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YOUR MAINE WEDDINGplanner rachel bell photography

courtesy of You can get there from here…if you tackle one task at a time! Date: T ime l ine 12 months before... Reserve any rental equipment Select and wedding rings Write thank you notes as you receive gifts l ine To do by this date: Mail save-the-date cards Buy bridal accessories like jewelry, , etc. Confirm playlist with DJ or band

T ime Announce your Choose what guests will throw at the ceremony (rose petals, Purchase gift for your fiancé/fiancée birdseed, bubbles, etc.) Pick a wedding date 10 months before… Select menu for post-wedding brunch if necessary To do by this date: Shop for wedding favors 6 months before… Book your reception venue Decide on your caterer Visit your hairdresser and practice wedding-day do To do by this date:

Review and approve proofs of invitations 4 weeks before… Choose your wedding theme and style Order your wedding Order your ice sculpture or other specialty items Discuss plans To do by this date: Meet with your caterer and have a menu tasting Apply for license Come up with a basic budget Obtain permits for your ceremony and reception, if necessary Confirm floral order and arrange delivery Create a guest list Select and reserve musicians and soloists for ceremony 5 months before… Meet with ushers and assign duties Come up with attire ideas To do by this date: Discuss details of the ceremony with officiant Meet with wedding consultants Order table cards and place print order for programs Determine placement of programs at ceremony Start researching vendors Discuss attendants’ duties with maid of honor and best man Finalize honeymoon plans Arrange for a prep and break area for band or DJ Taste cakes and choose a baker Create seating chart for reception 11 months before… Place order and arrange delivery To do by this date: 9 months before… Dry-run with makeup artist and schedule him/her for wedding To do by this date: Make reservations for and select menu day Select your Schedule manicure and pedicure for the day before your Register for gifts 4 months before… wedding Decide on the bar for reception Decide on your wedding theme and decorations for your To do by this date: Finalize details with photographer and videographer reception Create a reception song list Finalize honeymoon reservations Address invitations or have calligrapher do it for you Meet with several caterers Order headpiece, , and Choose vows Decide on hiring a DJ or a band Confirm orders and delivery date for wedding attire 3 weeks before… Try on tuxedo Determine your ceremony music Research airline, hotel, and rental car for honeymoon To do by this date: Buy or rent groom’s wedding accessories Book your photographer and videographer Finalize list of reception guests 8 months before… Reserve honeymoon Send head count to caterer To do by this date: 2–3 months before… Arrange for delivery of decorations First gown fitting Make a list of photos you want taken To do by this date: Call anyone who hasn’t responded to the invitation Research florists Choose and order Mail invitations Reserve ceremony venue and put down a deposit Select your florist 1 week before… Final gown fitting Secure parking and transportation for your guests and Send engagement photo and announcement to local To do by this date: wedding newspapers Have bridesmaid gown fitting Pack for honeymoon Shop for your wedding gown Have groom and groomsmen fitted for and reserve Pick up wedding Choose your wedding party 7 months before… To do by this date: Prenup? Meet with an attorney Go have your manicure and pedicure Purchase attendants’ gifts Review plans with your wedding planner Make an appointment with your hairstylist for a consultation Wedding Day… Discuss groomsmen’s attire and your wedding day hairdo Do today! Select attire for and ring bearer Eat a good breakfast Determine design, wording, font, and paper stock for 6 weeks before… wedding invitations, table cards, and thank you notes Get hair done To do by this date: Hire a calligrapher Bring an extra shot list for photographer Meet with your chosen officiant Determine order of events for ceremony and choose wording Send rehearsal dinner invites if you didn’t include them in Give wedding rings to best man your wedding invitations Discuss a honeymoon budget for programs Try to relax and savor every moment!

