Luca's of Greenwich - Wedding Checklist
1 Year Before
|
Ceremony Location |
The ceremony site will vary from a church, hotel, club to private home. |
|
Reception Location |
Lucas of Greenwich |
|
Photographer |
Many photographers are booked a year in advance. |
|
Entertainment |
If you decide to have a Band, D.J. or Pianist you should contact your choice a year in advance. This will also be your Emcee and he/she will need appropriate information. |
|
Bridal Shop |
Start to select your gown. |
|
Videography |
This is becoming more and more popular as a keepsake. Even if you don’t have a video recorder now, you may in the future. |
|
Travel Agency |
When planning for a cruise or specific location, reservations may be necessary a year in advance. |
|
Register Your Patterns |
Once your engagement is announced, people will need to know your choices. |
|
Limousine |
6 months may be enough time unless you are getting married during the spring or summer season or when getting a specialty car. |
Please visit our vendors section for recomendations.
| Discuss with the officiant the details of your ceremony. Be sure to bring up the topics below. It will be easier if you and your fiancé discuss these after asking what is permitted at your ceremony location. You can then plan with your florist, photographer, videographer, musicians and family. |
|
Double
Ring Ceremony
|
Decorations,
Flowers & Aisle Carpets
|
||
|
Rehearsal
Date
|
Candle
Light Ceremonies
|
||
|
Photography
Or Videography Limitations
|
Wine
Glasses
|
||
|
Parking
|
Kneeling
Cushions
|
||
|
Lighting
|
Live
Or Recorded Music
|
||
|
Custodial
Fees
|
Writing
Your Own Wedding Vows
|
||
|
Time
Of Ceremony Following Yours If Any
|
Where
To Place Ceremony Programs
|
||
|
Length
Of Ceremony
|
Is
Rice, Bird Seed, Or Confetti Allowed
|
||
|
|
Tell
Them Any Unique Plans You’d Like For Your Ceremony
|
6 Months Before
Check that you have contracted and, if required, put a deposit
down with the following:
| Photographer | Limousine Service | ||
| Band Or D.J | Travel (if cruise or definite place you prefer) | ||
| Bridesmaids Dresses And Shoes | Select Invitations And Favors | ||
| Look At Tuxedos | Get Color Swatches Of Dresses For Florist | ||
| Start Writing Out Your Guest List For Invitation Estimate | The Wedding Candle - Who Delivers It And Picks It Up | ||
| Make Appointment With Florists After Dresses Are Chosen | Music For Church | ||
| Wedding Dress | Videographer | ||
| Bridal Registry | Confirm Wedding Date | ||
| Discuss With Photographer If You Are To Have Thank You Photos | Have A Current Menu And Prices Sent To You |
3~4 Months Before
| Order Invitations At Four Months | Gown Fittings | ||
| Decide On Head Pieces For Bridesmaids | Make Sure All Your Tuxedos Are Ordered For Groom's Ushers | ||
| Contact The Florist With Color Swatch And Order Flowers | Rent Any Extras For Wedding | ||
| Order Thank You Photo Cards | Rings Ordered | ||
| If Not Done Yet - Honeymoon Arrangements | Make Appointment With The Aqua Turf Club To Finalize Menus |
2 Months Before
| Confirm With D.J. Or Band About Music Selections | Mail Bridal Party Information | ||
| Arrange For Housing For Out Of Town Guests | Write Out All Wedding Invitations And Mail Them | ||
| Meet With Photographer To Discuss Pictures | Apply For Wedding License | ||
| Order Wedding Cake - Deliver Cake Top If You Have A Special One | Confer With Organist And Soloist On Music Selection For The Church |
1 Month Before
| Select Gifts For Bridal Attendants | Blood Test | ||
| Hair Salon With Head Piece | Girls Night Out | ||
| Have Wedding Rings Sized | Check With Travel Agent For Tickets (Groom) | ||
| Perhaps Have Sitting For Formal Photos Of Bride With Photographer | Plan Rehearsal Dinner (for 2-3 days prior to Wedding date) |
| - Check with the Photographer for the time of arrival for taking pictures at your home to be sure you’ll have enough time to prepare for your Wedding Look. |
|
- Make an appointment with the Hair Salon, Makeup Consultant, Finger Nail Consultant. |
| - A trial run will make a world of difference in the confidence that you’ll have on your day. It will also affect your wedding pictures knowing if your makeup and hair is perfect. Since the wedding pictures often show your rings, you’ll want your nails to look their best. |
2 Weeks Before
| Contact Luca's of Greenwich With Estimated Guest Counts | A Break Down Of Each Meal Is Necessary | ||
| Do Seating Arrangements And Guest List | Set Appointment For 2 Days Before To Finalize Reception | ||
| Buy A Garter If You Don’t Have One Already | Address Announcements And Stamp For Mailing | ||
| Confirm The Day Of The Ceremony With The Church | Acknowledge All Gifts As They Arrive | ||
| PlanTo Have Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue | Pack For Honeymoon |
2 Days Before
| Final Appointment With Luca's of Greenwich | |
| Wear Your Wedding Shoes To Break Them In | |
| Have Rehearsal For Ceremony Followed By Rehearsal Dinner |
At Luca's of Greenwich, Drop Off
| Guest List & Seating Plan | Introduction Sheet | ||
| Bride & Groom Glasses | Money Bag | ||
| Guest Book & Pen | Personalized Matches & Napkins, If Any | ||
| Cake Cutter | Favors For Tables | ||
| Exact Number Of Guests | Payment In Full |
Reception Time
Toasting
|
Wine or Champagne is the classic beverage for toasts. Usually the formal toasts begin before the food is served. The best man traditionally made the first salute to the bride; today it's often to the couple. The customary toast has two parts: a reference to the toaster's relationship to the couple and a wish for their future happiness. You don't drink when you're being toasted. Occasionally the groom will give thanks to his best man and a toast to you, to his parents, and to his new in-laws. Perhaps you'll want to be next with your own affectionate words for him and your parents. Other members of the wedding party can then propose any toast they wish. After the toasts, your best man can read congratulatory telegrams from distant friends and relatives. Wedding toasts are heartfelt and usually easy to compose. If you run into writer's block, consult your local librarian for sources. |
Dancing
|
Plan your first dance when you sense it would be right. Alert your guests with a drum roll or have the Master of Ceremonies make the announcement that the newlyweds are about to twirl around the floor. As a rule, you dance with your father next and the groom with his mother. The best man is your next partner; the maid/matron of honor your groom's. Then it's the new in-laws turn - you with his father and he with your mother. This order is customary but optional. In fact, if family interrelationships are very complicated, you might have your first dance and then open the floor to all. You can't expect to unravel intricate webs in one extraordinary day. After the tensions of the day, your reception is relaxation time. By all means, have a wonderful time dancing the night away but watch out for your beautiful gown. Dancing without shoes might mean ripping your dress. |
Cutting the Wedding Cake
| Cutting the cake together is another reminder of your pledge to share life. Elaborate wedding cakes are often featured on their own skirted table and cut with a silver cake knife decorated for the occasion. Have your M.C. announce the event, join hands with your groom and together cut the first slice. Offer one another a nibble - it makes a great wedding album shot. Suggestion: Serve your wedding cake with ice cream for dessert. |
The Grand Exit
|
The great celebration is drawing to a close. You'll want to gather your forces for the last traditional rituals: tossing the bouquet and your blue satin garter. Decide in advance whether you or your groom will remove the garter. This is not time for any disagreement. Say good-bye to your family and friends and exit happily. When you two look back on the day, you'll remember that your wedding had a special glow and a meaning no other day will match. |