Wedding Photography Advise

6 to 12 Months Prior

Select your wedding date & time
Announce your engagement have Photos taken
Determine your budget
Choose a wedding consultant
Determine how expenses will be shared

Decide the style/color scheme
Select a ceremony & reception site & reserve
Select a reception site, reserve date & time
Begin a rehearsal, ceremony and reception guest list
Hire your photographer / videographer

3 to 5 Months Prior

Select & Invite your bridesmaids
Select & Invite your flower girl
Select & Invite the groomsman/usher
Select & Invite the book table attendant(s)
Select wedding gown / veil / shoes
Select or rent petticoat/jewelry
Select rehearsal dinner location
Collect bridesmaids sizes
Order bridesmaids dresses
Reserve block accommodations for out-of-town guests
Order stationary, invitations, and thank you cards
Plan reception menu
Hire your caterer
Hire band, musicians
Hire disk jockey
Address and mail "save the date" cards
Make honeymoon reservations
Get passports and other important documents

Prepare maps to ceremony
Prepare maps to reception
Order groom's and men's tuxedos
Have mothers shop for their dresses
Register for gifts
Hire florist
Hire decorator or book decoration rentals
Have physical exam (if required)
Prepare wedding vows and speeches to be made
Complete ceremony guest list
Complete rehearsal dinner/wedding breakfast guest list
Complete reception guest list
Purchase groom's ring
Order favors for guests
Find a place to live after the honeymoon
Purchase bride's wedding band
Order engravings for wedding rings
Order wedding cake
Order candies for reception
Purchase gifts for wedding party and participants
Purchase gifts for out-of-town guests
Complete honeymoon plans
Research wedding license

1 to 2 Months Prior

Select music for ceremony & reception
Purchase handbag
Purchase Accessories:
Guest book
Place cards
Cake and knife server
Garter
Send out invitations (7-5 weeks before the wedding)
Have bridal portraits taken
Book transportation for wedding day
Write thank you notes for Shower gifts

1 to 2 Weeks Prior

Plan bachelor and bachelorette parties
Prepare seating for reception
Have your bridal consultant give you a copy of
      the time schedule for your wedding day.
Make any adjustments or changes immediately
Have maid or matron of honor contact
      attendants about final fittings for
bridesmaids gowns, tuxedos, flower girl dresses, etc
Send photo with wedding announcement to the newspaper
Pick-up your wedding rings
Get marriage license
Sign any legal documents
Call any guests who have not yet responded to your invitation
Give guest count to reception site
Give guest count to caterer

Make final payments to vendors
Give each vendor a time schedule as well as maps to each location
Confirm all honeymoon arrangements and pack
Confirm rehearsal schedule and plans with all
participants and restaurants

Meet with wedding consultant to get and give:
Final detail briefing
Favors and place cards for reception
Seating chart
Envelopes for any payments/tips for vendors to be handed out on the wedding day

Have your wedding consultant tell the caterer to put
      together a food basket (don't forget some
wedding cake) and have it delivered to your
gateway car 30 minutes before you leave

WEDDING DAY

Eat breakfast

If at all possible, make sure that someone else is
driving you to your morning appointments.

Be sure to have your rings

Be sure to have your marriage license

Be sure that your consultant has the "wedding
      day emergency kit." This kit will include
     mints and water to help stop dry mouth
and bad breath

RELAX & ENJOY