Below is a list of everything you will need to do to make your wedding a complete
success, along with a time line when each task should be done. . Tasks in pink
are for the
, and tasks in blue are for the groom. Tasks in black can be
done by either the bride or groom, preferably by both together (especially the 10-
12 month tasks).
10 - 12 months before the wedding
• Announce your engagement to family and friends
• Arrange for both families to meet if they haven't already done so
• Have an engagement party (optional)
• Decide on the style and size of the wedding
o
or
o Religious or non-religious
o Decide whether to include ethnic traditions
• Set your wedding budget
• Start creating your guest list
• Set the wedding day and time
• Choose and book your wedding officiant
• Choose your maid of honor,
, best man and groomsmen
• Choose and book your ceremony and reception locations
• Purchase wedding insurance (optional)
• Interview caterers and taste samples
• Interview florists
• Interview and audition musicians, bands, and/or DJs
• Interview photographers and/or videographers and review their portfolios
7 - 9 months before the wedding
• Shop for and order your wedding dress
• Shop for and order/purchase bridal accessories (veil, shoes, jewelry, etc.)
• Shop for and order bridesmaids dresses (should include bridesmaids, if
possible)
• Select caterer and sign contract
• Select florist and sign contract
• Select musicians, band and/or DJ and sign contract
• Select photographer and/or videographer and sign contract
• Start planning your honeymoon
• Finalize the guest list
• Start making wedding favors (if you're making your own)
• If you're having an outdoor wedding , reserve rental equipment (such as
tents, chairs, etc.)
• Meet with bakers and sample wedding cakes
• Start looking at wedding invitations
• Start thinking about the wording of your wedding invitations
• Start planning the rehearsal dinner
4 - 6 months before the wedding
• Join one or more bridal registries
• Select the baker for your wedding cake and sign contract
• Order your wedding invitations
• Book a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests
• Contact out-of-town guests about the wedding (prior to sending out
invitations)
• Finalize dinner menu with caterer
• Select flower girl's dress and pass details on to the parents
• Purchase wedding guest favors
• Book the limousine or other wedding day transportation
• Book the rehearsal dinner site
• Book a calligrapher (if you're using one)
• Start looking at tuxedos or other formal wear
• Book the honeymoon
• Book a hotel room for the wedding night
• Book a photo session for engagement announcement in local newspapers
• Start thinking about wedding ceremony decorations
• Buy bridal lingerie in time for first dress fitting
2 - 3 months before the wedding
• Give the photographer your list of photos you want taken
• Purchase your wedding rings
• Purchase maid/matron of honor and bridesmaids gifts
• Purchase best man and groomsmen gifts
• Purchase the groom's gift
• Purchase the bride's gifts
• Finalize tuxedo/formal attire and pass on rental/purchase details to
groomsmen
• Finalize ring bearer attire and pass details on to the parents
• Send engagement announcement in local newspapers
• Schedule your dress fittings
• Make sure your maid/matron of honor and bridesmaids have purchased
their accessories
• Book your hair and makeup appointments
• If you're changing your name, complete the proper documents
• If your state requires it, have blood tests done
• Talk to your maid/matron of honor about a bridal shower
• Address and send out wedding invitations (invitations should be mailed at
2-month mark)
• Purchase your accessories including shoes, cuff links, handkerchiefs, etc.
