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WEDDING FAVORS
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FOR THE CEREMONY
Guestbooks & Pens
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Ceremony Decorations
Wedding Car Decorations
Aisle Runners
Flower Girl Baskets
Ring Bearer Pillows
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Unity Candles
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Memorial Accessories
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FOR THE RECEPTION
Wedding Cake Toppers
Ethnic/Interracial Cake Toppers
Whimsical Cake Toppers
Cake Serving Sets
Toasting Glasses Sets
Place Cards
Table Number Cards
Place Card Holders
Table Centerpieces
Reception Decorations
Personalized Napkins
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GIFTS & KEEPSAKES
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Child Gifts
Photo Frames & Albums
Bride & Groom Keepsakes

BRIDAL ACCESSORIES
Tiaras & Hair Accessories
Keepsake & Toss Garters
Handkerchiefs
Bridal Purses
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Bride & Bridesmaid Jewelry
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HONEYMOON
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ANNIVERSARY & BABY
Anniversary
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THEME COLLECTIONS
Asian Wedding
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Wedding Planning Calendar

To have a successful and memorable wedding, it's important to be organized and stay on top of things. The following wedding planning calendar will help you do just that.

9-12 months before

  • Announce your engagement to both sets of parents and arrange for them to get together.
  • Send engagement announcements to local newspapers.
  • Select a date and time. Consider time of day, as this affects formality and catering choices.
  • Send engagement announcements or save-the-date notices to family and friends. Modern brides sometimes opt to send email notices.
  • Have an engagement party.
  • Determine the type of wedding you want, setting, size and degree of formality.
  • Choose your colors; they will affect your flowers, invitations, attire, linens and cake.
  • Set an initial budget and decide how expenses will be shared.
  • Start your guest list.
  • Select and book a location for the ceremony, taking into consideration season and weather.
  • Select and book your reception location, or arrange tent rental for an outdoor wedding.
  • Hire a wedding consultant if you'll be using one.
  • Choose and book an officiant for the ceremony.
  • Select the attendants for your wedding party.
  • Arrange meetings with florists, photographers, and musicians/DJ's.
  • Arrange for a tasting with caterers.
  • Shop for your gown, headpiece, and other bridal accessories (gloves, shoes, jewelry).
  • Shop together for wedding rings.

6-9 months before

  • Order your gown and other bridal accessories.
  • Sign a contract with your selected caterer.
  • Book photographer and/or videographer.
  • Book florist and select arrangements, bouquets, etc.
  • Book the musicians/vocalists, and/or DJ for both the ceremony and reception.
  • Depending on the expected cost of your wedding, decide if wedding insurance is a good idea.
  • Start compiling names and addresses of guests (ask your families to do the same).
  • Enroll in a wedding gift registry.
  • Arrange for a tasting with wedding cake bakers or designers.
  • Start planning for honeymoon; research destinations.
  • Arrange for time off work, if necessary.
  • Start planning the rehearsal dinner. Reserve a restaurant or make other arrangements.
  • Shop for and order bridal attendants’ attire.
  • Arrange for the groom and groomsmen to be measured and reserve the tuxedos. TIP: If your groomsmen do not live close to the formal wear shop you choose, tell them to go to a local shop - most shops will measure them as a courtesy.

4-6 months before

  • Select a wedding cake designer and order your wedding cake.
  • If caterer isn't providing for you, reserve any rental equipment you'll need (dishes, linens, tables, chairs, tents)
  • Help mothers select and coordinate their dresses.
  • Check requirements for blood test and marriage license in your state.
  • Discuss where you will live after the wedding.
  • Experiment with hair styles and makeup.
  • Arrange wedding day transportation (limousines, horse and carriage, vans).
  • Book hair and makeup professionals for the wedding.
  • Book wedding night accommodations and accommodations for out-of-town guests.
  • Finalize the guest list.
  • Select and order wedding stationery ( invitations, envelopes, place cards, escort cards, thank-you cards, etc.)
  • Select a calligrapher if you're using one.
  • Finalize honeymoon plans and make the necessary reservations. Compile necessary travel documents.
  • Purchase wedding rings.

2-4 months before

  • Obtain marriage license, schedule blood tests if necessary.
  • Give a list to your photographer/videographer of special events or people you want photographed/videotaped.
  • Give musician/DJ a list of music to be played during special events (i.e., garter/bouquet toss, cutting of cake, first dance, parents' dance, etc.)
  • Schedule your wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
  • Confirm the menu and catering details with the caterer.
  • Start addressing invitations. Invitations should be mailed six weeks prior to the ceremony.
  • Prepare all maps and directions for the ceremony and reception for an insertion with the invitations.
  • Write your wedding vows.
  • Attend any bridal showers.
  • Confirm ceremony details with your officiant.
  • Purchase decorations and accessories such as ring pillow, toasting goblets, guest book, garter, candles, favors.
  • Purchase gifts for attendants, parents and each other.
  • Send wedding announcements to local newspapers.

