand in the spot where you would marry and consider the site only if it feels exciting to you.
  • [__] Now that you have visited some sites, which colors were appealing to you? The color theme sets the tone for your event and can be used on your invitations, centerpieces, favors, flowers, bridesmaids dresses and table settings.
  • [__] Time to select the wedding party. Usually the maid-of-honor and best man are easy to decide (if you can't decide between two, make them both the honored ones). The wedding party is not only an elite group of friends and family, but also the group that you can count on to help you plan. Choose carefully, because you don't want to be in a position of changing your mind after they answered yes. If you decided later to have an extremely small, intimate wedding, then it will be your duty to inform the usher or bridesmaid that they will not (after all) play a part in your wedding. Avoid this situation at all costs.
  • [__] Vacation Time. If you work, inform your supervisor of the time you will need off. If possible, take a couple of days off before the wedding--you may need it. Is your destination international? Do you have a passport? If not, apply asap; sometimes it takes months to process the paperwork.



    • Five Months Before Your Wedding
    You got the budget under control, the date, and site and the guest list started. You spoke to an Officiant to marry you. Now it's time to research the numerous vendors that will all play an important role in your wedding.
  • [__] On-site Caterer. If you selected a hotel, the site manager already has a wedding coordinator on board to help you with menu items and refreshments. Hotels usually have several rooms for you to select and several menu options for every budget. Go to each of the rooms and go with the one that gives you good vibes.
  • [__] Off-site Caterer. If you are having your reception at a hall or private home, then meet with caterers at the site. This will help them in their planning. The best recommendation for a caterer is through referral. If you can't find one, then attend a wedding show so you can taste a sample, or at least speak with many of the vendors.
  • [__] Florist. Find a business that delivers to many weddings. You want the freshest looking arrangements for your wedding. You can see live samples at bridal shows.
  • [__] Photographer. Make sure you interview the photographer and view his/her samples of past weddings. Make sure you feel comfortable with his/her demeanor and the photographer will follow you from getting dressed before the ceremony, to the send-off.
  • [__] Videographer. This professional has quality equipment and has samples for you to see. If you are serious about having a video of your wedding, then the expense will be worthy. Your uncle Bob may want to film your event as a gift, but you may also have visuals that make you dizzy, or not capture the moment quite correctly. Bob may not have the experience to clip the film and add the right music.
  • [__] Invitations. The most beautiful and creative selections are available today. No more standard-looking invitations. If you decide to create your own, don't be fooled by thinking you will save a lot of money as special paper is costly. Also, it will be very time consuming (but special of course). Do you have guests coming in from out of town? Then order save-the-date cards asap to get them in the mail. These cards don't have to match your theme exactly and are usually fun cards to get the message across.
  • [__] Attendant's dresses. Give them the color theme and other particulars, and let them select their dress.
  • [__] Entertainment. This includes music for the ceremony (before, during and after), the cocktail hour, the reception, and the dance. If you want a live band, the popular ones book months ahead -- so go listen to them at a public showing and call them right away if you like them.
  • [__] Cake. You are probably overwhelmed at the artistry of today's wedding cakes. It seems like a sin to bite into it. The wedding shows usually have many bakers with samples for you to taste and photos of popular styles. Most will work with you on a particular theme that's fitting. If you are celebrating in a hotel, the catering manager usually works closely with a wedding baker or they can make the cake there.


    • Four Months Before Your Wedding
  • [__] Bridal Registry. Now is a good time to register at possibly two stores. We recommend one store that is national for your out-of-town guests. More stores offer registry on-line with added value of checking the status of what items are available and which ones are going fast. Go to the store and have fun selecting your gifts. More options are available for today's brides and grooms. Many couples have lived together for awhile and don't need the usual kitchen and bath accessories. Some couple prefer a contribution towards their honeymoon or giving to charity.
  • [__] Order the wedding gown if you haven't already done so. Keep tabs with the store every once in a while to make sure the order is in good standing.
  • [__] Select a couple of hotels for your out-of-town guests so that there is an option for their varying budgets.
  • [__] Honeymoon plans. Visit a travel agency to consider a few honeymoon packages. Also, get on the Internet and signup for honeymoon giveaways. There are so many!
  • [__] Marriage License. Call the county clerk for information as to time the office is open, fee, other requirements such as identification papers. Ask your Officiant if he or she has inside information on obtaining the license papers.
  • [__] Call your local newspaper to place an engagement or announcement to find out the particulars they need such as image size, deadlines, costs.


