The most important is to plan well ahead of the wedding as it is a once-in-a lifetime moment to most people. The first step is drawing up a checklist, which will have all the details so that nothing important will be forgotten or missed out. This checklist is tailored to the individualized needs and desires of each couple as no two weddings are alike.



Next, select the date and time of the wedding as well as establish a budget on the various types of expenditure. This figure will determine the quality and maximum cost of each item on the checklist.

Although the wedding invitations and response cards may be send out a few weeks prior to the wedding day, it will be easier to draw up a guest list in the initial planning, as this will greatly affect the budget. Other items will include a guest book and thank you cards.

The soon to be married couple will then need to make arrangements to reserve in advance their ideal place for the ceremony and a site or location for the wedding reception. There is also a need to arrange for a marriage license as well as the person who will be conducting the ceremony. At the same time, transport to the ideal place and reception site will also have to be booked early.

Music or songs to be used will have to be selected well in advance before the wedding. Some couples may hire a professional DJ for the reception well as a photographer to capture the magical moments of the event. Other essential professionals will include a beautician, hair stylist and manicurist for the bride.

Some of the most important items in the checklist will be the bridal wedding gown and the groom's formal suit or tuxedo. In addition, there is the veil or headpiece to match the gown, gloves, shoes, jewellery and other accessories for the bride. Other essential clothes will include gowns for the bridesmaids or wedding attendants, attires for the best men and pageboy as well as dresses for the flower girls.

The flowers selected for the bride's bouquet will have to be in the same color or shade as the wedding gown and the two items should complement each other. In addition to corsages for the groom, best men and other family members, smaller bouquets are ordered for the bridesmaids and flower girls who will also be carrying baskets filled with loose flower petals as confetti. The same florist should be engaged to supply flowers for decorating the ideal place pews and aisle.

Another important item would be the wedding rings, usually engraved with the names of the bride and her groom. The rings will be carried by the pageboy on a ring bearer pillow.

There will be a need to engage a caterer to provide food for the special day reception as well as baking the wedding cake. If there are guests coming from overseas, accommodations will have to be arranged several months before the actual date.

It is a good idea to find a wedding planner so as to avoid all this hassle. They are the professionals who will ensure that every important detail will be looked into. But if the soon to be married couple prefers to do everything themselves, they may attend wedding shows or check up the internet sites to get some planning tips and ideals.

By planning well in advance with a carefully drawn up wedding checklist will make the special day a joyous experience for any couple.