Help Planning Wedding!!! What to do, where to go???

Question

I have been to 1 wedding im my life, i have no idea what kinds of things I need to do, and I have no exact budget, except as cheap as possible! i decided on the colors (peridot, holly and white). and i have the pary pretty much picked out, i am going to rent out the hibernian hall in Albany for that date..my uncle has conections so it shouldnt be a problem. i want to use a JOP. but i have no idea what else to plan, where to go to buy stuff, we are going to cater ourselves, imma hire a few people from the hall to serve! clearly ill want a dj not a band to keep it cheap. i have to look into flowers and cost of dresses (but i cant get my dress for a while bc i plan to loose a lot of weight first!!) i have to look into flowers. what else do i need to buy or look into. i need a very detailed list of what to do/ buy etc..... PLEASE!!! (ps wedding is in august 09, about 200 people! hopefully less!!! )

Answer 1

Congrats :)

1. Here's the budget file I use... change the fields accordingly but first look at everything: http://www.vertex42.com/Links/go.php?url...

2. Get a wedding planner book or just use online ones. Better yet go to a wedding show and they usually give it for free.

All details are in the book or online: http://www.blissweddings.com/wedding_pla...

Another thing, just post ads on your local website's craigslist for florists, photography etc and see who gives you good deals and use those prices as negotiation tool later on.

All the best :)

Answer 2

theknot.com has just about everything.. from photos to checklist to advice...

Answer 3

Use Google for EVERYTHING.

As for the prices, that depends on where you live. For example I live in San Francisco, Ca and a DJ and Caters would be A LOT more expensive than if I was too buy a DJ and Cater in Ohio or Nebraska. They also price on that type of food you get, what style you get (sit down, buffet, family style ect). and the DJ's price on experience and what they offer as for equipment

*Put These Items On Your Calendar First*

•Wedding Date

•Rehearsal Date

•Invitations should be mailed 6 weeks before the wedding

•Wedding dress should be ordered at least 6 months before the wedding

•Bridesmaids' dresses should be ordered at least 6 months before the wedding

•Bride's hair should be cut and colored approximately 15-20 days before the wedding

•Groom's hair should be cut 2 weeks before the wedding

•Blood tests generally must be taken within 30 days of the wedding

*Twelve to Six Months Before the Wedding *

•Purchase engagement and wedding rings; arrange for engraving

•Select a wedding date and time

•Announce your engagement and wedding date

•Discuss and create a preliminary budget with all involved

•Determine your wedding theme or style

•Reserve your ceremony location

•Determine who will officiate the ceremony

•Reserve your reception location

•If you plan to have your reception outdoors, make alternate plans for bad weather

•Decide in your color scheme

•Determine the size of the guest list

•Start compiling names and addresses of guests

•Select bridal attendants

•Obtain bridal attendants measurements and sizes

•Select groomsmen

•Obtain groomsmen's measurements and shoe sizes

•Plan reception

•Select a caterer

•Select a photographer

•Select a florist

•Select a band or DJ

•Select soloists, organists, musicians for ceremony

•Select your dress and order if necessary

•Select your headpiece

•Select bridesmaids' dresses and order if necessary

•Select and order invitations, matches, napkins, thank-you notes and programs

•Start addressing invitations and announcements when they arrive

•Pre-address than-you note envelopes while addressing invitations and announcements. (This saves a great deal of time later.)

•Prepare maps and directions to include with your invitations.

•Check with the post office for the amount of postage needed to mail the invitations when all the pieces are included in the envelope.

•Register with bridal registries

•Reserve the rehearsal dinner location

•Select a baker for the cake

*6-4 Months Before the Wedding*

•Check with your local newspaper for the form and timing of your wedding announcement submission.

•Have mothers select their dresses

•Select the men's formal wear

•Choose songs that you would like for the band or DJ to play at your wedding

•Keep gift checklist up to date and write thank-you notes daily

•Arrange accommodations for attendants who do not live in town

•Reserve a block of rooms for out-of-town guests

•Hire limousines and/or other transportation

•Make appointments for physicals and update your immunization shots and records

•Shop for wedding rings

•Start planning the honeymoon

•Begin shopping for trousseau

•Begin addressing invitations and announcements. (They should be sent 4-6 weeks before he wedding.)

