Before the Wedding

You've probably heard of the wedding planning checklist, but face it...those long lists of duties can be a bit overwhelming when you've only just gotten engaged. Not every item on every list will be pertinent to your particular experience. You may not need to have shoes dyed or hire a wedding videographer, for example. But there are some responsibilities that you'll have to face up to eventually, so you may as well get started ASAP!

Here are some of the main duties you'll need to take care of before tying that knot:

• Share the news of your engagement with your family and friends.
  
• Place an engagement announcement in your local paper.
• Pick out your engagement ring with your fiancé.
• Think about and envision the kind of wedding you have always wanted.
  
• Start a file for all your wedding-planning paperwork. Separate folders are a must.
• Decide on a budget, keeping in mind that the average wedding today is estimated to cost around $20,000.
• Select your wedding dress and accessories.
• Set the time and date of your wedding.
  
• Begin making your preliminary guest list.
• Choose your attendants.
• Select and reserve the location for your ceremony and reception.
• Confirm the availability and book your wedding photographer and videographer.
• Meet with your officiant (Justice of the Peace, Minister, Judge, etc.) to discuss the structure and content of your ceremony.
• Schedule premarital counseling, if required by your state or faith.
• Interview wedding caterers and wedding cake bakers.
  
• Confirm the availability and book a wedding disc jockey for your reception
• Sign the necessary contracts and pay pending deposits.
• Discuss honeymoon destinations.
• Decide on liability insurance for your wedding reception.

When you're ready to start planning your wedding, have a look at a wedding planning timeline to see when you should be doing what. Many vendors get booked far in advance and some items (like the dress) take forever to ship, which means that you need to be aware of how far along you are in the process. If you give yourself plenty of time to do everything you have to do, you'll be fine so don't stress out about it. The more relaxed you are, the more you'll enjoy all of the shopping and organizing!



A Music Plus
Denver's Wedding Entertainment Specialists
Disc Jockeys, Live Wedding Bands, Event Entertainment Specialists
http://www.amusicplus.com/