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Information about
Planning an Outdoor Wedding
Planning a wedding can be complicated or simple,
but just a bit of planning can help to make it smooth and easy.
This information
is provided by Catalina White Doves to help you make your day as SPECIAL as it
can possibly be.
Wedding Planning Checklist
12+ months before:
Talk with your spouse-to-be about what type of wedding you would like: size,
budget, site, formal/informal, participants.
Pick a date and confirm with important guests.
Book ceremony and reception sites; many popular sites are filled a year or
more in advance.
Start looking at wedding gowns.
Begin scouting for a caterer.
Create a wedding Web site to share information and photos.
IMPORTANT: Decide on the time for
your ceremony. Please allow enough time for the doves to return to their
loft.... usually at least one hour before sunset.
Click
Here for sunset and release times in Tucson AZ10 months before:
Start interviewing for the cake and choose a baker.
Select your wedding officiant and have a meeting to discuss what type of
ceremony you would like. Ask if you may write your vows; if so, start thinking
about what you and your spouse-to-be will say.
Choose your attendants.
Book musicians or DJs, florists, and photographers/videographers (if the
photographer does not take wedding portraits, book a wedding portraitist).
Be sure to let them know that you are
having a White Dove Release so they can be ready for the photos.
Choose a caterer and start thinking about the menu for the reception.
Place engagement announcement in newspaper.
Begin your guest list.
6-8 months before:
Bride: Choose and order a wedding gown.
Bride: Decide on bridesmaids' dresses and accessories (shoes, gloves, etc.).
Finalize guest list.
Set aside blocks of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests and send them
save-the- date cards.
Register for gifts.
Begin tastings for reception menu.
Finalize flower ideas with florist.
Order wedding invitations, response cards, maps, programs, and thank-you
notes.
Start planning the rehearsal dinner.
4-5 months before:
Book your honeymoon and apply for passports if you'll need them. Shop for and purchase wedding rings and have
them engraved.
Schedule the rehearsal and book the rehearsal dinner site.
Groom: Decide on formalwear and buy or rent it. Also choose attire for
groomsmen.
Book a calligrapher, if you'll be using one.
Book a hotel room for your wedding night.
Investigate wedding-day transportation.
Choose friends to give readings.
Book your white dove release.
2-3 months before:
Bride: Confirm delivery of your wedding gown and schedule fittings.
Groom: Give groomsmen all information they'll need to buy or reserve their
attire.
Groom: Purchase accessories (shoes, cufflinks, pocket square, etc.).
Bride: Purchase accessories (veil/headpiece, shoes, gloves, evening bag,
garter) and special lingerie before the final gown fitting.
Finalize jewelry and accompaniments (something old, something new, something
borrowed, something blue).
Start addressing invitations or drop them off at the calligrapher. Mail
invitations two months before the wedding date.
Maid/matron of honor and best man throw shower and bachelor party,
respectively, after discussion of guests with bride and groom.
Purchase wedding favors and wedding accessories (candles, baskets, ring
pillow, cameras, toasting goblets, cake topper).
Finalize wedding-day transportation.
Bride: Choose hairstyle.
Visit your officiant to discuss vows, readings, and music.
Discuss how you will handle business: Investigate joint bank accounts,
merging your money, insurance, and, if applicable, name change.
Bride and groom choose wedding gifts for each other.
6 weeks before:
Begin working on your vows, especially if you are writing your own.
If you are using a reading with white doves as
a theme, select your poem and have it personalized. For ideas or poems, go
to www.whitedoveceremony.com
Pick up your wedding rings and check inscriptions.
Finalize ceremony readings and songs and review with performers.
Send wedding announcement to newspaper.
As you receive gifts, enter them into the guest-list part of your wedding
organizer/ planner.
Purchase a guest book and pen.
Bride: Write thank-you notes for gifts received at bridal shower.
Bride: Take veil/headpiece to hairstylist for a practice run with your
hairstyle and book stylist for the wedding.
Purchase gifts for all attendants (maid/matron of honor, bridesmaids, best
man, groomsmen, ushers).
Get wedding programs printed.
3-4 weeks before:
Finalize vows, readings, and music.
Send rehearsal-dinner invitations.
Bride: Have final wedding-gown fitting.
Make
your final payment on your dove release2 weeks before:
Get your marriage license.
Break in your wedding shoes, making sure that the soles are not slick.
Arrange the reception seating plan and complete table and placecards.
Confirm details with all wedding professionals: photographer/videographer
(such as must-take shots),wedding portraitist (if using separately), ceremony
officiant, caterer (including final guest count and seating plan),musicians or
DJ (including must-have and don't-play songs), florist, and wedding-cake baker.
Confirm honeymoon reservations.
Write toasts for the rehearsal dinner and reception.
Arrange for transport of wedding favors, guest book and pen, and wedding
accessories to reception site.
Bride: Pick up wedding gown.
1 week before:
Bride: Have the bridesmaids' party and give out their gifts.
Groom: Invite best man and groomsmen for thank-you drinks.
Check with your White Dove Company to be
sure they understand any last minute instructions.Day before:
Bring wedding favors, guest book and pen, and wedding accessories to
reception site.
Wedding rehearsal with officiant and wedding party.
Relax and enjoy your rehearsal dinner.
Try to get a good night's sleep!
Day of
your wedding
Exchange bride's and groom's gifts with each other.
Have fun and enjoy your day!
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