Preparing for Your Wedding: Part I

Before the Wedding Day

Engagement

• Announce Your Engagement: Share the joyous news with family and friends through engagement announcements.
• Celebrate the Moment: Exchange engagement gifts and consider capturing the moment with an engagement portrait.
• Send Thank You Cards: If you receive engagement gifts, promptly send out thank you cards to show your appreciation.

Invitations

• Choose and Order Invitations: Once your wedding date is set, select and order your invitations, enclosures, envelope seals, thank you notes, and postage. The U.S. Postal Service offers special love/wedding stamps that can add a charming touch.
• Mail Invitations: Send out your invitations well in advance to give your guests ample time to RSVP.

Reservations

• Rehearsal Dinner: Book a venue for your rehearsal dinner or luncheon.
• Guest Accommodations: Reserve hotel rooms for out-of-town guests and consider providing welcome gifts at the hotel.

Ceremony Needs and Attire

• Unique Accessories: For personalized and handcrafted accessories, explore specialty shops.
• Guest Sign-In Book: Purchase a sign-in book and pen, and appoint someone to guide guests to sign it.
• Programs: Prepare and print wedding programs, and assign someone to distribute them.
• Attire: Ensure that the wedding attire for the bride, groom, parents, and wedding party is ready.
• Marriage License: Don’t forget to obtain your marriage license.
• Flowers: Order flowers for the bride, groom, wedding party, and flower children.
• Candles: Order unity candles and centerpiece candles for the ceremony and reception. Custom-designed candles can add a unique touch.
• Bridal Party Gifts: Choose memento gifts for the bridal party. Personalized gifts, such as candles, can become treasured keepsakes.
• Wedding Rings: Select your wedding rings and purchase a ring bearer pillow.
• Jewish Traditions: If applicable, order a Mazal-Tov Glass bag for the glass-breaking ceremony.
• Personal Touches: Think about how to add personal touches to your wedding.
• Vendors: Secure musicians, photographers, and videographers.
• Bridal Album: Consider treating yourself to a handcrafted bridal album.

Transportation

• Arrange Transportation: Plan transportation to the wedding ceremony, from the ceremony to the reception, and for after the reception.

The Reception Needs

Reception Site

• Decorations: Arrange for flowers, candles, and centerpieces to decorate the reception hall and tables.
• Bar and Catering: Organize the bar, catering, food, and drinks.
• Wedding Cake: Order your wedding cake.
• Music: Book a DJ or band for the reception.
• Photography and Videography: Ensure your photographer and videographer are booked and discuss your wedding album package.
• Favors: Consider unique favors, such as incredible chocolates from reputable sources.

After the Reception Needs

• Honeymoon Essentials: Pack lingerie, cologne, and other personal honeymoon preferences.
• Hotel Reservations: Confirm your hotel reservations for the honeymoon.
• Honeymoon Package: Finalize your honeymoon package details.

Final Thoughts

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but with careful preparation, it can also be an enjoyable experience. Keep mementos from your special day, as they will bring back fond memories in the years to come. Wishing you a one-of-a-kind wedding day and a lifetime of happiness together.

Interesting Stats

• Average Wedding Cost: The average cost of a wedding in the United States is approximately $28,000, according to The Knot.
• Engagement Length: The average length of an engagement is 15 months, as reported by WeddingWire.
• Destination Weddings: About 25% of couples opt for destination weddings, according to Brides.

By following this guide, you can ensure that your wedding day is as special and unique as your love story. Enjoy the journey and cherish every moment!

This article was written for A-Wedding Day. Please share this article with your friends, but be sure to include the author and A-Wedding Day information.