Almost here! and help is needed!

Hey everyone Congrats to all 2012 brides!!!! :) I know I haven't posted a lot but I've been lurking since I first got engaged in 2009 and have to say this site has been soooo helpful! We booked most of our vendors because of LIW and I'm so grateful for all the helpful reviews/recommendations etc and I just really wanted to thank everyone!

I'm so excited that I will be getting married THIS WEEK I really cannot believe how time went by so fast! btw I just had our rehearsal dinner tonight at Jewel in Melville and it was absolutely fantastic!

but anyway, I still need help with a couple of things, if anyone could help it would be much appreciates, and here's what I still need:

-Wedding day timeline (We will be getting married on location, pictures will be taken beforehand and ceremony starts at 7)
-Tipping vendors (I remember seeing a thread a while back but how much do I generally tip each vendor?)
- Checklist (Does anyone have a general day of checklist or anything of that kind? Im getting so nervous I'll forget something

Thank you so much!!!!

I found this tipping list on this site. Someone had posted it:
Actual
Matre De $4 pp
Bridal Attendant $150
Visiting Priest $100 donation to charity (plus $600 for church fee)
Altar Boys $20pp
Organist $20pp
Singer $20pp
Violinist $20pp
Flower Delivery (RH) $30
Flower Delivery (Hotel) $20
Photographer $100
Photographer Asst $100
Videographer $100
Limo town car $40 (16% of bill)
Limo Infiniti $120 (16% of bill)
Limo Rolls Royce $60 (16% of bill)
Limo Drop Off @ end night $20
Hotel Shuttle Gratuity included in price
Photobooth Attendant $75
DJ & MC $100 each
Zap Photos $75
DJ Lighting Tech $20
DOC $150 each
Hair 25% final bill
Makeup 25% final bill
Average
Matre De $3-5 pp
Bridal Attendant $100-$150
Altar Boys $10-$15pp
Organist $15-25pp
Singer $15-25pp
Violinist $15-25pp
Flower Delivery $10pp
Photographer $100-$150
Photographer Asst $50-$100
Videographer $100-$150
Limo town car 15-20% of bill
Limo Infiniti 15-20% of bill
Limo Rolls Royce 15-20% of bill
Limo Drop Off @ end night 15-20% of bill
Photobooth Attendant $50-$100
DJ & MC $75-100pp
Zap Photos $50-$100
Lighting Tech $20
DOC $100 each
Hair 20% final bill
Makeup 20% final bill

Here is a check list I found as well.
Get engaged!

*Set a date
*Purchase notebook/folder/wedding planner to keep on track
*Send out engagement announcements/ choose STD's/ adress & stamp

*Set budget/ always overestimate

INVITATIONS
*Prepare preliminary guest lists A&B
*decide if children are being invited/ cutoff age
*finalize guest list
*Select and order invitations
*Number response cards to cross reference w/ invite list
*Send envelopes to calligraphers
*Purchase stamps/personalized stamps
*Make or pick up all inserts/maps,direction cards, hotel cards for OOTG, and any other personal cards
*Put invites together and mail out
*Hand cancel invites
*Call guests that haven't RSVP'd

WEDDING RINGS
*Pick out and purchase rings

MARRIAGE LICENCE
*Have documents needed/ divorce decree, drivers licence, passport
Link for all info

CEREMONY SITE (RELIGIOUS OR RH)
*Book officiant/Church/Temple or Other
*Gather required information for religious ceremony/ baptismal cert, divorce papers
*Plan ceremony- write vows, music selection, organist, readings, kebutah
*Make appt. to meet with the priest
*Register for pre-cana
*Attend pre-cana
*Schedule ceremony
*Schedule rehearal date and time
*Meet with officiant to finalize ceremony details
*Bring marriage licence and stamped adress envelope to ceremony for officiant to sign.
*Print directions from the Ceremony Site (ex:Church) to the RH for guests to take.

