Wedding checklist and timeline

Six-Twelve months before the big day

1- Decide on a date.
2- Make an appointment with Clergyman / Officiate determine a budget.
3- Compose a guest list.
4- Set time, location of Ceremony, Rehearsal & Reception Venue.
5- Choose Professional Photographer / Videographer / DJ.
6- Shop for wedding gown: Several fittings will be required.
7- Obtain Floral & Music estimates; book services if possible.
8- Register with gift registry.
9- Select bride maids.
10- Pick a honeymoon destination: (renew passports & inoculations if required.)
11- Begin selection of a Caterer.
12- Set a date to order dresses for bridesmaids.

Five months before the big day

1- Finalize guest lists.
2- Order invitations & announcements.
3- Order personal stationary & thank you notes.
4- Plan reception.
5- Choose florist.
6- Men choose attire.
7- Make honeymoon plans. (Honeymoon Gift Registry will save you $$)
8- Choose caterer.
9- Confirm delivery of bridal gown.
10- Make appointment for bridal portrait.
11- Order wedding cake and or grooms cake.
12- Arrange transportation for all members of bridal party to & from ceremony & reception locations.
13- Go over details of reception with caterer / hotel manager.
14- If you are renting any equipment, reserve it now. (Tent, chairs, arch, floral, pillars etc.)

Two months before the big day

1- Inform clergyman of all the details of your ceremony.
2- Keep a gift diary - send thank you notes as gifts arrive.
3- Fine tune guest list.
4- Plan rehearsal dinner.
5- Select attendants' gifts, grooms gift.
6- Check all services.
7- Make moving arrangements.
8- Final gown fitting.
9- Bridal portrait setting.

One month before the big day

1- Choose wedding bands.
2- Mail invitations.
3- Make room reservations for out of town guests.
4- Check wedding party apparel.
5- Confirm music arrangements & check selections.
6- Make reservations for bridesmaids' luncheon.
7- Discuss rehearsal dinner with hosts.
8- Attend showers.
9- Marriage license.

Two weeks before the big day

1- Plan your wedding day hair style. (Bring headpiece & veil).
2- Schedule hair appointment for day of wedding.
3- Final check on bridal party clothing.
4- Notify newspapers.
5- Arrange for name & address change. (Name Change Kit)
6- Check with caterer / reception venue with any last minute change.

One week before the big day

1- Remind rehearsal dinner guests of time / location.
2- Start honeymoon packing.
3- Wrap groom's & attendants' gifts.
4- Check wedding announcements, stamped & ready to mail day after wedding. (Personalize your postage with custom stamps!)
5- Bridesmaids' luncheon.
6- Schedule rehearsal for 1 - 2 days prior to wedding.
7- Remind wedding party of exact time & place.
8- Go over final details of ceremony & reception with all parties involved.

One day before the big day

RELAX!
1- Have manicure & pedicure done.
2- Attend wedding rehearsal & dinner.
3- Give ushers guest list.

Wedding Day

2- Eat!
3- Hair and make-up.
4- Check wedding dress. (Pressing / steaming)
5- Appoint family member to check ceremony & reception for left behind items.
6- Change of clothes. (If leaving for honeymoon).
7- Breathe! Enjoy your day.

Helpful hint:

Make an emergency kit: Include. . .

Make-up, extra panty hose, bobby pins, safety pins, clear nail polish, comb, hair spray, hanky
or tissues, needle & thread (white), aspirins, saltine crackers, band aid, toothpaste & brush, white chalk, dental floss, breath mints.

Advice on choosing your wedding photographer

Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you will have to make when planning your wedding. After all, you can’t retake wedding pictures if anything goes wrong. For wedding photographs you will treasure for a lifetime, there is two basic pieces of advice:

• Hire a professional

• Choose a photographer who specialises in weddings

Many brides have cried after putting responsibility for their wedding images in the hands of an amateur photographer. Imagine the bride and groom with glowing red eyes in every photo! The loss of the opportunity to have lovely wedding photos stings for years to come. Professionals have the proper equipment to provide top quality results. They know how to properly light and frame their subjects to make the most of each shot.

Family portrait photographers do many beautiful things and may take a great photograph of Rover, but they don’t necessarily have the expertise to successfully photograph a wedding. Query as to how many years they have been shooting weddings and how many weddings they have actually photographed. A wedding photographer understands how to capture the special moments and romance of the day by composing special groupings, taking best advantage of background scenery and assuring brides and grooms always look their best. The best photographers work quickly and with consideration for the flow of the day and the needs of the bridal couple.

Compatibility

There are lots of ways to identify possible photographers. Referrals from friends and visiting bridal events are helpful. Also ask the local professional photographers’ association in your area for referrals.

Do you prefer classic poses or casual outdoor shots? Ask to see samples of complete wedding albums. If you are looking for a photographer who will shoot candid shots and black and whites, ask to see samples so you can hire someone whose style is compatible with yours.

