Good morning, my name is Ivan Solis and today I would like to teach you how to Organize a Wedding

SIXTEEN TO NINE MONTHS BEFORE

• Start a wedding folder or binder
• Workout your budget- determine how much money you have to spend
• Pick your wedding party
• Start the guest list
• Book your officiant

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• Research photographers, bands, florists, and caterers
• Keep their contact information in your binder
• Throw an engagement party

EIGHT MONTHS BEFORE

• Hire the photographer and the videographer
• Book the entertainment- ( ex. music bands, etc.)
• Meet caterers
• Purchase a dress

SEVEN TO SIX MONTHS BEFORE

• Select and purchase invitations
• Start planning a honeymoon
• Shop for bridesmaids' dresses
• Allow at least six for the dresses to be ordered and sized

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• Meet with officiant
• Map out the ceremony and confirm that you have all the official documents
• for the wedding (these vary by county and religion)
• Book a florists
• Arrange transportation- (consider limos, minibuses, and town cars)

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• Start composing a day-of timeline
• Draw up a schedule of the event and slot in each component
• Ex. The cake-cutting, the first dance, etc.

FIVE TO FOUR MONTHS BEFORE

• Book the rehearsal and rehearsal-dinner venues
• Check on the wedding invitations
• Select and order the cake
• Send your guest list to the host of your wedding
• Purchase wedding shoes and start dress fittings

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• Schedule hair and make up artists
• Choose the music you want to play

THREE MONTHS BEFORE

• Finalize the menu and flowers
• Make a list of the people giving toasts
• Which loved ones would you like to have speak at the reception? Ask them now.
• Finalize the readings- determine what you would like to have read at the ceremony-
• And whom you wish to do the readings

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• Finalize the order of the ceremony and the reception
• Purchase the rings
• Send your next event schedule to the vendors
• Giving them a first draft now allows ample time for tweaks and feedback

TWO MONTHS BEFORE

• Touch base again with all the vendors
• Make sure any questions you or they had on your first draft have been answered
• Meet with photographer - discuss specific shots, and walk through the locations to note spots that appeal to you
• Review the playlist with the band or DJ

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• Send out invitations
• Mail invitations six to eight weeks before the ceremony, setting the RSVP cutoff at three weeks-
• after the postmark date
• Enjoy a bachelorette party

ONE MONTH BEFORE

• Get your marriage license- the process can take up to six days, but its good to give yourself some leeway-
• If you are changing your name, order several copies
• Mail the rehearsal-dinner invitations
• Visit the dressmaker for your last dress fitting
• Send out as many final payments as you can

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• Confirm times for hair and make up and all vendors
• E-mail and print directions for drivers of transport vehicles
• Assign seating- draw out table shapes on a layout of the room to help plan place settings
• Purchase bridesmaids' gifts- you'll present them at the rehearsal dinner
• Write Vows, if necessary

WEEK OF THE WEDDING

• Reconfirm arrival times with vendors
• Pick up your dress
• Check in one last time with the photographer
• Supply him or her with a list of moments you want captured on film
• Send the final guest list to the caterer and all the venues hosting your wedding related events

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• Break in your shoes
• Assemble and distribute the welcome baskets
• Pack for your honeymoon
• Today, I have taught you How to Organize a Wedding