THE BEST GUIDE TO THE PERFECT WEDDING!  STEP-BY-STEP

Wow!  So, you're ready to start planning the day of your life?  Congratulations!  Don't become overwhelmed and bogged down with everything you'll have to do. Start your wedding planning with an easy-to-use wedding checklist that will keep you organized and on top of things! I suggest you print out these wedding checklists and put them in your wedding notebook for easy reference.

Your Wedding Checklist: 10 to 12 months before your wedding

____Tell your parents, important family members, and close friends the good news!

____Arrange for your families to meet, if they haven't done so already

____Announce your engagement – either in the newspaper, on a wedding website with an email sent out to all your friends, or in the most traditional way, with mailed engagement announcements

____Have an engagement party, if you'd like

____Envision the theme and tone of your wedding: Formal or casual? Day or evening? Religious or secular?

____Set your budget

____Decide who's paying for the wedding, or who's going to contribute

____Start your guest list

____Select date and time (have backup dates in mind, in case a key element is unavailable)

____Select and reserve your ceremony and reception sites

____Hire a wedding consultant, if you're using one

____Choose and book officiant

____Choose bridesmaids, groomsmen and ushers

____Meet with florists, caterers, and musicians.

____Arrange for a tasting with your caterer

Your Wedding Checklist: 8 to 10 months before your wedding

____Shop for and order your wedding dress and accessories, including veil, gloves and shoes

____Sign a contract with your wedding caterer

____Book wedding florist and choose arrangements

____Book your musicians and/or DJ for both ceremony and reception

____Select and confirm your wedding photographer (and your videographer, if you're using one.)

____Look into wedding insurance and decide if it's a good option for you

____Plan your honeymoon

____Shop for and order your bridesmaid dresses

____If you're making your own wedding favors, start doing so now.

____Meet with wedding cake designers or bakers and arrange for a tasting (Yum!)

Your Wedding Checklist: Four to six months before your wedding

____Send save-the-date announcements or call out of town guests to let them know the final date, time, and location of the wedding.

____If you're purchasing wedding favors, do so now

____Start planning your rehearsal dinner. Give the host(s) your guest list

____Examine your beauty regimen. Make changes where necessary.  Avoid breakouts, and have a good makeup artist who can camouflage any nasty zit that may arise on your special occasion.

____If your caterer isn't doing it for you, reserve any rental equipment you'll need, including dishes, tables, chairs, linens, tents

____Register for gifts

____Select your wedding cake designer, and order your wedding cake

____Arrange wedding transportation

____Order stationery

____Select a calligrapher, if you're using one

____Select the groom's tuxedo or other attire, what the groomsmen will wear, and arrange to purchase or rent

____Purchase your wedding rings

____Book wedding night accommodations and accommodations for out-of-town guests

____Buy gifts for your wedding party, parents, and each other.

____If you're changing into "going away outfits" before you leave the reception, purchase those now

Your Wedding Checklist: Two to three months before your wedding

____Give a list of "Must Take" photographs to your wedding photographer

____Discuss your wedding menu with your caterer

____Meet with your officiant to discuss the wedding ceremony

____Write your wedding vows

____Attend any bridal showers

____Mail your wedding invitations

____Think about your hair and makeup – If you're doing your own, try out hairstyles, purchase any extra makeup, think about having a "makeover party" with your girlfriends.

____Book your hairstylist and/or makeup artist, if you're using them. Meet with each of them to experiment with styles and colors

____Schedule your wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

____If your state requires it for a marriage license, make blood test appointments

____If you're going to change your name, complete those documents

____Send wedding announcements to local newspapers

Your Wedding Checklist: The month of your wedding

It's finally here! There's just a few more things to do to make sure everything's perfect

____Apply for your marriage license.

____Have your final gown fitting. It's helpful to have a bridesmaid with you to learn how to bustle your train and fasten any tricky buttons (and help you go to the bathroom, if you've got a big wedding dress!)

____Check with your bridesmaids and groomsmen to make sure they've gotten their attire, confirm arrival times, and answer any last minute questions

____Contact your vendors (caterer, officiant, cake baker, photographer, videographer, florist, musicians, transportation, hotels) to confirm arrival and delivery times.

____Write and print your wedding program

____Create welcome baskets or bags for out-of-town guests

____Send change-of-address information to post office

____Write thank you cards as you receive wedding gifts

____Ask your mother or maid of honor to contact any guests who have not RSVP'd

Your Wedding Checklist: One to two weeks ahead

____Arrange seating plan, and write place cards

____Give your final head count to your caterer, and confirm any last minute details

____Write toasts for the rehearsal dinner and reception

____Try on your wedding shoes, and wear them on carpeted surfaces around the house

____Arrange for a plant waterer/pet sitter/babysitter while you are on your honeymoon

____Pick up your dress

____Attend your bachelor party or bachelorette party, if you're having them

____Send your travel plans and contact information to a family member and your house sitter (in case of emergency)

____Finalize seating chart

Your Wedding Checklist: The day before your wedding

____Do something to relax and enjoy the company of your out-of-town friends

____Assign responsibilities to your wedding party (handing out corsages and boutonnieres, greeting and seating guests, checking on vendors)

____Confirm transportation

____Have a manicure and pedicure or other pre-wedding spa pampering.

____Give your wedding party gifts

____Rehearse ceremony

____Hold rehearsal dinner

Your Wedding Checklist: Day of the Wedding

____Give gifts to your parents

____Enjoy your wedding!

If you've found this guide helpful, please VOTE!  Let other brides know how wonderfully this guide has helped you plan your wedding.

Sincerely,Elegant Whispers Bridal and Gifts