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W W W . C H I C A G O W E D D I N G R E S O U R C E . C O M
B A N Q U E T S , R E C E P T I O N S , S H O W E R S & P A R T I E S
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C H I C A G O W E D D I N G & P A R T Y R E S O U R C E
6 weeks
Create a budget. If parents or relatives are contributing
to the cost of the wedding, include them. You can’t hire
anyone until you know how much money you have to
spend.
Send informal letters or e-mails to the intended guests
telling them to save the date. Follow up with formal
invitations ASAP.
Look for a space.
Check state and local ordinance for marriage license
requirements.
Find a travel agent to book flights and hotel rooms for
your out-of-town guests. Use the agent to organize your
honeymoon.
Shop for rings. If you have a specific design in mind or
need a stone to be set, you’ll need extra time. However, if
you’re buying ready-made wedding bands you can save this
task until the last week.
5 weeks
Hire a caterer if the reception facility doesn’t offer one.
Interview and hire a musician, if appropriate.
Hire a photographer.
Schedule a hair appointment for the day before or day of
the wedding for yourself and everyone else in the bridal
party.
Arrange for or ask someone else to coordinate any
peripheral events, such as a breakfast for out-of-town
guests the morning after the festivities.
4 weeks
Shop for a dress, shoes and appropriate undergarments.
You may not have time to have a wedding gown altered by
the shop, but you can find tailors who will do a rush job.
If company will be staying with you, get your home or
apartment thoroughly cleaned.
Have lunch or dinner with everyone in your bridal party
and hand out one task to each person. This can include
picking up relatives at the airport, dog sitting or whatever
needs you may have.
Order flowers.
Find a restaurant or caterer with a facility where you can
host a rehearsal dinner.
3 weeks
Finalize the menu with the caterer. With a short time
frame, you’re probably better off hosting a buffet dinner or
food stations as opposed to a sit-down meal says wedding
planner Anthony Milkey.
Take a look at the reception room and go over seating
arrangements with the manager. Make sure you have
enough seating and the traffic flow is to your liking.
2 weeks
Check with any guests who haven’t responded.
Give the caterer the final count.
1 week
Try on the wedding dress one last time.
Meet the in-laws, if you haven’t already.
Get a massage or spa treatment.
Keep breathing.
ZERO TO WEDDING IN 6 WEEKS
continued
THE SIX-WEEK COUNTDOWN