the budget planner the countdown planner 12-14 months before < choose wedding date < decide type of wedding desired (traditional, big/small) < decide time of wedding and reception < choose desired location for wedding ceremony < choose desired location for reception < VHW ZHGGLQJ EXGJHW DQG KRZ ZHGGLQJ ZLOO EH Ă€QDQFHG < choose/hire individual who will perform your wedding < interview/choose photographer and book him/her < interview/choose Florist and then book him/her < interview/choose Caterer and then book them < interview/choose Musician and then book them < other____________________________________ 10-12 months before < decide how large/small wedding party will be < choose/order wedding dress and veil < begin looking at invitations < set honeymoon budget < announce engagement to friends and family < put engagement announcement in local paper < other____________________________________ 6-10 months before < Ă€UVW PHHWLQJ ZLWK PLQLVWHU RIĂ€FLDQW < begin writing vows < choose ceremony music < choose attendants and ask if theyâ€™ll accept the position < begin looking for bridesmaid dresses < pick out tuxedos for groom, groomsmen/ushers/fathers < choose/reserve desired location for rehearsal dinner < reserve rooms at nearby hotel for out-of-town guests < choose invitations < PDNH Ă€UVW GUDIW RI LQYLWH OLVW < plan honeymoon, book lodgings/transportation/event tickets < check passports/visas < discuss if a bridal registry < bride, start thinking how you want to wear your hair and make-up 4-6 months before < choose prose/poetry/scripture readings for ceremony < choose readers for ceremony < buy/make favors to give guests, if desired < order bridesmaid dresses < arrange transportation to/from ceremony/reception < pick out/order wedding bands < VHOHFW UHFHSWLRQ GHFRUDWLRQV VXFK DV FDQGOHV Ă RZHUV balloons, arches, etc. < FKRRVH Ă RULVW DQG W\SH RI Ă RZHUV IRU FHUHPRQ\ DQG reception < PHHW FDWHUHU WR FKRRVH Ă DYRU V DQG VW\OH RI ZHGGLQJ FDNH < make 2nd draft of invite list < research makeup artists and hair stylists and book trial run 2-4 months before < Ă€UVW ZHGGLQJ JRZQ Ă€WWLQJ < buy disposable cameras < determine wedding band inscriptions < choose reception food with caterer < determine seating arrangement for reception < choose reception music (1st dance, father/daughter dance, mother/son dance etc.) < Ă€QDOL]H YRZV DQG PHPRUL]H LI QHFHVVDU\ < SXUFKDVH JLIWV IRU EULGHVPDLGV SDUHQWV Ă€DQFpH SHUVRQDO DWWHQGDQW JURRPVPHQ Ă€DQFpH XVKHUV < Ă€QDOL]H LQYLWH OLVW DQG JHW DGGUHVVHV RI DOO SHRSOH RQ LQYLWH OLVW < order invitations < VHW GDWH ZLWK Ă€DQFpH WR JHW PDUULDJH OLFHQVH < conduct trial run for make-up and hair 1-2 months before < book rooms for out-of-town attendants at hotel 4 Spring 2011 < go over rough draft of duties with all involved in wedding < determine order/timing of events at reception (cake-cutting, garter toss, etc.) < VHFRQG ZHGGLQJ JRZQ Ă€WWLQJ < EX\ KRQH\PRRQ FORWKHV DQG JRLQJ DZD\ RXWĂ€W LI QHFHVVDU\ < determine the â€œsomething borrowed, blue, old, and newâ€? to wear on wedding day < get wedding bands inscribed < JHW Ă€QDO RUGHU RI SUHOXGH DQG SURFHVVLRQDO PXVLF IURP organist < call to inform all people who need to be at rehearsal < REWDLQ PDUULDJH FHUWLĂ€FDWH < make itinerary of wedding day for all involved < buy stamps for invitations, response cards, and some to get started on thank-you notes < ensure formal wear shop has all tuxedo measurements < other____________________________________ 2-4 weeks before < address/mail wedding invitations < RUGHU Ă RZHU DUUDQJHPHQWV IRU UHKHDUVDO GLQQHU WDEOHV LI desired < Ă€QG RXW LI UHFHSWLRQ FDWHUHUV ZLOO PDNH D EDVNHW RI IRRG IRU you to take to your hotel after reception < determine when items needed at reception (toasting glasses, etc.) will be taken there < VKRZ Ă€QDO SURJUDP WR PLQLVWHU DQG RUJDQLVW WR FKHFN IRU accuracy < box and wrap all gifts for attendants, etc. < ensure band/DJ has equipment/music needed to play your chosen reception music < pick up wedding bands < FRQĂ€UP KRQH\PRRQ UHVHUYDWLRQV < record gifts as you receive them and send thank-you notes < inform car/home/renterâ€™s insurance of marriage (discounted rates may apply) < other____________________________________ 1 week before < Ă€QDO PHHWLQJ ZLWK Ă RULVW RYHUYLHZ DQG JLYH KLP KHU PDS