Welcome to my
Wedding Timeline & Q&A Page!
So, you are trying to make your wedding day PERFECT? Try out some of these tips and links to make the planning a little more easier! If there is more information you need, E-Mail Me!
What to do and When to do it!
Questions commonly asked:
Florist:
1.Do you drop the flowers off at the reception site, or do you coordinate at the wedding site?
2.Who should be responsbile for coordinating with the caterer and ceremony site regarding set-up times?
3.When do the final details need to be confirmed?
4.Do you work with seasonal flowers? (Since it should be less expensive than varieties that must be shipped to your florist) 5.When are deposits and final payments due?
6.It is most helpful to have your color scheme and style of wedding determined before you meet with florists
7.Ask what flowers can be used at the ceremony and the reception
8.Seasonal flowers should be less expensive
Photographer:
1.How many portraits and how many candids do you usually shoot? (Get a feeling for what the photographer puts their emphasis on, and what their technique is)
2.Is there a minimum order requirement?
3.What do you wear to the ceremony and reception?
4.Do you shoot all color photographs, or can we have black and white (if desired) as well?
5.What do you feel are the most important pictures to capture? (Get answers for before ceremony, during ceremony, and during reception)
6.Do you carry an extra camera in case one doesn't work?
7.How much set-up and traveling time time do you need in order to get good shots?
8.Does your price include an engagement shoot? (The photographers time may be included in the overall cost estimated, but you will need to pay for each engagement photograph you order)
9.How does the package price breakdown? Can we arrange something different? How much will that cost?
10.When are deposits and final payments due?
11.Will you be the photographer at the wedding? (Make sure to meet the photographer that will be at the wedding to ensure compatible personalities)
12.For how long do you keep the negatives?
13.May we attend a reception that is currently booked, to see how you interact?
14.How would you categorize your style?
15.Are you familiar with our ceremony and reception sites?
16.Do you use an assistant, and is that price included in your estimate?
17.Will there be an extra charge for the proofs? (Don't assume that these are included in the estimate)
18.When can we expect delivery of proofs and final prints?
Videographer:
1.Do you make pre-reception movies or slideshows?
2.What kind of options do you offer? (such as editing, titles, special effects, music dubbing, etc.)
3.Do you have any specialties?
4.What do you feel are the most important pictures to capture? (Get answers for before ceremony, during ceremony, and during reception)
5.What do you wear to the ceremony and reception?
6.Do you charge and hourly or flat fee?
7.Will you be the videographer at the wedding? (Make sure to meet the videographer that will be at the wedding to ensure compatible personalities)
8.Are you familiar with our ceremony and reception sites?
9.How many video recorders do you bring to the ceremony and reception?
10.When are deposits and final payments due?
11.When should we expect to receive the finished tape?
12.How much do you charge for duplicates?
Off-premisis catering:
(If your reception site does not offer catering services)
1.Do you handle the bar arrangements and service? If yes, is there an additional charge for serving? If I choose to handle the bar, can you help me determine how much liquor and other beverages I should buy? Do you charge a corkage fee if I supply my own wine and champagne?
2.As an off-site caterer, do you coordinate tables, linens, chairs, china, stemware, flatware, kitchen equipment, etc.? If yes, is there an additional charge, or is this included in your estimate?
3.Do the photographer, videographer, band, and other service providers eat the same meal as my guests, or do you recommend a different menu for them?
4.Can you accomodate special diets, such as vegetarian and kosher meals?
5.Will you visit the location we've chosen and inquire about possible restrictions?
6.How do you base your charges? (There may be a mark-up on other services, a percentage, or a flat fee over costs) 7.Will you prepare a sampling menu to help us choose our reception menu?
8.By what date do you need a final guest count? Is there an additional charge if I make changes after that date?
9.Are the taxes and gratuity included in the estimate?
10.Will there be any extra service charges that are not stated in the contract?
11.Do you carry a health permit and product liability insurance?
12.When are deposits and final payments due?
On-site catering:
1.Will the person that your meeting with be at the reception to personally oversee things?
2.Will you prepare a sampling menu to help us choose our reception menu?
3.Do the photographer, videographer, band, and other service providers eat the same meal as my guests, or do you recommend a different menu for them?
4.Can you accomodate special diets, such as vegetarian and kosher meals?
5.May we bring in our own cake? If yes, will there be a cake cutting fee?
6.Are the taxes and gratuity included in the estimate?
7.By what date do you need a final guest count? Is there an additional charge if I make changes after that date?
8.Will there be any extra service charges that are not stated in the contract?
9.Will we have cloth tableclothes and napkins?
10.Do we have a choice of colors for the tableclothes and napkins?
11.Will you put cloth skirting around the guests tables, and the cake table?
12.When are deposits and final payments due?
Reception Site:
1.Is there a minimum amount of guests that we must have? What is the maximum that you can accomodate?
2.Do you use round, rectangular, or oblong tables? (round seem to be the best for carrying conversations)
3.Can we dim and brighten the lighting?
4.Check the size of the dance floor they are able to set-up with the amount of anticipated guests, to make sure that it is large enough for you.
5.Is there an additional charge for the dance floor?
6.Who is responsible for decorating the reception area?
7.Will there be more than one wedding or event at the same time of our wedding? If yes, are there separate entrances and coat checks? Sound proof walls?
8.What is the guaranteed guest count policy? (you may have to guarantee more guests than you invite in case more show up. This rarely happens, though)
9.Find out wen you and your service providers can have access to the room for setting-up.
10.Will valet parking, serving attendants, coat check, and bartenders be provided?
11.What is the ratio of waiters to guests?