• Start writing wedding vows, especially if writing your own
• Decide on whether to light a unity candle or honor past loved ones during
the ceremony
• Start working on wedding program
1 month before the wedding
• Order liquor and wine, if not provided by the caterer
• Confirm parking at the ceremony and reception locations
• Get your marriage license
• Finalize wedding vows
• Have your final dress fittings
• Finalize and print wedding program
1 month before the wedding (continued)
• Finalize your music list with musicians, band and/or DJ
• Buy a guest book and pen
• Contact any guests who haven't replied to the invitation
• Write speeches for rehearsal and wedding dinners
• Attend your bridal shower
• Sent out thank-you cards for bridal shower gifts
• Send rehearsal dinner invitations, if necessary
• Do trial-runs of your hair and makeup
• Start working on the ceremony and reception seating plans
• Confirm honeymoon details and reservations
• Have your bachelor party
• Have your bachelorette party
1-2 weeks before the wedding
• Finalize seating plan and write place cards
• Create a seating chart to hang in the reception site
• Break in your wedding shoes by wearing them around the house
• Pick up your wedding dress
• Pick up wedding rings and check that the inscriptions are correct
• Pick up "something old”, “something new”, “something borrowed” and
“something blue"
• Purchase a garter
• Plan your wedding day itinerary
• Plan your receiving line
• Leave your honeymoon travel plans and itinerary with a family member
• Confirm headcount with caterer, baker and liquor/wine provider
• Confirm details musicians, band, photographer, limousine, florist and any
other vendors
• Confirm ceremony details with officiant
Day before the wedding
• Get manicure and pedicure
• Pick up your tuxedo
• Decorate the ceremony and reception locations (if possible)
• Drop off wedding favors, guest book and seating chart at reception site
• Rehearse the ceremony with the officiant and wedding party
• Give your wedding party their gifts
• Enjoy the rehearsal dinner
• Get a good night's sleep!
Day of the wedding
• Take a relaxing bath or shower and enjoy the moment of solitude
• Have breakfast; you'll need your energy
• Give your partner their wedding gift
• Get dressed
• Relax and enjoy the day!
Determining the budget
Step 1: Decide how much you and your groom can contribute.
Step 2: Talk to your parents, the grooms parents and any rich uncles you or your intended might
have.
Bride and groom’s contribution:$____________
Bride’s family’s contribution: $___________
Groom’s family’s contribution: $___________
Other contributions: $___________ Total: $___________
Dividing the money
Step 3: Allocate the total contributions to the categories below, and enter the amount next to the
category name. The percentages shown are averages, and will very depending on your wedding
style, priorities, location and season.
Step 4: Divide the allocated funds to each of the category items.
Budget ActualCeremony (~5% of Budget) $___________ $___________
Site Fee: $___________ $___________
Officiant's Fee (including gratuity): $___________ $___________
Canopy: $___________ $__________
Rings: $___________ $___________
Decorations (other than flowers): $___________ $___________
Ceremony Accessories: $___________ $___________
Guest Book, Pen & Pen Holder: $___________ $___________
Ring Bearer Pillow Flower Girl Basket: $___________ $___________
Ceremony Total: $___________ $___________
Budget Actual Wedding Attire (~10% of Budget)
Bride $___________ $___________
Bridal Gown/Dress: $___________ $___________
Alterations: $___________ $___________
Lingerie: $___________ $___________
Headpiece & Veil: $___________ $___________ G
loves: $___________ $___________
Jewelry: $___________ $___________
Stockings: $___________ $___________
Garter: $___________ $___________
Shoes: $___________ $___________
Hairdresser (including tip) $___________ $___________
Makeup Artist (including tip) $___________ $___________
Manicure/Pedicure (including tip) $___________ $___________
Groom $__________$___________
Tuxedo/Suit: $___________ $___________
Shoes: $___________ $___________
Jewelry: $___________ $___________
Wedding Attire Total: $___________ $___________
Stationary (~4% of Budget) $___________ $___________
Invitations: $___________ $___________
Response Cards: $___________ $___________
Reception Cards: $___________ $___________
Ceremony Cards: $___________ $___________
