What every bride should do ...

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Posted by ChristineAEV

12-18 Months before
- Select a wedding date
- Set a preliminary budget (expect this to change many times before the big day)
- Reserve your ceremony and reception locations
- Determine the size of the guest list
- Start compiling names and addresses of guests
- Schedule engagement portrait and then submit photo to your local paper for announcement
- Mail out engagement announcements
- Select your musicians (Band and/or Disc Jockey)
- Select your professional photographer

9-12 Months before
- Select your bridal party
- Plan your color scheme
- Register
- Register a block of rooms at a local hotel for your out-of-town guests
- Start honeymoon arrangements

6-9 Months before
- Select your gown and headpiece
- Select a reliable creative florist
- Choose your limousine company
- Order bridesmaids' dresses

4-6 Months before
- Have both mothers coordinate and select their dresses
- Order invitations
- Complete the guest lists and compile the correct spelling of all the names and the correct addresses.
- Shop for wedding rings
- Finalize honeymoon plans
- If traveling outside of the USA for your honeymoon, apply for or renew your passports

2-4 Months before
- Select the men's wedding attire
- Purchase bridal party gifts
- Purchase clothes for your honeymoon
- Purchase favors
- Address and mail invitations. Mail invitations 10 weeks prior to your wedding date (unless you are getting married on a holiday weekend when you would want to mail them 12 weeks prior.) Set the RSVP date for 4 weeks prior to the affair.
- 6 Days after the RSVP date, have Maid of Honor and/or Best Man call invited guests who have not replied to the invitation
- Plan trial appointments with your hairdressers and make-up artist
- Plan your rehearsal dinner
- Purchase gift for fiance', if gifts are being exchanged

1-2 Months before
- Finalize all details with the services you've provided. Prepare your menu with your reception hall
- Speak to your photographer, florist, limousine company and all other vendors to ensure that all your needs are served
- Get your marriage license

1 Month before
- Have your final fitting for your gown and your bridal attendants' gowns
- Keep a careful record of all gifts received from your shower (write thank-you notes immediately instead of letting the time slip by.)
- Make sure you have all the accessories: toasting goblets, ring pillow, garter, candles, etc.
- Make sure that you have followed up with any guests that have not responded
- Submit request lists with photographer, videographer, and entertainment

2 Weeks before
- Attend to business and legal details. Get necessary forms to change names on social security card, driver's license, insurance and medical plans, bank accounts, etc.
- Prepare wedding announcements to be sent to your local newspaper
- Arrange to have possessions and gifts moved to your new home. Complete a change of address form and submit it to your local post office
- Finish addressing announcements to be mailed on the wedding day
- Complete the seating arrangements

1 Week prior
- Give your final count to your facility and set up your final payment appointment
- Go over final details with all professional services you have engaged. Inform them of any changes
- Finalize your table count, number of bouquets, boutonnieres, etc. with the florist
- Give all musicians the lists of music for the ceremony and reception
- Pack for your honeymoon
- Make sure you have the marriage license
- Make sure all wedding attire is picked up and it fits
- Get to bed early the night before the wedding

Finally...The Wedding Day
- Be sure to eat something. This is very important , as many brides have been known to faint due to nerves and no food.
- Have your hair stylist and make-up artist come to your home 3-4 hours prior to the ceremony to ensure that there is plenty of time for picture taking prior to the ceremony
- Make sure your nails are done (preferably the day prior to avoid smudging)
- Lastly, ENJOY this day that you have worked so hard to get to.
- PS: Have a great honeymoon!

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