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/

Planning A Wedding In Denver, Here's a Helpful Wedding Planning Timetable

Wedding Timetable A 12 Month Wedding Planning Countdown...

Congratulations on your engagement! It's a time where your will, wit, organizational skills, and humor will be put to the test. Weddings take a lot of planning and you will likely spend over 100 hours on the phone, visiting with vendors, planning, and chasing after details. To help you get off to a good start, we've put together a complete outline of the things you'll need to do for your wedding and the approximate timeline for getting those things done!

Six to Twelve Months Before Your Wedding...

_Select a Wedding Date and Time (and possibly a backup date)
_Announce your engagement in the paper
_Plan an engagement party with family and friends
_Talk with a bridal consultant or wedding coordinator
_Find out what bridal shows are in the area and plan on attending
_Agree on a preliminary wedding budget
_Decide who will pay for what and how expenses will be shared
_Call your church or synagogue for an appointment with the Officiant
_Consider and ask friends and family to serve as wedding attendants
_Start a "planning system" and system of organization
_Start your wedding guest list
_Start thinking about ideas/themes for your wedding reception and wedding catering plans
_Determine what type of wedding entertainment you want to have for your reception
_Decide the type of wedding you would like to have (size, formality, and setting)
_Think about your color schemes
_Explore pre-marital counseling
_Start health and fitness plan if you're not already in one!
_Select your reception location
_Select your professional wedding photographer
_Select your wedding videographer
_Select professional wedding caterer (if necessary)
_Select Wedding Band or Disc Jockey
_Select your wedding florist
_Shop together for your wedding rings
_Select wedding dress and headpiece, and set a date for fittings and delivery
_Select your bridesmaids' dresses and accessories
_It's time to choose a honeymoon and location

Four Months Prior To The Wedding...

_Check the requirements for marriage license
_Select and discuss your color schemes with the florist/decorator of choice
_Again consider pre-marital counseling
_Reserve your wedding day rental equipment
_Decide upon a bridal gift registry and select your gift choices
_Order your wedding invitations and related stationery needs
_Start shopping for the men's' wedding attire
_Reserve your wedding day transportation
_Research and select readings for ceremony
_Make music selections for ceremony and reception
_Decide upon and order favors
_Select your baker, then choose your wedding cake, and groom's cake
_Help both mothers coordinate and find their wedding day clothing
_Review your contracts with all of your vendors and service providers (DETAILS!!)

Two Months Before Your Wedding...

_Have engagement portraits taken
_Place your engagement announcement in the newspaper
_Mail out invitations and announcements
_Decide on the men's' wedding attire
_Arrange and plan your rehearsal dinner
_Purchase your wedding day accessories
_Arrange attendants' parties
_Prepare accommodations for out-of-town attendants and guests
_Consider a hairdresser and/or makeup artist and book appointments
_Finalize all honeymoon plans

One Month Left...

_Final wedding dress fitting
_Final fitting for your wedding attendants
_Obtain marriage license
_Have your attendants' parties
_Purchase your going-away outfit
_Create a calendar of events for the wedding day
_Make sure your accessories are in order (rings, pillow, garter, etc.)

Two Weeks Remaining!...

_Finalize arrangements with the wedding entertainment
_Provide a list of wedding music you would like played (or not played)
_Finalize music during special events such as first dance, dance with dad, etc.
_Pick up your wedding rings and make sure that the engravings are correct-make sure they fit! _Contact the guests who have not responded to your invitations.

One Week To GO!...

_If you can, take the week, or part of the week off from work!
_Make sure your marriage license is in order
_Prepare seating arrangements, if necessary
_Purchase travelers checks, confirm honeymoon reservations
_Pack your baggage for your honeymoon
_Have your wedding ceremony rehearsal
_Instruct your wedding party on what they will be doing on the day of the wedding
_Have your rehearsal dinner
_Make sure all wedding attire fits properly
_Give the best man the amounts your vendors are to be paid on the day of the wedding
_Inform your caterer of the total guest count
_Confirm out-of-town guests have transportation and sleeping accommodations
_Check with your florist and/or balloonist to make sure they will arrive when scheduled.

Your Wedding Day!

_Relax, enjoy yourself, and remain calm!
_Allow at least two hours for dressing
_Allow plenty of time to apply your makeup and style your hair
_If professionals are doing your hair and/or makeup, determine the time they need
_If photographs are to be taken before the ceremony, allow plenty of time for that!
_Remember to bring the rings and marriage license
_Seat guests as they arrive
_The groom's parents should be seated about 5 minutes before start time
_Mother of the bride is normally seated last

Take a deep breath, don't worry, be HAPPY and SMILE!