Perw Cards: $___________ $___________
Seating/Place Cards: $___________ $___________
Maps: $___________ $___________
Wedding Programs: $___________ $___________
Announcements: $___________ $___________
ThankYouNotes/Cards: $___________ $___________
Stamps: $___________ $___________
Calligrapher: $___________ $___________
Cake Boxes (may be provided by Bakery): $___________ $___________
Napkins, Matchbooks, etc.: $___________ $___________
Stationary Total: $___________ $___________
Photography (~8% of Budget) $___________$___________
Photographer's Fee (including gratuity): $___________ $___________
Wedding Package: $___________ $___________
Wedding Album: $___________ $___________
Parents' Albums $___________ $___________
ExtraPrints: $___________ $___________
Proofs/Previews: $___________ $___________
Negatives: $___________ $___________
Engagement Photo: $___________ $___________
Formal Bridal Portrait: $___________ $___________
Photography Total: $___________ $___________
Videography (~5% of Budget) $___________ $___________
Videographer's Fee (including gratuity): $___________ $___________
Main Video: $___________ $___________
Titles: $___________ $___________
Extra Hours: $___________ $___________
Extra Copies: $___________ $___________
Videography Total: $___________ $___________
Reception (~35% of Budget) $___________ $___________
Site Fee: $___________ $___________
Tent Rental: $___________ $___________
Dance Floor Rental: $___________ $___________
Tables/Chairs Rental: $___________ $___________
Linens/Tableware Rental: $___________ $___________
Caterer (including gratuity): $___________ $___________
HorsDOeuveres: $___________ $___________
Meal: $___________ $___________
Bartender (including gratuity) $___________ $___________
Bar Setup Fee: $___________ $___________
Liquor/Beverages: $___________ $___________
Corkage Fee: $___________ $___________
Party Favors/Disposable Cameras: $___________ $___________
Table Decorations/Centerpieces(other than flowers): $___________ $___________
Room/Site Decorations(other than flowers): $___________ $___________
Valet Services/Parking Fees: $___________ $___________
Reception Total: $___________ $___________
Music (~5% of Budget) $___________ $___________
Ceremony Musicians (including gratuity): $___________ $___________
Soloist (including gratuity)
$___________ $__________
_Reception Band/DJ (including gratuity): $___________ $___________
Music Total: $___________ $___________
Reception $___________ $___________
Band/DJ (including gratuity): $___________ $___________
Music Total: $___________ $___________
Bakery (~2% of Budget) $___________ $___________
Wedding Cake: $___________ $___________
Groom's Cake: $___________ $___________
Pastries: $___________ $___________
Cake Delivery & Setup: $___________ $___________
Cake Cutting Fee: $___________ $___________
Cake Top & Knife: $___________ $___________
Cake Boxes (if not personalized): $___________ $___________
Bakery Total: $___________ $___________
Flowers (~6% of Budget)$___________ $___________
Bride's Bouquet: $___________ $___________
Bride's Tossing Bouquet: $___________ $___________
Maid/Matron of Honor's Bouquet: $___________ $___________
Bridesmaids' Bouquets: $___________ $___________
Maid/Matron of Honor's Hairpiece: $___________ $___________
Flower Girl's Hairpiece: $___________ $___________
Bride's Going Away Corsage: $___________ $___________
Corsages for other family members: $___________ $___________
Groom's Boutonniere: $___________ $___________
Groomsmen's Boutonniere: $___________ $___________
Usher's Boutonniere: $___________ $___________
Boutonnieres for other family members: $___________ $___________
Ceremony - Alter: $___________ $___________
Ceremony - Aisles: $___________ $___________
Ceremony - Pews $___________ $___________
Ceremony - Delivery & Setup: $___________ $___________
Reception - Head Table: $___________ $___________
Reception - Guest Tables: $___________ $___________ R
eception - Buffet Table: $___________ $___________
Reception - Punch Table: $___________ $___________
Reception - Cake Table: $___________ $___________
Reception - Cake: $___________ $___________
Reception - Delivery & Setup: $___________ $___________
Guest Room Flowers: $___________ $___________
Transportation from Ceremonyto Reception: $___________ $___________
Flowers Total: $___________ $___________
Transportation (~2% of Budget)$___________ $___________
To Ceremony: $___________ $___________
