The Timeline

Our dear friend Thank Heaven for Little Girls just got engaged. As a case study, I decided to do a timeline for her wedding. She just got engaged last week and the wedding will be sometime in Spring 2009. I’ll assume the wedding takes place mid-April. Throughout the whole process, update the person you designate to run the wedding with everything that you have done and how everything is working. He important thing is to make sure that someone other than the bride and the groom has a comprehensive idea of what needs to happen the day of. Gleefully cribbed from www.weddingcram.com.

JULY 2008
Choose a wedding date. Don't rush. Give yourself enough time. Venues are often more available (and cheaper) in the winter and early spring. June is a usually the busiest month for weddings, so plan accordingly.

Discuss & Choose the style and formality of your wedding. Pick what best suits your lifestyle, personalities and budget. "Formal", "Semi-Formal" or "Informal". There is no wrong choice. This will also help in narrowing down which venues you will consider.

Decide on a wedding budget. Common sense dictates that you do not spend beyond your means. The last thing you want is to begin your marriage in major debt because of your wedding. Here’s the hard thing - get clear about how much your parents will be helping out. Make sure you make a two version of your budget – you the two of you can afford on your own and what you think your parents can chip in on.

Start a wedding binder. This is a file or folder to keep all your wedding documents, contracts etc... Organization is the key to staying sane during the planning phase. Also remember that the binder will be helpful for other people being married after you. Keep brochures and information about vendors you aren’t using.

Select a ceremony location. Keep in mind that reservations are booked pretty far in advance, so if you find one that you like, put a security deposit down to hold the date. Always check the cancellation/refund policies first and have them in writing).

Select a reception site. Many times the ceremony and reception will be held in the same facility. If this is not the case, be sure that the ceremony and reception facilities are available on the same date. Also keeping in mind that they sometimes book over a year in advance. Again, always check the cancellation/refund policies first and have them in writing.


AUGUST 2008

Select your bridal party and request their participation in your special day.

Interview and Hire the following: Don't forget that not all of these service providers will be available on your wedding day, so be sure to have more than one to consider.

* Wedding officiant. This can be a religious or civil person depending on your beliefs and preference.

* Reception Caterer. if your reception site does not provide one, you will need to arrange for your own. Once you have found one that appeals to you be sure to secure your date with a signed contract and a security deposit. As always, be comfortable with your selection, and know the refund/cancellation policies in the event you cancel or change your date.

* Photographer and Videographer. If your budget allows for it, hire a professional. There will only be one chance to get this right.

* Band or DJ. Interview several. Review demo CD's to hear their sound and style. A good band or DJ can make a reception, but a bad one can all but ruin it.
related printable forms:

Start compiling names & addresses for the guest list. Keep in mind that you still have to combine and refine your list, his list, his family's list, your parents' list and the final list. If you are limited to the number of guests that can be invited to the wedding, be sure to give your families the number of guests they may include in their list. By requesting a certain number of guest beforehand, you alleviate a lot of potential stress. Also, try to make the request even on both parents' sides.

Sign up for a gift registry. It’s like shopping without spending money!


SEPTEMBER 2008

Finalize the guest list. Determine the number of invitations and thank you cards that need to be ordered. Make sure you create a database for the invites that include the following fields:

Firstname
Lastname
Guest name
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
Email
RSVP Yes/No
# of guests (how many people are in the party)
Gift? (if they sent you a gift)
Thank you sent? (to make sure you that thank them for their gift)

Arrange accommodations. Some guest (such as out-of-towners) may wish to stay at a nearby hotel after the festivities.

Select your wedding cake. Give careful thought to you & your fiancé's favorite flavors, style, size, decorations and color.


OCTOBER 2008

Set up your website. In this day and age it’s really useful to have a website. People lose their invitations and forget the when and where of the wedding. Rather than resending and resending the information, you can just tell them to go to the website that has the details of the wedding and a few details about the two of you.

