12 Month Wedding Checklist

After the engagement dust settles, you'll need to get down to the business of planning your wedding.

Wedding planning can be no small undertaking so we've put together a 12 Month Wedding Checklist to help you stay focused and organized. Listed below is the entire 12 month list - however, for a printable version, please visit http://www.thewedclub.com/weddingchecklist.html

12 Months Before

• Select a wedding date and time
• Start a budget and establish who will pay what expenses
• Determine style and size of the wedding you want (including the guest list)
• Reserve a location for both the ceremony and reception
• Book your photographer
• Book your wedding consultant
• Check with your wedding officiant for any pre-marital requirements
• Create a personal wedding website

9 Months Before

• Alert out-of-town guests of your wedding date and location
• Research accommodations and have a list available for out-of-town guests
• Finalize color scheme, style of wedding and attire
• Select wedding party
• Start shopping for your wedding gown and bridesmaid's dresses
• Check and secure any rental needs
• Book your ceremony music
• Book your reception entertainment (DJ or live band)Book your videographer
• Book your florist
• Book a bakery and cake
• Select travel agent specializing in honeymoons and book your honeymoon
• Start your honeymoon registry
Book your caterer

6 Months Before

• Order wedding gown
• Choose headpiece and bridal accessories
• Order bridesmaids dress (be sure to get correct measurements)
• Select men's formalwear
• Start your wedding gift registry
• Shop for wedding rings and bands
• Make transportation arrangements
• Book any additional décor
• Arrange for newspaper announcements

4-5 Months Before

• Select your invitation style and wording
• Finalize guest list
• Order all invitations and other stationary
• Book beverage caterer (espresso bar and/or traditional bar services)
• Shop for wedding favors
• 
• Select the reception menu
• Meet with hair and makeup stylist for wedding day look - do a trial run
• Check for marriage requirements and blood testing laws
• Select and coordinate mother's dresses and accessories
• Make appointment for first fittings for all bridal attire

2-3 Months Before

• Shop for gifts for your attendants
• Schedule 2nd fitting for bridal attire
• Reserve men's formalwear
• Confirm ceremony and reception locations
• Confirm details with all wedding professionals involved
• Finalize honeymoon plans; apply for passports and/or visas if required
• Book accommodations and flights for out town guests
• Select a calligraphy expert to address invitations
• Mail out invitations
• Purchase wedding day accessories: ring pillows, candles, glasses & cake knife
• Book rehearsal dinner location
• Plan wedding party celebrations
• Design and order your wedding program.
• Get your marriage license

1 Month Before

• Start compiling your wedding day schedule
• Prepare a list for table assignments and order of receiving line
• Schedule final fitting for wedding dress and attendants
• Schedule formal bridal portraits
• Begin writing thank you notes
• Finalize rehearsal dinner plans
• Purchase bridal party gifts

Day Before Wedding

• Prepare payment envelopes and choose a responsible person to distribute after the wedding
• Attend Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Relax and go to bed early

The BIG Day!

• Eat a good breakfast and drink plenty of fluids
• Review the day's schedule
• Have your suitcases and travel documents delivered to the hotel

After the Wedding

• Get your dress cleaned and preserved
• Write and mail thank you notes
• Complete your name change kit
• Meet with photographer and videographer to finalize decisions regarding albums and video

Divine DIY!

I came across a great company for all you brides that want to Do It Yourself and are on a tight budget but don't want it to look like you got all your wares from Walmart!

Check out http://www.divinedisposables.com/
Wedding Place Settings with Divine Disposables


 
 
Janyce Robins Granoff for providing harried brides and budget minded couples a simple, budget-friendly, yet very elegant and sophisticated look at the reception in "Wedding Place Settings with Divine Disposables." And...no one has to do the dishes!

Trend: The Candy Buffet

Every bride wants her wedding day to be perfect.  One way to set a very sweet tone for your wedding reception is by doing away with traditional wedding favors and opting for the increasingly popular candy

buffet.

We are all still children at heart, and nothing will bring that child out faster than seeing a beautifully decorated table overflowing with a bounty of candy. Sure, the wedding cake will always take center stage as the iconic sweet, but the candy buffet will satisfy your guests' need for sweets long after the cake has been cut. With the right amount of attention to detail, a candy buffet can be a hit for all ages and one wedding detail no guest is soon to forget.

