Expert Wedding Cake Advice

The wedding cake is the highlight of the celebration and the right wedding cake advice can help you to personalize it, display it correctly, save money and help you to prevent potentially embarrassing moments that could ruin the reception. Here's a little advice in the hopes that you will find that gorgeous confection and have a flawless wedding reception:

Delivery: Make arrangements for the cake to be delivered and installed at a specific time in a specific place. Be sure to confirm this twice: the date, the exact time, and the location and get this information in writing. Arrange to have someone contact you and confirm that it was indeed delivered exactly where you want it.

Moving: This is a wedding cake advice that you must always remember: try never to move a wedding cake yourself and do NOT move the table on which it is installed. You do not want to find yourself frantically running around town buying supermarket cakes in the hopes that you'll be able to build your own and make a successful switch. In the past I've seen situations where the baker has delivered the cake to the house and the wedding was to be held in the garden, just twenty steps away - trying to move the cake actually resulted in it tumbling down into pieces!

Height: Whether you're having a small or a large wedding reception, the wedding cake needs to have presence. To add height and drama to the cake, you can use a cake stand, or the bottom tier can be faux for added height. There are those websites that recommend the use of a single sheet cake as a means of saving money, however, it just won't do it in terms of presence or appropriateness. For large wedding parties with mutitiered, towering cakes, be sure that you're working with a baker who's skilled with complex designs and that has the proper equipment. A solid wedding cake advice is for you, to ask your baker to use a dowel system for structural integrity. There's a first time for everything, but don't make your reception the baker's first time stacking ten tiers on top of one another.

Wedding Cake with Flowers

Refrigeration: Always keep the wedding cake chilled as long as possible and never allow it to sit under the sun. It is always best to keep it in a controlled environment, cooler than seventy degrees. If you plan on having the cake outdoors, make sure the cake can sit under an umbrella or is shaded under a tree, if not gravity will take over sooner than you think, so a word to wise is, take this wedding cake advice seriously.

Flowers: Flowers made from icing can be very expensive, a good alternative would be to incorporate real flowers into your cake, between tiers, or as a garland. This wedding cake advice alone will save you a decent amount of money and will add a lot of beauty to the confection, that regardless of how skilled the baker is, no-one can even come close to imitating the splendor and beauty of a real flower, just be sure that no toxic florals ever come near the cake!

Personalization: As lovely as it may be to top a wedding cake with a bride and groom figurine, this cake topper is a generic design that is so common these days. Instead, the cake topper should draw from other design elements of your ceremony and reception. For example, you could inscribe the cake with your initials, the date, maybe a favorite line poetry, a beautiful silver bell, a single gorgeous flower, or anything else to make it memorable and unique - in other words, make the design of the cake topper truly your own. This is how you can personalize the cake and it is a well known wedding cake advice among professional wedding planners.

Tasting: As obvious as this may be, it is worth mentioning that just like you're busy worrying about how the cake looks, remember that how it tastes counts every bit as much. Unless you can afford to serve caviar, your wedding cake it probably the single most expensive food item at your celebration, so make sure that it's unbelievably delicious by having your baker provide you with a few choices to sample and to decide from. Another idea is that you can even do something for everyone by creating different flavors for each tier of cake. You can choose a cake based on the season, angel food cake is perfect for Spring and Summer weddings, brandied fruit and nut chocolate for Fall and Winter Weddings. Or you can have a cake that is the groom's all-time favorite. No matter what flavor you choose, be sure that you are dealing with a knowledgeable and reputable baker that is willing to go the extra mile to please their client - still insist on having a taste sample to make sure that the cake will be delicious.


Serving: When the cake is cut, you can serve it not just as a solitary slice, but as a composed dessert plate. You can have it garnished with fruit coulis, a scoop of sorbet, a chocolate sauce, powdered sugar, or even with a few berries and a scoop of ice cream. The idea is to make it as inviting as possible and unique. When it's time to cut the cake, this is a wonderful opportunity for the two of you to say a few words of thanks to friends and family.