12.Who will be responsible for clean-up?
13.When are deposits and final payments due?
Music:
1.Do you specialize in a certain style of music, or do you play all varieties? (If you'd like certain ethnic or cultural music to be played, specifically inquire about the songs you want)
2.Do y ou charge an hourly of flat fee?
3.How many breaks does the band usually take, and how long are the breaks?
4.What is the bandleader's willingness and experience in making announcements (act as master of ceremonies)?
5.What do you and the band members wear at the reception?
6.Make sure to see a band perform before hiring them to make sure that you like the band leaders announcing style, and the overall performance of the band?
7.Make sure you have a mutual understanding of how long the band will play.
8.When are deposits and final payments due?
9.What will be the extra charge to have a few instruments at the ceremony?
10.Do you stagger your breaks so there is always one band member performing? If no, is there any music playing during a break?
Congratulations on your engagement! Make it one of the happiest times of your life. It's a time where your will, wit, organizational skills, and humor will be put to the test. Weddings take a lot of planning and you will likely spend over 100 hours on the phone, visiting with vendors, planning, and chasing after details. Oh, they'll be lots of fun too, but to help you get off to a good start, we've put together an outline of most of the things you'll need to do for your wedding and the approximate timeline for getting those things done!
Six to Twelve Months Before Your Wedding
____ Select a Wedding Date and Time(and possibly a backup date)
____ Announce your engagement in the paper
____ Plan an engagement party with family and friends
____ Talk with a bridal consultant or wedding coordinator
____ Find out what bridal shows are in the area and plan on attending
____ Agree on a preliminary budget
____ Decide who will pay for what and how expenses will be shared
____ Call your church or synagogue for an appointment with the Officiant
____ Consider and ask friends and family to serve as wedding attendants
____ Start a "planning system" and system of organization
____ Start your wedding guest list
____ Start thinking about ideas/themes for your reception and catering plans
____ Determine what type of entertainment you want to have for your reception
____ Decide the type of wedding you would like to have (size, formality, and setting)
____ Think about your color schemes
____ Explore pre-marital counseling
____ Start health and fitness plan if you're not already in one!
____ Select your reception location
____ Select your professional photographer
____ Select your videographer
____ Select professional caterer (if necessary)
____ Select Musicians
____ Select your florist
____ Shop together for your wedding rings
____ Select wedding dress and headpiece, and set a date for fittings and delivery
____ Select your bridesmaids' dresses and accessories
____ It's time to choose a honeymoon and location
Four Months Prior To The Wedding
____ OK, now it's time to spend some REAL time with your dress! Details, details...
____ Check the requirements for marriage license
____ Select and discuss your color schemes with the florist/decorator of choice
____ Again consider pre-marital counseling
____ Reserve your wedding day rental equipment
____ Decide upon a gift registry and select your gift choices
____ Order your invitations and related stationary needs
____ Start shopping for the men's’ wedding attire
____ Reserve your wedding day transportation
____ Research and select readings for ceremony
____ Make music selections for ceremony and reception
____ Decide upon and order favors
____ Select your baker, then choose your cake, and groom’s cake
____ Help both mothers coordinate and find their wedding day clothing
____ Review your contracts with all of your vendors and service providers (DETAILS!!)
Two Months Before Your Wedding
____ Have engagement portraits taken
____ Place your engagement announcement in the newspaper
____ Mail out invitations and announcements
____ Decide on the mens’ wedding attire
____ Arrange and plan your rehearsal dinner
____ Purchase your wedding day accessories
____ Arrange attendants' parties
____ Prepare accommodations for out-of-town attendants and guests
____ Consider a hairdresser and/or makeup artist and book appointments
____ Finalize all honeymoon plans
One Month Left!
____ Final wedding dress fitting
____ Final fitting for your wedding attendants
____ Obtain marriage license
____ Have your attendants' parties
____ Purchase your going-away outfit
____ Create a calendar of events for the wedding day.
____ Make sure your accessories are in order (rings, pillow, garter, etc.)
Two Weeks Remaining!
____ Finalize arrangements with the entertainer(s)
____ Provide a list of music you would like played (or not played)
____ Finalize music during special events such as first dance, dance with dad, etc.
____ Pick up your wedding rings and make sure that the engravings are correct
____ Make sure they fit!
____ Contact the guests who have not responded to your invitations.
One Week To GO!
____ If you can, take the week, or part of the week off from work!
____ Make sure your marriage license is in order
____ Prepare seating arrangements, if necessary
____ Purchase travelers checks, confirm honeymoon reservations
____ Pack your baggage for your honeymoon
____ Have your wedding ceremony rehearsal
____ Instruct your wedding party on what they will be doing on the day of the wedding
____ Have your rehearsal dinner
____ Make sure all wedding attire fits properly
____ Give the best man the amounts your vendors are to be paid on the day of the wedding
____ Inform your caterer of the total guest count
____ Confirm out-of-town guests have transportation and sleeping accommodations
____ Check with your florist and/or balloonist to make sure they will arrive when scheduled.
Your Wedding Day!!
____ Your primary goal today is to get married! Have fun!
____ Relax, enjoy yourself, and remain calm!
____ Allow at least two hours for dressing
____ Allow plenty of time to apply your makeup and style your hair
____ If professionals are doing your hair and/or makeup, determine the time they will need
____ If photographs are to be taken before the ceremony, allow plenty of time for that!
____ Remember to bring the rings and marriage license
____ Seat guests as they arrive
____ The groom’s parents should be seated about 5 minutes before start time
____ Mother of the bride is normally seated last
____ Take a deep breath, don't worry, be HAPPY and SMILE!
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