Where does the time go?  Now that there is only a month left to go before your wedding day, are you up to date with your "To Do" list?  Make sure you are and then following these steps two to four weeks before the wedding:

• Create a seating chart for the reception and rehearsal dinner.   Take some time to think about who should be sitting with whom.  Do your best to avoid those sticky situations where Aunt So-And-So doesn't speak with Cousin You-Know-Who.  You can reduce potential tensions by paying attention to these details.  Discuss the seating arrangements with the caterer so you know how the tables will be set and numbered.  This will make this task a lot easier to complete.
• Create place cards for both the rehearsal dinner and reception.  You can have a caligrapher make up the place cards for a more professional look, if you wish.
• Print out a time line of events for your wedding party and vendors, including contact information and telephone numbers.
• Meet with your photographer and florist to finalize the details.
• Finalize your ceremony and reception music and song list and supply it to the appropriate persons.  Make sure, if you are having a disc jockey, that they will have all the tunes you want on hand that day.  If you are having a band, make sure they can play the particular songs you want to hear and dance to.
• This is the time to place a wedding announcement in your local newspaper.
• Pick up your wedding bands from the jeweler and make sure they fit properly and are engraved correctly.  Allow time for any corrections, if need be.
• Schedule your final fitting for the gown and make sure the brides maids do the same.  Talk to each of your brides maids to make sure they have the proper accessories to accompany their gown - shoes, purse, hair adornments, etc.
• Write your rehearsal dinner toasts.
• Remember that every wedding is unique and special.  Some details are unique to your particular situation, so be sure to incorporate them into your checklist so the details are not forgotten.

Check back soon for more tips you can use.  Next time, we will discuss what to do in the final week before the wedding. 

If you have any organizing questions or tips you would like to discuss, please contact A BETTER SPACE.  I will be glad to hear from you.

In the meantime, have a great week!

Time is winding down!  You only have a couple months to go.  This is the time you should be doing the following...

• Mail out your wedding invitations eight weeks prior to the wedding.  You will need this much time to get the responses you are looking for from the large amount of people you are inviting.  (You will still need to follow up with some, but most will respond in sufficient time.  Give them one month to respond.)
• Have your ceremony programs printed.  Print plenty of extras to have on hand.
• Purchase a guest book and other wedding accessories.  A.C. Moore and other similar locations have a large choice to pick from. 
• Select your hair and make-up stylists and schedule a practice appointment for at least a week prior to the big day.  If you wait too long, you might not get the day or the stylist you want.  Consider scheduling appointments for your bridal party as well.  It was a really special time when I had my matron of honor with me to have our hair and make-up done together.
• Plan a bridal luncheon for your bridesmaids.  It's a nice way for all to get to know each other and be more comfortable with each other on the wedding day. 

Check back next time for more tips you can use to plan for that special day.  It's all about the details.

Please feel free to contact A BETTER SPACE with any organizing questions or problems you would like to have addressed.  I am glad to help.

Have a great week!

The wedding day is quickly approaching.  So now your wedding day is about two to four months away.  What should you be doing during this time?

Here are some suggestions:

• Find out what your state's requirements are for obtaining a marriage license.  Get your future spouse on board and get the ball rolling.
• Select and order the tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen, including the ring bearer and father of the bride.
• Meet with your officiant to discuss the ceremony details.  Are you going to be reading your own vows or is the officiant preparing something to read?  Determine what will be said.  You can always make changes to already prepared content.  If you are preparing your own vows, start getting them prepared and get a courtesy copy to the officiant when they are completed.
• Order your wedding cake if you have not already done so directly with the caterer.  Make sure to arrange delivery of the cake, if need be, so it arrives well in advance of the wedding reception.
• Buy thank-you gifts for your attendants.  There are specialty shops that will engrave items if you wish.  I purchased a necklace with a stone that complemented the gown the bridesmaids and flower girl were wearing on the day of the wedding.  My husband purchased watches for the groomsmen and ring bearer to wear that day as well.  We purchased handkerchiefs for my parents which we had engraved with their initials, because we knew the day would bring them to (happy) tears.
• Shop for a gift for your new spouse-to-be.  This is optional.  Since my husband and I were paying for the wedding ourselves, we decided not to do this.  We were giving the wedding as a gift to each other instead.  The choice is yours.  Just make sure you are both on the same page!
• Select and purchase your wedding bands.  They can either match or not, depending upon your taste.  My wedding band matches my engagement ring instead of my husband's wedding band.  It's completely up to you and your future spouse.
• Prepare for and choose a location for the rehearsal dinner.  Make a list of intended guests to determine the number who are invited so that you can comfortably accommodate all.  This can either be a large affair or something more intimate with just the immediate family members from both sides and the attendants. 

