Finalizing Your Wedding Plans

It's crunch time so you want to make sure you have all your ducks in order. Organization is key at this point. This is the time to tie up any loose ends with your vendors and schedule final fittings for everyone in the wedding party.

GUEST LIST FINALIZATION

You are days away from having your wedding planned, but who is coming? If you have not yet done so, now is the right time to start working on finalizing your guest list.

If you have one guest list for the ceremony and another for the reception, keep these items separate by using separate invitations. Generally, it is proper etiquette that anyone who was invited to your bridal shower is invited to your wedding. However, since you are not planning your bridal shower (that is left to your bridesmaids or a friend…) you should only be focusing on who is on your list.

Here is what you need to do:

1.  Get all RSVP'd guests organized.
2.  Determine who has yet to let you know they are coming.
3.  Check with your parents about any RSVP information they may have.
4.  If a guest has not called, you or someone you put in charge (such as the bride or groom's parents) can give them a call. Since weddings are often charged by the plate, it is important to know who is coming.
5.  Anyone that has yet to get back to you and is not responding to your calls is likely not coming. Determine if you will count them in the final tally or not.
6.  Send your final numbers to your reception hall and the ceremony location if necessary.

Once you are done with your reception numbers, move on to the next step.

ARRANGE AND HAVE FINAL ALTERATIONS

Alterations can take some time. It is up to your dress maker or the person doing your alterations to let you know how many fittings you will need. At this point, you want to be making your final alterations.

This allows you to make sure that any weight you may have lost or gained has been accounted for and helps you to assure the dress fits you well. Here's what you need to do.

1.  Contact the seamstress to ensure the dress is on time.
2.  When trying the dress on, move around. Is it comfortable even for dancing?
3.  Be sure you can move your arms well.
4.  Make final arrangements to pick up the dress right before the wedding day. This ensures the dress remains in pristine condition right up until the wedding day.
5.  Settle your bill.

CHECK IN WITH RECEPTION AND WEDDING COORDINATORS

Check in with the wedding ceremony and reception coordinators at the facilities one final time. You need to be sure that there are no problems. Right up until the day before, there could be issues that have not surfaced until just before.

At this time, you may want to do any set up work you need to do, too. For example, some individuals will need to do the set up for the reception tables including centerpieces.

If you are providing your guests with favors, make sure they are taken care of an at the reception location at this time, if possible.

FINALIZE PAYMENTS

Any of your providers who have yet to be paid down payments need to be at this time.

• Your reception hall
• Your ceremony site (flowers, musician, priest)
• Your flowers
• Your musicians for the reception
• Your photographer
• Your transportation

Once payments are made, you are one-step closer to the final days of planning your special day!

GROOM FITTINGS

You have already taken care of your own wedding dress alterations, but you also need to follow up on the fittings for the groom. You may also need to consider groomsmen. Often times, they will come in late for fittings or they may not show up at all. At this point in the planning, you want to ensure that they are readily available to you if any last minute fittings need to be done.

For the groom, here are some questions to keep in mind:

1.  Does the tuxedo fit well? Are there any final alterations needed?
2.  Consider shoes, are they provided and do they fit?
3.  Socks, cummerbunds, and even ties need to be ready to go and colors should match appropriately.
4.  Follow up to be sure all groomsmen have received their final fitting and are ready to go.
5.  Determine when the tuxedo will be picked up. Keep it at the facility as long as possible to ensure it remains in prestine condition.
6.  If a rental, determine when the facility needs you to have it returned back.
7.  Pay deposit as needed.

Many of the rental facilities do allow you to make last minute changes. Keep this in mind when looking at all of your options for the wedding attire.

BRIDESMAID FITTINGS

Next, meet with the bridesmaids. They should have had their dresses picked out and accessories all taken care of, but you also need to keep in mind, that final alterations may be necessary. Now is the best time to ensure that the dresses fit properly. Do not forget your flower girl, too!

• Find out if any dresses need to be altered and get a timeline in place for them.
• Meet with your bridesmaids to make sure that the dresses look great.
• Be sure that shoes have been handled.
• Do any of the women need accessories?
• Are there last minute questions or needs?

Bridesmaid's dresses are not as easy to change if needed. Be sure to allow enough time for alterations.

PICK UP WEDDING RINGS

You may need to have these altered too! If so, now is a good time to get them picked up. If there are any last minute needs such as a cleaning for the rings, be sure that this is done now.

• When will the rings be picked up?
• Who will be responsible for them making it to the ceremony?
• Is there a warranty on the rings and if so, have you obtained a written copy?
• Does the ring need to be cleaned prior to the wedding?
• Does the engagement ring need cleaning prior to the wedding?

With rings in hand, you are getting nearer to the all important day. Traditionally, the groom's best man handles the rings, but this may not be the case if you are using a ring bearer in the wedding. Be sure that one person is responsible for making sure the rings get to the wedding itself!

VENDOR FOLLOW UP

Next, spend some time talking with vendors who you have not talked to in the last few weeks. This is your last chance to really iron out any problems, change your mind or otherwise monitor them. Even if you do not have any changes to be made, it is necessary to call on each of your vendors and find out if things are in order. This will rule out any potential problems well before they become problems for you.

1.  Call your transportation provider to arrange pick up times, drop off times, and schedules.
2.  Talk to your photographer to arrange start times and any special requests.
3.  Contain your music providers to ensure they are able to set up in enough time, have the information they need and that they will be on time.
4.  Flower providers should be checked on to make sure all flowers have made it successfully in.
5.  Cake and caters may need to be checked on to ensure there are no problems.
6.  Give directions to any of the vendors who need it.
7.  Determine if any need payments to be made and have this arranged now.

Talk to any of the other providers you have. Be sure that they are fully aware of the final plans for the wedding day, especially if there have been changes in the process.

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