2 | www.realmaineweddings.com www.realmaineweddings.com | 3 Decide on your budget before you start planning, setting priorities based on what is Choosing your ceremony and reception location(s) is one of the first things you need to important to both you and your fiancé. Use this worksheet to keep track of it all. decide on for your wedding day. Read the fine print before signing a contract! v enue

budgeted vendor actual budgeted vendor actual Ceremony: amount estimate cost Music: amount estimate cost possible Venues: Ceremony Location s udget b Site fee Ceremony musicians Dates Available Officiant fee Cocktail hour Indoor/Outdoor Other Reception entertainment Dance floor rental Reception Location Reception: Sound system rental Dates Available Venue Other Rentals Indoor/Outdoor Photography & videography: Food, service, tip Miles from ceremony site Photographer Questions to ask: Beverages Videographer When is it available? Services provided: Yes No Cake Photobooth How many people can the space accommodate? Rooms for guests...... Tax Other How close/far is it from your ceremony/reception location? Catering...... Other What sort of parking is available? Stationery: Staff to cut the cake...... Is the price within your budget? Save-the-date cards Adequate parking...... Attire: Is there an in-house caterer? Invitations Valet...... Wedding gown Are the linens, chairs, etc. included? RSVP Alterations Will there be other going on during the day of check...... Postage On-site wedding coordinator...... Headpiece and veil your wedding? Place cards Are you allowed to move furniture or hanging art/photos? Bridal accessories Menu cards Are there overnight accommodations for your guests? Is On-site availability: Salon services Thank-you cards there a discount? Tables...... Groom’s formalwear Programs Can you have a band? Candles? Fireworks? Chairs...... Groom’s accessories Other How late can the bar be open? Chair covers...... Other Does the cost include a service charge? Transportation: , glassware, and silverware......

Wedding rings: Limousine or car rental Linens...... ’s ring Transportation for Decorations...... guests Groom’s ring Decorating restrictions...... Other Disabled access...... Flowers & decorations: Favors & gifts: Ceremony floral Site Features: arrangements Welcome gifts for out of towners Chandeliers...... Reception floral arrangements Wedding party gifts Piano...... Bride’s bouquet Other Balcony...... ’ bouquets Stage...... Flower girl Fireplace...... total: Boutonnieres View...... Grand total Ring bearer pillow Dance floor...... Reception decorations Special lighting Ice sculpture

4 | www.realmaineweddings.com www.realmaineweddings.com | 5 ph / v ideogra

y It’s important for you to find a wedding photographer and/or videographer that you y click with. Take your time and do your research. You will also want to find out if your otogra ph ph ceremony site has any photo restrictions before the big day.

possible Checklist of people, places, Events, possible Checklist of Events ph photographers: and things you want photographed: videographers: you want filmed: ph otogra y Pre-wedding: y v ideogra Bride with siblings Groom’s expression at seeing bride

Pre-wedding: / ph Bride having her hair styled and make Bride with maid/matron of honor Father giving bride’s hand to groom Salon up applied Bride with each bridesmaid Guests watching ceremony Make up Wedding gown on hanger Bride with all attendants Vow exchange Getting dressed Bride’s veil, shoes, and accessories Bride with flower girl and ring bearer Ring exchange

Questions to ask: Candid shots of bride preparing with Bride with groomsmen Candids of bride and groom’s faces Questions to ask: bridesmaids Are they the photographer who will be Other ceremonious events Do they have examples of their work? Bride putting on dress taking your wedding photos or is it an First kiss How long have they been a Bridesmaids getting ready assistant? Recessional professional wedding videographer? Do they have a website of their work? Groom getting ready How many weddings have they worked

on? What is their shooting style? Groomsmen getting ready Ceremony: What sorts of packages do they offer? How many photos will they take? Ceremony location before arrival Guests arriving Who has the copyright of the images? Guests arriving at ceremony Groom: Are they able to accommodate restrictions at the ceremony location? Wedding party Do they provide a disc with images? Groom, full length Are you able to keep unedited footage? Ceremony How many hours will they shoot? Groom with both parents Is there an additional fee? Guests leaving Have they photographed at your Groom with mother and father Reception: Does the videographer work alone or in ceremony or reception site before? separately Exterior and interior shots of venue a team? Can you meet the other