Keepsake: A favorite tradition among brides and grooms is to take the first tier of the cake and freeze it for the first wedding anniversary. Just make sure you very clearly communicate to both the baker and the caterer that you intend to save that part of the cake, and designate someone specific to take custody of it. Worst comes to worst, or best come to best, take a snapshot of your cake so your baker can create a replica of the top tier when you celebrate you first anniversary. It will definitely be tastier than a year-old piece that has been defrosted.

Cake topper from Precious Moments, click for details.

I've provided some tips and ideas for you to consider when selecting and designing your cake. I hope that you find this wedding cake advice useful and helpful. I wish you much success in finding and creating the wedding cake of your dreams. It is the crowning and culmination of this milestone event in your life, make it yours, own it by personalizing it every step of the way.

Source: http://www.beautifulweddingideas.com/wedding-cake-advice.html

Do's and Don'ts in searching for Wedding Supplier.

Do sit down and talk about the budget first.
Sure, you and your husband-to-be will have the last say in most matters but it's the budget that will dictate the set of options (high-end versus economical) available for your perusal. It may indicate the number of guests you can invite, the type of food to be served, add-ons, and it may even indicate the proper time in certain cases (there are venues which charge lower for a morning function).

Do have a wedding date ready before looking for wedding suppliers.
Wedding suppliers will not surely entertain your inquiries as much because the rates varies with the season.

Do ask past brides for their recommendations.
They may not be in the wedding industry, but they've been there and done that, and that gives them an edge! You may be surprised by the many useful tips and advice they can share with you.

Do consult each other.
You may have differences in opinion so it's good to check on your partner for the crucial details of your wedding, let this serve as your practicing ground for the future decisions you will be making together as husband and wife.

Do consider a wedding theme.
It makes choosing easier since you will be following a specific concept. It also holds together the ceremony-makes it look well-coordinated and not chaotic.

Do ask questions.
Lots of questions. And take note of the answers. Know all the details before signing any contract.

DON'T rely heavily on superstitious beliefs or fortune forecasts.
While there are superstitions that you may opt to follow, and fortune tellers who whipped up some fairytale story years ago that you would like to force into reality, this may just impede your decision making. Instead, be practical and logical in your selection.

DON'T settle with the first supplier, learn to canvass.
Just because you want to get done fast, does not mean you have to settle with the first one you asked. having options gives you the opportunity to compare which one offers the best deal in terms of quality and price tag.

DON'T cram.
Even if the big day is months away, it's never too early to start planning. This way you won't feel the need to rush or be overwhelmed with too many details all at one time.

DON'T be shy to inquire about freebies and special discounts.
Haggle. Ask about wedding packages, special offers or discounts you can avail of.

DON'T be too strict.
Sometimes the things you want are not available, and that's okay. Be flexible. It's not worth stressing about. Ask for alternatives from your wedding supplier.

How to Choose a wedding photographer

You've got the dress, booked your dream location and the flowers are on order. Now you need to find a wedding photographer. Given some of the high costs some professionals charge for capturing the precious memories of the biggest day of your life, you want to be sure that you've found the right style, price and package. After all, your wedding is one day, but the photos will last a lifetime.
With this in mind, specialist photographers Sarah and Simon (opens in a new window) share their top tips on how to choose a wedding photographer.

1. Do Your Research

There are loads of amazing wedding photographers out there, it's just a matter of finding the right one for you. Find a Wedding Photographer (opens in a new window) is a good place to start. Wedding fairs will give you the opportunity to meet different photographers and get a feel for their style of photography, as well as a sense of their prices.

2. Stay Traditional

Try and find a photographer with a timeless style - you will want to feel happy with the pictures for many years to come. Don't be bamboozled by gimmicky effects in some modern photography, they can date very quickly. The photographer shouldn't rely on Photoshop or other retouching software; it should just be used to enhance the natural light in the photographs.

3. Meet the Photographer

It's important to meet your photographer in advance; not only to give you the opportunity to talk through your requirements but also to give you time to feel comfortable with the photographer. If possible, we recommend your first meeting to be up to six months before the wedding.

4. Images

Images should be sharp and well-exposed. If your photographer is using a digital camera, make sure they can provide high-resolution images in case you want to print copies of your photographs.

5. Budget

After finding your photographer for the day, it's time to talk cold, hard cash. The last thing you want is for extra costs to show up on the bill. Most wedding photographers offer a variety of wedding packages, depending on how many images you would like and how long they will be at the wedding.

