Set Wedding Date (keep in mind to always have an alternative date in case of unavailability).
Research Venues:
Ceremony
Reception Site
Rehearsal Dinner
Start on your budget
Book your venues and put down your deposit(s).
Select a Best man, Groomsmen, and Ushers.
6-8 Months before Wedding Date:
Interview Caterers, music (D.J. or Band), photographer.
Request time off from your employer for Wedding and/or honeymoon
Figure out your total wedding budget
Start your guest list (you can always downsize later)
Start planning honeymoon
Arrange Limo service/transportation
Book a block of rooms at a hotel for out of town guest
3-5 Months before Wedding Date:
Book honeymoon
Pick out your wedding rings
Select Tuxedo style and don't forget to get measured by your La'Rues' authorized specialist
2 Months before Wedding Date:
Purchase Groomsmen gifts and a gift for your Bride.
Double check guest list and finalize
Send out invitations
Finalize ceremony details with officiant
Set date for bachelor party
1 Month before Wedding Date:
Pick up marriage license
Pick up wedding bands and double check if inscribed for misspelling
Call to confirm with caterer, musicians/D.J, photographer, etc
1 Week before Wedding Date:
Get your haircut
Double check honeymoon reservations
Have final tuxedo fitting at your authorized La'Rues' specialist
Pack your bags for the big day/honeymoon
Day before the Wedding Date:
RELAX
Get plenty of sleep
The Wedding Day:
BE ON TIME!
Rehearsal Dinner
Yes, the Rehearsal Dinner is the responsibility of the groom and his family. Here are a few pointers on how to go about planning and budgeting for this.
Make the rehearsal dinner a small intimate affair for close friends and family. There should be no haggling about who attends the rehearsal dinner. The general list is you, your bride, both sets of parents, wedding party and any other family members who may not be in the wedding party. Beyond that, you are not required to invite anyone else. If you are having a very small wedding, I would forego this altogether.
If you keep the dinner party small, everyone can sit at the same table and interact.
Be sure to determine the budget for the rehearsal dinner and keep to it (to save money, you could plan a barbeque at home, or a casual buffet dinner at your favourite restaurant).
If you are having the rehearsal dinner at the restaurant, pay up front so that no money is being passed around during or after the dinner (just good etiquette!).
Small invitations are generally good etiquette for the rehearsal dinner and should be prepared by the groom's family.
This dinner is held generally on the evening of the church rehearsal, but nothing is written in stone.
It is generally known that the couple takes this opportunity to toast and thank everyone who has put work into helping them with the wedding preparations and be sure to say a few words to your parents.
Gifts
It's traditional for the bride and groom to exchange gifts on their wedding day. Most couples still perform this ritual but not all. If you aren't sure what's going on in your case, you have two options:
Ask her
Play it safe - get her something.
[Whether you are giving her a gift or you're not, please take the time to write down your feelings. Write the things that you wish you could say.]
Remember, this is a gift for her! Because if you decide to give gifts, you can bet she's probably spent the entire engagement thinking about yours...
When to give it...
Any time during the week before your wedding, at home or at dinner.
The day of the rehearsal when you give your wedding party their gifts.
If your rehearsal is a couple of days before the wedding, exchange gifts on the day before the wedding.
Have one of your groomsmen deliver it to the bride, on the morning of your wedding day.
After the ceremony in the limo.
At the end of the evening in your honeymoon suite
Tips
Your fiancée will be coming up to you and asking you questions like, "What wedding theme would you like?", "What wedding colours?", "What kind of flowers?", "What type of dinner music?", "tulle swag with mini lights or no lights?" Don't feel bad if you don't know what she's talking about. Ask her to explain, she'll like that you care. If you want to play it safe, just sit there and listen. Offer your ideas and advice.
Even though it's bad luck to see the bride in her dress, don’t be ignorant of the colors she’s choosing for the rest of her wedding party. It would be a lovely touch if some of your accessories (cummerbunds, bow ties, kerchiefs, boutonnières) complimented hers. Black is a safe bet, but to coordinate shows thoughtfulness and care.
As the groom you will be required to make a speech. A few points to remember: Most importantly, compliment your new spouse and don’t be afraid to openly express you affection for her. Then similar praise is due the bridesmaids. Obviously you will thank your parents, the bride's parents and your groomsmen. And if you want to win a few points, make special mention of the bride's mother and how lovely she looks this evening….and don’t forget your own mother either.
Obviously “the guys” will be there and will be eager to toast your new demise. Remember, this is your wedding night, not your stag, so watch your intake of alcohol. Drunk is not the condition in which to spend your first night of marital bliss.
Don’t forget to arrange to return rented tuxedos before you depart on your honeymoon. Generally the Best Man takes on this responsibility, as you have the honeymoon to prepare for... Communicate with your Best man,as late charges can be exorbitant.
Remember that you are now a couple and what you want is not necessarily the top priority, be thoughtful and attentive to your spouse’s needs.
