Wedding Planning

Wedding Planning 101: Keep It Simple With A Wedding Timeline For Brides and Grooms
You’re Engaged!

You certainly want to enjoy this wonderful and magical time in your life but you know that planning your own wedding is going to be a big job! The following checklists might make it a little easier for you to keep it simple, keep it organized and keep you sane!

The 12-Month Countdown

6-12 Months Before Your Wedding…

The wedding date has been set and now like any large project, it’s a good idea to step back and take a look at the big picture first, then break it down to the finer details later.

The Big Picture: Who, What, Where and How

• Decide who will pay for what, where you’ll get married and how expenses will be shared

• Talk to friends, family, bridal consultants or wedding coordinators to get the direction you need for starting an organization system

• For most couples, the wedding day can be a blur, so decide early on the best way to capture your special day’s cherished memories - like with an Adesso Photo Guest Book.

The Details

Once you have your organization system in place, start going down your to-do detail list. Here are a few of the critical ones:

• Call your church or synagogue for an appointment with the Officiate
• Explore pre-marriage counseling
• Decide on what size wedding you want
• Consider and decide on wedding attendants
• Start a guest list for the wedding
• Begin determining ideas/themes/color schemes for your wedding and reception
• Select a reception location and a caterer if need be
• Consider reception entertainment
• Select a florist
• Together, shop for wedding rings
• Select a wedding dress, headpiece and schedule fittings
• Decide on the bridesmaids’ dresses

4 â€" 6 Months Prior To Wedding Date…
As the wedding date gets closer, the to-do list will consist of finer and finer details. And because you put an organization system in place months ago, you won’t miss a one!

• Check details and requirements for marriage license
• Coordinate theme and color schemes with florist and decorator
• Decide on a gift registry and register your gift selections
• Order your invitations and other wedding stationery
• Shop for the groom’s attire and select what the men in the wedding will wear
• Select wedding ceremony readings
• Select wedding ceremony music
• Decide and order wedding favors
• Select a bakery for the cake
• Arrange and plan honeymoon
• Review your agreements with all your vendors and service providers to insure you haven’t forgotten any details

2-Months… and Counting

• Mail out invitations
• Arrange and plan your rehearsal dinner
• Select and purchase your wedding day accessories
• Arrange attendant’s parties
• Coordinate and prepare accommodations for out-of-town guests
• Select a hairdresser and makeup artist and schedule those appointments
• Finalize those honeymoon plans

1-Month To Go!

• Last wedding dress fitting
• Final fitting for bridesmaids’ dresses
• Final fitting for men attendants
• Get marriage license
• Have your wedding attendant’s parties
• Shop and purchase your outfit to wear when you leave the reception
• Organize the final check list of wedding day events
• Confirm all the wedding day “accessories” are in order, i.e. rings, pillows, garter, etc.

2-Weeks Remaining!

• Finalize entertainment arrangements
• Go over and finalize music lists
• Go over and finalize the special music events, i.e. first dance, dance with parents, etc.
• Pick up wedding rings, make sure they fit and review any engravings

1-Week Before Your Big Day!

• Review your marriage license to make sure it’s in order
• Prepare seating arrangements for ceremony
• Prepare payment envelopes for Officiate, entertainment and vendors and give to the person who will handle that
• Confirm honeymoon reservations
• Make necessary honeymoon preparations, i.e. bank, traveler’s checks, etc.
• Prepare and pack for honeymoon
• Confirm out-of-town guest accommodations and transportation
• Check in with the florist to confirm arrival time set up
• Have your wedding ceremony rehearsal letting everyone know what they will do on the wedding day
• Have and ENJOY your rehearsal dinner!

Your Wedding Day!

• Allow plenty of time for your scheduled hair and makeup appointments
• Allow at least 2 hours for dressing
• Bring the rings and marriage license
• And MOST IMPORTANTLY, take a long deep breath and relax and enjoy your day!

