Friday, March 20, 2009

Destination Wediquette

Faraway affairs are often less formal than homegrown vows. Still, when it comes to matters like money, bridal gifts and invitations, a few rules apply. Here are some tips to help guide you through the list of dos and don'ts.

Guest List

With an affair far away from home, you needn't feel compelled to invite your third cousins twice removed. Just remember that in between the cost of airfare and accommodations and getting time off from work and school, not everyone on your list will be able to join you.

Typically, about 70 percent of the people invited to a destination event show up, according to Claudia Cantillo, Wedding Coordinator at Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa on Mexico's Riviera Maya. Still, Cantillo notes, "Couples should never count on guests not accepting their invitation". If you select a particularly fantastic locale, don't be surprised if a majority of friends and family make the trip.

What about those who can't go? Throw a party once back home. This kind of "reception" can be large or small, formal or informal, and gives you and your new spouse a chance to celebrate with all of your nearest and dearest. "Plan the decor around your destination," suggests Joann Delgin, Director of Wedding Strategy with Sandals resorts. "And be sure to have wedding photos or even the DVD on hand to share with those who couldn't attend". Generally, gifts are not expected at this type of party, but well-wishers will probably bring something anyway.

Save the Date

Preferably, "save-the-date" cards for a faraway event should go out six months to a year in advance so that friends and family can work the trip into their budget and work schedule. This way you'll also have an idea early on of how many people will be able to attend. While electronic cards such as E-vites are growing in popularity, Delgin recommends sending both the save-the-date cards and wedding invitations formally via airmail. "E-vites are fun and creative for casual occasions, but your wedding is a once- in-a-lifetime event".

As the big day approaches, create a simple website to keep invitees informed of travel and accommodation options along with price ranges, transportation details, activities and any other information that may simplify the process. "Keep the information current, and email guests each time you make significant changes," recommends Cantillo.

Money Manners

Getaway nuptials generally call on invitees to pay their own airfare and lodging, while you pick up the tab for food and beverages. Nonetheless, you should still price tickets and rooms for your guests. "Call a few airlines and negotiate a group fare," says Kelly McLeskey, Catering Director at California's Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. She also suggests contacting the hotel you're staying at to find out about group discounts on accommodations.

Be sure to book your reservations early as group rates typically are based on availability. If money is truly a concern for your attendees, let them know their presence is the only wedding gift you need and make yourself available to assist in any way possible. Besides getting them discounted accommodations, perhaps you can also help them pair up on rooms. And, as Delgin suggests, consider tying the knot at an all-inclusive resort, where the rate includes all the food, beverages and most activities.

Wedding Gifts

As with any nuptial, avoid the mention of gifts on the wedding invitation. In fact, you should appear completely unconcerned with gifts once you've arranged the registry. A family member or member of the wedding party will inform guests where you are registered and let invitees know to either send the presents to your home or to only bring gifts of money or gift certificates to the destination. "No one wants to lug that vintage toaster across the country-twice," says Delgin.

Some resorts and hotels allow couples to register their honeymoon online, a process that works just like a gift registry, says Cantillo. "Your friends and family can purchase parts of your honeymoon experience as a wedding present".

Bridal Shower

With traditional nuptials, inviting guests to the shower and not to the wedding is improper protocol. But since so many bridal couples elope or opt for a private affair at a small venue, modern etiquette suggests destination events can be an exception to this rule. To avoid offending anybody, make sure your maid of honor or a family member informs shower guests that your wedding is an intimate event and-if you throw a party once back home-that you and your spouse will see everyone at the reception. Wedding gifts are optional and should never be expected. Still, since bridal showers were created to "shower" the bride with gifts, guests attending your gathering will most likely bring a present.

Rehearsal Dinner

"Typically, the rehearsal dinner is for the bridal party, immediate family and out-of-town guests," Delgin says. "But since everyone has traveled to be a part of your destination wedding, it's a good idea to include the whole gang". This type of celebration can be as formal as a sit-down soiree or as laid-back as a beach barbecue, the expert notes.

