This past weekend at Bridal Fantasy, I had a lot of Brides asking about when they should be booking their halls, caterers, photographers, DJ etc.

Many of the Brides who were asking were planning for 2013 weddings, but, a good number also were planning for 2012 and 2014 as well.

My rule of thumb as of late, in general, is to whenever possible, book your hall, caterer, officiant, photographer, videographer, DJ/band, as well as any other services you will need for your wedding between 18 and 12 months prior to the date of the wedding.

A few years ago, we put together a “timeline’ to assist the Bride-to-be in planning her special day. We have had this on our website, but wanted to share it with Brides visiting our Blog, as well as our Facebook Page.

By using this guide, it is our hope you will be able to have the Wedding you, the Bride-To-Be, has always envisioned. Because there are so many differences between weddings due to various religious aspects, ethnic backgrounds, family traditions, and as well as personal preferences, some of the planning suggestions may not apply to your particular wedding, but, you can still use this guide to ensure you don’t forget any important aspect of planning your special day.

12 To 6 Months Prior To Wedding Date

• Congratulations on your engagement!!! Now is the time to inform both of your families as well as close friends. The Brides parents are informed first, then the Grooms parent’s.
• Plan an engagement party for your family and friends.
• After discussions with both families, tentatively set a date and time for the wedding ceremony and reception.
• Start planning your guest list
• Consult with the person who will officiate over your wedding ceremony (priest, rabbi, marriage commissioner) to choose a firm date and time for the ceremony. Occasionally there may be restrictions on the date or time for a wedding ceremony (e.g. no weddings during lent or for Jewish ceremonies planned for a Saturday which must be delayed until after sunset). If you are writing your own marriage vows, check with your officiator to ensure they will allow you to use your own vows. Some officiators may have restrictions as to use of personally written vows.
• Start planning your budget for your wedding ceremony, reception, and honeymoon. In planning the budget, also firm up who will be paying for what. Traditionally the bride’s family paid the total cost of the wedding. The contemporary wedding couple now shares the costs of the wedding equally between both families, and in some cases, pays for the whole wedding themselves.
• Make reservations for the reception location (Hotel, community hall, private banquet facility, tent rentals) as soon as the date of the wedding is firmed up. It advisable to reserve the facility for the reception not less then 1 year prior to the wedding date.
• Reserve the photographer and videographer for your wedding 9 months to 12 months prior to the wedding date. Rule of thumb. Book early!!! The best photographers and Videographers book out early.
• Live music??? Recorded Music???? Check with your facility as to their rules regarding entertainment. Some facilities only allow live music, whereas some will allow both live music and recorded (DJ’s) music. Once you know what restrictions may be in place, book your band or DJ service for your reception.
• Book your caterer. Sit down with your caterer and discuss your budget details, type of service you want (buffet or table service) and menu considerations
• Buy or reserve the Bridal Gown. As well the attendants dresses should be decided on and ordered at this time too
• Register your china, crystal, flatware, etc with store bridal registries

4 Months To Six Months Prior To Wedding Date

• Choose the bride and groom’s attendants.
• Arrange who will speak at the reception
• Book the formalwear for the Groom, groomsmen, and ushers. Final fittings should be completed not less than 2 days prior to the wedding date.
• Order the stationary for your wedding including invitations, thank-you cards/notepaper, napkins, matchbook covers, cake boxes, reception place cards and if necessary, maps showing location of the reception.
• Make travel and hotel reservations for the honeymoon through your travel agent
• Plan the flower arrangements you will require for the ceremony and reception. Book your flowers with your florist. When booking your flowers, make sure you are aware of any restrictions as to types of flowers and placement of flowers for your ceremony. Your officiator will be happy to advise you of any restriction.
• Finalize the final guest list for both the ceremony and reception. You may wish to consult with both families.

3 Months Prior to the Wedding Date

• Obtain your Marriage license. You may obtain your marriage license at most Alberta Registries locations. The license is valid for 3 months from the date of issue.
• Consult with the person officiating your ceremony and plan your ceremony. You will also want to plan your ceremony music at this time as well.
• Order the wedding rings.
• Order the wedding cake. Choose between a dummy cake with pre-cut and pre-wrapped pieces for your guests or a real cake. If ordering a real cake, decide as to the type you want (traditional fruitcake or white layer cake) and if your caterer will be able to properly cut it.
• Decide on the bar service you will have. A “Host”  or free bar service is where you supply all the liquor at no cost to your guests and will require a liquor permit which costs $10.00. Any other type of bar service where your guests pay for their beverages will require a liquor permit which allows the re-sale of liquor. The permit costs $25.00. Plan what kinds of beer, wine and spirits you would like for your reception. Liquor permits are available at most liquor stores.
• Reserve your rental cars and limousine transportation for the ceremony and reception. A popular alternative is asking relatives or friends who own classic or distinctive cars if they would be willing to allow the bride and groom to use their vehicle as a part of the wedding cars.
• Arrange and reserve the accommodation for your out-of-town guests. Many hotels will give discounts for multiple room blocks especially if you are hosting your reception in their hotel. And as well, they may also “comp” a room for the bridal couple.

