Appoint a Designated Person(s) to take care of these important details:
• Contact with the Host/Hostess on duty at the church
• Opening the church door for guests and greeting your guests
• Assisting those who are older or disabled
• Signing of your Guest Book
• Putting gifts out of the way (and their removal)
• Directing the florist
Assisting the photographer
• Pinning flowers on wedding parties
Opening the front door(s) for the “Grand Entrance” of the bride, and again at the recessional. (You may desire to close the door(s) during the ceremony)
Removal of floral arrangements and personal items after the wedding
BEFORE THE WEDDING DATE Compile a list of names and numbers of your clergy person, musician(s), photographer, etc., and confirm arrangements before your wedding date
Wedding Planner
This is your day. This is your special day. Like any special day, you need special planning. This Wedding Planner has been prepared as a guide. Adapt it to fit your needs, but, remember, the faster things are attended to, the less pressure you will be put under
6 to 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
• Set your wedding date
• Decide where the ceremony will be held
• Make preliminary arrangements for the reception, menus, liquor, musicians, photographer, and florist.
• Draw up invitation list
3 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
• Order your invitations, stationary, notepaper
• Complete guest list Make reservations for honeymoon. transportation and accommodations
• Shop for your trousseau
• Discuss wedding plans with attendants, caterer, florist, musician, photographers
• Hire musicians and vocalist for ceremony
2 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
• Plan how you will record and display wedding gifts
• Mail wedding invitations
• Arrange for transportation for wedding party to ceremony and reception
• Choose gifts for your attendants
• Make final plans for music, menu and decorations for reception
1 MONTH BEFORE THE WEDDING
• Final fitting of bridal gown.
• Have hair styled the way you plan to wear it for wedding
• Have wedding portrait taken
• Prepare wedding announcement for newspapers
2 WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING
• Check on attire for wedding party
• Arrange seating plans for the reception
• Send announcement and photo to papers
• Arrange for wedding rehearsal
• Follow up on wedding invitations
1 WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING
• Have final conference with caterer, florist, musicians, and minister
• Hold wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Remind attendants of time and place of ceremony and reception
• Confirm final guest count to caterer

Call the local Chamber of Commerce and tourism office. Chamber offices will often give callers the phone number of members who offer wedding services. Southern Delaware Tourism provides a list of chambers on its website, www.visitsoutherdelaware.com. The site also has a wedding planning section.

Pick up local magazines and newspapers when you are visiting the beach. Florists, bakers, restaurants, photographers, limousine companies and reception venues may not be chamber members but they advertise in local publications.

Use local vendors. Local vendors know all the specific ins-and-outs of the wedding business here. Rely on their expertise, local experience and recommendations to simplify your planning process.

Consider using a wedding planner. Beach-area event planners can handle any or all of the arrangements. Many offer inclusive packages with all the appropriate services, even the minister. Some planners offer their services just for the day to make sure everything runs according to your plan. They’ll run the show, so you can have and relax.

Plan ahead. Summer brides compete with tourists for room rates and other facilities. To get the best accommodations and venues, you must schedule far in advance or pick a date outside the traditional summer season. The beach is scenic all year long. Off-season is a lovely time for weddings. Remember, you’ll need time to interview and meet vendors. Schedule your wedding so you can contact vendors when they’re available and not on vacation in the winter.

Long Distance Planning Tips For Your Wedding

Call the local Chamber of Commerce and tourism office. Chamber offices will often give callers the phone number of members who offer wedding services. Southern Delaware Tourism provides a list of chambers on its website, www.visitsoutherdelaware.com. The site also has a wedding planning section.

Pick up local magazines and newspapers when you are visiting the beach. Florists, bakers, restaurants, photographers, limousine companies and reception venues may not be chamber members but they advertise in local publications.

Use local vendors. Local vendors know all the specific ins-and-outs of the wedding business here. Rely on their expertise, local experience and recommendations to simplify your planning process.

Consider using a wedding planner. Beach-area event planners can handle any or all of the arrangements. Many offer inclusive packages with all the appropriate services, even the minister. Some planners offer their services just for the day to make sure everything runs according to your plan. They’ll run the show, so you can have and relax.

Plan ahead. Summer brides compete with tourists for room rates and other facilities. To get the best accommodations and venues, you must schedule far in advance or pick a date outside the traditional summer season. The beach is scenic all year long. Off-season is a lovely time for weddings. Remember, you’ll need time to interview and meet vendors. Schedule your wedding so you can contact vendors when they’re available and not on vacation in the winter.