*Two Months Before the Wedding*

•Finish addressing invitations and send them out.

•Finalize all details with the caterer, photographer, florist, reception coordinator, musicians, etc.

•Order the wedding cake if it is not supplied by the caterer.

•Finalize the ceremony details with the officiant.

•Make rehearsal and rehearsal dinner arrangements.

•Plan the bridesmaids' luncheon.

•Make appointments with your hairdresser and mark-up artist.

•Finalize honeymoon plans.

*One Month Before*

•Have a final fitting of the wedding dress and bridesmaids' dresses.

•Have a formal bridal portrait done.

•Complete all physical and dental appointments.

•Get blood test and marriage license.

•Make transportation arrangements for the wedding day.

•Purchase gifts for all of the attendants and particpants.

•Purchase gift for your fiance

•Keep careful records of the gifts you receive and write thank-you notes as you receive them.

•Select responsible person to handle the guest book.

•Make sure that all of the men's attire has been ordered.

•Pick up wedding rings and make sure they fit.

•Take care of legal affairs such as changing the names on insurance policies, etc.

•Reconfirm the accommodations for out-of-town guests.

•Prepare wedding announcements to be sent to the newspaper.

*Two Weeks Before*

•Arrange to have wedding gifts moved to your new home.

•Turn in a change of address card to the post office if necessary.

•Finish addressing announcements to be mailed on the wedding day.

•The groom should have his hair cut.

•The bride should have her hair colored if necessary.

*One Week Before*

•Contact guests who have not responded.

•Give the final count to the caterer and review the details.

•Go over any final details with all wedding professionals you have hired.

•Give the photographer a list of pictures you would like.

•Give the videographer a list of shots you would like included in the video.

•Give all musicians the lists of music for the ceremony and reception.

•Plan the seating arrangements.

•Continue to write thank-you notes.

•Pack your suitcases for the honeymoon.

•Make sure you have the marriage license.

•Make sure that you have the wedding rings and they fit.

•Make sure that all wedding attire is picked up and it fits.

•Reconfirm all honeymoon reservations.

•Make sure that you have your plane tickets.

*The Day Before*

•Have the bridesmaids luncheon if you are not having it the day of the wedding and you haven't already had it.

•The bride should have her nails done.

•Have rehearsal with all participants, reviewing their duties at least twice.

•Go over special seating or pew cards with the ushers.

•Give any instructions about on the wedding day such as what time everyone should be at the church for pictures, what type of transportation is provided, where the reception is, etc.

*The Wedding Day*

•Have the bridesmaids' luncheon if you have not already had it.

•The bride should have her hair and makeup done.

•Make sure that each of you have the rings.

•Make sure that you have the marriage license.

•Place the officiant's fee in an envelope and give it to the best man so he may resent it after the ceremony.

Answer 4

try theknot.com

and if you can afford it maybe a wedding planned

Answer 5

DEEP BREATH!!!!  You have plenty of time.  I planned my wedding in 6 months and I didn't have a clue either!  Check out theknot.com.  It'll give you an idea of everything you need (use the budget calculator even if you don't need to budget just because it breaks everything down).  I wouldn't settle on a place until you've given a few other options the chance.  But I only say that because I thought I knew exactly where I wanted it and it turned out I was wrong and I ended up LOVING where we had it.

You don't need all of these, but these are things to think about:

invitations - I printed my own and it turned out gorgeous!

flowers (girls, guys, centerpieces, ceremony location)

DJ

Photographer (with digital cameras as reasonable as they are, to save money I'd get a decent one for like $300 and ask someone you trust if they'd mind just snapping a million photos and you'll definitely end up with stuff you love)

Food/cake

Attire

Hair/nails

honeymoon (if you're having one)

rings

Congratulations!!!