Is there such thing as a perfect wedding? Certainly and it varies from person to person. We all have our own idea of how we imagine ourselves getting married; many have carried this idea from childhood. Whether it is a traditional view, in a church, with the long white gown or something more bohemian, each is as important as the other because it is yours. No matter what type of wedding you have in mind, one thing is for sure and that is to make your wedding everything you have dreamed requires a little premarital planning. Yes planning. Although many of us would like to remain spontaneous, a wedding is still a momentous time in your life and if you want everything to come off as it should, it will take a little forethought. Preplanning doesn't have to be painful. It just requires a calendar and a whole lot of events that have to be put on that calendar so everything will fall into place at the right time. What types of details will have to go on the calendar? Here is your list, some of these items you will not need, and many of them you will. Nevertheless, the list will help guide you through all of the details as you prepare for your special day. They are listed in the order of time, from the moment the question is popped to the special day. -Choose the style or theme for your wedding. If this involves a color scheme, settle on that as well. Will your wedding be classic formal, formal, semi-formal or informal? -Discuss your wedding budget. How much do you want to spend or not spend? Try and stick with the budget the best you can. -Where will you have your wedding? Explore possible chapels, churches or even resorts, or outdoor places that you love. Once you find your perfect place, don't forget about the security deposit. -If you are going formal, choose your honor attendants, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and ushers and invite them to participate in your ceremony. -Brides will need to select their bridal gown and veil, which may mean preordering it. At the same time you can select your bridesmaid gowns and accessories. Place gown orders, for each maid, at the same time, to assure an identical dye lot. -Interview caterers. Once you have made your final choice, be sure to secure the date with a signed contract and a security deposit. -Compile your guest list. Remember, you have five lists to combine and refine. Yours, his, your families, his family's and your master list of the four. -Begin interviewing wedding photographers, videographers and musicians. -Send your engagement announcement to the local newspaper. -Select your wedding cake, giving careful consideration to style, flavors, size, decoration and color. -Order wedding invitations, announcements, thank you cards and personal stationary. -Reserve your florist, plan your floral display and order all wedding flowers. -Choose your wedding music, secure musicians and soloists. -Consult with your travel agent and discuss honeymoon destinations. Make arrangements early for lowest airfares. -Select tuxedos for your groom, his attendants and fathers of the couple. Measurements should be submitted to the tux shop within the next month. It is preferable for attendants to be measured at the formal wear shop to insure proper fit and minimize returns and exchanging garments the morning of the wedding. -Arrange accommodations for out-of-town guests. -Arrange transportation or limousine service for the wedding party to the ceremony and reception. -Discuss final menu options and costs with your caterer. Confirm arrival and departure times. -Order wedding favors and imprinted items such as napkins, matches and engraved attendant gifts. -Arrange for rental of items needed for your ceremony and reception. Items such as, candelabras, arches, alter baskets, kneeling bench, flowing punch fountains, china, crystal, flatware and silver serving accessories, if desired. -Begin counseling sessions with wedding officiate when required. - Begin addressing invitations and announcements. -Draw map to ceremony and reception for inclusion in your invitation. -Finalize your "Order of Service" for the ceremony and order wedding program. -Arrange for physical examinations and blood tests if required to obtain marriage license in your state. -Select a location for your rehearsal dinner and make necessary reservations. -Confirm formal wear shop has received measurements of your male attendants. Follow up immediately with anyone not yet fitted. -Schedule alterations and final fitting for your wedding gown. -Schedule fittings for bridesmaids and flower girls. -Finalize honeymoon plans and confirm reservations. -Make arrangements for your "Bridesmaid Luncheon" and other "Pre-Wedding Parties and Events". -Discuss and finalize details with the following: Pastor/Officiate Church Soloist, Caterer Florist Baker/Cake Decorator, Bridal Shop, Tux Shop, Limo Service, Photographer, Videographer Travel Agent, Musicians/DJ Jeweler/Engraver, Rehearsal Dinner Site -Schedule appointment with hairdresser for bride, attendants and mothers. A popular alternative today is to hire a hairdresser and makeup artist to meet with the wedding party at the church. -Complete trousseau shopping. -Send wedding invitations four weeks prior to your wedding date to local/regional guests. Guests needing to make travel arrangements should receive their invitation six weeks in advance. -Apply for your marriage license. Be sure to call ahead for a list of required documents. -Confirm rehearsal plans with your officiate and church wedding coordinator. Send Thank You cards as gifts begin to arrive. -Groom's "Bachelor Party" should be at least one week prior to wedding. -Begin packing for your honeymoon. Decorate for ceremony and reception, if possible, early in the day. Confirm delivery times with your party rental shop. -Attend rehearsal dinner. -Present attendants with your gift of appreciation during the rehearsal dinner, if not given previously at the "Bridesmaid Luncheon" or "Bachelor Party." -Give Best Man the officiates fee in a sealed "Thank You Card" for delivery after the ceremony. And there you have it. The list may seem overwhelming but this is why you want to schedule everything out in a calendar and take it day by day. With this, you can then have your perfect fairy tale wedding after all.
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