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for the church or ceremony venue, Bride's bouquet, wedding party bouquets and boutonnieres, petals for the flower girl, flowers for the cake, arrangements for the rehearsal dinner tables and reception tables. Depending on your budget, these can be small or elaborate. Florals from the ceremony can be sent to the reception to save on additional arrangements. Florists also provide plants, trees, arches and candelabras.

Decide on the evening's entertainment and interview prospective DJ's or bands. Most have demo tapes of their performances. DJ's will give you a list of music choices to look over and select and return to them with your deposit. DJ's are booked quickly especially during peak wedding months so it is best to secure their services at least three months prior to the wedding date.

Wedding and rehearsal invitations should be ordered at least three months prior to the wedding and mailed out at least a month in advance with R.S.V.P. cards enclosed. Most venues and caterers will request a final total of guests expected to attend two weeks prior to the events. Place cards may also be warranted when having a seated dinner and should partner with a seating chart on display when the guests arrive.

Hang in there! You are almost there. Arrangements need to be made for out of town guests including travel arrangements and local accommodations. It is customary for the Bride's family to arrange these accommodations, but, most out of town family and friends will foot the bill for their own accommodations and travel expenses, especially if budgets are tight.

Final alterations and fittings for the dresses and tuxedos should take place 2 weeks prior to the wedding to ensure proper fit and accessories chosen. The Bride and Groom may want to purchase a gift for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to say thank you for all of their support and help in the planning stages. And final guest counts should be turned into the venue and caterer.

When the big day arrives, let the professionals do their thing. The Bride should be well rested, arrange to have her nails, hair and make up done a few hours prior to the ceremony. Let the florist worry about the flowers and the caterer worry about the food and drink. Let the cake baker worry about the cake. Let the ladies worry about something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue and let the men calm down the pacing Groom. It will all work out. It is your wedding day. You should be concentrating on your vows and your love for each other and not worrying about falling into the cake. Lean on the caterer to let you know when it is time to cut the cake, eat and be the first to dance. The caterer and the DJ or band will help coordinate most of the evenings' formalities such as the cake cutting, first dance, bouquet and garter toss.
You are married and most likely going on your honeymoon. Enjoy yourself and leave the worrying to everyone else! Congratulations!

Learn more about this author, Rae Harp.
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