& TIMETABLE
| THE BRIDE'S CHECKLIST & TIMETABLE |
6-12 MONTHS:
Set your wedding date. Yes, it's REALLY happening to you!
Get your own copy of Bob Walker's Official New Orleans Area Wedding Guide,
to keep and use
over
the months ahead to get the answers to your questions and make planning
your wedding fun. Make sure your insurance policy
covers your engagement ring. Discuss wedding expenses
with your fiance' and both sets of parents. Decide on the size
and the formality of the wedding you want. Determine the number
of guests you can invite to the wedding and reception.
Decide how many guests are to be invited by each family.
Select and book the date and time for your wedding at the church, synagogue,
or other site youchoose.
By all means, if an outdoor wedding is your dream, consider the weather
patterns of theseason
during which you're planning your wedding. Get cost estimates
from the reception hall, caterer, florist, photographer, musicians for theceremony
and reception, video service, limousine service, etc.
Reserve the date and time for your wedding rehearsal, which is usually held
one to three daysbefore
the wedding. Together with your fiance', meet with
the clergyman or judge to select a service and discuss theceremony
and requirements. Some churches, particularly the Catholic faith, require
marriagepreparation
classes. If you intend to write your own vows, this should also be discussed.
Choose and book your reception hall. Plan your color
scheme for the wedding and reception. Choose your Maid
of Honor and bridesmaids. Select and order your wedding
dress, veil and accessories. Allow a minimum of three monthsfor
delivery of your dress. Select the bridesmaids' dresses
and accessories, after discussing price and selection withthe
bridesmaids. Select shoes to match the bridesmaids'
dresses. Shoes can be dyed to match the color of the dresses.
You and your fiance' begin making your guest list. Do this alphabetically
on index cards and you'llhave
a handy reference later when writing thank-you notes and Holiday cards.
Start planning your honeymoon. Visit a travel agency and select brochures.
How exciting! The entireworld
is right there for the two of you to choose from.
Start looking for your new home. Begin household
shopping for your new home. Book the caterer.
Book the musicians for the wedding ceremony. Book a vocalist
for the wedding ceremony, if desired. Book the band or
disk jockey for the reception. Book the florist.
Book the photographer. Set dates for your engagement and wedding portraits.
Book a video recording service, if desired. Reserve the limousines
and arrange for transportation of the wedding party to and from the churchor
other wedding site.5-6 MONTHS: Choose your china, crystal, and silver patterns, and register them
at the Bridal Gift Registry of astore
convenient to your guests.3-4 MONTHS: Complete your guest list. Order your invitations,
announcements, thank- you notes, and personal stationery. Allow four weeksfor
engraving. Consider using a calligrapher. Begin shopping
for your trousseau. Complete your plans and reservations
for your honeymoon. Select a bakery and order your wedding
cake. Don't forget about the Groom's cake, too.
Plan the details of the ceremony and reception.
Consult with the florist to decide on the floral arrangements for the wedding
and reception. Have your mother and his mother select
their dresses. Arrange wedding music with your clergyman.
Confirm the delivery date for your wedding dress.
Schedule your wedding and honeymoon vacation time with your employer.2 MONTHS: Have your engagement picture taken. Buy stamps for
your invitations. Start addressing the invitations
and announcements. Reserve any rental equipment you
will need. Don't forget tents for outdoor weddings.6 WEEKS: If you choose to publish your ENGAGEMENT picture, rather than your
wedding photograph,submit
a 5x7 or 8x10 glossy black and white photograph to the New
Orleans Times- Picayune.1 MONTH: Buy the Groom's wedding ring. Order engraving.
Mail your invitations at least four weeks-but no later than three weeks-before
the wedding. Buy your gift for the Groom.
Buy the gifts for your Maid
of Honor and your attendants. Have the final fittings
for your bridal gown and the bridesmaids' dresses.
Have your wedding portrait taken. Apply for your
marriage license. Either Bride or Groom may apply; both are not necessary.
Arrange lodging accommodations for out-of- town guests and attendants.
Buy stamps for thank-you notes. Display and record your
gifts. Begin writing thank-you notes promptly as gifts arrive.
Plan the bridesmaids' luncheon. Plan the rehearsal dinner
with your fiance'. Make a beauty shop appointment for
your wedding day hair styling, facial, manicure, and pedicure.
Remind your fiance' to order the necessary flowers for the Bride, and corsages
for the mothers andgrandmothers
of the Bride and Groom. Consult with the photographer
to determine the quantity and types of the pictures you want.
An informal dinner at home to entertain the Groom's family is a nice gesture.
Buy your honeymoon clothes. Begin changing your name
and address on all necessary documents.See
"What To Modify, Who To Inform."
Buy luggage, swimwear, cruisewear, and evening wear for your wedding trip.
Apply for a passport for your wedding trip, if necessary.2 WEEKS: Complete your trousseau. Contact the photographer,
caterer, musicians or DJ, florist, clergyman, and everyone else involvedin
your wedding and reception to make sure everyone is clear on the date, time,
and place of yourwedding
and reception, and any other details. If you or your
fiance' are from another city, send a typed announcement of your wedding
to yourhometown
newspaper. Plan the seating arrangement for the reception,
and make name cards for the Bride's table. Finish changing
your name and address on all necessary documents.See
"What To Modify, Who To Inform."
Move your belongings into your new home. Give the caterer
an estimate of guests you expect to attend your reception. You can usually
count on75%
of the guests invited to attend. Check on your accessories,
plus those for the mothers and your attendants.1 WEEK: If you choose to publish your WEDDING photo, rather than your engagement
picture, submit a5x7
or 8x10 black and white glossy photo to the New
Orleans Times-Picayune. Wrap your gift for the
Groom. Wrap the gifts for your Maid of Honor and
your attendants. Hold the bridesmaids' luncheon.
Give the gifts to your attendants
at the bridesmaids' luncheon or at the rehearsal dinner.
Hold the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. These are usually held one to three
days before the wedding. Decide what you want to bring
with you on your honeymoon and begin packing. Give your wedding
trip itinerary to your parents. Make arrangements for
someone to check your home while you're away. If you plan to
have your wedding gown heirloomed, arrange for someone to take your gown
to aprofessional
dry cleaner no later than two days after the wedding for removal of stains,
andpreparation
for storage. Prepare your wedding announcements to
be mailed on your wedding day or the following day by a parent, relative,
or your Maid of Honor. Buy film and get your camera
ready for your wedding trip. Prepare your going- away
outfit to change into following the reception. Get a good night's
sleep the night before your wedding! PS- DON'T FORGET
to send thank-you telegrams to both sets of parents when you reach yourhoneymoon
destination, expressing gratitude from both of you for all their help in
putting yourwedding
together!
Your Driver's License
Auto Registration & Title
Auto Insurance
Social Security Card
Credit Cards
Checking and Savings Accounts
Health Insurance Policies (Check for Maternity and Family Protection)
Income Tax Deduction Status With Your Employer
Life Insurance Policies
Telephone Number & Listing
Charge Accounts
Post Office
Lending Institutions
Medical Records
School Records
Wills
Accountant or Securities Broker
Check Cashing Cards
Leases With Landlord
Library Card
Magazine Subscriptions
Voter Registration
Organization Memberships
Passport
Safe Deposit Box