4 TO 6 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
[ ] If you would like a catering service, contact one at least six months in advance, and decide on the budget, the style of service, and the menu.
[ ] Choose your wedding party. Traditionally there should be one bridesmaid and one usher for every thirty to forty guests, however today the number of bridesmaids and ushers does not have to be equal.
[ ] The bride should start shopping for her gown and headpiece. If you would like to have your gown made, you should book a dressmaker and arrange for a consultation and for fittings. Never give the exact date of your wedding to the seamstress; rather, tell them three to four weeks before, in case of any alteration problems.
[ ] The groom should make rental arrangements for formal wear for himself and the ushers. The best man may be of help here by arranging for a final fitting two or three days before the wedding to allow for last minute alterations.
[ ] Discuss the invitation list with both families and finalize it.
[ ] The bride should visit a hairdresser, a makeup artist and a manicurist, and make wedding day appointments for herself as well as for her bridesmaids. The appointments should be early in the morning. She may also consider finding a stylist who will come to her home on the day of the wedding.
[ ] Order invitations and acquire notepaper for thank-you letters. Other ideas of things to order: printed matchbooks, napkins, and place cards (for the reception), as well as an engraved cake knife, personalized champagne glasses and perhaps a "wishing well" box for your money- envelopes.
[ ] A simple hand-drawn map showing the location of your ceremony and reception sites can be very useful and appreciated by out-of-town guests.
[ ] Consult a travel agent and make the necessary reservations for your honeymoon. (Travel, hotel, car rental, theatre tickets, etc...)
[ ] If you would like any speakers at the reception, arrange this soon, as to give them ample preparation time.
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