| The average American wedding takes about sixteen | | | | 9. Buy the Wedding Invitations: If you are hiring a |
| months to plan. But with the help of this comprehensive | | | | calligrapher or professional designer, it can take months |
| checklist, it will feel like a lot less. | | | | to produce a few hundred invitations by hand. Just |
| 1. Calculate your Budget: Sit down with your future | | | | make sure you leave yourself enough time. |
| partner and determine exactly how much you can | | | | 10. Plan the Honeymoon: If you are traveling overseas, |
| comfortably spend on your big day. If your families | | | | make certain that your passports are up-to-date and |
| have expressed a willingness to contribute, it may be a | | | | that you have received any shots you may need. |
| good idea to include them. | | | | 11. Go Shopping for the Bridesmaids' Dresses: While |
| 2. Open a Wedding Folder: For many women, the | | | | not as complicated a process as the selecting the |
| wedding folder or binder will have been years in the | | | | wedding dress, it is important to leave at least three |
| making. It should include all of your favorite designs and | | | | months for any alterations that must be made. |
| dress ideas, as well as any contacts in the wedding | | | | 12. Meet with the Priest, Rabbi, Judge, etc.: Make |
| industry you have made. | | | | certain that all of your documents are in order and that |
| 3. Select the Wedding Party: This is arguably the most | | | | there will be no unexpected surprises on the wedding |
| nerve-racking decision you will have to make, but it is | | | | day. |
| important to address it ahead of schedule. Remember, | | | | 13. Set a Firm Date with All of the Wedding Service |
| gown fittings take time, often several months. And if | | | | Professionals: This includes the florist, the photographer |
| you are staying overnight at a resort, it is important to | | | | or videographer, the caterer, the cake maker and the |
| know how many rooms you will need. | | | | band. |
| 4. Begin the Guest List: Because abiding by the budget | | | | 14. Arrange Transportation: Remember to provide limo |
| is a constant concern, it is important to get at least a | | | | or town car service for members outside of the |
| general idea of how many people will be attending. In | | | | wedding party, if needed. |
| the end, the number may be twenty fewer or twenty | | | | 15. Order the Cake: Depending on the size, most |
| more guests, but you should have a somewhat | | | | bakeries will require at least a few weeks to prepare |
| accurate head count months in advance. | | | | a proper wedding cake. |
| Quick tip: We know it's brutal, but about sixty percent | | | | 16. Schedule a Final Dress Fitting: Try to leave at least |
| of wedding costs are spent on the reception, which | | | | a month for alterations. |
| means that if you are trying to cut back, it may be | | | | 17. Agree On a Final Menu: Since food choices are |
| necessary to cross a few names off your list. | | | | affected by the season and the market, it is always a |
| 5. Hire a Qualified Wedding Planner: If you determine | | | | good idea to wait until a few weeks out to make your |
| that you do not have the time or experience to handle | | | | final selections. |
| the job on your own, it may be necessary to hire a | | | | 18. Buy the Rings: Leave at least two weeks for |
| wedding planner. This should be done as soon as | | | | resizing or engravings. |
| possible, since their contacts and insights can actually | | | | 19. Schedule a Meeting with the Photographer: Let him |
| help save you money in the end. | | | | know exactly what types of shot you would |
| 6. Choose a Date and Venue: Decide together | | | | like-staged, action, etc.-and whether you prefer color, |
| whether you want separate locations for the | | | | black and white or a mix. |
| ceremony and reception. Travel time and | | | | 20. Send the Invitations: A good rule of thumb is to mail |
| transportation costs should also be considered. | | | | them at least six weeks before the wedding. |
| 7. Research Bands, Caterers, Florists and | | | | 21. Obtain your Marriage License: On average, the |
| Photographers: If you have hired a wedding planner, | | | | process takes about a week. |
| you obviously won't have to complete this step. That's | | | | 22. Assign the Seating: Make sure to seat guests at |
| their job. If you have not, make sure you give yourself | | | | the tables where they will be comfortable, if possible. |
| at least a week to interview and investigate potential | | | | 23. Pick up the Wedding Dress: Or have it delivered. |
| candidates. | | | | 24. Send the Final Guest Numbers to the Reception |
| 8. Find a Dress: The average bride-to-be tries on at | | | | Hall and the Caterer: This should be done about three |
| least a dozen dresses before she finds the right one. | | | | to five days before the ceremony. |
| Not to mention the fact that designer dresses take | | | | 25. Pack your Bags for your Honeymoon! |
| between three and five months to complete. Then | | | | A bit of planning ahead can help you pull off the |
| there are the inevitable alterations. In short, you should | | | | flawless wedding of your dreams. A handy checklist |
| order your dress at least six months before the | | | | couldn't hurt things, either. |
| ceremony. | | | | |