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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 AZ
10 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
or ask your dove company if they have any poems available.
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 release
2 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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