Officiant: The person who gives the speech at the ceremony.
~Pick an officiant. Make sure you have at least three possibilities to make sure you aren't left without a officiant. If on a twelve month time line, picking the officiant is usually done with about eight months to go along with Attending pre-marriage counseling if needed.
~Don't panic if you don't have 12 months, generally what planning guides suggest happens in the first few months are things that can be done fairly quickly such as announcing your engagement, sending the announcement of your engagement to local papers, purchasing planning books & software, planning the budget, selecting the bridal party, and setting on a wedding date. Also, using public garden squares, lesser known churches or meeting halls make good venues.
Wedding Clothes & Accessories
Research, design, & order your wedding dress.
~This is usually done at the nine month s to go mark. Start researching your wedding dress ideas. Ask yourself are you having a wedding dress custom made or off the rack? You are going to need several fittings to perfect it.
~Select a wedding veil and shoes Decide on bridesmaid dresses at the same time. Ask youself if you are going to pay for the bridesmaid's apparel or not. (this is done nine months before the wedding)
~Get a small group together to pick out the dress. (this is done with nine months before the wedding)
~Get tuxes & Groomsman clothing Sorted and ordered. Send measurement forms forms to groomsmen a month before ordering. (this is done with 4 months before the wedding.
~ Select the wedding rings. Do this with your fiance (this is done with 5 months before the wedding.
~Find a Photographer and/or a videographer. Use a professional for this special occasion. Make sire that the person is reliable. Ask for recommendations from a friend who has recently been married. (this is done 10 months before the wedding)
Decide Food and Gifts
~Decide what kind of food and refreshments you will offer at the reception dinner. Trying to find a happy medium between what would please your guests and what you can afford. Weigh the pros and cons of hiring a professional caterer. Most people like Italian food. (this is done about 6 months before the wedding)
~Make reservations for any additional rental equipment needed such as marques, chairs, tables, dinnerware and flatware, linens, arches etc. (this is done 6 months before the wedding)
~Pick a cake. Make sure both the bride and groom taste test together, and the cake matches the wedding theme. (this is done 8 months before the wedding) Also, check in with the baker again a few months prior to the wedding. Make sure the cake is delivered directly to the venue.
~Register for gifts when there are nine months to go until your wedding.
~Choose suitable transportation. If you have multiple venues, plan how you will travel from the ceremony location to the reception location. Some options are a limousine, classic car, or horse drawn carriage (this is done 5 months before the wedding). However, if you are going to use your own personal car, book them in for cleaning a week before the wedding.
~If there will be alcohol at the reception, you should have a safe way for you and your bridal party to get home. Ask a friend or relative to be a designated driver on your special day.
~Hire your entertainment. Decide whether you're going to have a quartet, orchestra, band, or a DJ. Don't DJ with your ipod. Professional Musicians will keep the flow of the event, make announcements, and plan all your special events with you. Music students at college/university level are definitely worth considering because they are at the peak of their abilities and a lot cheaper. They may also crave chances for public performances. THIS IS IMPORTANT! → make sure you book your entertainment soon, because the best bands/DJs are the first to be picked. So (this is done 10 months before the wedding).
