TIPS FOR A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING

· Check magazines and websites (like Pinterest) for ideas
· Choose a Wedding Theme
· Start a Pinterest Board
· Choose your Wedding Party
· Start a preliminary Guest List
· Work up a Budget (there are many on-line sources at various wedding websites)
· Begin touring Venues and check on date availability
· Reserve your Venue
· Check out:
· Officiants
· Photographers/Videographers
· DJs or Bands
· Florists
· Caterers
· Bartenders
· MakeUp / Hair Stylist
· Attend Bridal Shows (Your Venue, if a participant in a Show, may be able to give you free tickets, so be sure ask)
The Venue is a good source for recommendations on the above. Also, online wedding websites (Wedding Wire, The Knot, and many others). Check out BENGMC.com (Bridal Event Networking Group Montgomery County) for a l ist of Vendors in each category…they will work all over the Houston and surrounding areas.
· Decide on Date
· Send out Save the Date Postcards or Emails
· Once you have the date set, launch a Wedding Website

· Finalize your Guest List
· Order Invitations
· Hire your Florist, Caterer and other Wedding Vendors (Be sure to get all details in writing)
· Reserve Block of Hotel Rooms for Out of Town Guests (or select a Venue that offers Lodging – like the Double Bar B!)
· Reserve any Transportation Needs
· Confirm any rentals you need:
· Tent, Tables/Chairs, Linens, Table Settings, if needed that the Venue/Caterers don’t provide
· Look for Bridesmaid dresses

· Send Your Guest List to your Shower Host
· Order Veil, Shoes and other accessories (jewelry, ring pillows, gloves, etc)
· Schedule first Dress Fitting
· Try out Make-Up and Hair Stylists and Reserve
· Choose Music Playlist
· Reserve your Rehearsal Dinner (or select a Venue that offers one… like the Double Bar B)

· Finalize your Menu
· Put Together a Timeline of Your Events (Rehearsal,Rehearsal Dinner, Getting Ready/Makeup/Hair, Arrival of Vendors, Ceremony, Reception)
(There are great samples on-line at various Wedding Sites)
· Finalize your Flowers
· Order Favors and Plan Welcome Baskets and Wedding Party Gifts
· Line up those you want to do Toasts
· Finalize your Vows and Officiant
· Get Menu Cards and Programs Printed
· Mail Your Invitations

YOU'RE ALMOST THERE!

· Arrange for Marriage License
· Plan any Name Change Documents and Insurance
· Purchase a Guestbook/Toasting Flukes/Cake Servers/Unity Candle/etc
· Remember to add “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue”
· Purchase your Rings
· Plan Menus for the Pre-Wedding Events
· Check RSVPs
· Prepare your Thank You Cards

· Pick Up Your Gown (Be sure to try it on with your shoes and accessories )
· Provide the Final Guest Count to Caterer
· Arrange Seating and Create the Seating Charit and/or Place Cards
· Assign Someone to Pack up your Gifts/Belongings after the Reception (and the top tier of your cake!)

DON'T FIND A HORSE AND BE A RUNAWAY BRIDE...YOU'VE WORKED TOO HARD FOR THIS!
(although we have a horse you can borrow)...