HONEYMOON
*Choose destination
*Apply for passports and/or other travel necessities
*Meet with travel agent and book NM
*Shop and pack
*Meet with T.A. to pick up tickets and any other paperwork
*Confirm reservations and travel arrangements
*Schedule limo/transportation to and from airport
What to pack for HM

BLOCK HOTEL
*Research $$ for hotel room blocks for OOTG and book

REGISTER
*Select store(s) and register
*Register/purchasecake server and toasting flutes
*Register/purchase ring pillow and any other ceremony needs you may want

DRESSES AND ACESSORIES
*Shop and order wedding dress
*Shop and order BM's dresses
*Shop and order FG dresses
*MOB& MOG order gowns
*Purchase tiara/headpiece/hair jewels and viel
*Purchase shoes, undergarments,stockings, garters, and jewelry
*Something old,blue, borrowed, and new
*Make appts for and attend fittings
*Break in shoes
*Order personalized undies
*Prepare day of emergency kit
Day of emergency kit link [

REHEARSAL DINNER
*Schedule RD site and send out invitations
*Confirm reservations the night before
*Bring hat from bridal shower
*Bring BP and parent gifts
*Prepare any toasts or speaches
*Bring/Drop off Groomscake

BRIDAL SHOWER
*Attend shower
*Write shower thank yous
*Purchase stamps and mail out TY's
*Return dupicate/unwanted shower gift items

BEAUTY
*Schedule hair and MU trials
*Post them on LIW to see what people think
*Schedule day of hair and MU for bride, BP, and MOB
*Schedule mani/pedi, brazillian wax, reg wax
*Laser hair removal
*Teeth whitening appt. or Crest whitestrips
*Tanning salon or airbrush tanning
**Make appt. for full body massage

CHOOSE VENDORS
*Research vendors and schedule meetings
*Photographer/videographer/music/ceremony musicians/limos/flowers
*Meet with all vendors one month prior to finalize everything
*Prepare timeline, make copies, and distribute to all vendors
**Photographer -book and take e-pics/ post on LIW so we can all see how gorgeous you and FH are/ plan back up location for wedding day pics in case of rain/ give must have photo list/ give family member list (especially if remarried with steps)/ set timeline
**DJ or Band -give must play do not play song list/ give all special dance song and cake cutting lists/ give pics for plasma screen/ set up lighting/ set up monogram floor light/ ceremony music if not using musicians/ set timeline
**LIMOSINES -look at the types of cars and choose the ones you like/ set up timeline/ arrange transportation and/or shuttle to and from RH and hotel
**Florist - bring in photos of Cp's, bo-k's, and bouts you like and choose/ make appt. for CP preview/ arch or chuppah/ drop off extra dress material for bo-k wrap and any bo-k charms or jewelry/ set timeline
**Ceremony musicians - choose ceremony music/ choose attire/ set timeline

BRIDAL PARTY
*Choose BP
*Make will you be my.....cards
*Choose BP gifts and Parent gifts
*Thank you cards for BP

TIPPING
*Make tip list and thank you cards or envelopes and place tip for each vendor and others.
TIPPING RULES #1
TIPPING RULES #2

RECEPTION SITE
*Research RH and scedule meetings
*Leave deposit on the hall you choose
*Select theme/ colors
*Seating chart
*Chair covers/ offer, order, none
*Choose tablecloth colors
*Food tasting/ Finalize menu
*Meet co-ordinator and give final head count and payment
*Pack up and drop off all things needed for ceremony/reception
*Have empty shopping bags ready and labled for items needed to be taken home from reception. (ex:guest book, flutes)
*Prepare any speaches or toasts

WEDDING CAKE
*Choose or order wedding cake
*Purchase or register for cake topper
*Purchase or register for serving set
*Purchase or rent cake stand

MISCELLANEOUS
*Memorial candle
*Memorial poem
*Bo-k jewelry
*Put all poems together and display
*Make up signature drink and name
*Gather baby photos for the montage
(photographer/DJ)

DIY's- DO IT YOURSELF
***Shop for and order or make it yourself***

*Favors
*Favor tags
*Wrap favors
*Coasters
*Napkins
*Matches
*Bathroom baskets -
what goes in it
*Programs
*Menus
*We Do/ I Do/ Love letters
*Childrens favors
*Monogram cake topper
*Placecards
*Table numbers
*Isle runner
*Table cameras
*Card box
*Guest book
*Wish bowl
*OOTG bags
*Cry packs
*Petal cones
*Centerpieces
*Arches
*Chuppahs
*Yarmelkas
*Slipper basket

