Congratulations on your engagement!
This is the time when all your dreams and ideas for your special day become reality. Planning the wedding of your dreams is easier if you follow a few key guidelines.
Good planning will increase the enjoyment you, your fiance and your families will have on your wedding day. These guidelines will help you handle the details and limit the chaos of wedding planning. Today, more than ever, engaged couples are determining their own rules and guidelines, often sharing expenses or incurring most of the costs themselves. Together, you and your fiance need to discuss the kind of wedding you want and establish a budget for expenses. After establishing the budget, you can discuss with your families the level of their involvement. The list of expenses in this planner is divided in three sections; the bride and her family, the groom and his family and varying expenses.

Rehearsal Dinner. Usually hosted by the groom's parents, however it may also be hosted by friends or relatives.
Transportation for the Bridal Party. Special means of transportation may be arranged by either the bride's or the groom's family.

• Flowers for the female attendants.
• All corsages with the exceptions of the mothers and grandmother's.
• Flowers for the ceremony, aisle runners and rental equipment.
• Reception flowers

• Boutonnieres for the men in the wedding party.
• The bride's bouquet. Usually a gift from the groom but may be included in the bride's family expenses as part of her ensemble.
• Corsages for the mothers and grandmothers. These are traditionally given by the groom's family, however they may be given by the bride's family.
• Flowers for the rehearsal dinner. These are usually purchased by the hosts of the party. (Usually, the groom's family hosts the dinner).

• Set the date and time of the wedding and reserve the ceremony location.
• Select the location for the reception.
• For church weddings visit appropriate clergy members.
• Discuss expenses and establish the wedding budget.
• Choose attendants, honor attendants, and ushers.
• Order your wedding invitations and announcements.
• Begin both the bride's and groom's guest list.
• Determine the size and formality of the wedding.
• Shop for bridal gown and headpiece.
• Shop for attendant's attire and accessories and establish a color scheme.
• Select and reserve photographer and videographer
• Select and reserve musicians for wedding and reception.
• Order your wedding rings.
• Register for china, silver and crystal patterns and other home gifts.
• Discuss honeymoon ideas.
• Meet with florists after deciding on your color scheme and choosing dresses. Reserve your date.

• Meet with your florist to give a deposit. Changes can be made at that time.
• Address all wedding invitations and announcements.
• Shop for trousseau attire.
• Confirm date and time of wedding rehearsal.
• Plan rehearsal dinner.
• Arrange lodging for out-of-town guests and attendants.
• Select gifts for attendants and ushers.
• Finalize details with reception coordinator.
• Select music and meet with musicians or DJ
• Have your wedding portrait taken.
• Order the wedding cake.

• Contact your florist for an appointment to review your order.
• Mail your wedding invitations.
• Have the final fitting of your gown.
• Call your reception coordinator to finalize last minute details.
• Meet with photographer and videographer to discuss details.
• Arrange special transportation for wedding party.
• Select the groom's gift.
• Prepare seating chart for reception guests.
• Write thank-you notes for shower gifts and wedding gifts as they arrive.
• Place announcement in local newspapers.

• Make final check with your florist. Double check delivery times and locations.
• Make final check with Officiant, musicians, organist, photographer, videographer, reception coordinator and DJ.
• Obtain the marriage license.
• Begin name changes on bank accounts and official documents.
• Keep a list of wedding gifts and their senders as they arrive.
• Finalize seating chart for reception guests.
• Make final check with your cake and confirm delivery time and date.
• Give the final guest count for the reception to reception coordinator.
• Final payments to all that requires a two-week advance payment.

• Arrange pickup of guests and attendants arriving at airports.
• Enjoy the benefits of good planning and a Beautiful wedding day!