If you're watching your budget, one idea is to invite your close family and the wedding party to the dinner, and then ask everyone else to join you for toasts and dessert, says McLeskey. "It's a great way to include everyone without spending a fortune".

Dress Code

The first thing to consider is the environment. Are you tying the knot outdoors in a beachside setting, atop a hillside, or inside an elegant hotel ballroom? If you're heading to an island, go for natural, lightweight fabrics like silk chiffon, silk organza and satin crepes rather than a big ball gown. Look for dresses that drape your body rather than cling to it, especially in a tropical climate. A shorter dress works well in an outdoor environment where you might get a longer outfit dirty. And skip the veil if it's going to be extra breezy.

For the groom, a white dinner jacket or light, breathable fabrics like linen and poplin are great alternatives to a formal tux. Just make sure you two wear outfits that mix well together. Because your wedding guests may have to travel to a place they have not visited before, it's wise to state the dress code on the invitation. Depending on your preference and the location, this can be anything from "cocktail attire" and "dressy casual" to "resort wear" or "evening resort attire". Bottom line, says McLeskey, "You don't want your guests to feel overdressed or under dressed".

Nuptial Favors

There are many ways to welcome guests and show you appreciate their attendance. If the whole wedding party stays in one place, prepare a small treat and leave it at the front desk so that people receive the gifts when they check in. "This can be a welcome basket or tote bag filled with local maps, native snacks and an itinerary of events," Delgin says, adding, "A beach or tote bag makes for a great keepsake and remembrance of this special time".

An alternative to creating and shipping dozens of packages is to give attendees a gift certificate to the hotel spa or a nearby restaurant. Or put together a mini-guide to the area to keep your invitees entertained. For instance, if you're marrying in wine country, provide a bottle of locally made wine along with a map for guests to orchestrate their own winery tour.

Quality Time

One of the great things about a destination wedding is that you get to spend quality time with family and friends for a few days. But just because your loved ones came all the way to a far-flung locale doesn't mean you have to spend every minute with them, particularly not after the big day. Declining invitations to socialize with your guests following the "I dos" is neither inappropriate or against tradition.

Nonetheless, since many invitees may stay at the destination for some time, offer tips on activities they can enjoy in and around the area and introduce them to other guests who are sticking around. You can even send your invitees a questionnaire beforehand to determine special interests and construct a fun itinerary based on the resort activities, Cantillo suggests. Still, says Delgin, "No one is expecting you to plan 24 hours of activity each day to entertain them".

If the two of you still feel guilty taking time for yourselves after the wedding, arrive a few days ahead of your wedding party, or simply look at your trip as an opportunity to enjoy the company of your loved ones in a wonderful vacation spot. After all, you and your new spouse have your entire lives to spend in each other's arms.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Legal Considerations

A guide to marriage laws and regulations in North America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii and the South Pacific.

Whether you have your heart set on Fiji, Cancun, Jamaica or Las Vegas, it's essential to know the official destination wedding procedures at your chosen locale before making the travel arrangements. Does the country require a minimum residency period? How many witnesses are required? Many places ask only for a passport or photo ID, while some call for birth certificates, blood work and translated copies of your documents.

Below is a list of locations featured in Elite Wedding Collection magazine and the specific nuptial formalities associated with each. Note that numerous resorts and hotels guide couples through the paperwork, so be sure to ask for the type of services available when you first contact your destination.

