Pfeiffer Event Planning - Planning Guide

Planning

Announce your engagement
Discuss with your fiance/fiancee the wedding you’ve imagined
Hire a wedding planner to handle the stressful details. This will ease many of your concerns about your wedding.
Establish a tentative wedding budget (discuss with all who will be contributing)
Set a wedding date or at least a season (keeping the actual date open can be beneficial when selecting a site)
Compile an initial guest list
Begin visiting ceremony and reception locations. Go on deposit to reserve as soon as you’ve made your decision (This will also determine the date and time of your wedding)

Select a caterer
Select clergy or officiant and determine any pre-marital counseling requirements
Finalize wedding budget with all contributing people and wedding coordinator
Select florist and decorator
Start a health and fitness program together – it helps relieve stress and gets you looking your best for you wedding day

Select musicians/entertainment for ceremony and reception
Plan food tasting session with caterer
Confirm, place deposits and review contracts with the wedding professionals whom you wish to engage
Start collecting wedding accessories as your find the perfect ones (ring pillow, toasting goblets, cake knife, guest book, cake top, candles)

Select designs of wedding stationary and place orders for invitations, announcements and accessories
Plan cake tastings and select and place deposit on a bakery
Choose and order wedding day transportation

Complete your wedding registry at a retail store
Select accommodations and transportation for out-of-town guests
Finalize your guest list
Send out “Save this date” letters and travel information to guests that will need to make travel plans
Finalize your reception menu
Order any additional rental items (linens, china, furniture, decor)
Order grooms, groomsmen and ring bearer attire – tuxedos
Visit your travel agent and make your honeymoon plans
Have engagement or bridal portraits taken and ready two weeks before the wedding date

Write any personal vows to be included in your ceremony
Plan and arrange your rehearsal dinner
Inform your employer that you will be requesting time-off for the wedding and honeymoon
Schedule wedding dress fitting
Consider preservation of bridal bouquet and wedding gown and select preservation specialist
Finalize your theme and decorations with decorator and florist
If your honeymoon is abroad, make sure you have necessary visas, vaccinations and passports
Collect addresses and address invitation envelopes

Meet with your officiant to discuss wedding ceremony and vows
Select attendants to be in charge of the guest book, gifts and programs
Select and purchase gifts for your wedding party and each other
Choose your music for ceremony and reception and inform musicians/dj
Purchase postage stamps and prepare invitations for mailing
Confirm honeymoon plans
Make appointments for wedding day (massage, manicure, pedicure, hair and makeup)

Get your marriage license and make sure it is in order
Send invitations to guests and wedding party (6 weeks in advance)
Record gifts as received and send thank-you notes as gifts arrive
Organize gathering for wedding party (bridesmaid luncheon, groomsmen night, etc.)
Purchase any other wedding accessories (ring pillow, toasting goblets, cake knife, cake top, guest book and pen, candles, garter, under garments, jewelry)
Have your final gown fitting and “break in” your wedding shoes
Arrange for your wedding party to have final fittings
Pick up wedding rings from jeweler and ensure correct size and inscriptions
Prepare list for photographer/videographer of specific special pictures, events or people you would like featured
Purchase disposable cameras (if needed)

Organize seating plan for ceremony (front rows) and reception
Make placecards (if necessary)
Prepare announcements
Contact your guests who have yet to respond to your invitation
Have your bachelor (stag night)or bridal shower if you are game
Create program, wedding schedule, and movement chart for the wedding day
Handle legal matters (name change, social security, driver’s license, insurance, bank accounts)

Place your wedding announcement in the newspaper
Contact all service providers and confirm date, time, locations and expectations
Pick up wedding gown and bridemaids’ dresses
Present wedding party with gifts at gathering (bridesmaids’ luncheon)
Inform caterer/reception venue of final guest count and confirm rehearsal
Finalize rehearsal dinner
Confirm tuxedo rental
Assign someone to transport wedding gift from reception to home
Pack for the honeymoon – confirm hotels and flights
Ensure you have all the proper travel documents needed
Make sure all wedding attire fits properly
Pack all items to be taken to ceremony and reception site (Two separate marked boxes -reception/ceremony)
Prepare emergency kit for the wedding day (aspirin, nylons, tape, safety pins, etc.)

Send announcements
Get massage, manicure and pedicure
Attend your wedding ceremony rehearsal and dinner
Remind wedding party of time and location of pre-wedding photography
Give any final payments to responsible person for delivery on the wedding day (coordinator)
Remain calm, try to relax and get a good night of sleep

Give yourself plenty of time
Have hair and makeup done
Eat regular meals
Make sure marriage license, wedding rings, and accessories go to ceremony and reception locations
Take a deep breath, relax and remember to smile (this is fun!)