Will they visit the venue beforehand? Groom with grandparents Place cards people? How long does it take to see the Groom with siblings Centerpieces What is the charge per DVD if your proofs? Formal Portraits: Groom with best man Place settings friends or family want a copy? How long does it take to get the final Bride Groom with each Favors Have they worked at your reception images? Groom Groom with all his attendants Guests at venue before? Reception: Will they make an online gallery? Bride and Groom Groom with bridesmaids Guests signing guestbook Do they offer other services like Guests arriving Do they shoot digitally? Bride and Groom with each set of lighting design? Bridal party introductions Announcing and wedding Is a deposit required? If so, how parents and grandparents What types of cameras will they use? party much? Toasts How new is their equipment? Bride and groom with entire wedding Toasts Do they offer a photobooth? party Musicians How long will it take to finish the Bride and groom’s First dance video? Father/Daughter dance How far in advance must you book Father/Daughter dance

Mother/Son dance their services? Mother/Son dance Ceremony: Guests dancing What is their cancellation policy? Cake cutting Exterior and interior shots of venue Cake and cake cutting Is a deposit required? If so, how Bouquet & toss Musicians Bouquet/Garter toss much? Wedding wishes from individual guests Groomsmen entering ceremony Bride: transportation Guests dining Parents being seated Bride, full length front Guests dancing Bridesmaids walking down the aisle Bride, full length back Bride and groom departing Flower girl and ring bearer walking Bridal bouquet down the aisle Bride with both parents Officiant and groom Bride with mother and father Bride and father walking down the separately aisle Bride with grandparents

6 | www.realmaineweddings.com www.realmaineweddings.com | 7 Music can make or break your wedding day. You will need music at your ceremony and What’s a party without the food? Your venue may provide their own catering services,

reception—whether you hire the same vendor to do both or separate groups is totally or you might have to hire a caterer on your own. A full-service caterer should be able c up to you. Make sure you do your homework and check references. to provide you with more than a great meal—they should also supply experienced atering c i servers, rentals, such as linens, china, glassware, and silverware, and will also guide you in planning your sumptuous menu. Possible DJs/ Ceremony: mu s /Musicians: Prelude possible Caterers: Type of meal: Processional Brunch Lunch Cocktails Dinner Service Courses: Recessional Hors d’oeuvres Appetizer Soup Postlude Salad Entree Dessert Questions to ask: Questions to ask: Do they have a package for the Reception: Service: ceremony and reception? What sorts of packages do they offer? Cocktail Do they have a versatile playlist? Cocktail hour What exactly do the packages include? Passed hors d’oeuvres (or) Stationary hors d’oeuvres If you provide them with a list of Couple’s first dance Can you create a mix and match menu? Buffet songs, will they play them? Father/Daughter dance Will they adapt their menu to your budget? Staff-served (or) Self-served If they are a band, do they play Will they have a menu tasting for you? recorded music between sets? Mother/Son dance Seated meal Do you have to pay for the tasting? Do they have a demo CD? Dinner Family style American style French style Have they worked at your reception site before? If not, will Russian style How many people need to be added to Cake cutting they visit before your wedding day? the catering head count? Last dance What is the deadline for the final head count? Entrees: Do they need a room to get dressed? How far in advance must you book their services? Beef Can you control the volume of the Song list for reception: music? When must the menu be finalized? Chicken How much time do they need Do they provide silverware, stemware, china, salt and pepper Pork to set up? shakers, etc.? Can you see them? Seafood Will they act as the master of Do they provide chairs, linens, or tables? Can you see them?

ceremonies? What will the server to guest ratio be? Lamb When do they start charging overtime? Where will the leftover food go? Pasta What is the cost? Do they have a license to operate and serve liquor? Special requirements: Do they have their own public address Do they provide bar service? Vegetarian Kosher Halal Other system? Do they charge an opening fee per bottle?