For the last three years, Lesley Mattos, Founder of Adesso Albums has been happily pursuing her dream of helping people all over the world capture the Now in life’s most important moments. Of all the ways to capture your wedding memories, the Adesso Album is the only guest book alternative that provides an instant memory of your wedding event in both pictures and words. The Adesso Instant Wedding Photo Guest Books can be found at <a href="http://www.adessoalbums.com/weddings.html">http://www.adessoalbums.com/weddings.html</a> and if you need the Polaroid gear, you can purchase it along with the photo guest books as part of a <a href="http://www.adessoalbums.com/begin-polaroids-p-30.html">kit </a>

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There comes a time in a person’s life when he or she leaves aside all the parties and hangovers, all those city nights spent wandering around doing nothing just for fun and when the “gang” claims merely the second or third place in one’s heart. It’s that time when someone feels the need to love and caress, to find their destined half and to feel needed in return, to find the safety of a home and a family. And, of course, what could come more natural in times like those than that special covenant between a man and a woman, that special moment and of course, any man’s worst fear….a wedding! And to spare you from all that wasted time running around trying to make everything perfect, a new way to do it all has come up: free wedding planning advise, online!

Spending too much on your Wedding? Quick ways to salvage your Budget
Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and of course you want to splurge a little to make it special. But staying on a budget is important too, especially if you don’t want to start your life together neck-deep in debt. The first step is to identify what’s most important to you, spend on what matters, and cut corners on the things that don’t. This differs from bride to bride. Some ask a friend to take the pictures but spend an open bar and a big bandâ€"others want professional photographs, and schedule a lunch reception because it’s less expensive than a dinner menu. If you’re not sure what your priorities are, ask yourself these questions: what do I want to remember about the wedding? Is it “my guests had the time of their life” or “I had the dress of my dreams”? Take you cue from there. Also, buy a notebook and write down all your expenses related to the wedding, and have all your receipts in a file. Aside from the obvious costs like ordering the invitations, don’t forget the incidental expenses like having all of them mailed. Every month, review your tally of costs with your fiancée. If you find that you have gone over your budget, then rein the expenses in. Here are some ways you can cut corners: • Flowers. Explore other ways of decorating the church or reception tables: Seashells, scented candles, balloon bouquets. Always use flowers that are in season. • Photography and Videography. Don’t order the wedding album or frame-you can do this yourself at a later time, when you’re not as deluged with expenses. You can ask a friend to do the videography, or approach a college or university film club. Most film students would be happy for a chance to earn a little extra on a weekend, and won’t charge as much as a professional cameraman. • Reception. Adjust the time of your reception so you can serve brunch or tea instead of lunch or dinner. You can also order separate meals for your suppliers (e.g., band, host), or a children’s menu for any young guests (they’d be happier with hotdogs, anyway). Another way of getting big bargains is to look for those that offer “special packages” that include the cake, food, use of the venue itself, and even extras like limo service. • Souvenirs. Make them yourself, if you have the time. For example, place several chocolate kisses into a small tin, while the more artistically inclined can make very inexpensive frames from materials in a crafts store. Or you can kill two birds with one stone, and ask a friend to take “studio” shots of your guests against a special set-up in the corner. Give them a copy of the picture to take home as a souvenir, while simultaneously compiling an album. • Cake. If you really want a high-tiered cake, you can always ask for mock Styrofoam layers so you get the impact but don’t spend on something that most people won’t eat, anyway.

Lesley-Ann Graham runs WeddingTrix.com - a valuable wedding planning resource with bridal guides, articles for the bride and bridesmaid, wedding etiquette advice for brides, tips for brides, bridal checklists, wedding planning worksheets, and more! The Bride, Groom, Best Man, Bridesmaids and Groomsmen can find it all at the <a href=http://www.weddingtrix.com>http://www.weddingtrix.com</a> website.

Utilize A Music Search For Your Wedding
A bride-to-be has a full plate when it comes to making decisions and narrowing away options for her special day. If you are about to be married, then you know all about the potential stresses of wedding planning. Who knew it would be so hard, right? With so many details to organize and so many elements of your wedding day to make special, it is hard to keep track of everything that is important. One element of great weddings that is often overlooked is the music. A ceremony and a reception are never complete without a great selection of wedding music. Doing a music search or two can be the best ways to find great tunes.

