5 Month Check In!

5 Months to the wedding and what have we been up to? Not a whole lot unfortunately. We're getting to more stuff but the things that require money slow us down!

• Decide on a wedding budget and hash out who's contributing to the wedding. 

• Make sure to appraise and insure your engagement ring.

• Start taking better care of yourself. Get in wedding day shape by eating right, joining a gym, and/or even hiring a personal trainer.

• If you're having an engagement party, set a date, draft a guest list, and order the invitations.

• Sign your catering contract and send in a deposit.

• Start looking for and auditioning local reception bands or DJs.

• Set up appointments with various florists to discuss options.

• Make sure everyone in the wedding party is aware of what you expect of them -- especially your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Provide a list of duties to the maid of honor and a list of to-dos to the best man.

• Reserve your wedding photographer and videographer. Decide on the packages you want, sign the photography contract, and send in your deposits.

• Choose your florist and send a deposit to reserve their services.

• Have engagement photos taken.

• Start researching ceremony musicians in your area and listening to demos. Also start forming an idea of what style of ceremony music you want, and any specific songs you’re looking for.

• Book your reception band or DJ, sign the reception music contract, and send a deposit.

• Set aside blocks of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.

• Book your cake baker, choose a wedding cake design you love, and send a deposit once you've signed the wedding cake contract.

• Brides: Collect necessary measurements from bridesmaids, or ask that everyone gets measured by a tailor or dress store (specifically if you have out-of-town bridesmaids). Then ask everyone to order their dresses.

• Book your ceremony musicians: Sign the ceremony music contract and pay your deposit.

• Start planning the rehearsal dinner. Look for rehearsal dinner sites in your area and provide the host with contact information for your attendants and any other guests.

• Finalize the reception menu and service details with the caterer.

• Order your wedding invitations and wedding announcements (don't forget plenty of extra envelopes).

• Start looking through reception centerpiece photos. Figure out what flowers you like and which ones will be in season on your wedding day.

• Hash out your wedding flower proposal. Decide on your floral style, choose the right wedding flowers, and negotiate prices with florist. Once you're certain the contract outlines everything you agreed upon, sign it.

• Book a calligrapher in your area.

• Choose and reserve all tables, chairs, and any other wedding rentals you'll need for the reception (unless the caterer or site is taking care of it).

• Grooms: Start planning your groomsmen's attire. Tuxes or suits?

• Grooms: Start looking to buy or rent your tux, suit, or other formal attire.

• Book a hotel room for your wedding night.

• Book the rehearsal dinner site and finalize menu plans.

• Make sure your out-of-town guests know all the details. Add hotel reservation and city information to your wedding website and/or compile hard copies and mail out.

• Book your honeymoon flights and make all your other honeymoon travel reservations.

• Start addressing wedding invitations or drop them off with the calligrapher (you'll need to send them out at the three-month mark).

• Grooms: Decide on your groomsmen's formalwear. Let the guys know and ask them to get fitted for their tuxes (if need be).

• Brides: Choose your bridesmaids' accessories (shoes, jewelry) and either buy or pass along purchasing information.

• Grooms: Give all of the groomsmen the info they need to buy and/or reserve their attire.

• Pick out or design a ketubah or other marriage contract required by your religion.