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Keepsake Bride and Groom
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Craft as much or as little of you Wedding as you like but allow yourself plenty of time. This timetable is not meant as a to do list but rather a guide to inspire your own ideas.
There are many links here to wonderful sites I have found.
16 - 9 Months Ahead
* Determine formality of wedding and choose a date
* Visit the clergy and review synagogue/church requirements
* Determine size of the guest list
* Discuss your budget and
division of expenses with fiancee and all parents
Plan on a breakdown of your budget:
46% Reception
12% Photos, Video
10% Attire
8% Flowers and Decor
6% Music
5% Tips/Taxes/Overages
3% Ceremony
3% Stationery
3% Wedding Rings
2% Gifts
2% Transportation
* Find a church and reception location and make reservations. Do you want something less traditional? In my state of Kentucky lovely options include:
Churchill Downs, the Belle of Louisville, the Louisville Zoo, the Olmstead, a winery, Keeneland, the Brown Hotel, Shaker Village,
the Briar Rose Estate, Buffalo Trace Distillery, the Seelback Hotel, or Holly Hill Inn
* Purchase or select wedding gown patterns and
fabric
Note: Consider letting your bridesmaids wear different patterns (depending on personal style preferences and body types) of the same fabric.
Old McCalls Patterns
Old Simplicity Patterns
How to Choose the Right Fabric for your Gown
And don't forget a headpiece - Whether it's a hat, flowers in your hair, bows or a Bridal Veil.
for a Floral Headpiece
Bridal Headpiece
Bridal Headband
Floral Trimmed Wedding Veil
Good basic Veil Making Directions
* Plan Other Wedding Gown Accessories such as
the Garter
Purse
Wedding Hanky
Something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence for your shoe.
Crocheted Lace Gloves
and under things
* Begin interviewing Caterers, Bakers, Photographers, Florists, Videographers, and Musicians.
9 - 6 Months Ahead
* Choose your attendants, flower girls, and ring bearers
* Choose a theme and color scheme
* Choose attendant's dress patterns and fabric (see note above)
* Plan your menu / reserve a caterer
* Consider sending out keep the date cards
* Book your photographer and or videographer.
* Schedule engagement photo
* Choose and book videographer / photographer. Discuss with hem or her how much emphasis you want on posed portraits versus candid photos.
* Plan ceremony and reception Music
* Plan/write your vows
* Compile names and addresses for guest list
* Select Wedding Invitations and purchase stationery for thank-you notes. For a beach theme wedding consider
these Message In A Bottle Invitations
 Since most people have word-processing software
and a printer at home making your own notecards or invitations is an easy way to save money and be creative.
* Start shopping for your wedding and honeymoon clothes
* Make plans and reservations for a mini-moon or a honeymoon.
* Plan Rehearsal Dinner
6 - 4 Months Ahead
* Plan/Order the Flowers
and candles.
* Plan Music
* Plan/Order wedding favors
 .
* Shop for bridal party tuxedos
* Finalize arrangements for the church, ceremony, and
Unity Candle.
* Choose a friend (who's not in the wedding party) to attend to the guest book, and choose another friend to check off the list of people
you want photographed.
* Plan honeymoon; visit travel agencies, make reservations
* Plan wedding decorations
* Register for gifts and consider an on-line options (such as Cooking.com
 ) for out of town guests.
* Plan/Order wedding transportation - limousines, horse drawn
carriages, hot air balloons, boat, trolley, vintage cars, or an ice cream truck!
3 Months Ahead
* Address invitations using Calligraphy - either by hand or computer
* Consider renting a photo booth for your reception for a fun addition
* Plan/make gifts for attendants, parents, helpers
* Buy wedding rings
* Plan wedding favors and brodal party gifts.
* Consider having embroidered handkerchiefs for your mother and future mother-in-law.
* Plan/Order the
Wedding Cake
 ,
Cake Stand, and Topper, and consider these elegant
cake boxes
 as a centerpiece.
* Buy/Embellish cake knife, toasting glasses, guest book and pen.
* Arrange for transportation from the wedding to the reception - horse drawn carriage? limo? motorcycles?
* Make or purchase Groomsmen Gifts
and Bridesmaid gifts
2 Months Ahead
* Reserve accomodations for out of town guests
* Make Wedding Programs
* Practice and decide on final hair style
* For a lovely keepsake or gift consider hand painting on an invitation.
* Plan Bridesmaids Luncheon
* Have your groom consider buying rather than renting a tuxedo or upscale suit. It'll be an investment for the future.
1 Month Ahead
* Have final fittings for dresses
* Ask a friend or relative to take charge of guest book at reception
* Make/Purchase gift for fiance
* Remind Groom to arrange for a get-away vehicle
* Make Pew Bows
2 Weeks Ahead
* Complete your trousseau
* Prepare wedding announcement to send to newspapers
1 Week Ahead
* Have rehearsal and dinner
Wedding Day
* Have hair & make-up done
* Take marriage license and rings to ceremony site
* Begin dressing two hours before ceremony is to begin
* Mail wedding announcements
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