Custom Design & Bridal Specialists
1305 Kirkwood Hwy * Elsmere DE 19805
Call For An Appointment
(302) 636-9344
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Bride's 12 Month Checklist |
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10 TO 12 MONTHS PRIOR |
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| Buy your wedding planner or good organizer | |
| Discuss the style of the wedding and the budget with your fiancée and ALL parents. | |
| Interview wedding consultants, advisors and coordinators. | |
| Speak with all your friends - pick their brains - learn who knows what and who knows who. | |
| Speak to your clergy - speak with other family members' clergy - ask questions. | |
| Begin looking for locations - ceremony - rehearsal dinner - reception - other planned events | |
| Begin interviewing Caterers, Bakers, Photographers, Florists, Videographers, Musicians | |
| By end of Month 12 select three of your key players: advisor/consultant - caterer and photographer | |
| By end of Month 11 select site for the ceremony | |
| By end of Month 10 select site for the reception and rehearsal dinner | |
| By end of Month 10 select the remaining key players; baker, florist, musicians, videographer | |
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7 TO 9 MONTHS PRIOR |
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| Select all of your attendants | |
| Together, begin compiling your guest list. | |
| Contact and visit clergy or justice of the peace | |
| Begin shopping for appropriate clothiers and (ladies) accessorize, accessorize, accessorize, accessorize | |
| Register with not less than three well known Bridal Registries for gifts | |
| Begin looking at honeymoon options with your fiancée - visit a travel agency or professional specializing in leisure travel - if you plan to leave the country check on your passports. | |
| By the end of Month 9 choose clergy | |
| By the end of Month 8 decide on a menu. | |
| By the end of Month 7 schedule engagement photo session | |
| By the end of Month 7 select and order attendant's apparel. | |
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4 TO 6 MONTHS PRIOR |
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| Begin review of details with all of your wedding professionals | |
| Finalize honeymoon plans with fiancée and book with travel agent. | |
| By end of Month 6 shop for and order invitations and announcements | |
| Finalize music selection for wedding and reception | |
| By end of Month 5 book calligrapher | |
| By end of Month 5 shop and order the men's formal wear | |
| Book wedding transportation - limousines, horse-drawn carriages, hot air balloons, boat, or whatever | |
| By end of Month 4 have the rehearsal dinner plans in place (make sure you coordinate this with your fiancée). | |
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2 TO 3 MONTHS PRIOR |
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| Order the wedding rings!! | |
| Finish guest list | |
| Lingerie | |
| Honeymoon Clothes | |
| Attendants' gifts | |
| Your gift for your fiancée | |
| Pre- & post-wedding party clothes you might need | |
| Finalize catering, bakery, floral arrangements (be a little flexible) | |
| Reserve a block of rooms for your out-of-town guests (good work for your fiancée) | |
| Finalize arrangements for any rental items you may need | |
| Candelabra & other silver pieces | |
| Special decorative screens & archways | |
| Special lighting (particularly if part of the event will be outside or in an unique area where normal lighting may not be possible) | |
| Make appointment with your hairdresser (a trial run for next month - also good for your bridal portrait) | |
| Make appointment with your hairdresser (final) | |
| Make appointment for your nails (hands and feet) | |
| Make appointment with a makeup artist for the day of your bridal portrait | |
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4 TO 8 WEEKS PRIOR |
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| Mail your wedding invitations and send either your preplanned special itinerary for early arriving out-of-town guests or an activity sheet from area chambers-of-commerce | |
| Final fittings (you and the attendants) | |
| Plan the bridesmaids' party & confirm the location & instructions | |
| By Week 6 have bridal portrait taken | |
| Send local paper and wedding publications your announcement and photograph | |
| Notes! Notes! Notes! Write Thank You Notes as you receive bridal and wedding gifts | |
| Reconfirm rehearsal events and rehearsal dinner reservations | |
| For your own peace of mind personally touch base with every key professional you and/or your coordinator have working on all your upcoming events | |
| By Week 4 Pick Up Wedding Rings | |
| Get marriage license with fiancée | |
| Reconfirm honeymoon reservations and (if leaving the country got o bank and exchange at least $100 into foreign currency) | |
| Submit request lists to your musicians, photographer and videographer | |
| Formally invite wedding party and guests to the rehearsal dinner | |
| Confirm all transportation for all events (including honeymoon) | |
| Address announcements to mail on your wedding day | |
| Prepare all the necessary forms for name address changes on social security card, credit cards, bank accounts, post office, driver's license, etc. | |
| Arrange to move belongings to new home | |
| By the last day of Week 2 plan a day to be alone with your family | |
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1 WEEK PRIOR |
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| On the very first day of the very last week begin packing for your honeymoon | |
| Check final details with all your wedding professionals - early in the week | |
| Give (or attend) the Bridesmaids' party | |
| Give final guest count to the caterer | |
| Create a wedding day schedule with your fiancée | |
| Remind wedding party men to pick up tuxedos | |
| Remind attendants of rehearsal dinner agenda | |
| Remind fiancée to double check rehearsal dinner plans | |
| Finish packing for your honeymoon | |
| Rehearsal Dinner (give wedding day schedule to all) | |
| Schedule the day prior to the wedding as a free day - and a day to visit with a few close friends | |