2018_July-August.indd

BE MARRIED

2 MONTHS BEFORE Date: ]] Mail your invitations. ]] Send out rehearsal-dinner invitations (these can be included with the wedding invitations if you like). ]] Chose your ceremony readings and vows. ]] Buy wedding-party gifts. ]] Begin your dress fittings. ]] Do a floral mock-up with your florist and finalize flowers. ]] Give the song selections to your band or DJ. ]] Request a permit and book a band for your second line. ]] Consider taking a dance lesson with your intended. 1 MONTH BEFORE Date: ]] Have a final venue walk-through. ]] Create a table and seating chart. ]] Make last-minute adjustments with vendors. ]] Create a wedding program to hand out to guests. ]] Apply for a marriage license. ]] Have final gown fitting. ]] Assemble gift baskets for out-of-town guests. Your Rouses Market florist can customize gift baskets for you . 2 WEEKS BEFORE Date: ]] Follow up with missing RSVPs. ]] Create a wedding-day photography schedule. Deliver must-have shot lists to your photographer and videographer. Include who should be in formal portraits, and determine when portraits will be taken. ]] Finalize song list with your DJ or bandleader. ]] Bride: Get your last pre-wedding haircut and color. ]] Have your final dress fitting. ]] Purchase your guest book. ]] Pick up your marriage license. ]] Complete name-change documents, if applicable.

1 WEEK BEFORE Date:

2-3 DAYS BEFORE Date: ]] Determine wedding party positions during the ceremony and the order of the party in the processional and recessional. ]] Give place cards, table cards, menus and wedding favors to the caterer and/or reception site manager. ]] Discuss final details with all vendors, including any necessary last-minute substitutions. ]] Call the limousine or car rental company for pickup times and locations. ]] Arrange for guests without cars to be picked up from the airport or train station. ]] Deliver welcome baskets to the hotel concierge; include names and delivery instructions. Call the Rouses Market closest to you to set up a complimentary consultation. ]] Designate in advance someone to pack up your gifts/belongings after the reception. DAY BEFORE Date: ]] Provide all wedding professionals exact directions and a contact person’s cell phone number. ]] Prepare payments for any final balances to be paid at the end of the reception. ]] Create tip envelopes to be handed out after the event.

]] Meet with your wedding planner or day- of coordinator to go over any last-minute details and wedding day schedule. ]] Give your caterer/venue the final guest count. ]] Finalize the seating chart. ]] Print place and table cards, or finalize list with the calligrapher you’ve hired. ]] Call all wedding suppliers to confirm arrangements — create a timetable for the day. ]] Give ceremony and reception site managers a schedule of vendor delivery and setup times, plus contact numbers. ]] Confirm final payments, guest count and any additional details for day of wedding. ]] Bride: Pick up your dress. Try on the full ensemble, including shoes and jewelry. ]] Groom: Get your hair trimmed. ]] Pack for your honeymoon. You may want to hire a professional calligrapher to hand inscribe your envelopes. Experienced calligraphers book up quickly, so reserve your spot on the schedule when you place your order for invitations. Plan to get the envelopes (inner and outer) to the calligrapher at least three weeks before you need them to allow for scripting time.

[Left] Bride, Brittney LeBlanc May, Rouses Markets Marketing & Advertising Associate LeBlanc-May wedding, photo by Claire Town [Right] Bride, Taryn Naquin Clement, Rouses Markets Marketing & Advertising Associate Naquin-Clement wedding, photo by Landry Photography

55

WWW.ROUSES.COM