Bride |
Groom |
Kalamazoo Bridal Association |
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12 Months Before: |
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Announce your engagement |
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Arrange for both sets of parents to get together |
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Select a wedding date and time |
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Establish a preliminary budget |
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Interview wedding planners, if you'll be using one |
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Pick out engagement and wedding rings |
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Determine how many guests may attend (this directly effects your budget) |
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Determine who will officiate at the ceremony |
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Determine the type of wedding you want (size, formality, style, color scheme) |
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9 - 12 Months Before: |
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Discuss a prenuptial agreement and start it if you're going to have one |
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Select and reserve the ceremony location |
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Select and reserve the reception location |
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Select and reserve a caterer |
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Select a wedding cake |
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Select and reserve a photographer |
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Select and reserve a videographer |
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Select and reserve a florist |
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Select and reserve a ceremony musicians |
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Select and reserve a reception entertainment |
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6 - 9 Months Before |
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Choose your wedding party |
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Enroll in gift bridal registries |
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Select and order your wedding gown , and jewelry |
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Pick the bridesmaids' dresses |
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Start compiling the guest list (inform your families to do the same) |
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Begin selecting attendants gifts and wedding favors |
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Start planning for honeymoon |
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have the bridal party try skin care products and to get an idea of what cosmetic looks they are wanting for their day and make sure they know how to apply them |
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4 - 6 months before: |
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Make appointments for a physical exam with your doctor/dentist |
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Check requirements for blood test and marriage license in your state |
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Select and order the invitations and stationery |
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Have your wedding rings sized |
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Decide where to live after the wedding |
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Complete the guest lists |
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Select and order the tuxedo's/men's attire |
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Finalize honeymoon details and make the necessary reservations |
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Finalize details with your florist |
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Inform mothers to select their dresses |
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Scout accommodations for your out-of-town guests |
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Complete the guest list (assume 20% won't attend) |
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Send out "save-the-date" letters |
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2-4 Months Before: |
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Call County Clerk's Office for Marriage License requirements |
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Get a blood test, if needed for a license |
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Buy a wedding guest book |
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Confirm wedding venue |
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Confirm honeymoon reservations. Compile all the necessary travel documents (passports, visas, etc.) |
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Meet with the caterer to discuss menus, service style, wine lists, etc. |
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Order the wedding cake |
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Select approved ceremony music |
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Pick the reception music |
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Reserve all rental items needed for the ceremony and reception |
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Prepare all maps and directions for the ceremony and reception |
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Set the dates and times with the officiate for the rehearsal |
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Finalize details with your photographer |
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Finalize details with your videographer |
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Plan the bridesmaids' luncheon and any other parties |
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Buy Wedding jewelry if you have not already done so. |
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Determine your resources for designing and printing the program for the ceremony |
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Arrange the necessary accommodations for out-of-town guests |
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Plan a rehearsal dinner, time and place |
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6 - 8 Weeks Before: |
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Mail the invitations eights weeks ahead of the date |
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Do a hair and makeup run-through (with headpiece) |
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Mail invitations and announcements |
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Prepare a portrait for the newspaper |
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Check your local newspaper for details and timing |
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Set appointment with photographer for your formal bridal portrait |
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Hire the limousine or other forms of transportation for the wedding |
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Select gifts for all your attendants |
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Make changes you'll need post-wedding to your insurance policies, wills, etc. |
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4 - 6 Weeks Before: |
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Decide what your menu is going to be for the reception. Estimate the expected number of guests |
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Buy a gift for the groom |
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Schedule a final fitting for your gown so it can be ready for your formal bridal portrait |
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Purchase a going away outfit |
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Pick up your wedding rings |
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Purchase or rent all wedding accessories such as the ring pillow, goblets, candles, etc. |
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Confirm florist details and delivery times |
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Plan the seating for the reception as well as other details for the ceremony and reception. Start writing placement cards |
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Make sure all bridesmaids' attire has been fitted |
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Buy a gift for the bride |
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Confirm wedding music selections as well as special requests for the reception music |
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2-3 Weeks Before: |
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Do the seating for the reception. |
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Confirm details with the photographer, videographer, ceremony music, reception music, etc. |
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Give the caterer the final head count. |
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Make arrangements to have your wedding gifts moved to your new home |
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Handle business and legal details such as name changes, address changes, etc. |
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Prepare the wedding announcement for the newspaper |
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Reconfirm your guests' accommodations |
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Make sure all clothing and accessories for you and the bridal party are ready |
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Get your marriage license and any blood tests which are needed |
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Have your final dress and tuxedo fittings |
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1 Week Before: |
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Delegate as many Wedding Day duties as possible (Assign a trusted friend or family member to get your gown, rings, etc. to the ceremony) |
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Place the fees due on the wedding day in envelopes |
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Appoint a punctual pal to transport the cake knife, toasting glasses or other heirlooms to and from the wedding site |
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Finish all the place cards for the reception |
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Review any seating details with the ushers |
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Make sure all wedding attire fits |
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Have the bridal party's make up mixed for their current skin tone and purchased |
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Finalize the seating arrangements |
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Call guests who have not responded yet |
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Give a final head count to the caterer |
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Pack for your honeymoon |
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Wrap and present the wedding party gifts |
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Reconfirm your honeymoon reservations and ensure you have any necessary plane tickets |
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Finalize your rehearsal dinner arrangements or other plans |
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Pack for the honeymoon. (Ask someone to bring your luggage to the reception if you're leaving from there) |
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Reconfirm flights and hotel reservation for the honeymoon |
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Delegate responsibilities to reliable individuals on your wedding day |
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The Day Before: |
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Delegate as many duties as possible |
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Get a manicure or massage to relax yourself |
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Stay with your family the night before and sleep early |
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Review and rehearse all the details of your participants |
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Your Wedding Day: |
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Delegate, Delegate, Delegate |
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Make sure the best man and maid of honor sign the wedding certificate |
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Be sure to eat properly |
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Allow yourself plenty of time to get dressed |
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Prepare for your hairdresser and makeup appointments |
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Rest and relax |
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