6. Shot List

It's a good idea to provide the photographer with a list of shots you require so you both know what's expected from the day. A good photographer will suggest some options but they should also be able to create a bespoke package for your needs. A list will help the photographer but will also speed up the time it takes for the formal photographs, leaving you to enjoy the rest of your day.

7. How Should the Images Be Supplied?

Many couples prefer their photographs to be supplied on disk rather than in wedding albums. Perhaps you could host the images on your own website so friends and family can access them easily? Maybe you'd like a combination of both prints and digital images? Ask the photographer which online options they offer. Remember to ask whether you will retain copyright of the images, and make sure the images won't have a watermark so you can print off your own images. If you do want a traditional photo album, ask to see some examples so you can approve the print finish. Check the delivery times too - you don't want them sitting in the post office while you are on your honeymoon!

8. Picture Perfect

Some photographers offer a pre-wedding shoot, normally a few weeks before ceremony. If you feel camera-shy, a pre-wedding shoot may help you feel more comfortable and will give you an opportunity to practice your poses.

Source:http://www.channel4.com/4beauty/weddings/wedding-tips/how-to-choose-a-wedding-photographer

Best Tips on cutting your wedding cost

7 Tips to Save Money with a Low Cost Wedding

When it comes time to get married, people are looking forward to having a highly memorable time – one that will last a lifetime. Money is sometimes tight, however, and this means that elegance may have to be limited in your wedding plans. Here are some 7 tips on how to have a low cost wedding.

1. Set Up A Wedding Budget Beforehand

When making your plans for a wedding, it is easy to get carried away and put features into it that will just leave you in debt. If you are planning on buying a house, or have some other costly plans in the near future, you should keep the wedding costs low so you have more to invest. By making a wedding budget, and you may want to use a wedding calculator for this purpose, it will help you keep your costs down – if you stick to the budget.

2. Plan Your Discount Wedding on an Evening or Weekend

Caterers and other service people are less busy in the evenings or on weekends. This enables them to give you a discount. Another way to save on your wedding planning, if you are going to have it in a church, is to have your wedding right after a holiday.

This way, the church will have beautiful decorations all around the auditorium and it will also help you save money on flowers.

3. Restrict the Number of Guests to Save Money on Wedding

When you want to save even more money on your wedding, then you need to reduce the number of guests that you plan on having to the event. When you have a lot of guests, it means that you will need to pay for a larger rental space, more food, more favors, a larger cake, etc. Not everyone you know has to be invited.

4. Further Reduce Cost of A Wedding by Marrying in the Off-Season

Most people get married in the summer months – and prices are higher due to the demand. Most likely, you can get lower prices on services, hotels, and just about anything else when you have your wedding in the off-season, which is April through October.

5. Choose a Free Location for A Cheap Wedding

You do not have to choose to have your wedding at a costly location. You can save a lot of money by having it in a national park, a local park, or at the house of a friend or relative. Rain may be a problem, however, so be sure to have alternate plans.

6. Rent A Wedding Dress

Wedding dresses can be very costly. They are usually worn only once, too, and then there is little use for one after that. There are now many places around where you can rent a wedding dress and save a lot of money. You may also want to consider either borrowing one from a friend or relative, or buying low cost wedding gowns on either eBay or Trademe.

7. Use Low Cost Wedding Invitations

You do not need to send out real fancy – and costly – wedding invitations. You can save money on wedding invitations by using a postcard to RSVP, printing the invitations yourself on a laser printer (or have a friend, relative, or college student do this for you at low cost who needs a reference to get into the graphic arts business).

There are many ways to save money with a low cost wedding. Finding hotels with wedding packages is another good way to save – which will let you have your wedding, your reception, and a honeymoon suite – all for a good price.

 

Save on Your Wedding Cost by Choosing the Right Suppliers

By now, you should know that choosing the right wedding suppliers and vendors could help you control overall costs for the occasion. The wedding could be stressful and arduous overall. You could opt to hire a professional wedding coordinator for the job to spare yourself from those troubles. But be reminded that doing so would lead to higher expenses because you have to shoulder professional fees, which could be very expensive.