WR ceremony and reception sites < Final meeting with reception hall/caterer - overview and tell WKHP QDPHV RI Ă RULVW EDQG RU '< Ă€QDO PHHWLQJ ZLWK SKRWRJUDSKHU WHOO KLP KHU DERXW DQ\ VSHFLĂ€F SLFWXUHV \RX ZDQW FKRRVH DOEXP VW\OH DQG FRORU DQG give him/her map < Ă€QDO FRQYHUVDWLRQ ZLWK EDQG RYHUYLHZ RI WLPHV DQG VSHFLDO songs, mail him/her/them map < PDLO GLUHFWLRQV WR OLPRXVLQH GULYHU DQG FRQĂ€UP WLPHV < PHHW ZLWK UHKHDUVDO GLQQHU FDWHUHUV IRU Ă€QDO GHWDLOV < Ă€QDO ZHGGLQJ JRZQ Ă€WWLQJ < FRQĂ€UP KRWHO UHVHUYDWLRQV IRU ZHGGLQJ QLJKW < pack for honeymoon < WDNH PDUULDJH FHUWLĂ€FDWH WR PLQLVWHU RIĂ€FLDQW < JLYH Ă€QDO JXHVW FRXQW WR UHFHSWLRQ IDFLOLW\ DQG RU FDWHUHU < other____________________________________ day before wedding wedding component ceremony (5% of budget) ceremony site fee, RIĂ€FLDQWÂˇV IHH RIĂ€FLDQWÂˇV JUDWXLW\ guest book, pen, penholder budget $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ actual ring bearer pillow $ $ Ă RZHU JLUO EDVNHW subtotal 1 $ $ $ $ wedding Attire (10% of budget) bridal gown alterations headpiece & veil gloves jewelry stockings garter shoes hairdresser makeup artist $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ groomâ€™s formal wear $ $ subtotal 2 $ $ photography (9% of budget) bride & groomâ€™s album parentâ€™s album extra prints/proof/previews negatives engagement photograph formal bridal portrait subtotal 3 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ wedding component reception (35% of budget) reception site fee food liquor beverages/corkage gratuity party favors/disposable cameras rose petals/rice gift attendant parking fee/valet services subtotal 6 budget $ $ $ $ $ actual $ $ $ $ $ wedding component decorations (3% of budget) table centerpieces balloons subtotal 10 $ $ transportation (2% of budget) $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ transportation subtotal 11 $ $ $ $ music (5% of budget) ceremony music reception music subtotal 7 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ bakery (2% of budget) wedding cake groomâ€™s cake cake delivery & set-up fee cake top, cake knife, toasting glasses subtotal 8 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ rental items (3% of budget) bridal slip ceremony accessories tent/canopy GDQFH Ă RRU tables/chairs linens/tableware other subtotal 12 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ gifts (3% of budget) $ $ $ $ brideâ€™s/groomâ€™s gift $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ bridesmaids/usherâ€™s gifts subtotal 13 $ $ $ $ parties (4% of budget) bridesmaidâ€™s luncheon rehearsal dinner subtotal 14 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ miscellaneous (4% of budget) newspaper announcements marriage license prenuptial agreement bridal gown/bouquet preservation wedding consultant wedding planning software taxes subtotal 15 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ grand total 1-15 $ $ videography (5% of budget) $ $ Ă RZHUV (6% of budget) brides bouquet tossing bouquet maid of honorâ€™s bouquet bridesmaidsâ€™ bouquet EULGHVPDLGVÂˇ Ă RUDO KDLUSLHFHV Ă RZHU JLUOÂˇV Ă RUDO KDLUSLHFHV brideâ€™s going away corsage other family corsages groomâ€™s boutonnieres main video $ $ ushers & familyâ€™s boutonnieres $ $ extra hours photo montage extra copies subtotal 4 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ stationery (4% of budget) invitations response cards reception cards ceremony cards pew cards announcements & thank you cards calligraphy napkins & matchbooks subtotal 5 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ main altar altar candelabra reception site head table guest tables buffet table cake table cake cake/knife Ă RUDO GHOLYHU\ VHWXS subtotal 9 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ budget $ $ $ $ actual $ $ $ $ < pick up wedding gown and veil < pick up tux < take favors, disposable cameras, centerpieces, cake knife and server, toasting glasses, CDâ€™s, and birdseed roses to reception hall < rehearsal and rehearsal dinner < other____________________________________ morning of wedding < brideâ€™s hair appointment < give groomâ€™s wedding band to Maid of Honor and brideâ€™s wedding band to Best Man prior to ceremony < relax and let it all sink in!! < relax and enjoy the whole day Spring 2011 5