One Year to Six Months Before

Announce engagement. Order Wedding Rings

Meet with both parents to discuss type of wedding

Consider hiring a bridal consultant

Plan wedding budget

Buy a memory album

Choose wedding & reception sites

If having a church wedding, meet with clergy

Choose attendants

Shop for the bride’s dress and order it early!

Plan color scheme and shop for bridesmaid dresses. Order them as soon as
possible - no later than 4 months prior to the wedding

Consult travel agent about honeymoon plans

Begin guest list

Order Invitations

Select and book your photographer, videographer, and entertainment

Three to Four Months Before

Complete your guest list

Invite out-of-town guests early!

Address invitations as soon as they arrive or hire a Calligrapher and do it with style!

If you have not already done so, order your bridesmaid dresses now! Confirm your wedding dress order too!

Order Groom’s, Groomsmen and Dad’s Tuxedos

Book your caterer

Shop for your wedding cake

Choose your florist

Pick out and order your ice carvings

Plan ceremony & reception details with musicians and/or other entertainment

Arrange for wedding transportation

Complete your honeymoon plans

One to Two Months Before

Buy wedding gifts for each other

Mail wedding invitations

Plan rehearsal & rehearsal dinner

Pick up wedding rings

Have a final fitting of gown & bridesmaid dresses

Have studio wedding portraits taken

Contact newspaper regarding wedding announcement

Arrange for hotels for out-of-town guests

Send thank you notes for early gifts

Purchase gifts for attendants

Last Two Weeks

Pick up marriage license

Send announcement to newspaper

Have your hair done by hairstylist like you plan to wear it on your wedding day. Bring your veil with you!

Meet with a make up consultant for beauty tips.

Check on honeymoon reservations

Buy travelers checks

Address your wedding announcements, have someone mail them for you on your Wedding day

Confirm final details with florist, entertainment, rental services, caterers, photographers, reception site, etc.

Pay all balances due at this time

The Last 48 Hours!

Pick up the tuxedos from the tux shop

Time to start relaxing. Try to stay calm, all your careful planning will pay off!

Rehearsal dinner - give attendants their gifts!

Congratulations....you made it!! Remember, this is the beginning of the rest of your life together, if things go wrong at the wedding, don’t let it ruin your special day!

Wedding Services

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Wedding Ceremony & Reception Protocol

SEATING DURING CEREMONY

(Left Side)	(Right Side)
Brides's Family	Groom's Family
Honored Guests	Honored Guests
Guests	Guests
Altar

CHRISTIAN PROCESSIONAL

Clergyman
Groom and Best Man
Groomsmen
Bridesmaids
Maid of Honor
Ring bearer
Flower girl
Bride’s Father & Bride

For Recessional - order reverses with Bride & Groom leaving first.

JEWISH PROCESSIONAL

Cantor		Rabbi
Bride’s Grandfather		Bride’s Grandmother
Groom's Grandfather		Groom's Grandmother
	Usher
	Groomsmen
	Best Man
Groom's Father	Groom	Groom's Mother
	Bridesmaidas
	Maid of Honor
Bride's Father	Bride	Bride's Mother

RECEIVING LINE (OPTIONAL*)

Bride’s Mother

Bride’s Father

Groom’s Mother

Groom’s Father

Bride

Groom

Maid of Honor

Best Man

Attendants

*Keep in mind that many of today’s brides are eliminating the receiving line. If you are expecting a large number of guests, receiving lines can take up to an hour to go through and this becomes very tiring on everyone. You can also simplify the receiving line to include only the mothers of the bride and groom, the bride and groom, the maid of honor and bridesmaids. Let the fathers and groomsmen be roving hosts!

The Head Table

The focus of the reception room should be the head table. The head table is where the bride and groom and their attendants should sit during dinner. Depending on the number of people who will sit at the table it is usually a long rectangular table or three tables arranged in a “U”.

Since this table will be the focus of the room, it should be decorated in accordance with your floral and color theme. Centerpieces should be kept low so that you can see over them. The table could also be decorated on the outside edges with bows, cascades of tulle, beading or pearls, or perhaps garlands of fresh greens and flowers. A florist who specializes in weddings should be able to take care of the decorations for you.

Children, spouses or guests of your attendants, and your parents do not usually sit at the head table unless you have a very small wedding party and wish to include them. Parents usually act as hosts at another table for honored guests. The parents table might also include the clergy, grandparents, and siblings.

Another important note about your head table: Make sure you position your entertainment or disc jockey/emcee where he or she can see the head table. In order to direct the activities they need to be able to see you.

Wedding Checklist: 50 things NOT to forget!