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The How-To Lounge: Wedding Timeline, Part IV

DearSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:00:00 -0700

As the final months of wedding planning approach it's time to start finalizing all the details. You don't want to let the stress of bridal showers and last minute emergencies get the best of you. So check out part four in our Wedding Timeline series, and find out what you need to do in your last few months before the big day and read more.

Two to four months in advance

Rent formal attire for all of the men in the wedding.
Purchase your wedding bands, keeping in mind extra time constraints for engraving or sizing.
Book appointments for hair and makeup - get a contract signed with your stylist, keeping in mind the time needed for other women in the wedding party.
Decide on wedding transportation and book in advance to avoid any last minute nightmares.
Finalize the menu.
Six weeks in advance, you'll want to send out your wedding invitations.
Work with the band or DJ to decide on your music choices and any other special considerations, including your first dance.

Stay tuned in the next few weeks for part five of our Wedding Timeline, and if you missed it, be sure to check out part three.

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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The How-To Lounge: Wedding Timeline, Part III

DearSugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:00:00 -0700

With six months to go before the big day, you should have the more pressing things taken care of and all the smaller details still awaiting you in the months to come. However, before you reach the final few months of planning, there are some important things to check off your list. To see what those are, check out part three in our wedding timeline series and read more.

Six months in advance

Make the last cut on your guest list and finalize the invitees - don't forget that people may want to bring a guest.
Order your wedding stationery. This includes everything from your invitations to place cards. Any personalization may take extra time or money.
Assist your out of town guests in reserving any accommodations they'll need.
Shop for and purchase your wedding bands. Keep in mind extra time constraints for engraving or sizing.
It's cake sampling time, so adjust your belt and choose away!

Stay tuned in the next few weeks for part four of our Wedding Timeline, and if you missed it, be sure to check out part two.

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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The How-To Lounge: Wedding Timeline, Part II

DearSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Weddings are notoriously stressful, but all it takes is a little organization to make them much more manageable and a wedding timeline can make all the difference in the world! To check out part two in our wedding time line series read more.

Nine months in advance

Not only do you want to start compiling your guest list, but you also want to start gathering up addresses. This can take a lot more time than it may seem. Often parents have an entirely different set of people that they want included, so compromise may be necessary at this time.
Choose your color spectrum, and decide which color you want your wedding party to be wearing.
If you're going the classic honeymoon route, then start planning now. You'll get the best deals by planning ahead.
Get your gift registry started. There is also the option of having money given to a honeymoon plan as well as going the donation route, so explore every possibility. There will be parties galore in the upcoming month, so plan in advance for your gift-getting bonanza.

Stay tuned in the next few weeks for part three of our Wedding Timeline, and if you missed it, be sure to check out part one.

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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The How-To Lounge: Wedding Timeline, Part I

DearSugar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Whether you're going casual and quaint or all-out traditional, planning a wedding takes a lot of work and even more organization. Following a wedding timeline will keep you both sane and organized. Obviously the first step in wedding planning is choosing the right day. Once you've got that narrowed down - keeping in mind the time of year and any other events or holidays that may interfere - it's go time! To see some important points to consider in phase one of your wedding planning, read more

One year in advance

Create a wedding folder or binder to store the details of your event, including any inspirational ideas. Staying organized will be the best thing you can do for yourself during this process.
When it comes to planning the big event, the first thing you'll want to determine is the style you're hoping for. Formal or casual? Whimsical or modern? Many of the decisions you'll make will have you referring back to the thematics.
Plan your budget. Consider absolutely everything, and don't forget to leave room for the unexpected.
Select a venue that works with both your budget and style. Don't choose the first one you see - shop around!
Research and begin the selection of your wedding professionals: caterer, photographer, florist, etc.
It's also time to start wedding gown shopping. You want to get the perfect one so leave yourself a little time to be indecisive. Also, keep in mind that it can take anywhere from five to eight months to have a wedding dress made, not to mention the time it takes for any adjustments.
Pick your wedding party and make sure that the lucky few are willing and able to participate.

Stay tuned in the next few weeks for part two of our Wedding Timeline.

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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The Big Day Week in Review

DearSugar — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:00:00 -0700

If you missed any of the big day coverage this past week, just check out my recap below!