How far in advance must you book Will they have a beverage service for the tables? Dessert: their services? Do they provide the alcohol? If so, do they charge a corking Cake Is a deposit required? If so, how fee? . Will staff cut/serve the cake?...... Yes No much? Do they have photos of previous buffet arrangements? Other What is their cancellation policy? Do they have references you can call? Alcohol: Do not play list: Is there a deposit required? If so, how much? Full bar Beer and wine only Wine with dinner What is their cancellation policy? Champagne toast Specialty cocktail(s)

Rentals: Tables Chairs Chair covers Linens China, stemware, silverware, etc.

8 | www.realmaineweddings.com www.realmaineweddings.com | 9 If your venue or caterer doesn’t provide a wedding cake, you’re going to have to go Flowers are a beautiful way to add color and style to your wedding day. No bride de ower fl

shopping. Grab your fork and hit the streets! When meeting with your baker, bring is complete without a bouquet and your bridesmaids would look amiss with nothing c oration s erie images of cakes you love and swatches from your color palette. natural in their hands. And don’t forget the groom! Clever boutonnieres are all the rage right now. a k Possible bakeries: Cake style: Possible Florists: Wedding party: s/ e s/b Type of cake Bride’s bouquet s a k Cake flavor and filling c Bridesmaid’s bouquet Type of frosting Flower girl’s bouquet or basket Frosting flavor Groom’s boutonniere Questions to ask: Cake accessories: Groomsmen’s boutonniere Do they specialize in certain flavors? Cake topper Questions to ask: Do they have examples of their work? Usher’s boutonniere Do they have a website or photos of Flowers their work? Will they be doing arrangements for another Ring bearer’s boutonniere Decorations wedding on the same day? Can they create a custom cake from a Ring bearer’s pillow photo or idea? Cake stand Will the florist you had your consultation with actually be doing the work? Mother of the bride/groom’s corsage Can they match your wedding palatte Cake boxes colors? What is the maximum distance they’ll travel? Father of the bride/groom’s boutonniere Cake knife and server Do they typically use fondant, How far in advance do you need to confirm your Wedding coordinator buttercream, or something else? order? Cake cost: Officiant Can they create special cakes for Can they provide flowers for the cake? Total cake cost certain dietary needs? Do they charge for breakage? Ceremony: Do they offer a cake tasting? If so, Delivery charge Do they handle the set up at the venue? Altar/Chuppa what is the fee? Cake stand rental fee Will they label each piece for its intended party Aisle markers How are the cakes priced? By the member? Cake knife and serving or by the cake? Other server rental fee Do they rent or provide props such as columns or Can they create a cake with different arches? flavors for each layer? Deposit amount Reception: Will the flowers be moved from the ceremony to How far in advance do you need to Balance and due date the reception? Will the florist staff handle the Entryway book their services? move? Table centerpieces Do they deliver the cake? If so, what is Set up details: Is a deposit required? If so, how much? the fee? Cake table flowers Location What is their cancellation policy? Do they supply a base or cake stand? Gift table arrangement If so, can you return it? How to decorate cake table Guest book table arrangement Do they provide take home boxes? Restrooms Is a deposit required? If so, how Part to save for much? bride and groom What is their cancellation policy? Person to clean and store rental accessories Your decorating decorating ideas: color palette: Time of delivery

Groom’s Cake: Swatch 1 Swatch 2 Type of cake Cake flavor and filling Type of frosting Frosting flavor Swatch 3 Swatch 4 Total cake cost

10 | www.realmaineweddings.com www.realmaineweddings.com | 11 What’s the best part of planning a wedding? Dress shopping! Your wedding day Women go crazy for a sharp dressed man—so don’t disappoint on your wedding day. attire will be the most special outfit you’ll ever wear. No matter your style, consider Whether you and your groomsmen decide to rent tuxes or buy and ties, don’t men all of your options. forget you need to look good, too. ttire s wear l A WEdding Gown Bride: FORMALWEAR Groom: Retailers: Retailer/RENTAL: Gown Coat

