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When planning
an event as complicated as a wedding, a plan or schedule is
necessary. There is almost always a tendency to procrastinate in the
early months of planning. We encourage you to stick to some sort of
schedule so that the last few weeks before the wedding are hassle
free. Get the terms of every service or sales agreement in writing
so there is no room for possible misunderstandings.
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| 12 Months Ahead |
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- Announce
Engagement
- Decide on kind of
wedding
- Decide time of
day
- Decide location
- Set a date
- Set a budget
- Reserve a venue
for the reception – club, hotel, hall etc…
- Hire an event or
wedding coordinator
- Select bridal
party
- Plan colour
scheme
- Start compiling
the guest list
Once you have
selected a date, reserving a venue for the wedding and reception is one
of the most important tasks that you will face while planning this
special day. It is critical that a venue is selected which will suit the
kind of wedding you chose, size of wedding and of course the budget.
Please keep in
mind the peak season for weddings is between April and October and that
most weddings take place on the weekend. The number of venues available
during these times will be more limited than if you are planning a
mid-week event in February, for example.
If you are
planning on using a wedding coordinator you should involve them in all
your decisions, including the selection of a venue. An experienced
coordinator will have a list of venues to recommend and may save you a
lot of valuable time and effort.
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| 6 Months Ahead |
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- Select rental
company
- Select caterer
- Select musicians
- Select florist
- Select
photographer
- Start planning
reception details
Most weddings
occur during the peak season we have already mentioned. It is important
to select the companies that will provide your professional services at
this stage of your planning because there will be competition for those
that offer the best products and services. Selecting professional
companies to supply your wedding will be critical to its success. Do not
be afraid to ask for references or a tour of a supplier’s facility. By
making educated choices at this stage you will find that quality
suppliers/professionals will make the planning process flow smoothly and
reduce stress as your big day approaches.
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| 3 Months Ahead |
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- Complete Guest
List
- Select and order
invitations. Always provide an address for the reception. Do not
assume that all your guests will know where XYZ Country Club is
without providing an actual street address for the venue
- Finalize
reception arrangements – At this point you will not have the exact
number of guests attending the reception. When making rental
arrangements we recommend reserving for the maximum number of guests,
numbers can be reduced once the final RSVP’s arrive
- Confirm date and
time with caterer
- Confirm date and
time with florist
- Confirm date and
time with photographer
- Confirm date and
time with musicians
- Discuss
transportation to ceremony and reception
- Order cake
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| 2 Months Ahead |
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- Mail all
invitations to allow time for RSVP’s
- Arrange for
marriage license
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| One Month Ahead |
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- Plan rehearsal
and rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal dinner should be relaxed with no
need for written invitations.
- The rehearsal can
take place in a private home, restaurant or club – but pick a
location convenient for everyone attending. Normally the rehearsal
dinner is organized one or two days before the wedding. If the
rehearsal dinner is held in a private home then make arrangements for
rentals and a caterer at this stage.
- Schedule
bridesmaids luncheon or party
- Arrange placement
of guest book
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| 2 Weeks Ahead |
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- Finalize wedding
day transportation
- Arrange transport
of flowers or décor items from ceremony (church) to reception
- Confirm
accommodations for guests
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| One Week Before The Wedding |
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- Finalize number
of guests with rental company
- Finalize number
of guests with the caterer
- Double check all
details with those providing professional services (florist,
photographer, videographer, etc..)
- Plan seating
arrangements
- Confirm receipt
of marriage license
- Rehearsal /
rehearsal dinner
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| One Day Before The Wedding |
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- Arrange for
rental items to arrive so set up can begin (if the venue will allow
it).
- If you are having
the wedding in a private home or under a tent, then you will want to
take advantage of this option
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| Your Wedding Day |
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- Rental equipment
arrives (if you don’t have access to the facility till the day of
the event)
- If the catering
staff is setting up the rental equipment for you, please make sure the
rentals arrive before the catering staff
- Caterers arrive
- Florist arrives
- Photographer
arrives
- The festivities
begin - Congratulations!
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