Large studios may have four or five photographers and book several weddings on the same day. To avoid last minute surprises, always speak to and meet with the photographer who will photograph your wedding. Confirm this information in your contract. Inquire if a second camera will be available on site, in the event the first one malfunctions. Many photographers work well alone, but ask if they will have an assistant or if there will be additional photographers, especially if yours is a large wedding.

Hire a professional who works well with you. This is a good reason to schedule an engagement photography session. It gives the photographer an opportunity to work with you as a couple and to understand how best to photograph you. It also affords you the occasion to become more comfortable around your photographer in advance of the wedding. Remember, you’re going to spend the entire day together creating your masterpiece wedding album.

Don’t scrimp

Purchasing a photography package will secure the best pricing but it also pays to compare packages. Purchasing your pictures “a la carte” after your wedding will be more costly.

Let me caution you that photography is likely to be the one item in your budget that will exceed your initial estimate, but I feel strongly that this is an area in which you should not cut corners. Photographs are everlasting mementoes of your wedding day and you’re sure to find it hard to narrow down your choices to just a few. Long after the gifts are opened, the cake is eaten, and the bridal gown is packed away, your photographs will be a source of joy and memories for you and generations to come.

Finding your ideal wedding dress

Many brides have had visions of wearing a sumptuous wedding gown since they were little girls. From a fairy princess to a sleek starlet - choosing the perfect wedding gown can be hard work. Here we will show you the steps involved to making your dream gown a reality.

Things you will need:

1- Your wedding style
2- Your wedding date
3- Your wedding budget

1: Pick Your Style

Your wedding gown should mirror your ceremony and reception. So the first step in beginning your wedding gown odyssey is to decide how formal your wedding will be. Will it be a formal evening wedding in a elegant ballroom or an informal afternoon outdoor wedding in nature?

2: Find Your Favourites

Once you have decided how formal your wedding will be, look at bridal magazines and cut out pictures of the gowns you like. Make a scrap book of your favourites. Check out the wedding gown sites online as well. Find bridal gown salons you want to visit. Call some recently married friends or family for recommendations. It is a good idea to ask your wedding site coordinator if there are any restrictions on the amount of skin you can show at your wedding site. Some religious locations will not allow off-the-shoulder, strapless, or halter-style gowns. If you want that bare look, consider ordering extra fabric to make a cover-up (jacket or shawl) to wear for the ceremony and then, afterwards, you can remove it at the reception.

3: Understanding Gown Basics

Being able to communicate in fluent gown-speak will make working with salespeople far easier. The anatomy of a wedding gown boils down to six main categories: silhouette, neckline, sleeve, train, fabric, and colour. The gown's silhouette is by far the most important as it determines the overall shape of the gown. And as each silhouette flatters different body types, it's vital to choose the right silhouette for your figure.

A-line (or Princess) silhouette is the most popular silhouette - it flatters just about everyone. It can make shorter brides appear taller, and help hide larger hips because of the way the fabric flares over them, rather than hugging them. The A-line can also add feminine curves to a straight figure.

Ball Gown silhouette offers a classic, elegant, Cinderella look - great on average-height to tall brides. It's especially good at concealing large hips as it draws the eyes up from the lower body to the bodice.

Mermaid silhouette, sometimes called the fit-and-flare, hugs the body to just past the hips where it flares out to a full hemline. If you want to show off your perfect figure, these gowns are great, as they leave little room for imagination.

Empire Waist silhouette has a small bodice, and a high waist, which begins just under the bust line. The Empire makes petite brides look taller and bustier, and de-emphasizes a thick waist.

Sheath silhouette is an elegant, straight - fitted gown, often floor-length. It's flattering to tall and thin brides, but also makes petite brides look taller.

4: Try On Some Gowns

Visit some stores and see how the bridal confections you saw in the magazines look in real life. Take along a close friend or family member whose advice you respect. If you bring a group of friends, you may be overwhelmed with too much advice! Don't try on too many dresses in one day. You might become what industry insiders call "gowned out" - every dress starts look the same. Also, take notes when you are trying on the gowns, so you'll remember what you liked about each one.

Remember to wear undergarments, shoes, and a hair style similar to what you plan to wear on your wedding day. Skip the makeup, and the lipstick. Cosmetics may damage the gowns.

Here's an insider's tip: visit bridal salons on weekdays rather than weekends - when the stores are crazy-busy.

5: Zero In On Your Favourites

Difficult as it may be, narrow down your choices. But - if a gown calls to you, and you just love it, don't wait to buy it later! You'll be disappointed when it's gone. Buy it on the spot. And, do tell your salesperson that your wedding gown budget is less than what it actually is. It's their job to persuade you to buy above your budget.