North America Weddings

United States Weddings

Obtaining a marriage license: Apply with county clerk in the city of wedding.
Identification needed: Most states ask for photo ID or passport; some also require social security numbers and proof of divorce or death certificate, if applicable. You may be asked for a certified copy of your birth certificate.
License waiting period: Varies from state to state
License fees: From $10-$100
Residency period: Varies
Witnesses needed: Varies

Canada Weddings

Obtaining a marriage license: Apply with county clerk in the city of wedding.
Identification needed: Most Canadian states ask for photo ID and a birth certificate, along with proof of divorce or death certificate, if applicable.
License waiting period: Varies from state to state
License fees: From US$10
Residency period: Varies
Witnesses needed: Varies

Caribbean Weddings

Antigua Weddings

Obtaining a marriage license: Couples apply at Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs in St. John's
Identification needed: Passport or driver's license and birth certificate. Proof of divorce, death certificate or deed poll, if applicable.
License waiting period: None
License fees: From US $150
Residency period: None
Witnesses needed: Two

Aruba Weddings

Obtaining a marriage license: All documents must be sent to the Civil Hall one month prior to the ceremony.
Identification needed: Apostille documentation from country of citizenship verifying partners' single status. Valid passports and copies of pages showing relevant details. Copies of birth certificates with raised seals. Proof of divorce or death certificate, if applicable. Copies of passport pages of witnesses.
License waiting period: All documents to be submitted at least one month prior (by courier) to wedding date.
License fees: From US $80
Residency period: None
Witnesses needed: Two

Bahamas Weddings

Obtaining a marriage license: Couples apply in person at the American Embassy, Nassau, or a Bahamas notary public.
Identification needed: Proof of arrival in the Bahamas. Passport or birth certificate and photo ID. Proof of single status by the U.S. Consul, proof of divorce or death certificate, if applicable.
License waiting period: One day
License fees: From US $100
Residency period: None
Witnesses needed: Two

British Virgin Islands Weddings

Obtaining a marriage license: Apply in person at the Attorney General's office in Tortola on the day of arrival.
Identification needed: Passport, birth certificate, proof of divorce or death certificate, if applicable.
License waiting period: Three days
License fees: US$110 in B.V.I. postage stamps if BVI resident for 1 day; US$50 in BVI Postage Stamps if resident for 15 days or more.
Residency period: None
Witnesses needed: Two

Dominican Republic Weddings

Obtaining a marriage license: Send written request for permission to marry to the American Consulate in Santo Domingo.
Identification needed: Valid passports for the couple and any foreign witnesses. Affidavit stating marriage status. Original copies and photocopies of birth certificates, and adoption certificates, name deeds and decree absolute, if applicable. Original and photocopies of death certificates. First, middle and last names must show up identically on passport, affidavit declaration and birth certificate. Documents must be translated into Spanish by the Dominican Consulate or Embassy in the United Stated.
License waiting period: Varies
License fees: From US$20
Residency period: None
Witnesses needed: Two (non-family members with valid photo identification)

The Grenadines Weddings

Obtaining a marriage license: File your application in person at the Ministry of Legal Affairs.
Identification needed: Passport, birth certificate and proof of divorce or death certificate, if applicable. All documents must be notarized, and in English.
License waiting period: One day
License fees: US$190, plus US$7.50 in stamp fees
Residency period: None
Witnesses needed: None

Jamaica Weddings

Obtaining a marriage license: Apply and receive a marriage certificate from the Ministry of National Security in Kingston.
Identification needed: Photo identification plus proof of citizenship (certified copy of birth certificate which includes father's name). Certified copy of death certificate or divorce decree, if applicable. Documented parental consent if either party is under 21.
License waiting period: One day
License fees: US$75
Residency period: 24 hours before ceremony
Witnesses needed: None

St. Lucia Weddings

Obtaining a marriage license: Apply with Attorney General through a local solicitor.
Identification needed: Passports, original birth certificates and proof of divorce, death certificate or deed poll, if applicable. Couples wishing to be married within the Catholic Church must have the couple's local parish priest liaise with a priest on the island.
License waiting period: Two days for processing
License fees: From US$195
Residency period: Four days before applying
Witnesses needed: None

