Tying the knot: One year!

Today is the first day of spring, and marks exactly one year until the wedding. :)

About Me

A. Marigold
aka Miss Spaniel
Los Angeles, CA

I'm a law student trying to balance graduating with starting my career, keeping up a relationship, and, oh yeah, planning an Old World, multi-cultural, moutain lodge wedding for 180 guests! A South Asian Jewish girl getting ready to marry my handsome Catholic Dane, I'm hoping to blend our cultures in our wedding just a bit more gently than by providing samosas as appetizers and offering æbleskiver for dessert. Although that would also be awesome.

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To Do (Before "I Do")

Nine months and earlier (by June 20)

~~Start a wedding folder~~
~~Work out the budget~~
~~Build your wedding party~~
~~Settle on a head count~~
~~Hire a planner, if desired~~
~~Book the ceremony site~~
~~Book the officiant~~
~~Book the reception site~~
~~Research photographers, bands, florists and caterers~~
~~Insert vendor information into a master contact list~~
~~Throw engagement party~~

Eight months before (by July 20)

~~Book the photographer and videographer~~
~~Book entertainment~~
~~Register~~
~~Purchase a dress~~
~~Start meeting caterers~~
~~Reserve block of hotel rooms for guests~~
~~Launch a wedding website~~

Six to seven months before (by September 20)

~~Purchase invitations and hire a calligrapher~~
~~Plan your honeymoon~~
~~Shop for bridesmaids' dresses~~
~~Meet with the officiant~~
~~Send save-the-date cards~~
~~Reserve structural and electrical necessities~~
~~Book a florist~~
~~Procure transportation~~
~~Start composing a day-of timeline~~

Five to four months before (by November 20)

~~Book the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner venues~~
~~Check on printing of wedding invitations~~
~~Order the cake~~
~~Send the guest list to the bridal shower hostess~~
~~Purchase shoes and start dress fittings~~
~~Schedule hair and makeup artists~~
~~Choose songs~~
~~Plan welcome baskets~~

Three months before (by December 20)

~~Finalize the menu and the flowers~~
~~Order favors, if desired~~
~~Finalize readings~~
~~Purchase the rings~~
~~Finalize order of the ceremony and reception~~
~~Print menu cards and programs~~
~~Purchase undergarments and visit dressmaker for second fitting~~
~~Send schedule to vendors~~

Two months before (by January 20)

~~Discuss locations and shots with photographer~~
~~Review playlist with the band or the DJ~~
~~Send invitations~~
~~Touch base with vendors~~
Submit a newspaper wedding announcement
~~Enjoy bachelorette party~~

One month before (by February 20)

~~Put RSVPs into guestlist database and phone invitees who haven't yet responded~~
~~Get marriage license~~
~~Mail rehearsal dinner invitations~~
~~Have final dress fitting~~
~~Stock the bar~~
~~Send out as many final payments as you can~~
~~Assign seating~~
~~Purchase bridesmaids' gifts to hand out at the rehearsal dinner~~
~~Write vows, if necessary~~
~~Get hair cut and colored, if desired~~