Craft the perfect candy buffet.

There are endless possibilities for a gorgeous candy buffet. The hardest part might be finding your staring point. If your wedding already has a clear theme, it's relatively easy to find candy to match. It goes without saying that the best way to tie your candy buffet into your wedding theme is through color. An array of different candies can be found in every color you might need. Be creative, and make sure to get a variety of yummy sweets! Some people are more partial to fruity candy, while other are diehard chocoholics. Please them all and offer up a smorgasbord of everything sweet.
Shop around online to see what kinds of candy best suit your tastes and theme, just make sure that you get plenty! You'll probably want to purchase more than you think you need if you want to make a strong visual impact. While the candy is there to be consumed, do remember that it is also part of your wedding reception décor.

Create drama.
Simply placing a few jars of candy on a table is not going to make an impact. Make sure your candy buffet doesn't flop by adding tons of visual stimuli. Elegantly draped fabric, different sized jars, bowls, and dishes, and extra touches such as rose petals, mirrors, and candles can add much needed drama to the buffet table. Don't forget to provide your guests with scoops for the candy and a take away box. You can opt for simple cardboard boxes or cellophane bags if your budget is tight. Want something with a little more bang? Provide your guests with organza bags or monogrammed favor boxes. There are plenty of online companies that offer you a range of favor boxes and bags in any color you might need.
Here are some quick ideas based on common wedding themes to get you started.
Beach Theme
Drape tan or blue fabric on your table to create a seaside feel. Use real shells, sand dollars, and coral as added visuals for your buffet. You can even sprinkle sea glass or marbles around the tabletop to create interest and reflect light. Find dishes shaped like seashells to fill with candy and use alongside larger glass jars, vases, and/or bowls. If your wedding budget allows, offer specialty chocolate seashells and starfish. Looking for something more budget friendly? Buy bulk candy in your wedding colors. M&Ms, flavored Tootsie Rolls, and gummy candies can all be found in a range of colors.

Winter Theme

Nothing is more gorgeous than an all-white winter wedding. Take advantage of the beauty of a monochromatic color scheme and dazzle your guests with an all white candy buffet. Provide visual interest with different textured fabrics on your tabletop. Use a lace or organza overlay on your linen to add an air of delicacy. Light some tea candles around the buffet to bring warmth and reflect light. You can use strands of white Christmas lights to spruce up your buffet. Place some in the bottom of large vases and bowls or string them around your buffet. Fill your glassware with all white candies. White chocolates and white chocolate covered pretzels are sure to please. Rock candy in white and crystal clear will make a beautiful visual statement.

Asian Inspired

Use natural material such as a linen or silk for your tabletop. Bamboo placemats will add a nice detail. Include a few potted lucky bamboo plants to enhance an Asian theme. Subtle lighting provided by tea candles is always pretty, or you can hang some oriental lanterns over the buffet table. A jar full of fortune cookies is a must for a Chinese or Asian fusion themed wedding. Play off a yin and yang theme with jars of black and white candies placed side by side. Hit up your local Asian food store for some authentic regional candies. Your guests will delight in a new flavor experience. Don't forget to set out plenty of Chinese take-out boxes in your wedding color.

Customize your buffet.

This is your day, so make it your candy buffet! Make sure to include your favorite childhood goodies. Did you love candy necklaces? Did your groom grow up loving chocolate covered raisins? Let your guests know. Feature your favorite candies front and center with a sign that tells about your love affair with the delicious sweets. It's sure to make your guests nostalgic about their childhood favorite as well. Enjoy creating your one-of-a-kind candy buffet. You can delight knowing it will be a crowd pleaser.

Not that into candy?

If you prefer, you can take a similar approach to the candy buffet and create a dessert buffet. Offer up a range of cookies, pies, cakes, brownies, etc. Provide your guests with a cake box that matches your wedding colors or theme in which to take home their favorite dessert...or two. The possibilities are endless! Just remember to have fun and be creative. Your guests will appreciate an interactive favor, and extra sweets will make for an extra sweet wedding reception!