St. Martin Weddings

Obtaining a marriage license: Apply with civil registry at least 14 days prior to ceremony.
Identification needed: Birth certificate (or copy with raised seal). Certificate of good conduct (including certificate of single standing). Medical certificate issued within three months of event; a blood test is required. French translation of English documents.
License waiting period: See below
License fees: None
Residency period: One of partners must be a resident for 30 days (residency card is required), but many resorts help couples speed up procedures.
Witnesses needed: None

Turks & Caicos Weddings

Obtaining a marriage license: Apply with registrar in Grand Turk.
Identification needed: Proof of single status (notarized copies of affidavit and proof of divorce or death certificate, if applicable). Birth certificate and photo ID.
License waiting period: Two-Three days to marry
License fees: US$50
Residency period: 48 hours before applying
Witnesses needed: None

U.S. Virgin Islands Weddings

Obtaining a marriage license: Send a letter requesting or call to request a marriage license to the Territorial court of the U.S. Virgin Islands in St. Thomas/St. John (340- 774-6680) or St. Croix (340-778-9750) or download application at www.usvitourism.vi.
Identification needed: Proof of divorce.
License waiting period: 8 days (from receipt of notarized application. Couples need not be on-island).
License fees: US$50
Residency period: Same as waiting period
Witnesses needed: None

Mexico Weddings

Obtaining a marriage license: Apply with the Registro Civil in city of wedding.
Identification needed: Passport and birth certificate. A copy of tourist card or visa. Proof of divorce or death certificate, if applicable. Names, addresses, ages, nationalities & tourist card numbers of four witnesses. Blood tests are required and must be performed in Mexico.
License waiting period: Two to four days
License fees: Around US$200
Residency period: Two days (no minimum stay for Cozumel)
Witnesses needed: Two (18 or older)
For more information, go to www.visitmexico.com.

Hawaii Weddings & South Pacific Wedding

Hawaii Weddings

Obtaining a marriage license: Apply with county clerk for a license valid throughout the State of Hawaii. To obtain your license application, please call the Hawaii County Department of Health at (808) 974-6008 and request a "Marriage License Packet." Or visit www.hawaii.gov/doh/records/vr_marri.html for license application and information.
Identification needed: Couples must show proof of age with valid ID or driver's license. Proof of divorce or death certificate, if applicable.
License waiting period: None
License fees: $60
Residency period: None
Witnesses needed: One
For more information, go to www.visitmexico.com.

Fiji Weddings

Obtaining a marriage license: Couples apply at the Registry Office in Suva, Nadi or Lautoka. When marrying on Vanua Levu, registration must be in Savusavu and for the island of Taveuni or outer northeastern islands, register in Taveuni.
Identification needed: Original birth certificates and valid passports. If applicable, decree absolute with court stamp, death certificate of former spouse, adoption certificate and legally stamped deed poll; this also applies if a married woman has reverted back to her maiden name.
License waiting period: One working day
License fees: US$11
Residency period: None
Witnesses needed: Two (minimum 21 years old)

Love on Location

By Isabelle Gullö

With an eclectic collection of wedding destinations at hand, why wait until your honeymoon to begin the journey of a lifetime.

Imagine exchanging vows on a silky soft beach, on the hillside of a wine country resort or in the grand ballroom of your favorite city hotel surrounded by a circle of family and friends. An increasing number of bridal couples trade the traditional church affair for a getaway wedding. And it makes sense. Besides the thrill of celebrating this milestone at an exciting locale, arranging a destination wedding can save time and money, whether it's just the two of you saying "I do" on secluded Caribbean sands or a gathering of 100 friends and family members at a cozy country resort. Better yet, with professional coordinators on location to handle tiresome details, couples can relax and focus on each other as their "weddingmoon" approaches. So go ahead, fantasize about a tropical island escape, luxurious mountain retreat or cosmopolitan hideaway. We'll give you plenty of reasons to wed away, along with tips on how best to plan your own dream event.

