TOOLS for a perfect wedding

Wedding Planning

Tradtions that never die:

1. The Threshold:
According to ancient tradition, the groom would pick up and carry his bride into the bedroom to protect her from evil spirits. In the old days, the bride would often resist and not give in to her new husband’s intentions.

2. Something Blue: The old saying “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe” dates back to Victorian England. The saying symbolizes purity, fidelity and love, and the silver coin in the shoe is a good-luck token to bring the couple wealth.

3. Breaking a Glass: The highlight of a Jewish wedding is to shout “mazel tov” as the bride and groom step on a glass together to signify the fragility of human relationships and as a poignant reminder that marriage changes the lives of the couple forever.

4. Throwing the Bouquet: Bridal wreaths, garlands and bouquets were originally considered symbols of happiness and were made of herbs to thwart evil spirits. Over time, the herbs were replaced by flowers. Today, the single woman who catches the tossed bouquet at the reception is said to be the next to be married.

   1 year +

  1. Announce your engagement
  2. Discuss budget, dates with both families
  3. Start looking at ceremony and reception sites
  4. Start looking at wedding gowns
  5. Select and invite attendants
  6. Select your ceremony officiant
  7. Create email account for wedding correspondance
  8. Attend a bridal show
  9. Set up your gift registry
  10. Start looking at florists, caterers, entertainment and photographers/videographers

   6-9 months

  1. Reserve your reception site
  2. Reserve your caterers
  3. Finalize your guest list
  4. Decide on invitations
  5. Decide on entertainment
  6. Plan your engagement party
  7. Start thinking about your honeymoon
  8. Start planning your menu

   3 months

  1. Order the invitations
  2. Shop for bridal party dresses
  3. Shop for the rings
  4. Book your honeymoon and make passport arrangements, if necessary
  5. Order the wedding cake
  6. Shop for bridal party gifts
  7. Reserve formalwear for the groomsmen
  8. Confirm orders with florist, entertainers and reception site
  9. Set up bridal gift registry
  10. Reserve blocks of hotel rooms for out-oftown guests
  11. Plan all parties, showers, and luncheons

   2 months

  1. Address and send invitations
  2. Book transportation
  3. Choose all music for the ceremony and reception
  4. Determine ceremony protocol
  5. Confirm ceremony details with participants
  6. Purchase bridal party gifts
  7. Finalize rehearsal dinner plans and reception menu
  8. Design and print wedding programs
  9. Arrange fittings for bridal party

   1 month

  1. Submit wedding announcement to local media
  2. Choose all accessories
  3. Write Thank-You notes for any gifts received
  4. Apply for marriage license
  5. Send rehearsal dinner invitations
  6. Draft a seating chart for the reception, if necessary
  7. Finalize details with all hired professionals
  8. Finalize jewlery

   2 weeks

  1. Complete floor and seating plans for the reception
  2. Wrap gifts for everyone involved
  3. Start working on speeches and toasts
  4. Finalize receiving line

   1 week

  1. Pick up formalwear and ensure it fits properly
  2. Make sure passports and marriage lisence are in hand
  3. Pack for honeymoon
  4. Pamper yourself with a massage, manicure and pedicure

   Day before Wedding

  1. Put rings and license in safe place
  2. Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
  3. Pack wedding-day items
  4. Pay the vendors
  5. Give gifts to attendants

   Day of Wedding

  1. Deliver bridal clothing and honeymoon bag to reception venue or staging area
  2. Have hair styled and makeup applied
  3. Review your checklist
  4. Have candid pre-wedding pictures taken
  5. Get dressed
  6. Enjoy your special day!