Bride Calendar Countdown page 2 - Weddings & Honeymoons

BRIDE'S CALENDAR COUNTDOWN (continued)

Six Months Before the Wedding

1. Confirm the location where you will hold your reception. Decide upon your menu, including any special food that might be required by guests (make sure this is confirmed in your contract); select decorations and entertainment. Pick up floor plans of the location and if possible, a copy of the map with directions on how to get there. Check on the liability insurance offered.

2. Confirm the selection of your caterer if one is being used.

3. Finish your guest list based on the number of people you want at your reception. Develop a "First" list and a "Second" list, so that if someone on your "First" list cannot attend, you can then go to your "Second" list.

4. Order your invitations, thank-you notes and napkins. Pick up your envelopes.

5. Confirm the selection of your photographer and videographer.

6. Confirm the selection of your wedding consultant or event planner, if you are using either.

7. Select and confirm the booking of the Groom=s tux and accessories along with attire for his Best Man, Groomsmen and Ring Bearer.

8. Finalize a list of friends who are invited to your wedding and who will assist in stuffing and mailing your invitations or emailing them, decorating the ceremony and/or the reception locations; and who have cars and can pick up things.

9. Start looking into honeymoon destinations by getting in touch with travel agents. The earlier you look for deals the better.

10. After you have booked your honeymoon, book a honeymoon suite in a local hotel if you are not leaving immediately after your reception. If you are flying out early the next day to your honeymoon destination, book a hotel close to the airport. Don’t forget to put your honeymoon destination on your Gift Registry list.

11. Start to look for the traditional wedding items: something old, something new, something borrowed something blue.

12. If you are going to have a program at your ceremony or reception start developing the format you want. If you are going to create them yourself by hand or on your computer, you can make copies at an instant print shop. If you or your fiancé are not attending to these yourselves, make sure to assign it to someone who knows how to do it properly. Set up deadlines.

Four Months Before the Wedding

1. Refine and update your plans for the ceremony. If you are going to write your own vows, start your drafts.

2. Address your wedding invitations. You may have two lists. If any people on the first list cancel, you can start sending out invitations to your second list, but not less than three weeks before your wedding.

3. Prepare the list of pictures you want taken by the photographer and videographer. Add to it as you go along.

4. Take to your florist color swatches of your dress and your theme colors to help in the selection of flowers and shades for your wedding and reception.

5. Look for gifts for parents and the wedding party.

6. Listen to possible music for your ceremony.

7. Book your limousine.