Archive for the ‘Countdown to the Big Day’ Category

Countdown to the Big Day: Just a few days left!

February 7th

There are now just a few weeks or days left until the big day. There are only a few things left to complete, then you can get all dolled up and walk down the aisle towards the man of your dreams!

 

  • The rehearsal. Confirm with the rehearsal dinner hosts that everything is ready to go (RSVPs are in and the reservations have been made). Also confirm with the officiant and/or site coordinator.

 

  • Seats everyone! Finalize the seating chart and send that information to the reception venue. Be sure to follow up with anyone whose response you haven’t received yet. Confirm the headcount with the caterer and baker. Don’t forget about the band, your officiant, and the photographer. They’ll need a place to sit as well!

 

  • Best Man’s duties. Make sure the groom, the best man and the groomsmen are aware of their duties for the big day.

 

  • Meet with your wedding professionals. Are there certain photos or videos you want to make sure you capture? Make a list and share that list with your photographer and videographer. Does the band or DJ have your “must-play“ list? Confirm with your florist and caterer that everything is in place and ready to go – it is. Don’t worry about it. But double checking will give you peace of mind.

 

  • Final dress fitting. It’s about to get real! Your dress has now been perfectly altered to you…and it’s perfect! Your wedding is just a few days away now. Start getting excited!

 

  • Pack for your honeymoon!

 

  • Relax and enjoy your big day!
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Countdown to the Big Day: 1-3 months in advance

February 1st

  • Name change time. Ask any recent bride, this is a big task. Your name hasn’t actually changed yet but you can start to notify your employer, credit card company, etc. to let them know that it’s coming.

 

  • Meet with the reception venue. There are still some things that will need to be done last minute. But meeting with your site coordinator around this time will help to nail down a few outstanding items.  This is the time to choose linens, determine the set up of the dance floor and seating arrangement requirements, and finalize the timing of events (introduction, first dance, cake cutting, etc.)

 

  • Invite your friends. Get those invitations in the mail! No one will attend your wedding if you haven’t invited them first.  The general rule here is six to eight weeks prior to the wedding.  Ten to twelve weeks for destination weddings

 

  • Apply for your marriage license.

 

  • Fittings, alterations, and general beautifying. Make sure everyone in the bridal party is ready for the big day. Rentals should be confirmed and the dresses should be altered! This is also the time to make any hair, nail or spa appointments. You’re all going to be in front of the camera all day! You’ll want to look good!

 

  • Day of duties. Start making a list of responsibilities for the wedding party. You can’t do everything yourself, nor should you. Delegate as many last minute items as you can so you can enjoy this time with family and friends.

 

  • Pay the final deposit on your honeymoon…yes, yes, yes! Relaxation is coming your way! You might also want to think about shopping for some cute new outfits for your honeymoon!
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Countdown to the Big Day: 3-6 months in advance

January 26th

Things to do 3-6 months before your wedding

  • Order your invitations! This is not a plug…seriously. No one will attend your wedding if you don’t invite them.  This is also the first opportunity you have to set the tone for your wedding and give your guests a sneak peek at the festivities to come! If you’re hiring a calligrapher, be sure to let your stationer know that you’d like your envelopes in advance if possible.  The Dear LC Wedding Collection offers a contemporary twist on the traditional by combining upscale elegance and sophistication with bold, geometric designs and striking color.

 

  • Address your invitations. If you’re working with a calligrapher be sure to provide them with your guest list and envelopes well in advance of your send date. Calligraphy is an art and it takes time. Looking for a calligrapher? Check out Megan Chapin Calligraphy.  Not only does she do simply stunning work (featured above), she’s also just a great person!

 

  • Is your passport up-to-date? If your honeymoon will be taking you out of the country, you won’t be getting there without a valid passport.  There are also some countries that will not allow you to visit if your passport is within a few months of expiration. Some things to keep in mind!

 

  • Choose gifts for your wedding attendants. Being in a wedding can be a lot of responsibility, not to mention time and money. A thoughtful gift that lets your friends and family know how much you appreciate them taking this journey with you is always appreciated. These gifts don’t have to break the bank. They should be a small token to remember the day and your journey together as friends and family.

 

  • Reception music. You started making a list of “must-play” songs months ago but now you need to finalize the ceremony music as well as the all important first dance song, father/daughter dance, mother/son dance, etc.

 

  • Readings. Start to choose the poems, scripture readings, etc. for the ceremony. There are tons of resources out there that will help you narrow down your options.  Your ceremony coordinator will probably provide you with a list of popular readings but you might find something else that fits more closely with your style. Starting to do this three to six months in advance will give you time to search without anxiety! Don’t forget to give some thought to who you’d like to give the readings and ask them to be a part of your big day!

 

  • Meet with the florist. Florists can usually tackle more than one wedding in a day so you can wait to meet with them until a little later in the process. But if there’s a florist you know you definitely want to work with, make sure to get on their calendar early! Be sure to bring photos or magazines with ideas or bouquets you like so the florist has an idea of where to get started.
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Countdown to the Big Day: 6-9 Months In Advance

January 18th

Things to do 6-9 months before your wedding

  • Order your bridesmaids’ dresses. At the end of the day, as I’ve said before, this is your day and while you may not be able to please everyone try to find something that everyone will feel comfortable in. This goes for fit as well as fabric. If its 95 degrees on the day of your wedding will your attendants really be comfortable in a floor length satin gown? And don’t forget about the groomsmen! Rentals can be scheduled around this time as well.

 

  • Meet with your invitation designer. If you’re having custom invitations designed, now is the time to schedule a meeting! You want to allow yourself plenty of time to review and perfect your invitations.