    • Three Months Before Your Wedding
  • [__] Transportation. Start interviewing different business, then review your wedding plans and decide who will require special transportation. Secure a date after you have reviewed the contract and called references.
  • [__] Calligraphy. Give a copy of your guest list to the calligrapher. He or she may need a couple of weeks to complete your list.
  • [__] Hairdresser. You are probably making your six week visit to your hairdresser. Make a couple of other appointments while you are there. One for a practice (along with your bridal headpiece/veil), and the other on the morning of your wedding day.
  • [__] Get the groom and groomsmen, dads, ring bearer to the tuxedo shop and get measured. Order the suits on the same day.
  • [__] Party rental. If you need to rent tables and chairs, and catering equipment, research and secure a company now.
  • [__] Wedding Insurance. Gather information about wedding insurance against vendors that don't deliver. Also consider insuring the wedding rings.
  • [__] Time to buy all the little necessities, such as a cake topper, cake serving set, champagne goblets, flower girl basket, ring pillow, pew bows, guest book and pen.
  • [__] Releases. You have many options - release butterflies, doves, bubbles, rice [not recommended because of the mess it leaves]


    • Two Months Before Your Wedding
  • [__] Gifts. A good time to buy a gift for him/her, for your parents, for the wedding party, and anyone else who has so graciously helped you along the way.
  • [__] Favors. It's time to order favors; most favors include your names and the wedding date, and assembly, so make sure there's enough time to get this accomplished.
  • [__] Mail the invitations. Your guests will appreciate the six-week notice.
  • [__] Bridal lunch. As time closes in on the final months, enjoy a fun lunch with your bridesmaids and if you have a gift for them, this is a good time to present it. (Or you can wait until the rehearsal dinner.)
  • [__] Guys bonding. Today the guys get together and enjoy a dinner at a quiet restaurant or at someone's beach house. This is a change from a wild bachelor party and a good time to give the ushers a gift (if you have one).


    • The Month of Your Wedding
  • [__] RSVP's start arriving. Consider the amount of alcoholic beverages, soft drinks to purchase for your guests, or call the caterer for help.
  • [__] Dress rehearsal with the wedding attendants. Bring everything, from headpiece to shoes.
  • [__] Entertainers - Review contract, music selection, date, money owing, method of payment, their attire and if they will dine at your event.
  • [__] Photographer - Review contract, provide list of photos you want, confirm date, money owing, method of payment, their attire and if they will dine at your event.
  • [__] Videographer Review contract, provide list of parts of the event you want filmed, confirm date, money owing, method of payment, their attire and if they will dine at your event.-
  • [__] Officiant - Review steps, review vows, confirm time, and if he/she will dine at your event.
  • [__] Florist - Review order, confirm time of delivery and payment.
  • [__] Baker - Review order, confirm time of delivery and payment. Make sure someone will be at the site to let the cake delivery person into the room.
  • [__] Party rental company - Review order, confirm time of delivery and payment. Make sure someone will be at the site to let the delivery person into the hall or park.
  • [__] Reserve a restaurant or other catered event for the Rehearsal Dinner.
  • [__] Review step-by-step activities with your wedding coordinator, the catering manager, or your wedding attendants.
  • [__] Review the responsibilities of the bride, groom, maid-of-honor, best man, ushers, parents, grandparents, flower girl and ring bearer.
  • [__] Two weeks to go? Time for the final gown fitting.
  • [__] One week to go? Doesn't a massage sound just great right now?
  • [__] Prepare envelopes with the names of each vendor on the outside and place cash for "tips"; give the envelope to the best man to deliver.
  • [__] Pick up the rings if they were being fitted or engraved.
  • [__] Gift for parents. Select a quiet time to give them their thank you gift and to show your appreciation.
  • [__] Prepare a toast to thank all the important people present at the rehearsal dinner.
  • [__] Final head count is needed by the catering manager, or other persons in charge of the menu.
  • [__] Pack for the honeymoon if you are leaving the next morning.
  • [__] Assign someone to shut down everything if you rented a hall. This includes delivering the gifts to someone's home afterward.
  • [__] Place your honeymoon tickets in a safe place where you'll remember them in the morning.


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