After the proposal
Unless youre a confirmed stressaholic, the old clich about the early bird catching the worm does apply here, believe me.
Planning your wedding should feel like savoring a piece of Swiss chocolate sitting on the stoop at six oclock in the evening watching the sun go down combined with the feeling of going down a vertical drop in a rollercoaster cart.
Remember, youre preparing the most romantic day of your life, it must be fun! To be fun youll need to be organized, so heres a list of priorities I would like you to consider for the trip.
Whilst your head's still reeling in the clouds after the proposal, the next logical step is to let the proverbial cat out of the bag, in style. Ring the local church bells at midnight, streak through town, whatever it takes. And, if you live in a small town, you aught to know small town folk read the classifieds for fun.

Early Planning

You will need a budget before you can start planning
How much are you and your families prepared to spend on this precious event? Of course it goes without saying your budget will determine the style, site and number of guests who attend.

Set a wedding date
This can be complicated if youve decided to get married at a wedding venue. Generally speaking it works like this, you decide which venue, the venue decides which date. If their date is not suitable, you move on to the next best venue and repeat the procedure until you find a date that makes everyone happy.

Set the time
If you consider beautiful photos of your wedding to be imperative, then you better first speak to your photographer before you decide on a time. Photographers make it there business to know lighting conditions and time of day during winter, spring, summer or fall.

Draw up a guest list
Traditionally this process involves couple and their parents.

Bridal party appointments
Approach and appoint those you would like to be bridesmaids, flower girls, ushers, attendants, a master of ceremonies and a best man.

Planning your wedding day
Once you have a date, a budget, and a guest-list. Its time to search, visit, negotiate and appoint service providers. If youre a busy girl it may be time to bring in a wedding planner.

The Service Provider Search

The internet This is the first place I would start looking. There are literally thousands of web sites hosting wedding service providers who will provide you with contact detail, pictures of product, and text profiles on service providers. Finding providers in your area could be a problem though, especially if you live in the country.

Word of Mouth
Known as the most reliable source, ask your friends who have recently been married.

Bridal Magazines Are a great source of wedding providers, if you can find one that covers your local area.

Service Provider Negotiations

Wedding Venues Included in their fee, wedding venues usually include in-house planners and event managers who oversee caterers and bar services, and sometimes even an in house disco. Most venues also have dressing facilities that double up as a honeymoon suite for couple's first night, but you'll have to organize the rest.

Personal Venue Planning
If youve decided to use a marquee tent or your local church or school hall to host your reception you'll need to consider the following.

Caterers
Someone to prepare food, this could be a small catering company or can be family driven

Drinks
This could be run by family member or you could bring in a mobile bar owner to run a cash bar

Function hire
This could include stuff like chairs, tables, covers, cutlery, crockery and even a marquee tent if need be.

Service Provider Specialists

Marriage Officer
Appoint a legaly qualified person to facilitate the ceremony, one who will satisfy the religious and cultural needs of both families

Find a Photographer
Visit as many photographers as possible until you find someone you like and can afford.

A Videographer
Decide on how much you can afford and see as many productions possible before you make your final decision on who to use.

Appoint a baker
Someone who will design and bake your wedding cake

Make-up artist and Hair stylist.
Find people who's work you like and book them.

Decor
Find a florist and or decor company to dress up the reception hall and Chapel.

Table gifts
These are becoming very popular lately

Entertainment
Book a mobile disco and or musicians to perform at your ceremony

Establish a honeymoon destination
Book in advance especialy if you're getting married during peak season.

Wedding Stationery
Have invitations, table layout sheet and thank you cards designed and printed.

Wedding Rings
Visit a Jeweler or Goldsmith to design and have your rings made or buy ready made.

Wedding day Transport
If youre going to arrive in style you may want to book a limousine or a classic car that can double up as a cool photo prop. And then there are the bridesmaids and vip family member transport needs.

Wedding attire

Find or have your dream dress designed and made.

Have bridesmaids and flower girl dresses made.

Tuxudos Suits and Mens Outfits
Find a mens outfitter or tuxudo rental supplier to acquire or rent outfits for the brides father, groom and best man and groomsmen.

Note
If you are having anything made, remember this can be a timely process with fittings and other delays could take anything up to six months to finalize.

Three months before the wedding

Post invitations and keep track of replies. You should have a completed list at least around six weeks before the big day.

Prepare a wedding gift list for yourselves, or set up a gift register at one of the local home goody supply stores.

Organize wedding party transport to and from the wedding and reception.

Decide on music to be played whilst guests are waiting for your arrival, hymns to be sung by the congregation, readings, and the order of events during the ceremony.

Create a schedule of events for the day. But, first consult with your photographer in terms of time of day and available light.

Always allow time for the unexpected because there will be, build a 15 to 20 minute fat layer between events, and things will even out into a stress free day.

Decide on your walk in song and opening dance number, check with your dj if ye or she has copies of what you want.

Splash out on going-away and honeymoon outfits.

Choose and buy thank you gifts for your brides maids, attendants and best man. Now is the time to make those names and address changes at your bank, the tax man, your doctor and your dentist etc.

You may also need to visit a lawyer if youre thinking of getting married out of community of property.

One Month before the wedding

Its time to have that make-up and hairdo trial.
Re-arrange reception seating.
Confirm details with officiating officer, florist, photographer, videographer, reception venue, entertainers, cake, transport, and honeymoon arrangements etc.

One week before the wedding

Give the final guest count to your caterers.
Make final checks on your dress as well as your attendants outfits.
Its time to have a wedding rehearsal, to make sure everyone involved including parents and the wedding party knows what to expect.
Pack your honeymoon bag.

One day before the wedding

Arrange for a family member or friend to tie up loose ends after the wedding.
Present gifts to your attendants, ushers and groomsmen.

On the day

Sit back as your plans roll out, and above all, have the ball of your life!

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