To do next (January, part 2)

That worked!  I've crossed off nearly everything on my mini to-do list already, and it's only been a week.  Here's what's next:

• Order bridesmaid dresses (they have been chosen and measured) either locally or online, whoever has the better price.  Will try to do that today or tomorrow.
• Buy my wedding shoes and undergarments
• Take my dress in to the seamstress to get altered (bringing shoes & undergarments for the initial fitting)
• Nag the guys to get their tuxedos chosen

Invitations are in the mail!

So much for "one maybe two weeks" for the invitations to arrive -- it was more like "one maybe two days."

I approved the proof on Tuesday morning, and had a parcel pickup notification on Friday when I came home from work. I got everything ready through the weekend and Monday, and assembled them Monday night with the help of my Maid of Honour, and mailed them. About 1/3 are for people in Victoria, so we will hand-deliver them as we see the people, but the others have been sent. (Except for about 5 that I am missing some information on still.)

So now I get to wait for people to RSVP -- I need to make up a list to post by the phone so that Brooke and I can keep track of who has called. (I didn't do formal response cards; just asked people to phone or email.)

To do next (January)

My main to-do list is looking a bit large and unwieldy, so I thought I should give myself a more manageable list to work on next.

• Get the bridesmaids measured and order their dresses.
• Double-check hotel information to make sure there isn't a minimum number of bookings required to get the rates quoted, and find out if there is a reservation deadline.
• Finalize the design of the map inserts for the invitations (add the hotel information).
• Print map inserts now so they're ready to go when the invitations arrive.

And this is what the guys need to do next.

• Get tuxedos picked out and ordered.
• Arrange for transportation for wedding party (and maybe parents, siblings, and grandparents?) for wedding day.

Invitations are ordered

On Monday I sent in my order to the Invitation company, and on Tuesday approved the proof and gave them my payment information, so in about a week (or maybe two) I should have them! I will try to get them addressed that same night and in the mail the following day as I have set March 13th as the RSVP deadline, two months before the wedding, and just under two months from now.

My To-Do List (4 months)

Here's an update to the status of my to-do list I last posted on December 9. The wedding is currently 4 months away. I am finally able to take the "12 - 18 months" list off, yay!

To do 8 - 10 Months Before

• Shop for your wedding dress and accessories. No change. Need to find jewellery, shoes, etc.
• Shop for bridesmaids' dresses. Have selected a line of separates, but will do a quick look at retail stores before ordering in case of similar dresses for a better price.
• Select florist. Done, and flowers mostly chosen. Will meet with florist again about a month before the wedding to finalize.
• Select musicians or DJ for ceremony. Done! We met with the pianist on January 7th. It only took 10 minutes and we were set!
• Pick a Honeymoon destination. Check if any inoculations are required. No decision yet.

To do 6 - 8 Months Before

• Order formal wear for groomsmen. Will do that right after the girls' clothes are finalized.
• Order Invitations. Will order in the next couple of days.
• Select table favours. No change, still don't have anything to put them in yet.

To do 4 - 6 Months Before

• Address wedding invitations. Will do as soon as they are received, which should be about a week or so after I order them.
• Mail invitations to out-of-town guests. Plan to mail them all at the same time -- aiming for mid-January.
• Choose gifts for attendants. Have started thinking about this, so that's a start.
• Buy wedding rings. We now have his ring. Have an idea on how we'll do mine, but haven't done anything about it.
• Arrange rehearsal dinner. Haven't made any specific plans, other than location.
• Arrange transportation for wedding day. Still not started. Will likely rent a couple of nice cars, but not a limo.
• Order cake. No change. Haven't decided on one.

To do 2 - 4 Months Before

• Confirm delivery date of wedding gown. Already received.
• Meet with Officiant and confirm details of ceremony. Not done.
• Make hotel reservations for out-of-town guests. Tried to do this in December, but the hotels were too busy with Christmas guests to talk to me. Will do later, possibly on January 14 or so when my mom is here to help.
• Book any equipment required for wedding reception. Not sure if there is anything I'll need.
• Buy guest book & pen. Not done.

These are the things that are coming up in my to-do list. It's getting close enough now that I might as well list them, too.

To do 1-2 Months Before

• Pick up marriage license.
• Have final gown/bridesmaid's dresses fitting
• Make appointment with hair stylist to plan your wedding hairdo
• Make appointment with hair stylist / esthetician for wedding day
• Buy wedding gift for groom/bride
• Mail invitations to in-town guests
• Select MC
• Confirm site for photographs
• Arrange to change name on legal document
• Make arrangement for bridesmaid's luncheon or dinner.
• Book date & time for rehearsal
• Make plans for rehearsal dinner.
• Address wedding announcements - to be mailed after wedding

To do 1- 2 Weeks Before

• Consult and discuss final details with florist, caterer, photographer, videographer, musicians, DJ, Officiant etc...
• Discuss attire with those hired for service at your wedding
• Bridesmaid's luncheon, present attendants with gifts.
• Draw up seating plan
• Send wedding announcement to newspaper
• Inform caterer of number of confirmed guests at the reception