 

  • Schedule the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Even if you’re having a casual wedding the rehearsal is important. It doesn’t have to be lengthy but it does ensure that everyone will know what they’re doing the day of – which will be a huge stress reliever for you! Then you can finish the day off with the rehearsal dinner, an intimate evening with your closest family and friends.  Don’t forget to drop those invitations in the mail ASAP!

 

  • Hotel accommodations. Make sure you reserve a block of rooms at a hotel close to your reception site. You want your friends and family to have fun so they’ll need a place to stay.

 

  • Day after brunch? If you’re planning to invite guests to a brunch on the morning following your wedding, this is also a good time to book the venue.

 

  • Music. You’re going to want to enjoy this day and you’ll want your friends and family to enjoy it too. Don’t let the music be the reason your wedding is just so-so. Start making a list of “must play” songs.

 

  • Tastings! No doubt the groom’s favorite part of wedding planning. Meet with your caterer or reception venue to choose the menu for your wedding and top it all off with a cake tasting. Seriously? Best day of the planning process? I think so.
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Countdown to the Big Day: 9-12 Months in Advance

January 13th

Things to do 9-12 months before your wedding

  • The gown! This is probably already top on your list but if it’s not, now’s the time to bump it to the top. Why? Not only does it take time to find “the one” you also need to leave time to schedule your fittings. Since you’re already in a bridal shop, you might as well take a peek at bridesmaids dresses while you’re there!

 

  • Sign contracts with your wedding professionals and work out all the details! By now you probably have a good idea of the vendors you want to work with so finalize all the details and sign on the dotted line!

 

  • Start your gift registries! Most people like options, so if you can, register at a few different places. This is great for people who don’t like to shop online (what?) and may not live near one of the stores you’ve registered with.

 

  • Book the honeymoon! I really suggest working with a travel agent here, even if you know where you want to go. There are a lot of “discount” travel sites out there but the peace of mind you get with a real live person can’t be beat. Also your travel agent can give you inside tips the on your destination since they’ve most likely been there and even stayed at your hotel.
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Countdown to the Big Day: 12-24 Months in Advance

January 12th

Things to do 12-24 months before you wedding

  • You’re engaged! Congratulations! Now – let all of your friends and family know so they can share in the excitement! Send save the dates and throw an engagement party!

 

  • Pick a date! Will your ceremony and reception be at separate locations? Be sure to meet with your officiant as well as your reception venue’s representative to secure your Big Day!

 

  • Determine the style of your wedding – Formal? Casual? Traditional? Destination? Theme? Start flipping through bridal magazines as well as your favorite fashion and lifestyle mags for inspiration and ideas. You may be surprised where your style comes from!

 

  • Choose your attendants. It’s one “of the first thoughts on everyone’s mind – “who’s in the wedding?” Choose your bridesmaids and groomsmen early to eliminate the gossip and the guessing games.

 

  • Start compiling the guest list. Make an excel spreadsheet. This will come in handy later as you begin to record RSVPs and gifts.

 

  • Determine your budget.  This one is kind of a downer…but it’s got to be done!

 

  • Do you need a wedding planner? Depending on the type of wedding you’re having (or if you’re just super busy) a wedding coordinator may be helpful to you. This may be your one and only chance to have a personal assistant!

 

  • Start to research and book other wedding professionals you may need: florist, photographer, DJ, etc. There are a lot of components to a wedding – you want to make sure your top picks are available on your Big Day!

 

  • Research honeymoon destinations! Ahhhh….the ultimate in relaxation!
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Countdown to the Big Day: A Timeline

January 10th

clock

A recently engaged friend posted the following facebook status update when she began planning her wedding: Let the anxiety attacks begin.

Seriously? Why should planning for the “happiest day of your life” be such a source of stress? Because everyone you’ve ever met (and occasionally some strangers) are about to put their two cents in on your “big day”.  It’s true and we all do it.  I’m guilty.  You probably are too.  But when it comes down to it this is YOUR day (I’m using the plural form of you here…you know, you and the hubs-to-be! He gets a say here too believe it or not!) and I feel strongly that the day and all of the days leading up to it should be fun and as stress free as possible! Do you really want to start your life together on the tail of the most stressful time in your life? Probably not.

Now, I can’t keep other peoples’ mouths shut for them (I have a big enough job trying to keep my own shut) but I’m hoping that I can help to relieve a little bit of that stress. Over the next few days I’ll be posting lists of to-do items as well as some guidelines for when they should be completed. Hopefully this will keep you on track and stress free!

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You’re Engaged! Now What?

January 5th

December is one of the most popular months for couples to get engaged. So if you’re one of those couples, let me first say congratulations! Secondly, remember that this is supposed to be the happiest time in your life so try to enjoy it!  But if you’re like many newly engaged brides-to-be you’re probably looking at a laundry list of items that need to get done before the big day: very overwhelming!

Let’s think back a bit.  You’re seven.  You’re planning your dream seven-year-old wedding.  It’s perfect.  Complete with unicorns, fairy dust, and the entire cast of Saved By The Bell.  But I’m sure, no matter how “real” your backyard wedding was then, you probably didn’t spend hours narrowing down the guest list or negotiating with your fiancé (a.k.a Zach Morris) over flatware.

Your world may be a little more complicated now that you’re no longer living in the world of Bayside High but I still feel strongly that the process of planning a wedding should be as stress-free as possible. So how can you do that? I’m going to help you out!

Starting next week I’ll be posting a series of entries called “Countdown to the Big Day”: an overview of some of the major components of your wedding as well as a general timeline of when these items should be considered and completed.  Along the way I’ll also be posting handy tips and trends to help ease some of your stress so you can enjoy planning your wedding!

Happy planning!

LC

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