I love helping brides plan every detail of their weddings. It is what I do for fun and it is also my job. I love helping make weddings extra special by adding little touches that are often overlooked by a busy bride. The music is one such element that is often thrown together at the last minute. I encourage all my brides-to-be to do a vast music search to come up with music choices for both the ceremony and the reception.

Doing a music search can seem overwhelming to brides, but it doesn't have to be. While there are many places that a bride can do a music search, I always encourage a bride to start with going through her personal CD collection to begin the music search. Why? It's simple: because all of your CD's represent the music you love most, so why not do a music search through your albums and see what kind of great tunes you can find for your big day. You will come upon some of your favorite songs that you haven't heard in years but that will be perfect for wedding ceremony or to dance to at your reception.

Another great source for a music search is through the CD's of your close friends and family. Gathering music this way is a great method to ensure that you are choosing music that is already listened to and enjoyed by people. There is nothing worse than getting to a wedding reception and knowing none of the music. So do a music search through CD cases and I guarentee that you will come up with a lot.

If you are still in need of more good music, do a music search online. There are many great sites to sample music and to purchase songs for a minimal fee. You can round out your wedding music collection by visiting an online music search or two.

Take your time. Find great music. Everyone who attends your wedding will love it.

Hallidae Thomason loves being a wedding coordinator. She loves helping people use a <a href="http://www.musicsearchgroup.info">music search</a> to find great music as well.See www.musicsearchgroup.info for more.

How To Plan The Perfect Outdoor Wedding On A Budget
The outdoors can be an absolutely beautiful setting for a wedding. Natural backdrops of trees, mountains or oceans are unparalleled by any decorations that can be utilized in an indoor setting. Additionally the natural lighting that is provided by an outdoor wedding makes for truly glorious pictures. However, there are careful considerations that need to be made in planning an outdoor wedding. The first tip for having an outdoor wedding is to choose your location carefully. You might want to consider a venue that is capable of providing a contingency plan in case the weather affects your wedding and prevents your original plan from occurring. Although you may prefer an outdoor setting, it is wise to choose a location that has an indoor facility that would be available for your use in the event of a storm that would otherwise cancel your wedding. Dressing appropriately for the conditions is also important if you plan to have an outdoor wedding. For example a strapless gown made of a lightweight fabric would not be appropriate for a fall or winter wedding if the temperatures are usually low at these times of the year. Likewise a dress with long sleeves and a high neck would not be appropriate for a summertime wedding in a warm climate. You will want to be comfortable on your wedding day so dress according to the weather. Once the budget has been established, set it aside for a few days and then review it again. This time away from the budget gives those involved the chance to let the information settle in and the review of the budget after this waiting period gives the participants the opportunity to verify that they understand and agree to the budget. This is important because if someone does not agree with the budget, they may be likely to overspend in one area leaving the budget in jeopardy. After an overall budget is established it is important to divide the total amount appropriately to establish budgets for items such as the venue, food and drink, the bride’s attire, the groom’s attire, transportation, entertainment, photography, favors, centerpieces, gifts for the wedding party and even gifts for each other. It is also important to partition a small amount of money for incidentals to account for small unexpected expenses. If you choose a summertime wedding in a warm climate, be sure to have plenty of drinks available for your guests. You might want to consider having refreshing beverages such as water and juices available throughout the ceremony and reception to prevent guests from dehydrating. It is important that budgets for each individual aspect of the wedding be established to enable you to follow this next tip. This tip advises the couple to be mindful of their budgets for each individual component of the wedding before negotiating contracts for services. If you know that you have allotted $250 for entertainment you would be wise to seek out a DJ that is offering his services for approximately that amount and then negotiate your contract to ensure that you remain under budge. Doing as many things as you can on your own is another way to ensure that you are sticking to your budget. Crafts and homemade invitations can greatly reduce the cost of your wedding. For example making your own favors or centerpieces can greatly reduce your costs and free up additional budget for other areas of the wedding. Another tip for sticking to your wedding budget is to not view the budget as restrictive. If instead of thinking about the things that you can’t afford, you focus on how you can make your wedding and reception truly unique you will be inspired to create a fabulous and memorable wedding despite your budget constraints. Another tip for an outdoor wedding is to consider hiring a live band instead of a DJ for the entertainment. A live band will blend in better with the surroundings in an outdoor setting. Also, the natural music of a live band is also a better fit then the synthesized music of a DJ. A final tip for creating and sticking to a budget is to realize that there are bound to be snags along the way. As long as you remain cognizant of your spending and realize the ramifications of your actions you are likely to realize that if you go over budget in one area, you will need to modify other areas by reducing their total budget. A wedding budget can be a serious cause of emotional strain on a couple. It is important for them to discuss their finances and establish a budget for their wedding plans. Doing this early on in the wedding planning process can help the couple to avoid conflict during the planning phase of the wedding.