1 to 2 Months Prior To The Wedding

• Mail out your invitations with a response card and response envelope  to those on your guest list. It may as well be a good idea to mail these out as much as 90 days before the big day to allow those guests who live out of town and especially out of the country ample time to respond.
• Plan the rehearsal dinner. This is traditionally the role of the mother of the groom and the members of the wedding party, immediate family and out of town guests are usually invited. If due to religious or other reasons a rehearsal dinner is deemed inappropriate (Rabbis do not approve of rehearsals and discourage couples for having a rehearsal), a mixer for both families could also be planned.
• A bachelor party may be organized by the best man. The bachelor party is usually attended by the grooms friends and relatives.
• Confirm your choice of Master Of Ceremonies.
• Confirm who will act as your Guest Book Attendant
• Plan and purchase the decorations for the reception hall.
• Finalize the seating plans for the head table, parents tables (if applicable) and the guest tables (if applicable)
• Purchase the attendants gifts. You may also want to purchase a gift for your new spouse at this time too.
• The bride should consult with and make her wedding day reservations with her hairdresser and make-up artist. It should be made clear as to whether the hairdresser and make-up artist will be coming to her home or if she will have to attend to their salon.
• The bride and groom may wish to announce their upcoming nuptials in the local newspaper. This is the time to place the announcement
• Finalize the ceremony arrangements with the officiator, musicians, photographers, videographers, as well as the vehicles for the ceremony.
• Verify that the attendants clothing will be ready on time. Also make sure that each attendant has the appropriate accessories.
• Purchase the marriage license.
• If traveling abroad on your honeymoon, ensure that both the bride & groom have valid passports and are properly immunized. Organize your honeymoon wardrobe and luggage at this time as well
• Meet with your reception entertainment to select your reception and dance music.

1 to 2 Weeks Prior To The Wedding

• Meet with and finalize all arrangements with your caterer, reception hall management, florists, limousine company, reception entertainment, wedding cake supplier, bartender and liquor suppliers. Confirm the guest count with your caterer. This is especially important if you are using table service. You may also want to call any invited guests who have yet to respond to your invitation to see if they are indeed attending.
• Pick up the bride’s wedding dress and the dresses for the attendants.
• Pick-up the tickets for your honeymoon.
• Order the ice for the reception.
• Purchase the guest book.
• Meet with your Master of Ceremonies and plan the Reception schedule. Confirm who will be making toasts and making speeches.
• The final fittings for the groom, groomsmen and ushers of the formal wear should be completed.
• Prepare the marriage announcements to be mailed immediately after the wedding.
• Prepare the envelopes for the payment of the officiator, musicians, and the ceremony location.
• Contact the officiator and inquire as to if they require the license prior to the ceremony. Some officiators do require the license in advance so that they may verify that all the details are in order.

The Night Prior To The Wedding

• If you are having a rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, or a family mixer, these will occur during the course of the day or evening today. This is a appropriate time to give your attendants their gifts.
• Give a list of special family and friends photographs you would like to a member of the family who will act as the bride and grooms liaison with the photographer.
• Write a list of guests who will be seated in the front pews/rows and give to the ushers.
• Give the payment envelopes to the best man who will then be responsible for the payments of the officiator, ceremony musicians, caterers, reception entertainment, and   bartenders.
• Finish packing for the honeymoon.

The Day Of The Wedding

• Bride sees her hairdresser and make-up artist
• Ensure that the car keys (if you are not using limousines), wedding rings, marriage license (if marriage license not already in the possession of the officiator), your home keys, hotel confirmation, honeymoon travel tickets, and money are all together
• Arrange for your luggage, travel clothes and car (if you are driving it on your honeymoon) to be delivered to the reception hall.
• Be dressed and ready for the photographer and/or videographer for the in home photo/video session if so arranged.
• The Bride traditionally transfers her engagement ring to her left hand prior to the ceremony.
• Do not consume any alcoholic beverages prior to the ceremony.
• DO Eat a lunch!!!. Even though your tummy will feel like a churning washing machine, you will make it through the day much easier when you have a  light lunch.
• Relax, enjoy and celebrate your big day!!!!!!!!!

After The Wedding Day

• Send out a thank-you note to the various businesses and services who supplied services to your wedding.
• Send thank-you notes to each of your guests who gave you a gift or card for your wedding.
• Change your insurance policies and legal wills to reflect your new status.
• Move into your new home
• Live each day,  Love each day, and most of all,  Enjoy each day you have together as husband and wife. For each day you have together is the ultimate gift you can give each other.

We do hope you find this guide useful, but should you have any questions, do not hesitate to call us at (780) 756-5225 and we will be happy to answer (to the best of our ability) any questions that you may have about planning your wedding.