Stress Less

The idea of spending the days before the wedding unwinding on a deserted beach or gliding down powdery ski slopes rather than fretting over last-minute preparations inspires many brides and grooms to opt for an alternative to homegrown vows. And while it may seem difficult to plan this kind of event from afar, getaway weddings usually require less work than conventional affairs. Many properties have on-staff wedding coordinators or catering teams that take care of most-if not all-of the arrangements, from the decor and dinner menu to activities and guest accommodations.

Having someone at the wedding location to handle the essentials can spare you a lot of stress. If a property does not have its own coordinator, ask the concierge to recommend a local wedding planner along with a list of professional vendors in the area. Once you've found the ideal person, be sure to discuss your specific wedding style, your goals and desires for the big event as well as your budget.

For a completely worry-free experience, look for a hotel or resort that provides full wedding packages, including an expert planner, marriage license, officiant, flower designs, photography, champagne, dinner and wedding cake.

Ultimately, you decide what's important on your special day. For example, a destination ceremony and reception can be simple or extravagant; your guest list can be trimmed to include just your immediate family; formal suits may be traded for tropical shirts and sarongs. With a getaway wedding, it's easy to do things your way.

Quality Time

The average wedding lasts about four hours, which doesn't leave couples much time to spend with their guests, many of whom may have flown in from across the country to help celebrate the big bash. Since many attendees have to travel anyway, a fabulous locale allows the event to become a vacation or family reunion, where you and your nearest and dearest can enjoy each others company, snorkeling, horseback riding, shopping or exploring local attractions together. Need time alone with your sweetie? Arrive a few days ahead of your wedding party or plan fun daylong activities to occupy your loved ones while you sneak away to hike waterfalls or dine at a gourmet restaurant.

What Cost Love

It may come as a surprise, but even after you add up the airfare, reception and accommodations, a luxurious wedding weekend at a fabulous destination often costs less than a formal to-do at the hometown country club. For starters, your guest list is typically whittled down-traditional nuptials average 164 attendees compared to 53 guests for destination "I do's".

Many resorts and hotels offer all-inclusive bridal deals, comprehensive packages that generally cover all means, drinks and activities under one flat rate. Some places even promise a free honeymoon as well as kickbacks on guest accommodations if the couple brings in a certain number of people for their event.

Having a destination wedding not only means your romantic getaway begins even before the actual ceremony, but you avoid footing the bill for a grand reception and honeymoon. As a bonus, many honeymoon packages are surprisingly affordable and may include such special touches as accommodation upgrades, complimentary champagne, en-suite massage and private dinners.

Another idea is to follow an elopement or small wedding away with a formal celebration back home. With the help of wedding webcams provided by some resorts, family and friends get to enjoy the ceremony live from afar. Keep in mind, you decide the level of intimacy for your special occasion and invite accordingly.

Bridal Etiquette

Proper protocol of a getaway wedding calls on invitees to pay their own airfare and lodging, while you'll pick up the tab for food and beverages. Nonetheless, you should still price tickets and rooms for your guests. If money is a concern for your attendees, let them know their presence is the only wedding gift you need and make yourself available to assist in any way possible. Perhaps you can get them a discount on accommodations or help them pair up on rooms.

Wedding Favors

There are many ways to welcome your guests and show you appreciate their attendance. If the whole wedding party stays in one place, prepare a small treat and leave it at the front desk so that people receive the gifts when they check in. An alternative to creating and shipping dozens of packages is to give attendees a gift certificate to the hotel spa or a nearby restaurant. Or put together a mini-guide to the area to keep your invitees entertained. For instance, if you're marrying in wine country, provide a bottle of locally made wine along with a map for guests to orchestrate their own winery tour. With an intimate wedding party, greet guests at the airport, especially if you're familiar with the location and they are not. If you've got your hands full, ask your maid of honor or best man to help, or consult the concierge about airport transfers.