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Great Tips On Choosing Your Wedding Invitations
Having a complete guest list for both the bride and groom is an essential part of your wedding plans. When preparing your guest list be sure to invite everyone you want to be part of your exceptional day. It has been a long time wedding tradition to send out invitations so your friends and loved ones know you are inviting then to be a part of your special day. They will also feel priviledged that you thought to include them. Modern wedding invitations have become a huge part of the wedding. If details are neglected it shows careless wedding planning. Here is useful information for those who want helpful tips. 1. When sending out your invitations, you should include a reply card. The purpose for sending out wedding invitations is that you get an approximate count of guests that will attend your wedding. So having the reply card makes it easy for the guests to RSVP. 2. On your invitation be sure you are clear on what type of setting you are planning. Weddings are usually planned as a formal event, however on many occasions the couple chooses to have a casual setting. So it is important to let your guest know what to expect so they to can plan ahead. Another important factor to include is the dress code. Most guests appreciate knowing what you expect so they can be prepared before the wedding date. 3. If you are planning a more intimate wedding you may want to have personalized invitations. When inviting only family and your closest friends it may be better to create your own invitations.Wedding invitations can be expensive so when working on a budget, if only a small amount of invitations are needed you may consider making your own. 4. When choosing your invitations you can include the colors of your wedding to be more creative. You can not go wrong with white wedding invitations it seems to never go out of style. You may want to include the color of your wedding or colors that reflects your personality as a couple. 5.When choosing a design for your invitations you and your partners tastes should be considered. For many years the traditional wedding invitations with bows, ribbons and flowers were considered as great designs however it can also be seen as dull, boring and lifeless. You need to include the personal touch of you and your partner. Include a modern design which you both can agree on. Wedding invitations are not like birthday invitations they have alot of meaning behind them.They allow your guests to see a part of you and your partners thoughts and ideas. It also lets them know that you want them to share in your special day. Remember it is your way to tell the whole world how excited you are to spend the rest of your life with your very special someone. It is also your way for everyone to know just how much you love your lifemate.

