Wedding Planning Guide
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Getting ready to plan a wedding?Here’s a month-by-month checklist of
things to day that can be adapted to t the
type of wedding you are planning.Planning ahead and making decisionsover time can make the process of the wed-ding less hectic and more enjoyable.Here’s the list:
12 - 16 Months before the wedding
o
Choose a wedding date. Don’t rush.Give yourself enough time. The best wayto do this is to visit ceremony and recep-tion facilities at which you would like to bemarried and have your reception. Choosea date based on availability. If you giveyourself a year or more to plan, you havea much greater chance of booking your de-sired venue on your desired date.
o
Start a wedding le. This is a le or
folder to keep all your wedding documents,contracts etc... Organization is the key tostaying sane during the planning phase.
o
Discuss & Choose the style and formal-ity of your wedding. Pick what best suitsyour lifestyle, personalities and budget.“Formal”, “Semi-Formal” or “Informal”.There is no wrong choice. This is your dayand you should make it your own. Thiswill also help in narrowing down whichvenues you will consider.
o
Put an announcement of your recentengagement in the local paper. This is op-tional, but is a nice touch and memento.
o
Decide on a wedding budget. Commonsense dictates that you do not spend beyondyour means. The last thing you want is tobegin your marriage in major debt becauseof your wedding.
o
Hire a wedding consultant if you planto. Some brides choose to hire a weddingconsultant to ease the stress of planningor because their schedule doesn’t allowenough time for planning.
o
Select a ceremony location. Keepin mind that reservations are sometimesbooked over a year in advance, so if you
nd one that you like, put a security depos
-it down to hold the date. Always check the
cancellation/refund policies rst and have
them in writing).
o
Select a reception site. Many times theceremony and reception will be held in thesame facility. If this is not the case, be surethat the ceremony and reception facilitiesare available on the same date. also keep-ing in mind that they sometimes book overa year in advance. Again, always check the
cancellation/refund policies rst and have
them in writing.
o
Start shopping for a wedding gown.Custom gowns can take up to a year to pre-pare. Be sure to begin this process as earlyas possible. Sometimes the wedding gowncan become a stress factor, so the moretime you leave for this, the better. Keep
in mind that alterations and nal dress t
-tings can also eat up extra time. There areno refunds on wedding gown purchases,so make sure your selection is 100 percentwhat you want. You can also start lookingfor a coordinating veil and tiara.
8 - 10 Months before the wedding
o
Select your bridal party and requesttheir participation in your special day.
o
Interview and Hire the following: Don’tforget that not all of these service providerswill be available on your wedding day, sobe sure to have more than one to consider.
o
Wedding ofciant. This can be a reli
-gious or civil person depending on yourbeliefs and preference.
o
Reception Caterer. if your reception sitedoes not provide one, you will need to ar-range for your own. Once you have foundone that appeals to you be sure to secureyour date with a signed contract and a se-curity deposit. As always, be comfortablewith your selection, and know the refund/cancellation policies in the event you can-cel or change your date.
o
Photographer and Videographer. If your budget allows for it, hire a profes-sional. There will only be one chance toget this right.
o
Band or DJ. Interview several. Reviewdemo CD’s to hear their sound and style. Agood band or DJ can make a reception, buta bad one can all but ruin it.
o
Decide on bridesmaids dresses. Whenordering your gowns for the women, besure to order them at the same time to as-sure an identical dye lot. Be sure to bringthis factor up to the person taking the dressorder as well.
o
Start compiling names & addressesfor the guest list. Keep in mind that you
still have to combine and rene your list,
his list, his family’s list, your parents’ list
and the nal list. If you are limited to the
number of guests that can be invited tothe wedding, be sure to give your familiesthe number of guests they may include intheir list. By requesting a certain number of guest beforehand, you alleviate a lot of po-tential stress. Also, try to make the requesteven on both parents’ sides.
o
Sign up for a gift registry. Gift regis-tries are a great way of ensuring that youget items you really want and can use. Italso makes your guests’ shopping mucheasier. Be sure to choose items for yourregistry from every price range to accom-modate each guest’s budget.
o
Engagement party. It’s a great way toget the families and friends together be-forehand.
