Wedding Planning 101: Chapter 3

6 - 4 months prior to your wedding
The knot's checklist items
MY extra bonus checklist items

• Decide on Formal Wear http://www.menswearhouse.com/
• Don't forget to include
• Groom
• Groomsmen
• Fathers and Grandfathers
• Ring bearer
• Ushers
• Keep in mind what season you're getting married in
• grays and tans are very popular
• tans are more appropriate in the spring and summer
• darker grays are more appropriate for the fall and winter 
• lighter grays are more appropriate for the spring or summer
• black is a safe choice and is very traditional
• What pieces do you want?
• vests?
• bow ties?
• traditional ties?
• tails?
• Make sure your group knows when to pick up their tuxes and when they need to be returned

• Book your Wedding Night Hotel Room
• Some people opt to leave straight for their honeymoon and others have to take a honeymoon at a later time
• We stayed in the gorgeous bridal suite at the hotel where our guests were staying and since my husband is a teacher, we will have to take a honeymoon on his spring or summer break, which is okay for us!

My beautiful dress in our Bridal Suite

• Address your invitations!
• Using the labels I talked about in chapter 2 should make this easier
• Get help from your groom, mom, sisters, bridesmaids, anyone really, and set up an assembly line for stuffing envelopes
• First make piles of each thing that needs to go into your envelope
• don't forget to buy stamps for the outer envelope and for the return envelope on the response cards!

4 - 2 months prior to your wedding

The knot's checklist items
MY extra bonus checklist items

• Choose a Marriage Contract ( ketubah or any other contract required by your religion)
• This is a fun project for you and your hubby -to-be because you get to hash out chores, money and other big topics before you say "I DO" 

• Buy your accessories
• Jewelry
• Shoes
• Veil
• Headpiece
• Hair Accessories
• Makeup

• Purchase Wedding Bands
• Make sure you leave time to get them inscribed if you wish
• Make sure you have time to get them re-sized before the wedding if needed

• Make sure all of your Bridal Party has bought/rented their wedding day attire
• Including the shoes and accessories you would like them to wear
• Remind them to get their outfits re-sized in enough time before your big day!

• Get your Groom measured for his Tux
• It's not a bad idea to get him re-sized 6 weeks before the wedding, just in case his waistline changes unexpectedly

• Get your under the dress items
• 2 Garters
• garter to throw
• garter to save
• Lingerie for your wedding night
• Don't waste your money on super expensive lingerie...we all know it won't be on for very long! 

• Gather Honeymoon Documents
• passport if needed
• plane tickets/ train tickets
• limo to the airport

• Finalize your ceremony songs and readings
• Ask ahead of time if you want a close family or friend to read scriptures at your wedding

• Schedule your first dress fitting
• Usually this happens 6 weeks before your wedding and a final fitting up to two weeks before
• Most wedding boutiques have alterations departments, but you may save some money by finding a trustworthy private alteration specialist
• go only by recommendation!

• Give your bridal shower guest list to the family member or friend throwing your shower
• Make sure to include ONLY people you plan to invite to the wedding
• Be APPRECIATIVE of everything you get, regardless of whether or not you want to keep it or register for it

• Book the Limo or transportation
• Make sure the limo service has references
• Ask if you can decorate the limo or if they will decorate it for you
• Are any drinks provided or allowed?

• Send out your invitations at the three month mark
• You may need to send them out sooner if your guests are required to book hotel reservations up to a month before the wedding - judge it according to you and your wedding
• If you send them too early, some people may forget to respond
• It is acceptable in this day-in-age to call anyone who doesn't respond up to a week after the responses are due

BONUS ITEMS

• Start creating your ceremony programs
• We used http://www.magnetstreet.com/ and loved them!

• Decide if you would like artificial flowers or live flowers
• Artificial flowers could save you SOOO much money!
• Artificial flowers will also provide you with lasting memories that won't die or wilt

• Find a florist to create your floral looks
• Bridal Bouquet
• Bridesmaid bouquets
• Toss Bouquet
• Mother corsages
• Groom Boutineer
• Father Boutineers
• Grandparents flowers
• flowers for any special guests
• Flower balls for flower girls
• Boutineer for the ring bearer
• Flowers for the Church or wedding venue
• Flowers for the Reception 
• Centerpieces

• Decide on a guest book
• be creative!
• One of my bridesmaids created one for us 

Designed By: Katharine Haring

• Start collecting wedding items in one room so you don't forget anything

Happy Planning!