Save the Date

Give friends and family fair warning, preferably six months to a year in advance, so they can work the trip into their budget and work schedule. As the big day approaches, create a simple website to keep guests informed of travel and accommodation options and price ranges, transportation details, activities, restaurant suggestions and any other information that may simplify the process.

With so many resources available at today's upscale resorts and hotels, including expert wedding coordinators, dedicated concierge teams and informative websites, arranging your getaway event should be a breeze. The toughest part may well be to select your favorite out of the nearly 100 outstanding locations presented in our Elite Wedding Collection. Enjoy the planning process and remember the famous quote from Walt Disney, the man who knows how to bring fantasies to life, "If you can dream it, you can do it".

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

2009 Wedding Trends

Outdoor Weddings
Barns, wineries, vineyards, backyards, hilltops with a view. . . Tent weddings are all the rage! Outdoor settings can be personalized to reflect a spirited and casual vibe, or totally elegant. The décor possibilities are endless.

Vintage Inspired
It’s the ultimate in recycling ‐ from vintage cake toppers to vases and pottery for your centerpieces to completely mis‐matched vintage china settings, a return to “all things old” makes for a beautiful and relaxed ambience. If the mother or grandmother’s wedding dress is not a viable option, have it re‐created from a picture!

Local Farm Produce, Eggs and Meats
From pesticide‐free flowers to organic menus, local farms are the best place for everything fresh and abundant. When the Chef goes shopping, make sure he wears his chef’s jacket so the locals can see he supports the community. Nice to list the name of the farm on your menus as well.

Something that Creates a “Buzz”
Personal and whimsical touches add just the perfect “something extra” that brides are looking for. Have just one unexpected thing that guests will talk about for decades to come ‐ incorporating their grandmother's best recipe as part of the menu, a champagne station in the restroom, a whimsical favor from the city in which the bride & groom met, or forgoing favors and making charity donations. Even in the most sophisticated of events, just one whimsical touch will get guests talking and give them something to remember.

Color Combos & Patterns!
One of everyone’s favorite things to speculate on! This year waves goodbye to pastels and hello to rich colors like navy, orange with dark ruby reds, plum, and amber. Chocolate brown is still a great color to mix with, however basic black is coming back strong – brown has had the spotlight for too long! The ever sophisticated black comes on strong in 2009, and carries through into flowers, cakes and accent colors (your bridesmaids will thank you forever for this one if they get to wear a “little black dress”!)

Bronzes and coppers are the metallic of choice this year.

For people looking for a color that reflects a fresh, new beginning, beautiful bright greens make a great splash. Especially fun if paired with other “brights” – robin’s egg blue, bright yellow or orange.

Patterns everywhere, mixed and matched – linens, bridesmaid’s dresses, china. . .Toile, florals, damask, polka dots, even gingham – there’s a pattern to fit any mood and style.

Tapas and Sample Stations
Great for sophisticated evening weddings, or when you’re short on space for a sit‐down
dinner.

Also fun for a cocktail hour, creating an “urban lounge” atmosphere.

“Foodies” love tasting bars ‐ every whim granted! Wine and cheese stations will be
educational as well if you hire a professional sommelier to provide pairing pointers.

Update the “old standards” with fresh takes on the menus – breathe new life into
“South of the Border”, “Asian infused” and “Americana”.

Ethnic Entertainment.

To showcase the different cultural backgrounds of the bride & groom, try one ethnic mix
for the cocktail hour and a different one for dinner and dancing.

Wedding Logos
Still hot into 2009, graphic elements create a unified look for your wedding stationery,
and can be anything from a flower to a bird, to a non‐representational graphical
element. They may reflect the location of the wedding, the wedding theme, or one of
the bride & groom’s favorite things.

Libations, Wine Collections, Bar Chefs and Awesome Signature drinks.

Wine is still a major focus in 2009 – pair for your client, offer to pour their own
collection with a corkage fee (offer to decant as well).