4-8 weeks before

  • Mail your wedding invitations.
  • Do a hair and makeup run-through.
  • Write thank-you notes as gifts arrive.
  • Decide on insurance policy changes needed for after the wedding.
  • Schedule your final gown fitting.
  • Schedule attendants' final fitting.
  • Start planning the seating for the reception as well as other details for the ceremony and reception.

2-3 weeks before

  • Contact guests who have not responded.
  • Give the caterer a final head count.
  • Finalize the seating plan for the reception.
  • Start writing place cards.
  • Pick up your wedding gown.
  • Contact all vendors (caterer, officiant, cake designer, photographer, videographer, florist, musicians, transportation, hotels) to confirm arrival and delivery times.
  • Write your rehearsal dinner and reception toasts.
  • Handle business and legal details such as name changes, address changes, etc.
  • Continue writing thank-you notes as more gifts arrive.
  • Make arrangements to have your wedding gifts moved to your new home.
  • Make sure all attendants have their attire and that everything fits.
  • Write and print your wedding program.

1 week before

  • Place fees for officiant, organist, etc. in individually marked envelopes and give to the best man for distribution on the wedding day.
  • Appoint a reliable friend to transport the cake serving set, toasting glasses and other items to and from the reception site.
  • Get last-minute beauty treatments (facial, waxing, brow-shaping, etc.).
  • Pack for the honeymoon. (Ask someone to bring your luggage to the reception if you plan to leave from there.)
  • Review any seating details with the ushers.
  • Reconfirm your honeymoon reservations. Ensure you have any necessary plane tickets.
  • Attend bachelor/bachelorette parties.
  • Finish all the place cards for the reception.
  • Review final details with all wedding vendors (caterer, officiant, cake designer, photographer, videographer, florist, musicians, transportation, hotels).
  • Delegate wedding day responsibilities to your wedding party (handing out corsages and boutonnieres, greeting and seating guests, etc.).
  • Finalize your rehearsal dinner arrangements.

One Day Before

  • Get a manicure or massage to help you relax.
  • Confirm wedding day transportation.
  • Rehearse wedding ceremony.
  • Hold rehearsal dinner.
  • Present the wedding party gifts.
  • Arrange your wedding day attire.

Wedding Day

  • Remain calm and relaxed.
  • Be sure to eat properly.
  • Prepare for your hair and makeup appointments.
  • Give gifts to your parents.
  • Don't forget the rings and marriage license.
  • Start dressing 1 1 / 2 hours before the ceremony.
  • If pictures are taken prior to the ceremony, the entire wedding party needs to be dressed and ready 2 hours before the ceremony.
  • Have music start 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.
  • Have ushers seat guests upon arrival.
  • Have groom's parents seated 5 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.
  • Have bride's mother seated immediately before processional.
  • Cherish every moment of this wonderful day!

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Unique Wedding Favors | Candle Favors | Wedding Favor Packaging | Wedding Favor Ribbon | Wedding Favor Decorations | Favor Gift Cards & Tags
Wedding Bubbles | Guestbooks & Pens | Wedding Bulletins & Stationery | Ceremony Decorations | Wedding Car Decorations | Aisle Runners | Flower Girl Baskets | Ring Bearer Pillows | Silk Flower Petals | Unity Candles | Personalized Candles | Memorial Accessories | Pet Wedding Apparel | Wedding Cake Toppers | Ethnic/Interracial Cake Toppers | Whimsical Cake Toppers | Cake Serving Sets | Toasting Glasses Sets | Place Cards | Table Number Cards | Place Card Holders | Table Centerpieces | Reception Decorations | Personalized Napkins | Wishing Wells | Bridesmaid Gifts | Groomsman Gifts | Child Gifts | Photo Frames & Albums | Bride & Groom Keepsakes | Tiaras & Hair Accessories | Keepsake & Toss Garters | Handkerchiefs | Bridal Purses | Veils | Bride & Bridesmaid Jewelry | Silk Bridal Bouquets | Bridal Hats & T-shirts | Just Married Apparel | Anniversary | New Baby Gifts | Wedding Theme Collections | Asian Wedding | Irish/Celtic Wedding | Western Wedding | Beach/Tropical Wedding | Autumn/Fall Wedding | Winter Wedding | Christian Wedding | Fairy Tale Wedding | Butterfly Wedding |

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