When planning a wedding, important decisions must be made well in advance.
Countless people will become involved in
the planning strategies, including family, friends, church staff, florist,
photographer, caterer and too many others to list. It is vital that each one
knows what is expected and what he or she can expect from the others.
Some brides rely on the expertise of their
mothers and close friends to do the planning; some, who want to be free of the
burden, prefer to employ professional wedding planners and coordinators.
Other future brides, like my new daughter
in law, Sara Critcher Norris who is beyond organized prefer taking it all into
their own hands and moving forward with gusto.
Sara began planning her wedding immediately
after Garrett, my son, proposed. Lacking a few weeks from the full year some
experts say is needed, Sara’s Internet research gave her more information and
options than she would possibly ever use.
As she and other future brides easily
discover, with more than 2 million wedding related websites currently available
on the Internet, the process can be overwhelming.
Today’s brides have more resources
available at their fingertips than any before them could begin to imagine.
Sara was able to sort through enough of the
information to come up with a step by step organizational timetable that worked
for her.
She rarely veered from her plan, unless it
was to get things done before the “recommended” time.
All the while, Garrett was trying to figure
out why she needed so much time and why all those “little things” needed to be
done so far in advance.
On that lovely June 4, 2011 afternoon, as
family and close friends gathered by the ocean side to witness the marriage of
Garrett Norris and Sara Critcher, it was evident that someone had planned well.
Few people knew that just a few hours
earlier, the lovely bride was putting the finishing touched on her own wedding
cake and helping prepare food for her reception.
Nine to twelve months prior to the
wedding:
- Formally announce engagement
- Determine your wedding date
- Begin looking at rings
- Discuss your wedding budget
- Choose bridal party
- Determine style and formality of wedding
- Begin to compile guest list
- Reserve site foe ceremony and reception
- Meet with clergy
Six to Nine months prior:
- Plan details of ceremony
- Decide upon color scheme
- Choose bridal gown and attendants’ artier
- Choose caterer and plan reception
- Choose florist and discuss bouquets and
arrangements
- Select bakery for cake and discuss
preferences flavors, tiers, designs (unless, like Sara, you have a mother
who does it better.)
- Line up musicians. Photographers, and
printers for invitations
- Make honeymoon plans, consulting a travel
agent if necessary
Four to six months prior:
- Finalize guest lists with both families
- Order all invitations, RSVP cards,
imprinted napkins, wedding favors, etc.
- Pay deposits as requested
- Shop for mother’s dresses
- Buy wedding rings
- Schedule fittings for all wedding attire
Two to Four months prior:
- Address invitations
- Plan rehearsal dinner with groom’s
parents,
- Plan bridesmaids’ luncheon
- Review all details with wedding director
and/or consultant
- Review ceremony schedule with church
staff/clergy
- Purchase gifts for bridal party
Four to six weeks prior:
- Mail invitations
- Finalize arrangements for flowers,
reception, photography and limousine service, if applicable
- Confirm honeymoon/travel plans
- Make appointments for health and beauty
needs, i.e. Physical examination. Manicure, hairstyle, etc.
- Obtain wedding announcement form from hometown
newspaper
- Order tuxedoes for groom and made
attendants
One to two weeks prior:
- Review all details with entire wedding
party and those assisting you
- Confirm all wedding events and services;
rehearsal dinner, church availability, receptionist caterer, florist,
photographers, etc.
- Delegate last minute details to
trustworthy friend or relative
- Pack for honeymoon
- Host party for bridesmaids
One day before the wedding:
- Spend uninterrupted time with your
fiancé, mother, father and mail of honor (best friend), separately
- Visit briefly with out of town guests
- Arrange gown, veil, shoes, etc., checking
to make sure hosiery and necessary cosmetics are easily accessible
- Enjoy the rehearsal/dinner as the guest
of honor that you are. Bask in your moment in the spotlight and remember,
this should be the most magical time of your entire life
- Go to bed as early as possible and get a
good night’s sleep
* This is just a basic outline to help in
the planning process. There will be other areas that will require your attention,
as well, based upon individual needs, desires, type of ceremony, etc