To Reception: $___________ $___________
To Hotel: $___________ $___________
Drivers' Gratuities: $___________ $___________
Total Transportation: $___________ $___________
Gifts (~4% of Budget) $___________ $___________
Bride's Gift: $___________ $___________
Groom's Gift: $___________ $___________
Maid/Matron of Honor's Gift: $___________ $___________
Bridesmaids' Gifts: $___________ $___________
Best Man's Gift: $___________ $___________
Groomsmens' Gifts: $___________ $___________
Ushers' Gifts: $___________ $___________
Flower Girl's Gift: $___________ $___________
Ring Bearer's Gift: $___________ $___________
Guest Room
Gifts: $___________ $___________
Guest Favors: $___________ $___________
Gifts Total: $___________ $___________
Miscellaneous (~4% of Budget)$___________ $___________
Marriage License: $___________ $___________
Blood Tests: $___________ $___________
3-Ring Notebook & tabbed dividers: $___________ $___________
Gown/Bouquet Preservation: $___________ $___________
Wedding Consultant: $___________ $___________
Miscellaneous Total: $___________ $___________
Wedding Total: $___________$___________
Emergency Fund (~10% of Budget) $___________ $___________
Grand Total: $___________$___________
Wedding receptions are an age old tradition brought about as a way to thank your guests for attending your wedding and for their wedding gifts. The wedding reception you choose to host is only limited by your imagination. The most popular types of wedding receptions are buffet receptions, full-service dinners, cocktail receptions and brunch receptions.
Buffet Reception
A buffet reception refers to a wedding dinner in which guests leave their seats to serve themselves and then take their seats to eat. Similar to buffet restaurants, buffet-style wedding receptions can either have a pre-determined seating arrangement or they can allow for guests to choose the table of their choice.
The buffet-style reception dinner is arranged with a variety of foods - just like a restaurant buffet. Typically salads, soups and appetizers appear first in line, followed by breads and buns, rice, vegetables and finally by meats or entrée dishes. Desserts usually appear after dinner is complete on a newly laid table alongside coffee and tea.
Typically an emcee or DJ will be responsible for announcing the order of tables, so that chaos can be avoided at the buffet table. Typically, the buffet food line will start with the bride and groom, followed by the maid of honor and best man, then other attendants, parents and guests. Weddings with a large number of guests often have two or more buffet stations at either end of the reception venue so that the wait in line is shorter. Buffet-style receptions can be served by servers stationed at each dish or they can be self-served so that guests can help themselves to their desired portions.
Along the same lines as the buffet reception is the food station reception. Food stations refer to smaller buffet tables which are set up around the perimeter of the reception venue, each showcasing a different theme or type of food such as sushi, Mexican foods, cheese and crackers, a salad table, a fresh seafood collection or carved prime rib.
Many couples choose to decorate each food station with different decorations in order to display their unique foods - for example Japanese paper fans for the sushi table and mini sombreros and pietas for the Mexican food station. Food stations generally are manned by chefs carving meats, serving hot foods from heated trays or sautéing vegetables right in front of your guest's hungry eyes.
Dinner Reception
Wedding receptions with full-service dinners, or sit down dinners as they are sometimes called, customarily take place between 6 pm and 9 pm in the evening hours.
Traditionally a cocktail hour proceeds the sit-down dinner, during which time wait staff circulate the room with champagne and hors d'oeuvres, while guests mingle and await the bridal party's return from taking wedding pictures. The cocktail hour typically lasts between 1-hour and 1½ hours.
Full-service receptions are considered more of a formal affair, compared to buffet receptions. At most full-service receptions wait staff serve each table for the duration of the meal and guests are not expected to leave their seats to help themselves to food. Even though sit-down dinners can cost a great deal more than buffet dinners guests are often served more quickly and more efficiently at full-service receptions.