If you decide to be on your own when managing and executing wedding plans and preparations, it is very crucial that you find and hire only the best and most reliable suppliers and vendors.

For sure, you know that the best need not be those that charge more expensively than others. Do not be surprised to learn that some suppliers and vendors may not charge costly, but they could possibly be the best and most helpful to you.

You need more patience and determination when finding and hiring suppliers and vendors. Always prioritise costs whatever happens. By doing so, you could surely find, hire, and work with cost-effective but reliable suppliers. Here are some tips that could serve as your guide.

Ask recommendations from colleagues, friends, and relatives

As always, you could find others’ experiences with suppliers as most helpful. Some of your colleagues, friends, or relatives may have many experiences when it comes to wedding suppliers and vendors from their own wedding ceremonies.

out which among the suppliers they recommend are most reliable and most cost effective. Of course, do not miss the bad services they have experienced because you would surely learn so much from those.

To solicit more opinion, you may use social networking as a strategy to find ideal suppliers. Through such Websites, you could get more information about wedding suppliers and vendors from more people, not just your friends and relatives. Just observe how many advices and information you could get from simply posting shout-outs or updating status in your social network account.

Personal meetings

Be sure you and your would-be-spouse personally meet several suppliers and vendors before making a joint decision over who to hire for your wedding. During such meetings, you may ask the suppliers and vendors to bring portfolios, comprehensive quotes, and samples.

You do not need to get into a rushed decision. You may compare each supplier’s strengths and weaknesses. Of course, you may opt to focus primarily on their fees and professional charges.

Sampling products from suppliers and vendors would be vital if you intend to prevent disappointment. As a couple, taste menu items, feel texture of table napkins, or listen to quality of sound system. Together, you should make a unified decision. The activity could be an effective way to practice making decisions as a couple.

When comparing suppliers and vendors, you may set prices or costs as the major decision factor. Make a shortlist of those that offer and charge lower fees. From that list, you could make it simpler to choose the best and most reliable suppliers to handle your wedding requirements.

Source: http://money.yahoo.co.nz/life-stages/7-tips-to-save-money-with-a-low-cost-wedding/

How to Plan your Romantic Proposal

Best Public Marriage Proposal Ideas

 

• Have a flair for the dramatic? Get in touch with the stage manager of an appropriately themed production and propose after the cast's curtain call.
• Take out a full-page ad in a newspaper you know your girlfriend reads daily.
• Arrange a surprise proposal with a street caricaturist. Have him sketch a picture of you two with word bubbles. Yours will read, "Will you Marry Me?", and hers will say, "Yes!"
• Pay the divers at an aquarium to put on a proposal show inside their biggest fish tank. Give them handwritten signs that say "Will You Marry Me?" to hold up against the glass.
• Send your girlfriend on a treasure hunt. Start with a clue at home, then send her on a tour of your favorite spots all over town. When she gets to the last hint, the prize should be you on one knee.
• Go out for a night of dancing, and ask the DJ or band leader to pass you the mic so that you can dedicate a song and propose on the dance floor.
• Have a friend or family member set up a picnic -- complete with wine and cheese, or course -- for you in a park. Take your girlfriend for a hike on a route where you'll stumble upon this surprise "Proposal Picnic."
• Hire a skywriter to spell your proposal for everyone around to see.
• Flying anytime soon? Use the plane's loud-speaker system (of course, run your plan by the flight attendants first) and propose at 35,000 feet.
• Movie buffs? Ask your neighborhood theater to run an ad featuring your proposal and make sure you get there in time for the previews.
• Gather a bunch of your friends and family for a party. Have everyone in attendance put on a T-shirt bearing one of the letters in the phrase "Will You Marry Me?" When you walk in the room with your girlfriend, suggest a group picture and let the shirts speak for themselves.