TABLES
*Guest tables
*Sweetheart table
*Cake table
*Cardbox/ Guestbook table
*Placecard table
**Decide how you want these tables arranged and decorated
***Set up table at home how you want it to be replicated at the RH and take photos/ print out digitals or polaroids and give it to co-ordinator when dropping off items

*****The MOST IMPORTANT of all on the to do list is to stop in the middle of what you are doing, take a deep breath, look around, and absorb all the family, friends, and beauty of the day

HAPPY PLANNING!!!! I hope I didnt' miss anything



ist # 1


TO BUY/ DO
o Book place for Rehearsal Dinner
o Buy a couple Disposable cameras
o Centerpieces candles
o Personalize favors
o Gifts for parents
o buy groomsmen gifts
o buy Bridesmaids gifts
o Find & Confirm Makeup
o Pick out our wedding bands
o buy cake topper, table topper (have love in silver)
o Buy wedding Bands
o Order Favors
o Order arras coins
o get Favors,
o get matches
o work on special touches
o get #s frames
o Get guestbook
o Get ring bearer pillow
o Register for gifts (at the end of the month)
o make tip envelopes
o put together night of bags
o design children’s activity books
o put together emergency kits for general BP with food
o put together emergency kit for my & FH – sewinf needle, Tylenol, etc.

Florist
o - Finalize centerpieces & flowers

Ceremony
o Book place for Rehearsal Dinner
o meet with music director at church
o Pick Reading or Bible verse
o Choose Music\Meet organist
o Get Marriage License –
o How will programs be displayed, handed out? Baskets
o Who's walking the Mothers down aisle (which usher)?
o music - make sure pianist has music sheets if necessary
o specify time by which church must be decorated
o who will be responsible for bringing/setting up alter candles and memory candle
us the night before
o make sure written vows are approved by minister
o make sure MOH has copy of vows for me and best man has copy of vows for Brian (index cards)
o make sure reader has nicely typed copy of reading at ceremony
o delegate someone to make sure all the above is handled
o make sure marriage license gets to church
o get rings to best man
o who will roll out aisle runner? – limo company
o make sure someone sets up table and arranges programs night before
o make sure someone collects extra programs (and guest book)Hostesses take to
o reception hall


Reception
o Meet with them in mid-late March
o Bathroom baskets?
o little details who handle gifts, hand out checks, money bag,
o put someone in charge of gifts
o who will collect guestbook/extra candles/extra tablecards/extra favors
o who will set up placecard table/gift table and guestbook table? Hotel?
o me to ceremony
o groom to ceremony
o bridal party (to their cars) after reception
-

Hotels
o call Hotel & see about reducing rates
o Gift baskets?
o make OOT boxes
o Buy goodies for OOT
o get info for OOT guest
o Finalize hotel blocks
o Check on reducing hotel rate
o hotel stay for me and fh night of wedding.

Stationary
o Decide on stationary for placecards, menus and programs.
o Design Directions and Thank you Cards
o order Maps & directions
o Put together programs
o Design Table Numbers
o Design Invitations
o Send invites
o Design place settings
o Make Maps and directions
o Print out Maps & Direction or order

Bridal Attire
o Check on BP dresses
o Schedule Fittings
o set up fitting times for me
o set up fitting times for the girls
o Boys fitted for tuxes
o get appropriate bra
o Make sure each girl picks out shoes
o Finish bags
o find Flowergirl dresses
o make sure groomsmen ordered their Tuxedos
o make sure dad’s order TUX
o make sure moms’ got dresses
o Buy undergarments
o Get shoes,
o Get jewelry,
o get headpiece/ tiara

DJ
o Make list of bridal party names for intros
o Schedule when I want these dances to take place
o schedule final meeting
o work on song list
o write music list and meet with vendor

OTHER
o confirm arrival times
o Schedule Final Meeting
o Work on timelines
o Do timeline charts for the boys
o Do timeline chart for the girls

Photographer
o Confirm arrival times
o schedule new Epics in April

Photography
o compile must-have list
o develop organized system for keeping track of responses and gifts
o arrange for florist to get cake flowers to baker
o make sure someone keeps top layer and cake topper

Flowers
o Choose flowers for Ceremony alter arrangements
o meet with florist
o Schedule Delivery time
o arrange for someone to make sure everyone has flowers (all BMs have their bouquets, all GMs have bouts, etc.)