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How to Host an Elegant Las Vegas Themed Wedding
Las Vegas weddings are known as tacky and have been since Las Vegas opened its first drive-thru wedding chapel. But now, brides want the excitement of a Las Vegas wedding, without the tackiness. The first way to transform a tacky Las Vegas wedding into an elegant Las Vegas wedding is to send an elegant Las Vegas wedding invitation. A wedding invitation sets the mood for a wedding before any guests walk through the door. A wedding invitation can match a Las Vegas themed wedding through color, photos, icons and more. Elegant Las Vegas wedding invitations used to be hard to come by. Most of them featured playing cards and dice, while others features the King, Elvis. But now, many invitation companies have many Las Vegas wedding invitations, and VegasWedlock has the most with over 200. Another way to rid the tacky Las Vegas wedding is one of the easiest. The Las Vegas wedding venue can be an easy choice to help promote elegance. The decorations can also be elegant with Las Vegas wedding chips spread across the tables. They can also be great for Las Vegas wedding favors. Many sites have elegant Las Vegas wedding chips that feature photos of a bride and groom and other beautiful options. The colors of a Las Vegas wedding can also turn a Las Vegas wedding tacky or elegant the instant a guest walks through the door. Red is a sensitive color and can make a room pop with excitement and romance, but it can also be used for evil. Red should be used as an accent color and not the base color for the entire room and decorations. A base color should usually be a neutral like cream, white, ivory or beige. Don't limit the decorations and colors to only two. Many colors can have a beautiful effect when used wisely. But if a decorator or bride doesn't know how the colors will turn out, beware ... here comes the tacky. Usually a base color with one or two accent colors that compliment each other work best. For those traveling to Las Vegas for an elegant wedding, their wedding planning is easier done. No decorations need to be Las Vegas themed, the invitations don't even need to be Las Vegas themed. Just the fact that a couple is marrying in Las Vegas says everything and has enough Las Vegas in it. The family and friends who travel to Las Vegas to witness a bride and groom marry will experience Las Vegas to its fullest when they arrive in their Las Vegas hotel room and look out the window. Everything about Las Vegas is Las Vegas so no further decorations need apply. Though, Las Vegas themed decorations can also be elegant when chosen carefully. Once again, a Las Vegas wedding can be a beautiful occasion and any wedding planner can rid the Las Vegas wedding tacky stereotype. Simply choose wisely and don't settle for less than desired decorations, invitations or venue.

Find <a href="http://www.vegaswedlockinvitations.com">Las Vegas wedding invitations</a> for <a href="http://www.vegaswedlockinvitations.com">Las Vegas weddings</a> at http://www.vegaswedlockinvitations.com Renae earned her BA degree in journalism from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Make Your Wedding Special With These Bridesmaids Tips
It is customary to honor your bridesmaids for their participation in your wedding with a gift of appreciation. Traditional gifts include a piece of jewelry such as earrings or a necklace that complements their bridesmaids dress and can be worn on the wedding day but many bridesmaids will truly appreciate a more unique gift idea. With careful consideration you may be able to give your bridesmaids gifts that show your appreciation for their assistance and also demonstrate that you understand their personality as well. Camping is one alternative to the traditional bachelor party. You may choose to either rough it by backpacking to a location with only the gear on your back to help you survive the elements for a few days or you could choose to drive to a spa facility that offers well appointed cabins and five star gourmet meals. Whichever option you choose, you are bound to have a great deal of time relaxing and enjoying the company of the rest of the participants in your bachelor party. A camping trip offers the groom a quiet atmosphere to reflect with his friends on the journey he is about to take. Gift certificates to a spa or a salon also make unique gift ideas for your bridesmaids. Your bridesmaids most likely spent a great deal of time and energy in helping you to plan your wedding. The week prior to your wedding was also probably especially hectic with a great deal of last minute details to attend to and errands to run. While you will have your honeymoon to relax and renew your energy your bridesmaids do not have this luxury so by honoring them by presenting them with a gift certificate to a spa or salon you are giving them the gift or being pampered and the gift of relaxation. A few more unique gift ideas for your bridesmaids’ gifts include handcrafted or homemade gifts. For example you could put together a CD of some of your bridesmaids’ favorite songs. You could make the CDs different for each bridesmaid and include a photo of the two of you on the cover and include a heartfelt poem on the inside of the CD cover. You could also create a scrapbook for each of your bridesmaids. You could either make the scrapbook a memory of your entire friendship together and include photos and other items from your various adventures throughout the years or if you plan ahead and take many photos documenting your wedding preparations, you could create scrapbooks as a remembrance of the wedding planning that you shared. Still another activity that translates well into a bachelor party idea is getting a group of friends together to try an adrenaline pumping, activity geared for thrill seekers such as sky diving or white water rafting. The exhilaration gained from these activities coupled with the fear factor makes them a perfect activity for bonding with your friends. These daredevil activities will cause you and your friends to bond during the excitement leading up to the event as well as the thrill of accomplishing a new activity. While these types of activities are great for male bonding, it is important to remember that they are risky activities and there is the danger that you might be hurt during these activities. If this is your bachelor party idea of choice you might want to consider holding your bachelor party well in advance of your wedding to avoid last minute injuries that delay the wedding. Another unique gift idea for a bride to give to her bridesmaids is a gift certificate to a local restaurant. Assisting in your wedding preparations was probably extremely stressful and time consuming for the bridesmaids and they certainly deserve a night on the town and the opportunity to not have to cook for a night. This simple gift lets your bridesmaids know that you appreciate their efforts and that you want to thank them for all that they have done to support you. Unique gift ideas for the bridesmaids can also stem from the wedding theme. For example if you are having a beach themed wedding you might want to give your bridesmaids a gift of a tote bag, a beach towel and a novel to enjoy on the beach. This unique gift idea ensures that your bridesmaids will remember your wedding fondly the next time they are at the beach. Traditional bridesmaid’s gifts such as jewelry and jewelry boxes are always welcomed but if you have a large group of friends and most of them will be bridesmaids several more times as more of your friends get married it might be nice to give your bridesmaids a gift that is unique. Unique gift ideas convey your message of appreciation but also let the bridesmaids know that you put a great deal of effort into choosing their gift.