If you've been wondering what the maid of honor should be doing on the big day, then check out my list of MOH responsibilities to get the low down.
Most weddings wouldn't be complete without something going wrong, but do you know of any truly terrible wedding disasters?
Even if the wedding isn't flawless that doesn't mean it's not perfect, so what's most memorable from your big day?
Share your thoughts on the old wedding traditions - tossing a garter belt and wedding night sex - and the more contemporary twists, like letting a friend officiate the ceremony!
Is it OK to ask to bring a date to someone's wedding?
Some couples are brave enough to bust out all the crazy moves at their wedding, but what song did you and your husband dance to?
Are you superstitious? Do you think it's actually bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony?
Wedding day jitters are perfectly normal, but that doesn't make them any easier to deal with, so check out some tips for combating cold feet.
Her fiance's father is a terrible speaker, but does No Speech Please Paula have the right to ask him not to speak at the wedding?
Where do you stand: Should the bride and groom make a grand exit?
Don't forget to take a glance at part four in our wedding timeline series to see all you should be doing two to four months before the wedding.

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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The How-To Lounge: Creating Your Wedding Guest List

DearSugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0700

When it comes to the perfect wedding day, it’s all about being happy and having fun, so it’s incredibly important to make sure that the special people in your lives are there to celebrate with you and your fiancé. Although writing up a guest list might sound like an easy task, things can get pretty tricky when you incorporate factors like budget, venue, space, and your parents' preferences. However, there certainly are a few tips you can follow to avoid the headache - or at least some of it! To check them out, read more

First and foremost, be very clear on how many people you want to invite, factoring in the budget and the venue.
Talk to your fiancé, and decide who you won’t be inviting - exes, children, dates for each guest, etc…
Keep in mind that it is customary for both sets of your parents to partake in the creation of the guest list - this is a special day for them too! If they’re contributing financially, you’ll want to make sure they’re given a number of guests they can invite as well.
On the first sit down, let everyone put in the name of people who they would like to come, then start to whittle down the list. Sometimes this can take quite a few weeks so refer to your wedding timeline so you can leave yourselves plenty of time.
While you’ll surely be talking about your wedding at work, it’s not mandatory that you invite the entire office. You can either choose to not include any of them or just ask your closest work friends. But like we learned back in grade school, if you invite everyone but one person, there will be hurt feelings so do use some tact.
Don’t feel like you have to invite every person whose wedding you’ve been to, but if your wedding is in the same wedding season, it's expected that you'll return the invite. If your wedding is on the small side, it’s much easier to avoid inviting someone whose wedding you enjoyed recently, but if you’re having a big wedding, I recommend at least trying to fit her in.

Avoid inviting anyone verbally prior to finalizing your guest list. You never know what can happen, and you don’t want any disappointed or hurt friends.

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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Wedding Planning Week in Review

DearSugar — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0700

If you missed any of wedding planning week here on Dear, check out my recap below!

Learn proper wedding reception etiquette, like how to arrange your seating chart and the best way to incorporate speeches and toasts.
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently at your wedding?
Know of any wedding disaster stories? Share them with other Dear readers!
Need some help tackling that hefty guest list? Make it easy with Dear's handy tips.
When it comes to inviting kids to the big day, where do you stand?
Weddings are expensive even if it is not yours, so who do you think should have to pay for the bridesmaid expenses?
Stay on top of your wedding planning and check out part two of our wedding timeline.
Would you ever write your own vows?
His mom just won't butt out of the wedding planning! How would you handle this?
I've got everything you need to know to plan your rehearsal dinner without the fuss!

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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Wedding Parties Week in Review

DearSugar — Sat, 17 May 2008 09:21:30 -0700

Just in case you missed any of the wedding party week coverage here on Dear, you can check out my recap below!

Coed parties are the new trend, but are they a good idea or a bad idea?
Learn all the proper etiquette when it comes to throwing a bachelorette party or bridal shower.
What do you think? How many pre-wedding parties are too many?
Managing family issues during your wedding can be a real struggle, so check out my advice for dealing with a demanding sister-in-law, estranged relatives, and a familial rift.
Would you want to know what goes on at your man's bachelor party?
Make sure to check out the newest installment in Dear's wedding timeline series for your wedding planning needs.
Bachelorette parties can range from totally wild to spa-day relaxing. What kind do you want?
When it comes to party entertainment, are bridal shower games and penis paraphernalia dos or don'ts?

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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Engagement Week in Review

DearSugar — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 06:00:00 -0700

Just in case you missed the start of wedding season, check out my engagement week recap below!

Do you have the perfect engagement story?
Need help planning your wedding? Check out part one in our wedding timeline series.
Weddings are all about etiquette, so find out the dos and don'ts of sending your save the dates!
When it comes to the ring, do you want to be surprised?
Check out these tips on how to choose your wedding party.
When is it too soon to get married?
Get answers to the toughest wedding questions, like where you should get married and whether or not you have to bring a gift to every party.
We want to know: How long do you think an engagement should be?
Need to get out of bridesmaid duties? Find out how to say no the nice way.
Do you know of a proposal gone wrong? Share it with other DearSugar readers!
You have to choose: the spontaneous or planned proposal ?

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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