Transportation
o confirm limos or rental cars
o Create timeline done
o Confirm Pickup times
o See if we can get aisle runner ahead of time to customize

Misc.
o 'Day of' and 'Day before' agendas done
o turn in my ring to be polished

List # 2

To do list:

Set Date
Set Budget
Prepare preliminary Guestlist
Engagement Announcements
Ceremony Site/Church
Officiant
Reception Site
Book Limos
Make sure mom and dad booked limos for day of
Photographer
Book Honeymoon
Book Florist
Videographer
Book Calligrapher
Book Band/DJ - CH and Reception
Book Ceremony Musicians
Select & Ask Bridal Party
Gather requirements for religious ceremony (baptismal certificates, divorce decrees, etc)
Register for Precana classes
Apply for passports and all travel necessities: visas, vaccines, etc
Block off hotel rooms for OOT Guests
Purchase coffee/tea bags for OOT guest brunch the following day
Pick up coffee/tea bags for OOT guest brunch the following day
Prepare STD guestlist
Send out STDs
Select stores, make list, & register
Shop for and order Bride's Gown
Shop for and order Bridesmaids Gowns
Shop for and order Flowergirl(s) Dress(es)
MOB order her gown
MOG order her gown
Finalize Guestlist
Select and order Invitations
Shop for wedding rings
Order wedding rings
Pick up wedding rings
Plan ceremony: music selections, readings, etc
Plan back up locations for ceremony, photo sessions in case of rain
Shop for favors
Order favors
Pick out girls BP gift
Pick out guys BP gift
Purchase girls bridal party gift
Purchase guys BP gift
Chose parents gifts
Purchase Parents Gifts
brunch the day after
Purchase elbow length veil
Shop for cathedral length veil
Purchase cathedral length veil
Purchase Bride's shoes
Purchase undergarments, stockings
Purchase garter
Pick out and purchase wedding jewelry
Purchase cake serving set
Purchase unity candle set
Purchase wedding bubbles for after ceremony
Purchase Guestbook for reception
Order Tuxes
Plan reception: first dance song selection, parent dances
Order Place cards
Write out place cards
Purchase place card holders
Purchase cake topper
Establish seating arrangements
Select and order wedding cake
Schedule ceremony rehearsal
Pick family member/friend to hand out programs at ceremony
Book rehearsal dinner site
Make RD invites
Send out RD invites
Purchase OOT guest boxes
Figure out what will go on the outside of the OOT guest boxes
Purchase supplies for OOT guest boxes
Must-Take photo list
Do not play/must play lists for DJ/Band
Schedule Hair trials
Schedule makeup trials
Sit for Engagement Photos
Purchase or make ceremony programs
Schedule day of hair, makeup, and nail appts for Bride and BMs
Mail out invitations
Finalize menus, song selections, timelines, and all details with all vendors
Make or order menus
Attend gown fittings
Break in wedding day shoes
Make sure you have something old, new, blue, and a six pence in your shoe
Call guests who have not RSVP'd
Obtain Marriage License
Shop & pack for Honeymoon
Attend shower and bachelor(ette) parties
Set aside time to write thank you notes for shower gifts
Prepare Day-of Timeline and give a copy to each vendor along with copies of must-take photo lists, etc
Send out wedding announcements to local paper
Confirm all final payments, schedule, pick up times, head count, etc with all vendors
Confirm HM reservations and travel arrangements
Create a “wedding box” to gather your ceremony accessories (marriage license,
candles, ring pillow, basket, guest book) and assign someone to transport.
Prepare a “reception box” for accessories such as guest books, cameras, toasting
goblets, cake toppers, etc., and assign someone to transport
Prepare day-of emergency kit
Prepare any speeches or toasts
Pick family member to hand out tips
Place tips for each vendor in envelopes
Make Menus for reception
Pack for Honeymoon
Arrange transportation to the airport
Arrange transportation back from the airport after HM

YES! Success!!

Yes enjoy the day it goes by way too fast :(
Congrats