Things to think about   

Congratulations! The excitement of the proposal is subsiding, now the fun begins.  Now  it comes to thinking of all the things that have to be decided upon for your big day.  The first thing you need to do is determine what type of wedding you and your future spouse want.  Hopefully, the questions below will give you some good discussion points.  It would be good to discuss the priority of each item, so should compromises have to be made, you have a sense of what is most important to each of you.

v     Do you want a traditional wedding & reception, or a private ceremony and a large reception afterwards, or destination wedding and party in another location afterwards?

v     Where shall the wedding location be; Church, Garden, Mountains, Hotel, Lake?

v     Who do you want to perform the ceremony?

v     Do you want a spring, summer, fall, or winter wedding?

v     Do you want a morning, afternoon, or evening weddings?

v     How many people will attend?

v     Do you want a rehearsal?

v     Do you want a rehearsal dinner?

v     Do you want a wedding procession {bridesmaids, groomsmen, best man, and maid of honor}, or just one person to stand with you?  Will you have someone give you away?  How many bridesmaids and groomsmen will you have?

v     Do you want to have children at the wedding and reception? How will they participate, hanging out with the guest/parents or with separate things for them to do?

v     Do you want a traditional reception (i.e. receiving line, toast, first dance, garter & bouquet toss, best man toast}, or just a party?

v     Do you want a sit down dinner, buffet dinner, or standing reception

v     Do you want everyone to dine in the same room or can they be seated in several rooms?

v     Budget; how much do you want to spend on your wedding?

Time Line 

SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR BEFORE

v    Engagement announcement

v    Pick type of wedding

v    Pick time of day

v    Set Date

v    Set Budget

v    Choose wedding, reception, rehearsal dinner locations and reserve your date

v    Choose your officiate and reserve your date

v    Start planning your reception

v    Select your wedding party

v    Choose your colors, bouquet styles, flowers

v    Select and order wedding gown, veil, or headpiece

v    Order shoes & attendants gowns

v    Start planning your honeymoon

v    Compile guest list

v    Choose caterer, reserve date

v    Choose photographer, reserve date

v    Choose musicians, music selection

v    Visit florist

v    Begin pre-marital counseling

v    Draw up and sign pre-nuptials if necessary

v    Select and order wedding rings

FOUR TO SIX MONTHS BEFORE

v    Order invitations, announcements and thank-you cards.

v    Finalize guest list

v    Plan the rehearsal dinner

v    Hire wedding day transportation, limousines, carriage etc.

v    Order wedding cake

v    Visit travel planner for honeymoon reservations

v    Make Hotel reservations

v    Select groomsmen attire get measurements and order

v    Schedule bridesmaids dress and shoe fitting

v    Have Mothers select attire

v    Confirm venue, officiate, music selections, florist, dress deliveries, dates and time

v    Finalize reception arrangements,

v    Rent what ever items need to be rented

v    Begin looking for your new home if your moving

v    Start compiling your trousseau

ONE TO TWO MONTHS BEFORE

v    Organize wedding accessories

v    Schedule final fittings

v    Arrangement of guest book gifts and cards etc.

v    Get marriage license

v    Confirm all arrangements

v    Record gifts and send thank-you cards

v    Purchase gifts

TWO WEEKS BEFORE

v    Mail announcement to newspaper

v    Prepare wedding program

v    Confirm all arrangements

ONE WEEK BEFORE

v    Practice hair and make-up styles

v    Get final guest head count

THE DAY BEFORE

v    Take all accessories to the rehearsal

v    Arrange to have the brides mother seated prior to processional

YOUR WEDDING DAY

v    Appoint someone you trust to make final payments to vendors

Pamper yourself; enjoy your day and your guest.