Planning a wedding for my sister

Question

So my sister & her fiance have set a wedding date for their wedding. It's going to be August 2009 & she asked me & our aunt to be the wedding planners. Since we both love to plan events. We both want to do it for free as a wedding gift but she insists on paying us. She does not know where she wants it, what colors she wants or anything. We are pretty much starting from ground zero with this wedding. Their budget is $45,000 including the honeymoon she said they are a bit flexible with the budget but they don't want it to be anymore then $50,000 if they absolutely have to. My sister is a optometrist & her soon to be hubby is a engineer so this budget works for them.

Where should me and my aunt start? We have ALOT of work to do & we want this day to be very special for my sister & her fiance.

Answer 1

I would try to get a definate date from her for what day during the month. Get some of the basics like what colors they like and if they want any kind of theme. Depending on where you live, I would either start with the wedding venue or the catering service first. Because it will take time to find the perfect place or company that everyone agrees on. Plus, some places are really busy and might not be able to schudual them if they don't get enough advance. After you have a couple of very good options for both of those, then I would move on to the cake and invitations. I hope I helped!

Answer 2

A few ideas to start the planning process:

1) print off a complete wedding planning checklist from theknot.com.  It includes a time frame of what needs to be done at what time before the wedding.

2) buy a wedding-planning workbook

3)watch that show Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? on the style network. Maybe you've already seen it since you love weddings. You can also buy all the episodes on itunes.  It's all about wedding planners as they work with a couple.  It's very entertaining, but also offers a lot of ideas!

Answer 3

Go for a simple theme.......like they're favorite colors........(maybe a baby blue or pink/light orange)....and get table settings......

one place you could go is any craft store.......you could get clear glass vases........fill them w/ water....and put floating candles on top...

or you could just use flowers.........

being creative and making things yourself may be a lot of work....but it saves you a TON of money...........

Answer 4

*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 participants.

• Purchase gift for your fiancé

• 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 officiates fee in an envelope and give it to the best man so he may resent it after the ceremony.