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The E-zine You Must Read!
The church is packed. The groom is waiting in front of the aisle. It feels like a dream as you watch your friend walk down the aisle. Your turn is next! When you ask your friend about how she put together her wedding, she tells you her horror stories of wedding day disasters. Then she talks about the ideas she didn’t get to use. She may even tell you about the number of times she cried, just trying to get the wedding together. Take heart, and don’t despair. There’s a good source of information to help you make your own nuptials stress free. You should feel only excitement and happiness over your upcoming wedding, no worries allowed! “How does this happen”, you ask? It’s easy! First you should get your free copy of 20 Ways to Panic-Proof Your Wedding Day. This is an absolute must for all brides. Get those nail nibbling moments out of the way. This guide is absolutely invaluable for getting you on the right path. Once you know what you’re doing, you’ll be less stressed and can really concentrate on becoming the most beautiful, blushing bride ever seen. 20 Ways to Panic-Proof Your Wedding Day is a list of quick and effective tips guaranteed to keep your wedding day flowing smoothly. Print it out and keep it with you or post it where you’ll never miss reading it, so that you’re always on the ball. Of course we know that there will be times when you’ll forget to check out your trusty old guide. So we’re throwing in a lifetime subscription to our popular planning newsletter, absolutely free! It gets sent to your very own email address so no matter where you are, you can keep preparing for your wedding (and even share them with your friends). Our newsletter is packed with tips such as how to cut costs on your wedding without sacrificing the quality. Let’s face it, every shilling counts, and we know quite a number of ways to stretch your budget and get all your wedding elements together, without having to up the ante. Creativity is the key, and we’ll help bring it out of you. You’ve probably been dreaming of your wedding day since you were a little girl. You’re hoping that all your dreams will come true, beginning with the nuptials you envisioned at age four. There is absolutely no reason why that cannot happen! We’ll help you make your dreams come true. It does start with being clear with what you want and what you have to do. It also means knowing how much you have to work with. If you want a totally white wedding, then you have to say so! Want to have a wedding with everyone dressed to the nines? That can be arranged. Maybe you want to have a 6 layer cake to grace your event, never fear; nothing is impossible! You just need to know who are the best people, in this case vendors, who can help you to make your dream a reality. Let our e-zine guide you on your journey to happy ever after. It is our honor to be part of your wedding. Please visit us at http://www.weddingtrix.com/freeguide.php today.

Lesley-Ann Graham runs the <a href=”http://www.WeddingTrix.com”> http://www.WeddingTrix.com </a> website - a valuable wedding planning resource with bridal guides, articles for the bride and bridesmaid, Wedding etiquette advice for brides, tips for brides, bridal checklists, Wedding planning worksheets, and more! The Bride, Groom, Best Man, Bridesmaids and Groomsmen can find it all at the site.

Planning%20Your%20Wedding
Regardless if you're on a tight budget, or not budget at all, I want to share some wedding planning thoughts that can make that very special day go as smooth as silk!