The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
There is one thing that is essential for a successful wedding: organization. A long engagement provides ample time to gather ideas, but even those who plan to elope still need to make arrangements. Because many couples have only a few weeks to prepare for a wedding, we thought a checklist of traditional wedding elements would be beneficial for any engagement period. This method provides the basic considerations in a general list so each aspect is accounted for when the big day arrives. Tailor the list to suit your needs, time frame, and organizational style. Most of all, remember the item that goes at the top of every list - have fun! Bride and Groom's Top Priorities Announce your engagement. Arrange for families to meet. Set a budget and divide expenses. Select a date. Hire a wedding consultant, if desired. Determine style and formality of ceremony. Reserve ceremony and reception sites. Start a guest list. Schedule premarital counselling appointments with officiant. (Some officiants or ceremony sites may require these sessions.) Miscellaneous Register for gifts. Purchase gifts for each other. Consider other gifts, such as hospitality baskets for out-of-town guests, favours, and gifts for hosts of prewedding parties. Arrange for photographer and videographer; provide advance list of shots for wedding day. Write thank you notes immediately upon receiving gifts. Purchase wedding rings. Make the final payment the day of the wedding. Flowers Choose and reserve a florist, or make arrangements for floral designs and/or candles. Determine quantity needed, and establish a budget. Decide if you would like bouquets and boutonnieres only or complete ceremony and reception decor. Schedule an appointment to make plans, and get an estimate. Confirm delivery date and make sure you order flowers for each member of the wedding party. Stationery Finalize guest list. Choose and order invitations, thank you notes, announcements (if applicable), and all other necessary enclosures. Allow enough time for their arrival, addressing (longer if done by a professional calligrapher), stamping, stuffing, and sorting. Weigh a complete invitation, and then purchase postage. Mail invitations four to eight weeks prior to wedding. Create or order wedding programs. Bride and Groom's Attire Shop for and order dress and accessories, such as headpiece, shoes, jewellery, wrap, or undergarments. Choose the groom's tux or suit and appropriate accessories; reserve for rental, if necessary. Get a haircut at least one week before the ceremony. Schedule hairstylist and makeup artist for wedding day. Bridesmaids Select maid or matron of honour and bridesmaids. Choose and order dresses and accessories. Arrange for dress fittings and alterations. Make lodging arrangements if attendants are from out of town. Review with each bridesmaid all important dates, instructions, and lodging/transportation arrangements prior to the wedding. Select gifts for attendants, and write thank you notes for participation. Plan the bridesmaids' luncheon, if desired. Groomsmen Select and reserve attire and accessories (if rented). Make lodging arrangements, if necessary. Review with each grooms man all important dates, instructions, and lodging/transportation arrangements prior to the wedding. Select gifts for attendants. Plan any wedding day activities. Parents and Other Attendants Reserve the fathers' and grandfathers' attire. Share colour scheme with mothers or bride and groom for their attire. Make arrangements for ring bearer's and flower girl's attire. Notify each person of important dates, instructions, and lodging/transportation arrangements prior to the wedding. Make any necessary accommodations for physically challenged family members. Transportation Reserve car or limousine for bride and groom's transportation. Make any necessary arrangements to shuttle wedding party to event. Make necessary parking arrangements. Provide maps or directions for out-of-town guests. Lodging Research accommodation options for out-of-town guests, and reserve a block of rooms. (Group rates are usually available.) Rehearsal Schedule rehearsal prior to wedding (typically the day before). Include musicians, soloists, and other special arrangements in rehearsal. Make rehearsal dinner arrangements. (Traditionally, the groom's family hosts and provides invitations.) Day of Wedding Write final cheques to vendors, and arrange their disbursement. Give groom's wedding band to maid or matron or honour; give bride's wedding band to best man. Allow plenty of time to get to ceremony site. Make sure all legal requirements are in hand. Remember to eat and stay hydrated, especially in hot climates. Double-check travel documents and luggage arrangements. Ceremony Confirm location, date, and time. Choose officiant. Confirm any rules and regulations, especially those regarding decor, photography, and videography. Ask about time constraints. Choose music, and hire musicians. Arrange for a wedding director to keep processional organized, if necessary. (One may be provided.) Give officiant marriage license. Reception Reserve facility; confirm in writing. Choose menu and caterer if not provided. Pay any necessary deposits (venues, musicians, caterers, table coverings, etc.). Note any rules and regulations. Choose and purchase all table decor not provided by the facility, florist, or caterer. Reserve rental equipment; confirm in writing. Make arrangements for the wedding cake and groom's cake. Arrange for music (band, DJ, or other); confirm in writing. Create seating chart for seated dinner, if necessary. Coordinate delivery of flowers or other decorations. Select favours for guests and arrange their placement. Honeymoon (Groom's Responsibility) Make transportation arrangements to and from reception. Consult a travel agent for ideas and honeymoon packages. Make all arrangements (remember passports, if needed). Pay any deposits. Make additional hotel accommodations for the wedding night, if necessary. Legalities Check province marriage requirements. Get marriage license. Ask maid or matron of honour and best man to witness signing of marriage license. Have blood tests, if necessary. Consider honeymoon insurance in case of emergency. Traditional Division of Expenses Today many birds and grooms pay for their own wedding, or families will split the costs evenly. But if you want to keep with tradition, following is a breakdown of what is expected. Bride Wedding dress and all accessories Announcements, invitations, and enclosures Wedding consultant services Rental of ceremony and reception site Flowers Bride's and bridesmaids' bouquets Photography and videography expenses Musicians for ceremony and reception Transportation and accommodations for bride's family Gifts for bridesmaids Groom's wedding band Reception expenses Traffic officer Lodging expenses for bride's attendants Bridesmaids' luncheon Transportation and accommodations for officiant, if invited by bride's family. Groom Engagement and wedding rings for bride Accessories for groom's attendants Gifts for groomsmen All honeymoon expenses Rehearsal dinner expenses Boutonnieres for groom's attendants Corsages for all immediate family members Transportation and accommodations for officiant, if invited by groom's family Officiant's fee Marriage license Transportation to ceremony for best man and groomsmen Accommodations for groom's attendants Transportation and accommodations for groom's family Bride's Attendants Apparel and accessories Transportation if coming from out of town Gift for bride Shower or luncheon for bride Groom's Attendants Rental of formal wear Transportation if coming from out of town Gift for groom