Bar Chefs are all the rage, creating “Signature drinks” fro the bride and groom, and
creating drink “recipes” that pair beautifully with the menu and incorporate local fresh
herbs, produce and purees (yes, produce!) such as a 6‐flavor bellini bar with fruit purees
(peach, pomegranate) and fresh herbs (mint lavender, fresh flowers).

Champagne bar ‐ pick your favorite bottles of bubbly and don't forget the mixers, such
as Chambord, Midori, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice. Guests will have so much fun
making their own signature cocktails.

Along with the vintage craze, “vintage” cocktails are back as well. Make sure your
bartenders brush up on their “Manhattans” and “Sidecars”.

Late Night Snacks
Guests need a little “pick‐me‐up” as the night goes on. . .! Gourmet popcorn or french
fries served in brown paper cups or mini Chinese food containers, after dinner cheese
boards, tray passed sweets like cheesecake lollipops, mini ice cream sandwiches, mini
root beer floats, and warm chocolate chip cookies with milk shots – make it fun and
whimsical!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Countdown to Your Wedding Day

THE KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL WEDDING away is to plan early. To help you get off to a good start, wer've put together a checklist that covers all bases of your destination event, including when to order the wedding invitations, book a photographer and schedule the wedding dress fitting.

A Year to Six Months Before the Wedding

  • Decide on a budget.
  • Determine the style (formal, informal), size (wedding party, guests), and setting (church,garden, beach) for the ceremony.
  • Target a wedding date.
  • Select a destination - check the internet or contact a travel agent.
  • Create a file for contracts, notes of conversations, and other wedding-related information.
  • Research the marriage license requirements of your destination. If possible, request an application ahead of time from the foreign consulate, chamber of commerce, or tourism department.
  • Call or send for information on wedding sites; wedding-package details from hotels, chapels, consulates, and tourism departments; and consultants who can assist in legal matters and coordinate the ceremony site, officiant, flowers, music, and other details.
  • Evaluate wedding packages and select a wedding service or consultant who can assist you with long-distance arrangements.
  • Choose a maid of honor, best man, and other attendants.
  • Develop an invitation list, then send a save-the-date note.
  • Select wedding attire.
  • Sign up with a bridal registry and select gifts.

Four to Six Months Before

  • Negotiate and finalize ceremony and reception details with your wedding service providers, independent consultant, or onsite coordinator, communicating any items that will personalize your wedding.
  • Make sure to collect signed contracts that confirm the arrangements.
  • Finalize your guest list.
  • Order wedding invitations, announcements, and thank-you cards.
  • Negotiate and arrange air, hotel, and ground transportation for the wedding party. Make additional arrangements for the honeymoon.
  • Confirm your arrangements with the photographer and videographer.
  • Buy wedding rings and have them engraved.

Two to Four Months Before

  • Obtain necessary legal documents, including passports and/or visas if traveling to a foreign destination.
  • Get any necessary inoculations.
  • Choose gifts for the maid of honor, best man, and other attendants.
  • Address and mail invitations.
  • Begin composing your vows (if you want to write your own).

One to Two Months Before

  • Have your final dress and headpiece fittings.
  • Have a formal wedding portrait taken.
  • Send a wedding announcement and picture to your hometown newspapers.
  • Shop for your travel wardrobe.
  • Consult with a professional shipper if you are shipping your wedding dress.

Two Weeks Before

  • Contact necessary offices for name change forms (driver's license, social security, etc.).
  • Confirm travel and wedding arrangements.

>One Week Before

  • Review final details with the hotel, photographer, videographer, florist, musicians, and others involved in the wedding.
  • Arrange to meet with your officiant before the ceremony.
  • Make sure everyone's wedding attire is in order.
  • Plan guest seating if needed.

Upon Arrival

  • Visit with your consultant and/or officiant.
  • Apply for the marriage license.

The Wedding Day

  • Focus on the important things--each other--and try to stay flexible about everything else.
  • Have Fun!
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