Thank
you so much for supporting WEDologize by Dejanae Events since 2009! I
truly appreciate each and every person that took the time to read my
almost 600 blog posts. But I'm excited to share that Dejanae Events now
has a new website and a new blog!!! Please check us out at www.DejanaeEvents.com/blog and feel free to surf the new website.
As 2016 comes to a close and we reflect on all the good and bad of the year, I thought it would be nice to end on a sweet, beautiful, delectable, yummy, delicious, gorgeous, masterpiece, artistic, tasty and stunning note. Take a look at some of my favorite wedding cakes. And if you know me personally, you know I tasted each and every one of them!!! #Happiness
I'm always writing timelines and information for the ladies. Sorry men...please forgive me. Below is a detailed timeline of what the GROOM needs to do in preparation for wedding day.
12 months before Determine budget contribution, including any gifts from parents, family, friends, etc.
Choose attendants (Best Man, Groomsmen, Ushers, Ring Bearer) and invite them to be in the wedding
7 to 9 months before Reserve rehearsal dinner location
Compile your friend/family guest list
4 to 6 months before Reserve mens' formal wear
2 to 3 months before Purchase meaningful gift for bride
Purchase gifts for your attendants and parents
Decide on rehearsal and rehearsal dinner attire
Order rehearsal dinner invitations
Choose song for mother/groom dance
6 to 8 weeks before Confirm formal wear measurements
Confirm rehearsal dinner menu
1 month before Send rehearsal dinner invitations
Tale care of business and legal affairs (inform car, home, renter's insurance of marriage Change beneficiary to fiancée for will and life insurance policy)
Attend bachelor party and any couple's showers
2 to 3 weeks before Make appointments for hair, manicure, other grooming
Create wedding day schedule
1 week before Confirm rehearsal dinner plans
Pack for honeymoon
Prepare speech and toast for reception
Write your vows
Order flowers to be delivered to bride, mother and mother-in-law on wedding morning
1 to 2 days before
Pick up tuxedo rentals
The wedding day
Give wedding rings and officiant's fee to best man
Time is going to start moving fast once you are engaged and have "set" the wedding date. Below is a list of those intial to-do's to get the wedding planing process started:
Research and hire a wedding planner
Set your wedding budget
Announce your engagement and prepare to have an intimate celebration
Select your wedding party
Start searching for your wedding ceremony and wedding reception venues
The wedding invitation is the first indication to your wedding guests of the type of wedding you are having. It shares your wedding "style" on paper. So make sure to make a great impression. With that said, below is a simple stationery timeline for you to consider:
1 year before the wedding - start working on the guest list and gather full addresses
10 months before the wedding - start shopping for Save The Dates
6-9 months before the wedding - finalize the mailing addresses and mail the Save The Dates
4-6 months before the wedding - shop and order your wedding invitation suite and hire your calligraphist or digital printer to address the envelopes. No labels, please.
3 months before the wedding - mail your wedding invitations
1 month before the wedding - contact via phone or e-mail the wedding guests that have not RSVP'd
You are going to need a passport to visit any country outside of the United States except for the US Territories (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands). But honestly, I believe that is going to change soon for traveling within the United States. With that said, I believe it's best to plan ahead and obtain your passport.
Do not wait until the last minute to apply for your passport. It takes about 6 weeks to process. Can you get it quicker than that...yes, but the expediting fees are pretty hefty. When applying for your passport, you will need your original birth certificate, the passport application and a 2"x2" passport photo.
In order to actually travel, your full name must match on your passport and airline ticket. Once you have returned from your honeymoon and have an original copy of your marriage license, you can then change the name on your passport.
Planning for the meal you will be serving at your wedding reception is the 2nd most important process outside of booking the venue. You need to have a budget in mind for your food and beverage and that is typically 40-50% of the overall wedding budget. If you are going with a venue that requires you to hire an off-premise caterer, hire a company that is professional and has multiple menu options.
Below is a catering guide to follow for a 4-6 hour event:
Appetizers - 5-6 pieces per guest
Cocktail - 1.5 drinks per guest per hour
Cold drink - 1 drink per guest per hour
Entree - 1 serving per guest
Side dishes - 1.5 servings per guest
Wedding cake - 1 slice per guest
Cupcakes - 1.5 cupcake per guest
Cookies - 3 per guest
Candy - .5 cup per guest
Hot drink - 1 cup per guest
Until next time...WEDologize!
Photo credit - Rush Productions Info from Today's Bride Akron/Canton
