List of items for a wedding & order of the reception

Degeneratemoo

Hiya!

We're getting married in 2011 but are planning to gather the required items gradually over the next couple of years to spread the cost. I've found the free wedding planner from pashweddings.com which seems to be really good but it doesn't really provide any info of the little things that are needed to make a wedding i.e. the favours, table decorations etc. Is there a list availble of the sort of things a general wedding would need, we don't mind making most things ourselves (we plan to make the invitations, menus etc).

Also, although the pashweddings.com planner does have an order of activites for the reception it doesn't seem to be very standard compared to weddings I have been to in the past (perhaps it is because it was produced in the USA). Does anyone have a list of what takes place and when during a typical wedding reception i.e. the order of the toasts, who says what, when etc etc.

Very exciting time although I know it's still a long way off!!

Thanks,

DG

Horace

This list may be of some help:

10 – 9 months – Initial meeting with your planner if using.

Determine Date and time
Visit clergy – local church – book venue – confirm religious orientation
Discuss venue requirements
Discuss budget
Size of guest list
Theme of the wedding – formal?
Discuss Bridal dress styles
Discuss and book reception venue
Select wedding dress – then wedding accessories

9-6 months

Pick colour theme
Discuss, choose and book live wedding band
Compile guest list – send save the date cards
Arrange meetings with caterers, photograher, videography, florist
Choose attendents – confirm outfits
Decide on ceremony music, poems/readings/vows
Discuss Invitations' style
Book suppliers (as above)

6-4 months

Place order for wedding stationery
Organise wedding favours, decorations, placecards
Book transport
Wedding cake – discuss and order
Book Honeymoon – think visa/vaccinations/travel insurance if applicable
All deposits to suppliers to be paid

3 – 2 months

Buy Rings
Arrange for registration of gift list
Address and send invitations
Hair and make-up rehearsal - book

1 month

Finalise all aspects
Confirm honeymoon details
Final fitting – Bride and attendents
Marriage licence
Pick up rings

2 weeks

Annoucement in local newspaper
Contact guests who have not responded
Pick up bridal gown and attendents outfits

1 week

Confirm final number of guests with suppliers
Table plan
Full dress rehearsal
Facial/fake tan
Final check – rings – licence – attire

Day before wedding

Dress reception venue/church if required
Nails
Confirm wedding day timetable
Flowers/buttonholes delivery

Wedding day

Hair
Make up
Dressing
Rings
Licence
Pay all outstanding bills from suppliers
Wedding announcements

As for the reception itself, the speeches normally take place after the wedding breakfast and then you can cut the cake afterwards.

I have a book on wedding etiquette which I cannot put my hand on at present but when I sort it out, I will post who says what.

Degeneratemoo

Thanks very much!