Best At-Home Marriage Proposal Ideas

• For a simple surprise, after she goes to bed, go to her jewelry box and replace her everyday ring with the engagement ring. She'll be completely shocked in the morning when she goes to put on her regular ring.
• Draw a bath and place a floating candle or rubber ducky in the middle with a ring tied around its neck. Make a path of roses leading to the tub. (And make sure the drain is well-plugged!)
• Speaking of paths, turn off all the lights in your apartment and make a trail of candles that leads to a circle of votives positioned around a ring.
• Slip the ring on her finger while she's sleeping and wake her with champagne and strawberries. At first, the gesture will simply seem romantic -- the real surprise comes when she notices her new piece of jewelry.
• Tie a red velvet ribbon from one spot in your home to another. Attach little notes recalling perfect moments in your relationship along the way. You wait at the last stop, ring in hand.

Best Tech Marriage Proposal Ideas

• Create your own podcast proposal and sneak it onto her iPod.
• Upload a video of your proposal on YouTube (tell her you have a hysterical home movie to show her).
• Steal her digital camera and head to her favorite local outdoor spot. Bring a friend with you and have posters made with the words "will," "you," "marry," "me?" Have your friend photograph you holding each one in a different position. Then, let her know you borrowed her camera and ask if she will upload your photos.
• Take the scavenger hunt high-tech: Send your mate a text message leading her to a secret spot. Keep her engaged by text messaging her sweet nothings along the way (and directions of course), as you lead her to you, on bended knee.
• We had to add this one: Create a web page declaring your love and intentions. Leave your sweetie a clue with the web address written on it -- don't say a word. After the proposal has been officially accepted (which, of course, it will be!), she can proudly send the page to friends and family.

Best Foodie Marriage Proposal Ideas

• Make the box with her ring a selection on the dessert tray at your favorite restaurant.
• Put together a gift basket of yummy delicacies -- the best chocolate, caviar, coffee -- and hide the ring among the presents (in its box, so it doesn't get lost in the goodies).
• Ask the pastry chef to write, "Will you marry me?" in chocolate sauce around the rim of her dessert plate.
• Ask a baker to make a cake with the proposal written in frosting. Have him display it in the storefront and suggest a little window-shopping to your girlfriend.
• Create a personalized fortune cookie with your own proposal message.

Most Playful Marriage Proposal Ideas

• Create your own crossword puzzle and be prepared to help her work it out over breakfast.
• Spell your proposal out in glow-in-the-dark star stickers on your ceiling. Get into bed, turn the lights off, and wait for the inevitable gasp.
• Spell out your proposal with refrigerator magnets.
• Scratch your proposal into the frost on her car's windshield.
• If your girlfriend is a teacher, sneak into her classroom before school starts and write your proposal on the blackboard. Stay hiding in the coat closet or right outside the room for the moment she arrives.
• Get a ring size chart and ask your girlfriend to look up her size. When she accuses you of ruining the surprise that you're shopping for a ring, say, "Okay, try this one instead," and show her that you've already shopped for a ring.
• During your annual Halloween prep, challenge her to a pumpkin-carving contest and carve the words "Marry Me" in your pumpkin.
• Write "Will You Marry Me?" on the underside of a kite and take flight one warm, breezy afternoon.
• Play Hangman and have the phrase be "Marry Me."

Best Summer Marriage Proposal Ideas

• If you love to hit the beach, head down a few hours before her and write your proposal in the sand with large white rocks.
• Go to the beach and casually build a sandcastle (at a safe distance from the ocean!) and place the ring on the highest turret. Then invite her to admire your handiwork.
• Gather your families together for a summer barbecue and make it a family affair.
• Make your own message in a bottle. On the night before a beach day you've planned, write a love poem on a piece of parchment paper, roll it into an antique bottle with a cork, and bury it in a well-marked spot in the sand near your towels. Be sure you "find" the bottle as you dig together -- and have the ring at the ready.

Most Thoughtful Marriage Proposal Ideas

• If you're artistically inclined or just like to make things with your own two hands, integrate something you've made into the proposal. For example, if you have woodworking skills, present the ring in a special hand-carved jewelry box.
• Buy a pet that she has always wanted (bunny, kitten, puppy) and loosely tie the ring around its neck. Or, substitute a stuffed animal -- still cute, but less maintenance!
• Tell your girlfriend you want to make a time capsule together to bury and dig up years into the future. As you're gathering the items, say it wouldn't be complete without a picture of the moment you two got engaged! Have a Polaroid camera ready to take that shot right after you present her with the ring.
• Rent a Vespa scooter and invite your girlfriend for a ride, but remind her to be safe and wear a helmet. Put the ring in the helmet box and then zip around town to celebrate.
• Meet for a drink at a posh hotel bar. When it's time to go, casually mention that you've already reserved a room for the night. When you open the hotel room door, have roses, candles, and champagne all set up -- everything for a perfect surprise proposal.