6: Close the Deal

Ask the store about the dress's manufacturer and how long it will take to get the dress after it's ordered. Inquire about the store's payment policies - can you put the deposit on a credit card, and is that money refundable? Get a written estimate for alterations and find out if the store offers free services like steaming, gown bags, and delivery. Make sure to get everything in writing. Paying with a credit card, not a debit card can protect you in case something goes wrong with your purchase.

Six steps for choosing a DJ

1. Decide your DJ style

First step is to decide what type of DJ you want for your Wedding. There are many different types of DJ’s. You might want a DJ to entertain a mixed age group with a variety of genres of music at say a wedding or a genre specific DJ who will play for a certain age group. All good DJ’s has his/her own style. When you book through a company that employs many DJ’s ensure you talk and plan with the DJ who will play at your Wedding and make sure you feel comfortable with the DJ you hiring for the night.

Ask your DJ, what kind of music he/ she like and you will have good knowledge of what they will be playing most on your wedding. Common events usually require the following types of music.

Weddings Party’s Corporate Events
All Genre Mix DJ All Genre Mix DJ All Genre Mix DJ
Ethnic Music Knowledge Club DJ (Urban & Dance) Cocktail Music Knowledge
Dinner Music Knowledge Pub & Bar Music Knowledge Pub & Bar Music Knowledge
Cocktail Music Knowledge Specific Genre DJ Specific Genre DJ

2. Budget

Set a budget. Prices range from approx $500 for a basic DJ service for 4 hours up to $2000 Inc GST for a fully qualified, in demand and experienced DJ. This can be more if they are a celebrity or a well known music producer.

Rates vary a lot. It is usually based on talent, personality, experience, music knowledge, mixing ability, demand, equipment required, venue accessibility (for load in/out) and location. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for in the entertainment industry.

Do a good research before booking a DJ in for your wedding. Ask your friends and venues that hold Wedding. Sometime a word of mouth DJ service is the best to choose. Your guests will always remember a bad DJ in the same respect they will also recommend a good DJ.

3. Experience

Ask the DJ how many weddings he or she has done. It’s vitally important for your DJ to have the knowledge on how to direct the music on your wedding with the right music and show to suit the style of event you are having. If they can back up their experience with at least five wedding testimonials and even provide wedding they performed on DVD / Video that you can review. Short video clips will not represent the entire night. A DJ’s performance is really judges by the 5-6 hour experience.

4. Music

Each song that a DJ plays creates a mood for each person young or old. Have an input on how the music is played on the night. Make sure your DJ will accommodate your ideas, play the music you want at the event and will take guest requests on the night.

The DJ service should provide a music list for you to choose a few styles and songs &songs not played in your wedding. On average around 18-22 songs per hour are played. It is always good to choose around 20-30 must play songs and a few genres to follow. This leaves a little room for the DJ’s creativity and will give the DJ an idea of you and your guest’s tastes.

The “not play” song list is just as important.

5. Equipment

Enquire if your DJ uses professional sound and lighting equipment. If you can, get them to send pictures of what their setup looks like. Cables should be hidden, there should be minimum light trussing (unless they have a large lightshow) and it should suit your style of venue. If you have paid good money for a nice venue, a DJ’s setup should be subtle and blend in with the venue. Check with the DJ to make sure they have backup equipment in case of failure. This should include amps, mixers and cd players / turntables / computers. Remember that sound & lighting equipment is only the DJ’s tools and does not reflect their talent, personality or type of service you will get at the event.

6. Summary

1- Choose your style of DJ and budget
2- Talk to friends, family and venues to see if they have recommendations
3- If you cannot source someone you know, check the Yellow pages or Bridal Magazines
4- Make sure you feel comfortable with the DJ you are speaking to
5- Ensure they are accommodating and will assist with the style of your event
6- Remember you are the hirer, if you are not happy with something, say so
7- Check their experience & equipment used
8- If you are happy & confident with what they do book them and ensure you get a contract / event planner
9- Liaise with the DJ leading up to the day
10- Most importantly, enjoy the event!

Beauty plan

Six Weeks to go
Make a good cleansing, toning and moisturising routine. Drink 6-10 glasses of water per day. Pamper yourself with pre-wedding facials every fortnight until two weeks prior to your wedding day. This allows for minor flare-ups or breakouts to subside.

Four weeks to go
Make a booking for a trial with your hair and makeup artist so you have sufficient time to experiment with different styles & co-ordinate the bridal party's makeup.

Three weeks to go
If you want to on apply face tan yourself, begin practicing application 2 weeks prior to your wedding day or you can or just go to an experienced beauty therapist.

Two weeks to go
Make an appointment for a hair trim or colour changes. If there is a problem then there is time for a rescue session. Have your first manicure to start getting hands and nails in shape. Make your final appointment for you manicure .This ensures wet nails aren't constantly smudging.

One Week to go
With an Eyelash tint it means you can get away with much less mascara on the day and it gives you a more natural look. Make sure you get a few good nights sleep-in the lead up to your wedding day. Relax by getting a message or aromatherapy or indulge in a bubble bath.

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