PLANNING
the
PERFECT
WEDDING
By
Reese
Randall
From choosing your location and finding
the right dress, to ordering your rings
and cake, here is a timeline of to-do’s to
prepare you for your I do’s.
This is an exciting time with so many things to consider as you
plan your special day. To help you, here is a condensed timeline
devoted to different aspects of planning. Be prepared for a good
bit of hard work and a lot of fun. If you try to consume the big
picture all at once, you’ll end up eloping. If you take each part of
the wedding in small steps, your perfect wedding will come true.
12 MONTHS TO THE DAY:
Reserve your reception venue
Once you’ve decided your favorite time of the year, keep in
mind summer and fall months are most popular for weddings—
expect more competition for vendors. Most locations require
you to book the venue one year in advance and each rental fee
will vary. Some reception sites have a coordinator who will work
with you to book your event and be available throughout the
entire process to make sure everything goes according to plan.
10 MONTHS TO THE DAY:
For the bride, begin looking for your wedding dress
Although you’ve probably envisioned your wedding dress at
some point in your life, it’s time to make your dreams a reality.
There are local boutiques ready for you to make a visit, but
before you do, check out the web. You can go online to browse
gowns on countless dress galleries. Many sites have their
galleries broken into categories of fabric, silhouette and color.
Refine your search to the smallest detail and come to your
appointment ready to try on dresses that match your checklist of
must-haves.
The perfect bouquet makes any event special, especially your
wedding. The season will influence what kind of flowers you’ll
have unless you have special flowers imported, which can be
20-30 percent more. When you visit your florist, bring along a
fabric swatch of the bridesmaids’ dresses and a photo of your
dress to share the style and color scheme of your wedding.
Planning to wed around Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day can
double the cost of flowers.
Your wedding day photos and video need to be taken by a
reputable photographer or videographer. The best way to
guarantee that you’ve selected a good photographer and
videographer is through word of mouth from family and
friends. Ask to review their wedding portfolio and demo reel so
you know exactly how they shoot and what style. Some shoot
candid shots; others go for more formal portraits, while some
can do a combination of both. Most importantly share with
your photographer a list of shots and specific people that you
definitely want to be photographed.
8 MONTHS TO THE DAY: Select and confirm vendors
including the baker, florist, photographer and videographer.
Select and order your wedding gown (first fitting and alterations
will begin).
6 MONTHS TO THE DAY:
Select & Order Your Invitations
A traditional invitation should have the following components
within an outer envelope: the invitation, a reception card (if
so desired), a response card accompanied by a self-addressed
stamped envelope, and printed directions to the ceremony and
reception sites all inside an unsealed inner envelope. If you want
to go the formal route with engraving, keep in mind the process
can take 1-3 months, so allow time to proof what you’ve paid
for. In terms of postage, an important step is to know how much
it will cost, so have one complete invitation weighed at the post
office. Other things that can be a hidden cost include irregularshaped envelopes, or special enclosures such as buttons, strings,
clasps, or seals.
Your cake is a serious part of the reception. Choosing the right
one is a major decision with plenty of options. You’ll need to
decide the batter, filling, icing and overall design. Since you
have the basic style for your ceremony and reception, your
cake should reflect the overall style of the wedding. The design
of your cake is all about the presentation, but the flavors and
fillings are the heart of the cake. Remember to taste test at this
point, but don’t forget to order your cake at least 3 months in
advance.
4 MONTHS TO THE DAY: Purchase Your Rings
One of the most popular styles in wedding bands is platinum.
Its durability and strength will stand the test of time. White gold
is a great alternative to buying platinum because it looks like
platinum; only it’s not as expensive. For more traditional brides
and grooms, choosing a warm yellow gold wedding band is still
a stylish option. Start the process as soon as possible to make
sure you receive the rings in plenty of time f