In this fifth of a series of articles about planning your wedding we're going to pick up with ordering any special equipment.

Every wedding is going to be different. Therefor each wedding is going to have different items that will be needed. At this time you should go over the list of any special items that will be needed such as arch, floral pillars, etc. If you're not sure of something, ask. The last thing you want is to arrive at your ceremony and find that something you need isn't there.

We now come up to 2 months before your big day. These are the things that should be done around this time.

First thing is to inform your clergyman about the details of your ceremony. Make sure he is comfortable with what you want to do, especially the wedding vows. Make him aware of any special music you're planning to have at the ceremony. The last thing you want is for your clergyman to be standing up there with you and not knowing what's going to happen next.

Start keeping a gift diary and write thank you notes as gifts arrive. Yes, some people will send you gifts early, most likely because they can't attend. So start keeping tabs on what has come in. Doing this as they arrive saves you from going crazy with this all at once.

Next you have to fine tune your guest list. This is where the final cuts are made. It's a painful process but it has to be done. Hopefully, even though invitations haven't been mailed yet, you will have received word from some people that they will not be able to attend. This will make the process of fine tuning the list a little easier.

Around this time you should start planning your rehearsal dinner. Make sure you leave nothing to chance here. You want to make sure that after the rehearsal itself the dinner will actually be there and ready.

Select the gifts that you're going to be giving to the members of your wedding party. You don't have to go overboard here, unless you can afford to, but don't be cheap about it. These people after all are a big part of your day and you should treat them as such. Give them something that they'll remember.

A lot of people forget about this but around this time you're going to have to make moving arrangements, unless you're planning on living with your parents. Somehow that is probably not your first choice. Make sure you have a place to live when you get back from your honeymoon.

Around this time is when you have your final gown fitting and final portrait sitting. You're not going to get a second chance at this so make sure the gown fits just right and you're totally please with how your portrait is coming.

In the next article in this series we're going to pick up with what to do starting 1 month before the big day.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Weddings
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