Full-service wedding receptions can also take more organization then buffet receptions. The majority of sit-down wedding receptions will have a well-thought out Seating Plan, and seated wedding receptions with 100 or more, guests will find their seats more easily if your seating plan is posted at the entrance of the reception room and printed place cards are placed at each seat.
Planning also comes into play with the dinner menu, which can consist of many courses. The proper order of dinner courses is typically as follows:
*Appetizer with first bottle of wine (one white, one red).
*Baskets of dinner rolls or breads
*Salad
*Soup
*Entree with second bottle of wine
*Dessert with after-dinner coffee or tea
Please keep in mind that in many cultures the order of dinner courses can differ slightly.
The timing for the cutting of the wedding cake can also differ according to custom. At many sit down dinner receptions the cake is cut and served as the desert after the meal. However, it's not uncommon for newlyweds to cut the cake 1 to 2-hours before the end of the reception.
Cocktail Receptions
When budget is a concern, many wedding professionals recommend the cocktail reception as a classy evening alternative to the buffet style reception or a sit-down dinner.
Cocktail receptions, where no dinner is follows, generally take place between 6 pm and 7:30 pm in the evening. This time frame will allow for guests to have their own dinner before arriving.
Cocktail receptions are fairly formal events. They call for dressy attire for women and black tie or business dress for men. Cocktail receptions encourage mingling, since guests stand for most of the party. However, small tables, chairs and sometime couches are set up in order for guests, especially elderly guests, to rest. Cocktail receptions can also include dancing if your reception venue has the space to allow it.
Cocktail receptions are perfect for newlyweds looking to have an elegant affair, without spending a fistful of dollars. The cocktail reception is the perfect affair to be held in an art gallery, in a funky studio loft, on outdoor terraces underneath the stars or in landscaped garden surrounded with patio lanterns.
In order to keep the bar tab low many cocktail receptions serve only champagne, wine and beer and maybe a few other specialty mixed drinks and punches. When throwing a cocktail reception, champagne, wine, alcoholic punch, beer and all other drinks should be provided free of charge to your guests. A cocktail reception with a cash bar is poor etiquette.
Hot and cold hors d'oeuvres may also be served to your guests by wait staff or set out on for self-serve on buffet tables at a cocktail reception. The wedding cake is cut immediately after the wedding ceremony and receiving line. This way guests can enjoy a piece of the wedding cake along with their champagne, hors d'oeuvres and desserts - if they are provided.
Brunch Reception
Brunch receptions are held following a morning wedding ceremony at 9 am or 10 am in the morning hours. Wedding brunches are more economical then dinner receptions and can be either seated or buffet-style affairs.
The wedding brunch menu normally features an assortment of fresh fruit, breakfast pastries, bagels and muffins, yogurt, fresh backed croissants and rolls, mini breakfast quiches, cold cuts and cheese, as well as coffee, tea and fresh juice. Some newlywed couples go all out by featuring an omelet or crepe bar, complete with a chef whipping them up fresh for guests. Alcoholic beverages, such as champagne, champagne punch, morning glories (champagne and orange juice), wine spritzers, screwdrivers or bloody Mary's are also popular options.
Comparable in price to the brunch reception are the following:
*Buffet Lunch Receptions - either sit-down or buffet style. Luncheon wedding receptions are typically held in the late morning or early afternoon hours, between noon and 2 pm. Buffet lunch menus can include various green, pasta, fruit and potato salads, skewers of chicken or shrimp, vegetables with dip, smoked salmon and crackers, and a variety of sandwiches, cold cuts and cheeses.
*Tea Receptions - should not be held during mealtime, so anytime between 2 pm and 5 pm in the afternoon is adequate. Tea receptions are generally dry affairs, serving coffee, tea, espresso, cappuccino and fruit punches, although some tea receptions do feature champagne and wine. Tea sandwiches and finger foods such as cookies, crackers and cheese often make the menu.
