COUNTDOWN TO YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY

GROOM

1. Find the right woman
2. Buy an engagement ring
3. Propose – practice first

BRIDE

1. Accept!

Photography by www.Donatel.net

1. Set a budget.
   
   Latest U.S. statistics indicate the average cost of a wedding is about $20,000. Be prepared to spend more than you thought you would and prioritize what’s most important to you.
   

2. Choose a wedding date, time (sunset, afternoon), and type (formal, casual).
   

3. Reserve a location.
   
   

   1. HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
      Know that they are booked many months in advance.
   
   
   
   2. PARKS OR BEACHFRONT
      - Check to see if a permit is necessary in order to reserve your space.
      - Find out if they will allow any kind of sound system.
      - In both cases, be sure to inquire about parking and see if you can.
        reserve several spaces for your guests and vendors.
      
      
   3. San Diego Wedding Venues!
      
      
4. Call a hotel/motel near your wedding location to reserve rooms for out of town guests. Ask for a group discount.
   
   
5. Choose your wedding party. Who will be your best man, maid of honor,
   head usher, flower girl, ring bearer, point person for music, coordinator, etc.
   
   THERE ARE WEDDING PLANNERS WHO HAVE ACCESS TO CATERERS, MUSICIANS, BAKERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, ETC. YOU CAN FIND THEM ON THE INTERNET IN YOUR AREA.
   
   
6. Find a caterer – you may want to decide on the scope of the menu first.
   
   
7. If you’re having live music for the reception, seek out a band or DJ.
   
   
8. Start looking for bridal gowns and possibly tuxedos if the wedding is formal.
   
   
9. Reserve a photographer/videographer.
   There is a wide range of choices and prices so interview 2 or 3.
   
   
10. Find someone to make your wedding cake.
    
    
11. Most importantly, sign contracts with all of your vendors and be sure to include the amount of your budget in the contract itself so you get no surprises.

NINE MONTHS BEFORE

1. Talk with your family about your guest list. Once you’ve contracted for the location, food, etc, you know what your cost per guest will be. Based on your budget, you can then determine how many people to invite.
   
   
2. Purchase the bridal gown and tuxedo.
   
   
3. Purchase bridesmaids’ dresses.
   
   
4. Have your groomsmen measured and reserve the tuxedos. If they live out of town, have them go to a tuxedo shop near them. You may want to suggest a national chain.

Photography by www.Donatel.net

SIX MONTHS BEFORE

1. Choose your veil or head-piece.
   

2. Choose your honeymoon destination. Do you want to stay home,
   spend a week lying on a sunny beach on a deserted island, or
   go to Paris and take in the French wine and food, maybe take a
   side trip to Rome or Venice?
   
   Do you want to stay in a hotel like the Marriott, or a bed and breakfast?
   

3. Kindly suggest to the groom’s family to set the rehearsal dinner. This will give out of town guests time to make travel arrangements.
   

4. Arrange for transportation for the wedding for the bride, groom and wedding party.
   

5. If so inclined, you can start a wedding website to communicate with all your guests, especially out of towners.
   

6. Find an officiant to perform your marriage ceremony, i.e. a minister pr a judge.,
   Be sure you have someone who can keep you calm, as often nerves are
   on edge during the ceremony.
   

   1. Ask some questions. Don’t start with “How much?” The person who
      performs your wedding ceremony should be as important to you as the other aspect of your day such as: music, bridal gown, etc.
   
   
   
   2. Discuss with him/her what kind of ceremony you want-long, short,
      Religious, non-religious, including the extended family, do you want the Minister to say some special words of wisdom to you, do you want to include in-laws or kids, adda rose ceremony, light the Unity candle, etc.
   
   
   
   3. Ask him/her to personalize your ceremony. You may want to add some love quotes or your favorite love poems, write your own wedding vows as many couples do.
      Helpful hint: Don’t look for a bargain officiant. You’re worth the best!

FOUR MONTHS BEFORE

1. Finalize and check details about food, florist, wedding cake, music, etc.
   
   
2. Select your wedding rings.
   
   
3. Schedule the rehearsal if you have.
   
   
4. Arrange the necessary accommodations for the guest.
   
   
5. Register at the stores of your choice.

TWO MONTHS BEFORE

1. Mail wedding invitations and announcements.
   
   
2. Select wedding gifts for all your attendants.
   
   
3. Set appointments with hairdressers and/or makeup artists.
   
   
4. Have a final fitting for your bridal gown.
   
   
5. Pick up the wedding accessories (ring pillow, goblets, garter belt,
   candles, etc.)
   
   
6. Make arrangements for how wedding gifts will get home.
   
   
7. Make sure all wedding party’s attire has been fitted and ordered
   
   
8. Plan the seating for the reception and wrap up details of the ceremony
   
   
9. Talk to the musicians about first dance music, parent dances and party
   music

THREE WEEKS BEFORE

1. Handle business and legal details: name changes, address changes, etc. See this page for more helpful information for prospective brides and grooms.
   
   
2. Prepare the wedding announcement for the newspaper
   
   
3. Get your marriage license at your local courthouse
   
   
4. Choose ushers

Photography by www.Donatel.net

FINAL WEEK

1. Review any seating details with the ushers.
   
   
2. Try on all the clothes.
   
   
3. Finalize seating arrangements for the ceremony and reception.
   
   
4. Pack for the honeymoon and confirm all reservations.
   
   
5. Ask someone to call any guests who have not responded.
   
   
6. Review final details with all participants.
   
   
7. Give a final head count to the caterer.
   
   
8. Wrap and present the wedding party gifts.
   
   
9. Finalize detail for wedding rehearsal.
   

DAY BEFORE

1. You’re done! Relax!

WEDDING DAY

1. Start early.
   
   
2. Eat something before you walk down the aisle. No fainting allowed!
   
   
3. Enjoy your day!!!