Page 6 - Bridal Planner 2015

the plan
the big day
PLANNING FOR
Congratulations! You’re in love, you’ve set a wedding date, and soon you will be married. Be- tween the romance and the rit- ual, however, there’s some work to be done.
A wedding celebration can be as sim- ple or as elaborate as you and your groom choose to make it. Newly engaged cou- ples who resist plunging pell-mell into the planning process may be the most success- ful planners of all.
First, take a moment to dream. Sum- mon up a clear image of the wedding you and your groom want — the image, feel and atmosphere — before you take a sin- gle step.
Before rushing out to book a hall, order hors d’oeuvres and ice down the cham- pagne, seek clarity. Who are you and your fiancé? Who, and what, are important to you? Take the time to define your idea of an ideal wedding. This will pay off later, helping with the decision-making for your ceremony and reception.
When you’ve decided on the overall tone for your special day, it’s time to get down to business. Couples who tackle wed- ding planning pragmatically, as if it were a work-related project, tend to survive the process with greater ease.
Here is our suggested timetable for the steps you should take in the months, weeks and days leading up to your wedding.
9-12 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
q Choose your wedding date. If you plan to be married in a church, temple or mosque or in a religious service at home, clear the date and time with your clergy.
q Announce your engagement in local newspapers.
q Set your budget (page 4). Take time for a heart-to-heart talk with your fiancé about the budget and style of your wedding, re- ception and wedding-related parties and who pays for what.
that far, ask relatives and close friends to assist you in specific tasks — selecting a dress, interviewing caterers, locating a re- ception site — especially in areas where you feel you need support.
q Compose your guest list (page 16). Let out-of-town guests know your wedding is in the works so they can make travel plans. q Reserve your reception site.
q Choose your attendants (page 10).
q Select your wedding gown, shoes and ac- cessories (page 20).
q Decide on your bridesmaids’ dresses.
q Determine the theme or mood you’d like to establish with the food, table settings, flowers and entertainment.
q Interview caterers, musicians, florists, photographers, videographers and bakers. Get written estimates of their costs.
6 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
q Choose your caterer. Remember to get a written contract (page 49).
q Choose your musician(s) (page 55).
q Book your photographer and/or videog- rapher (page 40).
STERLING IMAGEWORKS
q Select your baker, and order the cake (page 52).
q Choose your florist (page 35).
q Decide on your color scheme.
q Shop for wedding rings.
q Decide on your honeymoon destination. Work with a travel agent to book your travel and accommodations (page 61).
q Select your wedding invitations (page 12). Don’t forget to purchase personal sta- tionery for the thank-you notes.
4 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
q Register for gifts at one or more brid- al-gift registries (page 15).
q Help both mothers to coordinate and shop for their wedding-day attire.
q Select music for the ceremony and re- ception (page 55).
q Choose readings for the wedding, and write your wedding vows.
q Plan a rehearsal dinner for members of your wedding party, your family and out- of-town guests. Reserve the location.
continued on page 8
q Enlist help. Consider hiring a bridal 6consultant. If your budget won’t stretch
THE 2015 BRIDAL PLANNER