Cheesy (but Hilarious) Proposal Ideas

• Make a list of 10 reasons you'd like to marry your beloved. Read them to her in front of a crowd, have them delivered via singing telegram, or send them written on individual note cards over the course of a day (or 10!), with the last card arriving by personal messenger (you!).
• Want to really surprise your girlfriend? Cut out the bottom of a huge box, wrap it with pretty paper and ribbon, and attach a card that says, "What's inside the box is a gift to last a lifetime." "Deliver" yourself to his or her office or front door.
• Make her ring the surprise in a box of Cracker Jack.
• Write your proposal in sunscreen on your stomach, so that your tan will "stencil in" the words.
• Make her feel like a movie star and set your proposal to the scene of her favorite romantic movie. You could arrange your own Pretty Woman moment (the finale, of course) -- rent a white limo and climb through the moonroof with flowers in hand to proclaim your love as you arrive at her place.
• Another funny movie proposal? Steal from that famous Say Anything scene -- park yourself outside her house with a stereo blaring your favorite tune and propose on the front lawn.  

http://wedding.theknot.com/getting-engaged/marriage-proposals/articles/50-romantic-ways-to-propose.aspx

Planning a Wedding

 Dos and Do Nots

Do - Spend some time with your spouse checking out the places you want to register and making lists of the items you really do need.
Do not - Just add a toaster oven you know you won’t use so guests will have enough of a selection.
Do - Register at more than one store. There is no hard and fast rule that says you have to register at one location only.
Do not - Choosing items that are really expensive because you know you won’t be able to afford them in the first year of marriage isn’t fair to your guests. Instead, choose a wider price range selection.
Do - Discuss your options with different stores, online sites and even handmade facilities. You’ll be surprised by how many places feature registries this day.
Do Not - Feel limited to asking for only household goods. If you are already set up in your house and don’t need a lot, ask for some things you ‘might’ like to have or even items like movies, CDs and more.

Planning for the Venue

Planning a wedding always begins when the question is popped. Most people know the type of wedding they would like to have, but when you add another person’s dreams, aspirations and religious feelings it can require some discussion. The couple are an important part of planning a wedding and whether it’s the parents of the bride or the groom or a wedding planner, the wishes of the couple have to be taken into account. This is especially true of the type of ceremony that the couple decides on.
Determining whether the wedding will be a religious, civil or other type of ceremony will play a part in determining the venue. The couple usually has an idea of where they want to have the wedding. Your job as the wedding planner will be to contact the venue and verify all information with regard to booking it for the day in question. Be sure to have a standard contract available that you use for negotiating a venue. At bare minimum you will need confirmation on the following:

• Contact Person?
• Location of Utilities?
• In-house staff?
• Clean-up responsibility? Yours? Theirs?
• Parking?
• Entrance?
• Dressing Room?
• Fees?
• Rehearsal availability?
• Piano? Organ?
• Rules about Photography (specifically in Churches)

You will want to confirm a booking of the venues at least three to four months ahead of time. In many cases, it’s better to settle on the venue in the first hours of planning wedding because much of the rest of the planning will center on the location. Planning a wedding is like setting up dominoes, each decision helps you make another one. The first domino is the question, the second domino is the type of ceremony and the third domino is choosing the venue and it continues from there.