Begin preparations for your honeymoon. Consult with your travel agent and discuss possible honeymoon destinations and prices. Make arrangements early to catch the lowest airfares.

Send out the save the dates. This is especially important for summer weddings where people start thinking about vacation plans early.

Begin any necessary counseling sessions with your wedding officiant.


NOVEMBER 2008

Book your florist. Once you have found one that appeals to you be sure to secure your order with a signed contract and a security deposit. Be 100% sure of your selection, and know the refund/cancellation policies in the event you cancel or change your date.

Shop for your wedding bands. You should do this with your fiancé. You will both be wearing these rings for a long time, so you should both be happy with your selection.

Visit your physician. Get your physical examinations and blood tests if required to obtain a marriage license in your state.

Figure out what the wedding party is wearing.


DECEMBER 2008

Take a break. Ok. You’ve make a great start. Take a break and do nothing related to the wedding. Make sure you have time to just chill. I know you want to send out your invites but they will get lost in the holiday mail that goes out.


JANUARY 2009

Send out your invitations. Be sure to include everyone who received a save the date magnet or card. Double check the postage required to ensure that the invitations reach your guests.

Arrange for rental of items needed for your ceremony and reception.

Discuss finalized menu options and costs with your caterer. Confirm arrival and departure times, as well as any added extras.

Select a location for your rehearsal dinner and make the necessary reservations & deposits.


FEBRUARY 2009

Figure out wedding favors

Shop for wedding party gifts.

Start hunting down everyone who hasn’t RSVPed.


MARCH 2009

Finalize guest list and send to the caterer

Create a packet for the friends and family involved in the wedding. This should include when people need to arrive for pictures, the details of the rehearsal dinner, and information about transportation and carpooling.

Choose your wedding music and share your selections with your Band or DJ.

Confirm your order with the florist.

Design your wedding programs. You don't want to do this too much sooner than this because things inevitably change.

Apply for your marriage license.

Do the girly stuff

* Have a final gown fitting.

* Choose all of your wedding accessories. There are many accessories that you will need to choose for your big day.

* Visit your hair stylist, work on a style with your veil.

* Visit your make-up artist the same day.

Discuss and finalize details with wedding service providers.


2 Weeks before the wedding

Call any guests that haven't sent back their response card (there will almost always be a few).

Give the caterer a finalized head count.

Pick up your marriage license.

Give your DJ or Band a list of songs that you may have come up with since your last contact with them.

Confirm rehearsal plans with your officiant.


Obtain any legal information regarding changing your name for: Drivers License, Social Security Card, Vehicle Documents, Credit Cards, Bank Accounts, Investment Accounts, Passport, Change of Address Card with Post Office, Insurance Policies, Voter Registration Card, Subscriptions, Employment Records, Billing Address/Name Change.

Complete floor and seating plan for reception.

Confirm all rental and floral delivery dates and times.

Check parking arrangements.


1 Week before the wedding

Make any last minute seating arrangements/adjustments.

Organize your wedding day attire, make sure you try everything on & it fits perfectly.

Confirm honeymoon reservations.

Confirm reservations for out-of-town guests.

Pack for your honeymoon.

Pick up passports (if necessary).

Gather all necessary documents for travel.

Confirm rehearsal plans with attendants and request that they arrive on time.

Confirm reservations for the rehearsal dinner.

Have a relaxing massage.


1 Day before the wedding

Go through your list of things to do with your coordinator and make sure all your bases are covered.

Pack your wedding day emergency kit.

Pamper yourself

Put wedding attire and accessories together.

Give rings to the appropriate person

Try to get a good night's sleep!


YOUR WEDDING DAY!

Eat Something! It will help the Pre-Wedding Jitters if you have something in your stomach!

Get your hair and make-up done (wear a button up shirt to keep everything perfect).

Have Coordinator check the reception site. (as early as possible)

Dress for your wedding.

Have candid photos taken with family.

Enjoy, you've worked hard !!

Most Importantly... If anything doesn't go according to plan, don't worry, your guests probably won't even notice the difference.