Emily Post's Wedding Planner

Revised and repackaged, a perfect companion to our bestselling Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette, this new edition will help brides ask all the right questions, keep track of all the details, stick to their budget, and plan the wedding of their dreams. This new edition combines a lively, attractive design with streamlined practicality, providing important todo checklists, questions to ask, vendor comparison charts, and budgeting information for easy use by today's busy brides. Emily Post's Wedding Planner will help couples organize and keep track of every detail of their wedding, with the clarity and comprehensiveness readers have come to expect from this trusted authority. Peggy Post helps couples organize their decisions and move ahead with bringing their wedding to life. When used as a companion to Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette, Fifth Edition, every couple can feel confident that no detail has been overlooked in creating a wedding experience that will be treasured by all for years to come.

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The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

Emily Post's Wedding Planner, 4e

Chapter One

The Organized Bride and Groom

Planning at a Glance: The Big Picture

Create a master to-do list, preferably in time sequence (see pages 10-15).

Develop a contact list with the names and numbers of everyone you're working with. (See the Address Book, page 212.)

Carry a calendar in the pocket of this planner, noting all your appointments.

Keep all contracts in one safe place. Carry copies of the contracts in your planner in case you have to check details from one supplier when working with another. Also keep important papers you will need (birth certificate, divorce papers) readily available in a safe place.

Check off completed to-do's as you accomplish them. You'll feel great as you see the number of checkmarks grow.

Carry any pertinent items—fabric swatches, photos of gowns, photos of locations, table measurements—with you at all times.

Master To-Do List

the first steps: 12 to 24 months in advance

Announce your engagement to friends and family, and in any newspapers if desired.

Decide the date and time of your wedding.

Choose the style of your wedding—formal or informal; traditional, theme, or destination; civil or religious.

Determine a budget.

Create a filing/organizational system for wedding paperwork.

Decide on the size of the guest list and number of attendants.

Meet with your officiant or clergy member.

Meet with family members to discuss plans and the division of expenses.

Decide whether to hire a wedding consultant.

Choose your ceremony and reception locations.

Investigate the legal requirements to acquire a marriage license.

Select your attendants, both female and male.

Interview and book wedding professionals, including the caterer, florist, photographer, and musicians.

Research honeymoon options and destinations.

9 to 12 months in advance

Select your wedding gown and accessories. Look for bridesmaids' dresses.

Finish hiring wedding professionals. Sign contracts for services.

Decide whether to include children and guests of single friends.

Create a master guest list. Get the names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of all invited guests.

Make honeymoon reservations.

Open gift registries and start selecting items for them.

If desired, create a wedding Web site.

Create a gift record so that you can record gifts as they are received.

Promptly write thank-you notes for gifts as you receive them.

6 to 9 months in advance

Order bridesmaids' dresses and accessories.

Order your invitations, announcements, personal stationery, and other printed accessories and invitation enclosures. Obtain envelopes in advance.

Schedule the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner. Notify attendees of the schedule.

Schedule religious or personal counseling sessions, as desired or as required by your faith.

Select the groom's and ushers' wedding attire; schedule rentals as necessary.

Help your mothers choose and coordinate their outfits.

Plan/reserve accommodations and activities for out-of-town guests and attendants as necessary.

Discuss prenuptial agreements. Draw up with lawyers if needed.

If you want an out-of-town officiant to perform your ceremony, consult the local clergy to ascertain related regulations and requirements.

Choose your reception menu and the type of food-and-beverage service.

3 to 6 months in advance

Address and send save-the-date notices if necessary (or earlier).

Apply for or renew your passports if necessary.

Meet with your officiant to discuss the ceremony and rehearsal.

Address your wedding invitations and announcements; buy postage stamps.

Give the rehearsal dinner hosts your list of names and addresses for the invitations.

Make the remaining decisions about the ceremony and reception.

Choose gifts for your attendants and for each other.

Select/order your wedding rings; have the rings engraved.

Set the dates for your blood tests.

Explore babysitting options if necessary.

1 to 3 months in advance

Start to notify banks, employers, and other agencies and organizations of name and/or address changes.

Visit the reception site with the site manager to plan the setup's lighting, acoustics, and air circulation.

Choose the linens and place settings. Coordinate the reception decor and the floral centerpiece with the florist, the reception-site manager, and the caterer.

Have the final fitting of your gown and accessories.

Have your wedding portrait taken if desired.

Assemble and mail your wedding invitations six to eight weeks prior to wedding date.

Mail your wedding announcement write-up to any newspapers.

Apply for and obtain your marriage license.

Reconfirm your honeymoon plans; pay the final deposits as required.

Do any shopping for your "going away" outfit and honeymoon.

Make sure your attendants have their outfits in order: purchased, altered, rented.

If a flower girl and ring bearer are participating, confirm that their outfits are in order.

Make hair, nail, and spa appointments as necessary.

Verify with rehearsal dinner hosts that invitations are mailed.

the final weeks

Reconfirm the rehearsal plans with your clergy member and the dinner-site coordinator. Remind all attendees of the time and place.

Finalize the seating plan for the reception.

Have final consultations with the caterer (head count) and other professionals as necessary.

Attend pre-wedding parties: showers, bridesmaids' luncheon, bachelor or bachelorette party.

Review the best man's duties with him.

Prepare a list of any special ceremony seating for guests, to give to ushers.

Prepare a list of "must have" photos or videos to give to photographer and videographer.

Pack for the honeymoon.

Make final arrangements for you and your attendants for the day of the wedding.

Give your wedding announcements to whoever will be mailing them shortly after the wedding.

Excerpted from Wedding Planner by Peggy Post
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.