Angelicas' Bridal & Tuxedo Edgewater
Serving Central Florida Brides Since 2000!
Guide & Map
Here is a basic wedding guide for you to follow.
4 TO 6 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
[ ] If you would like a catering service, contact one at least six months in advance, and decide on the budget, the style of service, and the menu.
[ ] Choose your wedding party. Traditionally there should be one bridesmaid and one usher for every thirty to forty guests, however today the number of bridesmaids and ushers does not have to be equal.
[ ] The bride should start shopping for her gown and headpiece.
[ ] The groom should make rental arrangements for formal wear for himself and the ushers. The best man may be of help here by arranging for a final fitting three or four days before the wedding to allow for last minute alterations.
[ ] Discuss the invitation list with both families and finalize it.
[ ] The bride should visit a hairdresser, a makeup artist and a manicurist, and make wedding day appointments for herself as well as for her bridesmaids. The appointments should be early in the morning. She may also consider finding a stylist who will come to her home on the day of the wedding.
[ ] Order invitations and acquire notepaper for thank-you letters. Other ideas of things to order: printed matchbooks, napkins, and place cards (for the reception), as well as an engraved cake knife, personalized champagne glasses and perhaps a "wishing well" box for your money- envelopes.
[ ] A simple hand-drawn map showing the location of your ceremony and reception sites can be very useful and appreciated by out-of-town guests.
[ ] Consult a travel agent and make the necessary reservations for your honeymoon. (Travel, hotel, car rental, theatre tickets, etc...)
[ ] If you would like any speakers at the reception, arrange this soon, as to give them ample preparation time.
3 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
[ ] If a marriage licence is required now would be a good time to obtain it as well as a blood test.
[ ] If a wedding contract is desired make an appointment with your lawyer or notary.
[ ] Plan your wedding ceremony and select the music for the service.
[ ] You should receive your invitations at least three months before the wedding and then mail them to your guests immediately. Don't forget to request a reply date of at least five weeks before the wedding.
[ ] Register for your wedding gifts at the store of your choice. Make a list of what you would like to receive - from linens to tableware (china, crystal) to a honeymoon package! The selected store(s) will help you choose your patterns or styles and set up your bridal registry.
[ ] Shop for your wedding rings, or, if they are to be specially made, order them.
[ ] Should you be baking your own wedding cake, it is important that this be undertaken early, and you might arrange to have it iced and decorated. Otherwise, you should order your wedding cake.
[ ] Decide on your menu, choose your beverages, and decide on whether there will be an open bar.
[ ] Consult a florist for your floral arrangements (church and reception decorations, bouquets, boutonnieres...).
[ ] Plan transportation for the wedding party to the ceremony and reception. You may consider friends and relatives to help you, however if you want to travel in style you should book a limousine, also avoiding wrinkling of the bride's gown.
[ ] Select and purchase the gifts for the wedding party as well as for your new spouse.
[ ] The best man may begin to organize a bachelor party in honor of the groom, and the maid of honor a bachelorette party for the bride. A bridal shower is traditionally organized by the mother of the bride with the help of the maid of honor.
[ ] You may reserve overnight accommodations for out-of-town guests and if necessary arrange transportation for them to the ceremony and reception.
1 TO 2 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
[ ] Should your honeymoon be overseas, verify that both your passports are still valid. Check if a visa is required to enter a foreign country or if you will need any immunization shots. Your travel agent should be able to provide you with this information.
[ ] Finalize arrangements with your priest / minister and with any musicians taking part in the ceremony.
[ ] Finalize arrangements with your photographer, discussing any special shots you would like, as well as contingency plans in case of rain.
[ ] Finalize arrangements with your musicians, disc-jockey, videographer, and master of ceremony for the reception.
[ ] Finalize arrangements with your florist, specifying the time and place of delivery. Ensure that the best man will receive the boutonnieres for the groom and ushers, and that the bride will receive her bouquet as well those for her bridesmaids .
[ ] Finalize arrangements for your transportation.
[ ] Check that all the clothes for the bridesmaids and ushers will be ready on time. Make sure that they have the appropriate accessories to go with their dresses and suits.
[ ] Organize your honeymoon wardrobe and luggage. (Camera, medicine, etc...).
[[ ] Finalize arrangements with the pastry shop regarding your wedding cake and the delivery.
[ ] The bride should pick up her wedding dress and the bridesmaids' dresses as well.
[ ] The groom should ensure that the best man is coordinating the final fittings for their suits.
[ ] Prepare envelopes with payments for the ceremony, the reception hall, and the disc-jockey, musicians, or master of ceremony.
[ ] If you are having a wedding rehearsal it may be an ideal time to present your gifts to the wedding party.
[ ] Ask your priest / minister when he/she would like to receive your marriage licence.
[ ] Begin packing for your honeymoon.
THE NIGHT BEFORE
[ ] Finish packing. - You may entrust the payment envelopes to the best man, who will deliver them after the ceremony and the reception.
THE WEDDING DAY
[ ] Finish packing!!! See to any last minute details for the honeymoon.
[ ] The bride sees her hairdresser, makeup artist, and manicurist.
[ ] Check to see that the car keys, wedding rings, marriage licence (if not already given),keys to the new house, airplane tickets, hotel confirmations and the honeymoon spending-money are all assembled.
[ ] Arrange for your car, your going - away outfits, and your luggage to be delivered to the reception hall.
[ ] The bride should ask someone to bring her some Kleenex tissues and lipstick to the reception.
[ ] Be dressed and ready for the picture taking two hours before the ceremony or according to the arrangements made with your photographer.
[ ] The bride should transfer her engagement ring to her right hand.
[ ] Most important ... Relax and enjoy your big day , from here on it's all easy!