5 - 7 Months before the wedding
o
Finalize the guest list. Determine thenumber of invitations and thank you cardsthat need to be ordered.
o
Shop for your wedding stationery. In-vitations, thank you cards and personal sta-tionery.
o
Arrange accommodations. Some guest(such as out-of-towners) may wish to stayat a nearby hotel after the festivities.
o
Select your wedding cake. Give careful
thought to you & your ancé’s favorite a
-vors, style, size, decorations and color.
o
Begin preparations for your honey-
Wedding checklist easy way to make sure best-
2
Mount Ayr Record-News Wedding Edition Thursday, January 19, 2012
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•
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•
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moon. Consult with your travel agent anddiscuss possible honeymoon destinationsand prices. Make arrangements early tocatch the lowest airfares.
4 Months before the wedding
o
Book your orist. Once you have
found one that appeals to you be sure tosecure your order with a signed contractand a security deposit. Be 100% sure of your selection, and know the refund/can-cellation policies in the event you cancel orchange your date.
o
Shop for your wedding bands. You
should do this with your ancé. You will
both be wearing these rings for a long time,so you should both be happy with your se-lection.
o
Visit your physician. Get your physicalexaminations and blood tests if required toobtain a marriage license in your state.
3 Months before the wedding
o
Send out your invitations. Be sure toinclude everyone who received a save thedate magnet or card. Double check thepostage required to ensure that the invita-tions reach your guests.
o
Select tuxedos. Get all the groomsmen,best man and couple’s fathers together.Measurements should be taken at the tux
shop (to ensure a proper t).
o
Arrange for rental of items needed foryour ceremony and reception. This in-cludes but is not limited to, arches, can-
delabras, china, crystal, atware, owing
punch fountains, and silver if necessary.
o
Discuss nalized menu options andcosts with your caterer. Conrm arrival
and departure times, as well as any addedextras.
o
Arrange transportation/ limousine ser-vice for the wedding party to the ceremonyand reception.
o
Order wedding favors and ribbons (im-printed). Don’t forget the extra’s such asimprinted napkins, matches, and coasters.
o
Shop for bridal party gifts.
o
Begin any necessary counseling ses-
sions with your wedding ofciant.
2 Months before the wedding
o
Choose your wedding music and shareyour selections with your Band or DJ.
o
Select a location for your rehearsal din-ner and make the necessary reservations &deposits.
o
Conrm with formal wear shop that
they have received all measurements of every male attendant.
o
Schedule your alterations and nal t
-ting for the gown.
o
Schedule ttings for the bridesmaidsand ower girl.
o
Make arrangements for your “Brides-maid Luncheon” and other “Pre-WeddingParties”.
o
Order address labels with you & yourfuture husband’s new name & new address.This adds a personalized touch when send-ing out your wedding thank you cards.
laid plans get made, carried out for big day
o
Conrm your order with the orist.
1 Month before the wedding
o
Design your wedding programs. Youdon’t want to do this too much sooner thanthis because things inevitably change.
o
Apply for your marriage license.
o
Have a nal gown tting.
o
Choose all of your wedding accessories.There are many accessories that you willneed to choose for your big day.
o
Visit your hair stylist, work on a stylewith your veil.
o
Visit your make-up artist the same day.
o
Hair & make-up done, have your formalbridal portraits done.
o
Discuss and nalize details with wed
-ding service providers.
Continued on page 4
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Mount Ayr Record-News Wedding Edition
3
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BRIDES
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Come in and make selections for your bridal registry.
Distinctiveaccessoriesfor yournewhome.
Call us to serve your wedding rehearsal,bridal shower, anniversaries and other parties
Ph. 641-464-3193Ph. 641-464-3193
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On the south side of the square, Mount Ayr
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Ph. 641-464-3500 • Toll Free 1-866-464-2093e-mail: mtayrinn@iowatelecom.net
Linda Wilt, Manager
• Reasonable Rates • Continental Breakfast
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