Wedding Timeline

Wedding planning is arduous. The proof is in the details and if you want to keep track of the details you’ll need a wedding planning checklist. If you hire a wedding planner, he or she will have his or her own wedding planning checklist to go over. In the meanwhile, please find a sample wedding timeline below to help your wedding planning. If you are setting up your own portfolio for wedding planning, this wedding planning checklist should go at the very front of every wedding planned in order to verify that you are getting everything done and checked off in a timely manner.
Timeline:
12 Months Before:

• Book Ceremony Venue
• Book Reception Venue
• Determine and Book Liability Insurance

10-11 Months Before:

• Book Caterer
• Book Musicians
• Book Photographer
• Book Videographer

8-9 Months Before:

• Book Florist
• Book Cake Designer/Baker
• Book Transportation

6-7 Months Before:

• Book Rentals (i.e. chairs/tables etc as needed)
• Review All Vendor Contracts, Update Timeline

5 Months Before:

• Order invitations etc.
• Order Flowers
• Provide Music/Requests to Musicians

4 Months Before:

• Meet with Caterer for food tasting (w/Bride & Groom)
• Order Wedding Cake

3 Months Before:

• Have Bride Book her Beauty Appointments for hair, makeup etc.
• Provide Caterer with menu and beverage selections
• Have Bride/Groom meet Officiant to review ceremony
• Verify with Printer that Invitations, etc are ready

2 Months Before:

• Contact all book vendors to confirm arrangements
• Pay any balances to booked vendors
• Prepare information sheets for bridal party and vendors

1 Month Before:

• Provide photographer with list of desired photos
• Provide guidance for videographer
• Confirm Music and Arrangements with Musicians
• Confirm transportation
• Confirm flower orders with florist
• Confirm rental requirements
• Confirm drop off times

2 Weeks Before: o Confirm With All Vendors One More Time
1 Week Before:

• Make sure Caterer has final RSVP numbers for reception
• Make sure vendor bills are collected to make final payment

Day Before: o Oversee the decoration of the ceremony and reception venue
Day Of:

• Oversee and coordinate with all vendors
• Pay Vendors their Final Checks

Planning a Wedding Should Be Fun

Congratulations, you’re planning a wedding. You may hire some to help out with partial planning of a wedding, complete planning and co-ordination of the wedding or coordination on the day of the service only. Wedding planning revolves around one singular event: the ceremony. There is a great deal of pre-planning and post-planning related to arranging the vendors, the dresses, the tuxes, the site and the reception. Yet all of these components are directly related to the central focus that is the actual ceremony.
Weddings are a symphony of organized chaos with the wedding planner in the role of conductor. There is a great deal to planning a wedding and the following is just a sampling of what you need to plan a wedding whether you are the wedding planner, the bride, and the mother of the bride or some combination thereof:

• Ongoing Communication with the Bride and Groom
• Budget Planning
• Schedules, Timelines and Checklists
• Selection and booking of venues for wedding and reception
• Selecting and booking of the minister or justice of the peace
• Planning theme and style of the wedding
• Coordinating design, ordering and mailing of invitations
• Coordinating selection of wedding attire and accessories
• Coordinating or Providing vendors (florist, caterer, photographer, musician, beautician, hair stylists)
• Negotiating and reviewing all contracts
• Assistance with marriage license
• Itinerary planning
• Ceremony planning
• Rehearsal oversight
• Direction of processional and attendant duties
• Planning the reception
• Wedding Day gift coordination
• On-hand coordination on the day of the wedding

One thing that people seem to forget in all the chaos and pressure and stress of planning a wedding. Planning a wedding is a lot of fun. It can be fun for the bride and it can be fun for the wedding planner. Take your time and have fun with the process of planning a wedding.

Purchase a Pocket Wedding Planner

Keeping all of your wedding appointments and tasks organized isn’t always easy. Consider purchasing a pocket wedding planner to assist with the details. A pocket wedding planner easily fits in a purse or briefcase so you’ll always have it with you and you’ll be able to see appointments and activities at a glance. Most wedding boutiques carry these wedding organizers or they can be found in bookstores and online.

Assume Good Intentions

The first rule; assume good intentions is the most important. Don’t assume that someone did something just to piss you off or upset you. If you assume from the get go that they didn’t do it on purpose, you will find that there’s a lot more room for compromise, conversation and communication.
Don’t react when things go wrong. Act. Reacting means you do nothing except respond to the negative stimulus whether it’s a misunderstanding or a genuine fight. Getting angry or responding to accusations with retaliatory remarks will only further inflame situations. By making a pact to act on the information, to keep it cool and to avoid inciting a bad situation to worse is a great way to minimize and even avoid fights.

Source:
http://wedding.lifetips.com/cat/97/planning-a-wedding/index.html