There is plenty to do and time is moving quickly.  Do your best to keep up with the deadlines so that you don't get caught behind the 8 ball as your wedding day arrives.

Check back for more tips so you can plan the wedding of your dreams and not leave out any important details.

Please feel free to contact A BETTER SPACE with any organizing questions or problems you would like me to address and I will be glad to help. 

Have a great week!

So now you are about four to six months before your wedding.  What should you be doing?

Here are some suggestions:

• Select and order your wedding invitations, envelopes and thank-you cards.  Make sure you order extra to be sure you will have enough.  It's better to have too much than not enough.  You can order them from various places including catalogs, party stores, card stores such as Hallmark, etc.  Price out various options to see what best fits your budget.
• Select and purchase wedding favors.  You can choose from specially wrapped candy bars, chocolate kisses, candy coated almonds, ceramics, small Teddy bears, etc.  Be creative! 
• Book your honeymoon and verify that you have the necessary travel documents if you are going out of the United States.  Passports can take a couple of months to obtain so don't wait too long.  Some destinations will accept a drivers license and original birth certificate.  Check with your travel agent for details.
• Book accommodations for any out-of-town guests.  Select a place that is conveniently located near the weekend activities to make their stay less stressful.  Arrange transportation to and from the airport if applicable, as well.  Have something special placed in their room to make them feel welcome when they arrive.  Keep children in mind as well.  They need to feel special.
• Finalize your guest list and send out save-the-date cards to make sure that everyone who will be invited knows well in advance not to schedule anything else on that day.
• Print out directions to the ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner and hotel(s) for your guests.  Make sure they are included in your invitations when they are sent out.
• Reserve transportation for you and your wedding party to and from the wedding.  This can be in the form of a limousine, van, bus, trolley, carriage, etc. 

More tips are coming your way so check back regularly so that you can plan and organize that special day right up to the very last moment!

In the meantime, as always, if you have any organizing questions or problems you would like me to address, please feel free to contact me at A BETTER SPACE.  I will be glad to help. 

Continuing with the information I provided in my last blog, I am providing you with an ongoing checklist to prepare for your wedding day:

Here are some suggestions to help:

SIX TO NINE MONTHS BEFORE -

• Choose one or more bridal gift registries.  This will help your friends and family purchase items for you that you really need and want.  Carefully consider the items you wish to have when you begin your new life with your future husband.  Go through the various rooms in a home and make a general list.  Common choices are bed linens, bathroom accessories, items for the kitchen such as pots and pans, dishes, glassware, silverware, placemats and oven mits, small appliances, cookware, etc.  Don't forget the vacuum cleaner and other tools to keep your home clean and neat.
• Order your wedding gown and bridal accessories as soon as possible to make sure everything will be ready on time for your special day.  You will need time for alterations later so don't wait til the last minute to get this important detail taken care of.
• Begin shopping for your bridesmails dresses.  Consider the time of year and what type of gown would look good on various body shapes.  I personally purchased my bridesmaids gowns on line through a clothing catalog and was able to match the flower girl's gown with the bridesmaids at a very reasonable cost.  The bridesmaids appreciated that I took their budgets into consideration when making my choice.
• Find an officiant who will perform your ceremony, whether you are interested in a religious ceremony or a more non-traditional ceremony, it is important to contact that person as soon as possible to make sure that they are available.
• Select and book the band or disc jockey, photographer, videographer, caterer and florist.  Get recommendations from those you trust.  You are investing a lot of money in their services and you want to make sure they will meet your expectations.  When you contract with them, read the contract carefully and make sure you understand every aspect of it.  Be specific about what it is you are looking for.  Discuss the type of music you wish to hear, the particular photos and video you want to have taken, the type of food you wish to have served and the type of floral arrangements and bouquets you want to have created.  Stay in contact with those you've hired on a monthly basis to make sure they are clear as to the arrangements you have made.  DO NOT PAY THEM IN FULL UNTIL THE DAY OF THE WEDDING OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER.  This is important to protect yourself from possible fraud.

In the coming weeks, I will provide you with additional tips to help you plan and organize that special day right up to the day of the Wedding.  Stay tuned!

In the meantime, if you have any organizing questions or problems you would like me to address, please feel free to contact me at A BETTER SPACE.  I will be glad to help.