The wedding cake is customarily cut and served at brunch receptions, buffet lunch receptions and tea receptions.
Getting married should be one of the most memorable and exciting times in your life. For the first few weeks after the proposal, you'll feel dizzy with happiness and bursting with anticipation. As well you should be! You've met the man of your dreams, you've decided to get married, and now it's time to plan the wedding -- the official celebration of your love and commitment.
The period between the engagement and the wedding should be the most gloriously tranquil time of a couple's wedding process. However, you will both soon be faced with decisions, compromises and debates -- some simple, some funny, some tough -- but all important.
There will be questions about anything and everything: from the meal (fish, chicken or beef?) to the wedding gown (low-cut, fitted or empire-waist?) to the reception music (live band, small orchestra or DJ?). There will be issues about budgets, guest lists, and styles.
While it's fun to bask in all the happiness, there are a few tasks that should be handled quickly.
* You will need to announce your engagement, set the budget and timetable for the wedding and buy the rings.
* The guest list affects many of the wedding decisions the engaged couple will make, including the selections for wedding stationery.
* The music and flowers play enormous parts in setting the mood for your wedding. Both speak to the day's romantic tone and serve to express the your style. The average couple spends approximately 4 percent of their total budget on flowers and 5 percent on music.
* The wedding photographs preserve forever the magnificence and magic of your wedding day. Wedding video, on the other hand, tends to capture those precious and often spontaneous moments that defy the limitations of still photography.
The first thing you need to decide on is the style of your wedding. Will it be casual or formal? Large or small? In a house of worship or on a desert island? The style of your wedding will set the tone for all the other decisions you will need to make, so decide early.
Creating a wedding budget not only helps you determine how much you can afford to spend on your wedding, but also keeps the costs under control. On average, a 200-guest wedding costs $17,000.
The first step is to decide who will pay for the wedding. While traditionally, the parents of the bride and groom are responsible for paying for a wedding (with the bride's family shoulders most of the financial responsibility), it's becoming more and more common for the couple as well as their families to contribute towards the cost of the wedding. As men and women get married later in life, many couples decide to foot the entire bill themselves. You and your intended should sit down with your families and determine how much each is willing to contribute.
The next step involves taking a realistic look at the wedding style and wedding size you want. Keep in mind the bigger and more elaborate the wedding the more it costs. Compare this with the available funds. Is it possible to get the wedding you want with the money you have? If not, look for more cost-effective alternatives in the style or size of the wedding. Controlling the size is a little easier. Simply limit the number of guests when creating a guest list (granted, this is easier said than done). Finding a compromise in the style may require more imagination. Do you have your heart set on a Renaissance themed wedding in an English castle? The costs would be enormous! However, having your wedding at a local Renaissance fair or theatre would provide the same look and feel at a much lower cost.
Once you have a firm idea of the total amount you can spend the next step is to divide that number among the various wedding parts. How much do you plan to budget for the wedding dress, the reception hall, the invitations and the honeymoon? Do some research and estimate the costs. Then do the math. Does it all add up to your total budget? If not, play with the numbers until everything balances. Compromise is very important during this step. You'll both have different ideas of what you're willing to spend on a given item. Once a decision has been reached stick with it. Constantly altering the numbers will make it impossible to maintain and balance your budget.
We have provided a worksheet to help you with your decisions, which can be downloaded in either a PDF or Microsoft Excel™ format. The worksheet has columns for both budgeted and actual expenses, so carry it with you when you go shopping. It will keep you organized and help you stick to your decisions.
If you don't have the funds already saved, the next step involves creating a savings plan. On average the couple should try to save 20% of their income a month. Although it may seems a lot, that amount can be reached by cutting costs in other areas in you life. For example, bringing your lunch to work rather than going out to a restaurant can save you $15 - $20 a week. That's an annual saving of $1040. You'd be surprised at how those little changes can save you a lot in the end.
