Who Pays for What?

The Groom
The Bride's ring, Marriage License, Groom's men gifts, Accommodations for out-of-town groom's men, The honeymoon, Flowers for bride, Going-away corsage, Corsages for mothers, Special ladies; boutonnieres for men in wedding party, Gloves, Ties, Accessories for men in wedding party, Fee for clergyperson or judge, Wedding gift for the bride

The Attendants
Their wedding clothes, Any travel expenses, Wedding gift for newlyweds

Bride's Family
All costs for the reception, Bride's wedding attire/trousseau, Invitations, announcements, Thank-you's, Placecards, seating assignment, Chart, Napkins and mailing costs, Photographs, Video Tape, Ceremony costs, Bridesmaids, Flower girl, Ring bearer flowers and accessories, Transportation for bridal party on the wedding day from ceremony to reception, All gratuities for all services: parking, Security Bridesmaid luncheon.

Time Lines

Planning Your Wedding
Here is a suggested timeline you may want to follow when planning your wedding. After the excitement of announcing your engagement to family and friends, the work begins.

• Select appropriate wedding date and time.
• Book your ceremony site and officiant.
• Start your Official Wedding Binder to collect quotations and all pertinent details.
• Decide on a budget with your fiancé and family.
• Choose the members of your wedding party.
• Choose a Master of Ceremony for the wedding reception.
• Pick a colour scheme or theme for your wedding.
• Collect wedding magazines to help choose a style of wedding gown, then make a list of a number of bridal boutiques that you want to visit.
• Make appointments at the bridal boutiques in advance to guarantee personal attention.
• Book reception hall or caterer.
• Discuss reception menu with caterer.
• Book a tent if you're planning an outdoor reception.
• Book a photographer, videographer, and a disk jockey entertainment service.
• Select dresses for attendants.
• Discuss wedding day transportation.
• Book a limousine or carriage service.

• Pick a honeymoon destination.
• Inquire as to any extra work required for the type of honeymoon you choose--passports, inoculations, visas?
• Compile your wedding guest list and addresses.
• Visit printer and order invitations.
• Choose tuxedos for groom and groomsmen.
• Organize a Bridal Registry at a few stores--department, china, decorator stores.
• Order wedding rings.
• Discuss reception decorations and special events.
• Select florist and discuss flower arrangements.
• Meet with different decorators for backdrops, canopy ceilings, draping....Order your wedding cake.
• Choose your wedding favours/bombonnieres.
• Make appointment for engagement photograph 2 - 3 Months Before the Wedding
• Choose a location for your wedding rehearsal dinner and make the guest list.
• Choose music for the ceremony and reception.
• Set up appointment with your hairdresser and make-up artist.
• Take veil in for trial run.
• Choose songs for your first dance and any other songs you want played for your first dance, with a parent, or the final song before you leave.
• Finalize any honeymoon arrangements. Give your officiant a list of any details for your ceremony.
• Visit local city hall to get marriage license.
• You'll need your birth or baptismal certificates.
• Rent any equipment you may need for the reception hall.
• Arrange for attendants' gown fittings.

• Address and mail invitations.
• Arrange newspaper announcement.
• Set date for final wedding gown fitting.
• Choose going away outfit.
• Shop for attendant gifts.
• Arrange accommodations for out of town guests.
• Start recording gifts and writing thank you notes.
• Address announcements to be mailed the day after the wedding.
• Make a list of all the small details
• needed--pillow for the ring, goblets, garter, sign-in book.
• Make esthetic appointments for the week of the wedding.
• Wrap or decorate wedding favours/bombonnieres--attach thank you cards.
• Make copies of maps/directions to all venues.
• Hire calligrapher to prepare place cards 2 Weeks Before the Wedding Confirm details with all suppliers--officiant, florist, photographer, caterer...
• Arrange to change your name on official documents.
• Finalize transportation to and from ceremony and reception for wedding party.
• Make seating plan for reception.
• Have the lists posted at the reception site for guests to see which table they are at. Alphabetically
  always works well.
• Deliver wedding announcement to local paper.
• Buy a gift for your groom.
• Buy any additional gifts for certain individuals who have been of great help to you.
• Meet with MC to go over his or her instructions/speech.
• Decide on a receiving line.
• Arrange for a close friend or family member to transport the gifts to your home or parents' home
  following the reception.

• Give caterer the final guest count.
• Finish addressing wedding announcements.
• Schedule wedding rehearsal.
• Inform all participants of exact time and place of all events.
• Make sure all the small details have been purchased--pillow, goblets, garter, sign-in book. Pack for the honeymoon.
• Take time for facial, pedicure, manicure and massage.
• Make a wedding day schedule and make copies for all who need one.

• Rehearse the ceremony with the bridal party.
• Make sure the ushers have a list of names for reserved seating at the church.
• Give gifts to the wedding party.
  

Remember every wedding has minor glitches--don't get upset over minor details that might not go perfectly according to schedule. Enjoy what should be one the happiest days of your life.