Brida Headpiece Vest Veil Pants Lingerie Tie or bowtie Questions to ask: Petticoat Questions to ask: What designers do they carry? Garter What designers do they carry? & shoes Do you place an order or buy your How far in advance do you have to Other dress off the rack? Shoes rent your tux/? If you order your dress, how long will it Jewelry & accessories Can they guarantee a delivery date? Groomsmen: take to arrive? Gloves Do they have a website where you can Coat Can they guarantee a delivery date? shop online? Shirt or Do they have a website where you can Do they sell/rent shoes, ties, vests, Vest shop online? Other etc.? Pants Do they handle alterations? If so, what Do your groomsmen have to physically Bridesmaids: Cummerbund will the added cost be? try on their suit/tux or can they send Do they have sales? Dress measurements? Tie or bowtie Do they sell shoes and accessories? Hosiery When can you pick up your suit/tux? Cufflinks Do they carry large sizes? Socks & shoes Do they dye shoes? Shoes Do your bridesmaids have to physically Do they offer refunds? Other Jewelry & accessories try on their or can they send Is a deposit required? If so, how measurements? Wrap or shawl much? RING BEARER(s): Coat Is there a discount if you buy your Other When do you have to return your suit/ gown and the bridesmaids dresses at tux after your wedding? Shirt the same place? Flower Girl(s): Vest Do they offer refunds? Dress Pants Is a deposit required? If so, how Cummerbund much? Hosiery Tie or bowtie Shoes Cufflinks Jewelry & accessories Socks & shoes Wrap or shawl Other Other Father of the Bride/Father of the Groom: Mother of the Bride/Mother of the Groom: Coat Hosiery Vest Pants Shoes Cummerbund Jewelry & accessories Tie or bowtie Wrap or shawl Cufflinks Other Socks & shoes Other

12 | www.realmaineweddings.com www.realmaineweddings.com | 13 Planning a wedding is hard work—but don’t forget about the honeymoon! You and your Use this wedding day checklist to make sure you have wedding day / fiancé deserve some rest and relaxation. everything you need on your special day. your

t s travel agents: Ideas: Bride’s Attire Cufflinks Checks for officiant and Two-sided tape i f Gown / vendors Extra backs

G Headpiece and veil Shoes and socks Assign someone to Extra nylons oneymoon transport flowers

h Lingerie Toothbrush, toothpaste Other Stuff... Hosiery and garter Emergency Kit Iron or steamer Shoes Rings and Compact mirror Phone numbers for Ring bearer pillow and Jewelry and accessories wedding party, wedding Disposable wipes and Questions to ask: flower girl basket Shawl, wrap planner, and vendors tissues Are you a certified travel counselor? Ceremony programs Gloves Sewing kit Static spray What is the tipping etiquette overseas? Cake knife and server Small snack Deodorant How do you convert your currency? Toasting flutes Groom’s Attire Skin care Medications Are there safety concerns where you’re going? Favors Coat and pants Hair care Breath mints Who do I call after hours with an emergency? Guestbook and pen Shirt Nail polish Cash Should you rent a car? or Kiddush Cummerbund or vest Hand sanitizer Plastic bags How many airport connections? cup Tie/bowtie Make up Spray on spot remover Are there nonsmoking/smoking accommodations?

It’s important to have an agenda mapped out for your big day so that you, your family, and your wedding party know what is expected of them.

Who Where When Breakfast: It’s important to thank your wedding party with thoughtful gifts. After all, they’ve probably spent a pretty penny to just be in your wedding. Hair & makeup: Flowers arriving:

Budget: Gifts given to attendants: Photographer arrives: Wedding party gets dressed: gift retailers: Groomsmen/Ushers: Transportation to ceremony: Ushers arrive at ceremony: Wedding party arrives at ceremony: Receiving line: Ringbearer: Post-ceremony photography: bridesmaids: Transportation to reception: Cocktails and hors d’ouevres begin: Food is served:

Parents: Toasts happen:

Flower Girl(s): Dancing begins: Wedding cake cutting and service: Reception ends: Decorations removed/venue cleaned: Tuxes and rented items returned:

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