They
say that by the time a girl is thirteen years old, she has
already decided what the theme and motif of her wedding will
be, who will be her maid of honour and how she would like
her wedding gown to look like. While it may be true that most
women already have already envisioned what for them would
be the perfect wedding years before they even meet THE ONE,
it doesn’t mean that actually planning one would be
easy.
Planning
a wedding, especially an out-of-town one, entails meticulousness
in details, a great deal of energy and a lot of patience.
When it comes to out-of-town-weddings, the little details
that may seem insignificant to you have the potential
to make your dream wedding come true or turn it into
a horrifying nightmare instead.
But
there’s no need to skip the whole dream wedding
idea and elope to the nearest city hall to get married.
After all, with enough planning, everything is doable.
We here at Kasal.com
have prepared a checklist to help you in making sure
that no detail is overlooked and every aspect of your
wedding preparations goes smoothly. So stop hyperventilating
and read on.
• Announce your engagement.
• Set a tentative date and time for your wedding.
• Decide on the ff. details:
• Wedding motif/theme
• Size of guest list
• Pick at least two possible venues for your wedding
ceremony. It
Tips
from the Expert
Make sure the date you pick does not coincide
with the town fiesta or tourist peak season.
Traffic jams and large, noisy crowds will
ruin your wedding’s relaxed and
intimate mood.
is better
if they are all located in the same area so that it would mean
less work and stress for you when you conduct your ocular inspection.
• Estimate the size of your wedding.
• Decide if your need a wedding planner.
12-14
MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
•
If you decide on hiring a wedding planner, start scouting
for one. If you find someone that you like, hire them
now. Check
out Kasal.com’s list of featured wedding planners.
• Visit the possible venues for your wedding and
pick which one is the most suitable for your theme and
the size of your wedding.
• While there, scout for nearby hotels and reception
halls.
• Confirm if the ceremony venue is available on
the date you picked. If it is, then immediately book
it. If it isn’t, then check to see if it is vacant
on the other dates convenient to you.
• If your chosen venue is a church, inquire from
the priest if the parish asks for additional requirements
from couples from out-of-town aside from the usual birth
certificate, marriage license, etc.
•
Set the final date for your wedding.
• Announce your wedding date.
• Start looking for who will officiate over the wedding.
• Pick who will be part of the wedding entourage.
• Consult your family and that of your groom’s
then determine who is to be included on the guest list.
9-11
MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
• If you plan to have your dress made, start consulting
designers/couturiers. If you plan to buy one that is already
made, then put on your most comfortable shoes and start shopping
for one.
• Finalize the guest list. It should include the full
names, addresses and contact numbers of your guests.
• Start looking for possible venues to hold your reception.
If you find a suitable one, immediately book it.
• Check if there is anything else you need to rent for
the reception.
•
Start scouting for caterers. Ask if they offer tastings
and attend them. You
can check out the caterers featured here in Kasal.com.
And because you are planning an out of town wedding,
be sure to inquire about additional costs from the city-based
caterers.
• Begin looking for photographers and videographers.
Interview them and browse their portfolios. Kasal.com
has a section featuring different photographers that
cover out of town weddings which you could take a look
at. As in the case of the caterers, be sure to ask about
hidden costs.
Tips
from the Expert
It doesn’t necessarily mean that
you have to pay for everyone’s lodgings,
it’s just considered polite if you
make the reservations. Also, ask your
hotel if they offer discounts to group
bookings, most hotels do.
• Decide who you want as officiant.
• Make a final decision on your wedding gown.
• Start looking for a band or a DJ for your reception.
If you find one that you like, book them right away
(the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra is booked way
in advance, you know.)
• Scout for a florist. You
can check out Kasal.com’s Wedding Resources florists
section for information.
• Start conceptualizing and wording your invitation.
• Book accommodations for you, your family, wedding
party and guests.
6-8
MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
• Decide on who you want to cater your reception
and book them.
• Finalize your decision on the photographer and
videographer.
• If you want to register, do it now. Decide what
items you want to.
Tips
from the Expert
It doesn’t necessarily mean that you
have to pay for everyone’s lodgings,
it’s just considered polite if you
make the reservations. Also, ask your hotel
if they offer discounts to group bookings,
most hotels do.
•
Decide what you want your maid of honour and bridesmaids
to wear then have them measured. If you will not be
shouldering their gowns, then tell them the color motif
of your wedding and have them start shopping for their
dresses.
• Make a final decision on your invitations then
have them made. Check
out Kasal.com's list of wedding suppliers.
• Talk to your caterer about the menu and the
service details. Be sure you have decided on what food
you want to be served during your reception at least
6 months before the wedding.
•
Decide on who you want as florist. After making a decision,
talk to him/her about the floral scheme you envisioned
for your wedding (e.g. kinds of flowers, color motif,
arrangements, etc.)
• If you want to go on a diet, start it now. Crash
diets are not only ineffective, they’re bad for
your health too.
4-5
MONTHS
•
If you plan to mail your invitations, do it now. If
you plan to give them out personally, it is still a
good idea if you start doing so at this time. Depending
on where the wedding is being held, your guests may
need to stay in the venue overnight. As such, they might
have to ask for leave from the office, look for baby
sitters, etc.
•
Decide on where to go for your honeymoon. You can check out
Kasal.com's featured resorts in our Wedding Resources section.
Book them as soon as you’ve finalized your decision.
• The groom, his best man and groomsmen must start deciding
on what they are going to wear (hope you haven’t forgotten
about them. They are part of the wedding too, you know.)
• Make hotel room reservations for your wedding night.
• Unless the groom and his entourage plan to buy ready-made
suits/barongs or just rent, they should go to their tailor
and have them start making their clothes right NOW.
• Start giving out duties to your family members and
friends (toast-giving, ushering assignments, etc.)
• Buy your wedding rings.
• Start buying your accessories. As much as possible,
try to make sure that your accessories and that of your
bridesmaids match.
• Buy the favors you are going to give out.
• Check on your gown.
• Buy your shoes and whatever else you may need
for the wedding night.
• Make sure the groom has bought his shoes and
all the necessary accessories.
•
Decide on your wedding day transportation and have them booked.
• If you’re going abroad for your honeymoon, make
sure that your papers (visa, tickets, passports) are in order.
• Start writing your vows.
3-4
WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING
• Schedule appointments to get your hair and make-up
done.
• Decide on what songs you want to be included
in the band’s/DJ’s song list.
• If you’re having pre-nuptial portraits
done, do it now.
• Confirm the number of guests who will be attending
with your caterer.
• Pick up your gown. If there’s anything
that still needs to be done with it, DO IT NOW.
• If you have one, update your wedding registry.
• Call the guests you invited but haven’t
confirmed their attendance yet and ask if they’re
coming.
• Practice walking in your dress and shoes (you
don’t want to fall flat on your face, do you?)
• Call the caterer to confirm the headcount.
• The groom should pick up his suit/barong. If
any alteration needs to be done, it must be done immediately.
1-2
WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING
•
Call your other wedding suppliers for last minute confirmations,
instructions, etc.
• Pack for your honeymoon.
• Prepare your toasts.
• Pack an overnight bag for your wedding night.
• Assign someone to collect the wedding gifts.
3
DAYS BEFORE THE WEDDING
•
Get a manicure and pedicure.
• Pack your wedding gown, accessories and everything
else that you are going to need for the wedding.
• Double check what you had just packed. Remember, yours
is an out of town wedding, there’s no time to go back
and run to your house in case you forgot anything.
• It is advisable if you, your immediate family and
the wedding party proceed to the wedding venue now. This will
lower your stress level and give your family and that of your
groom’s time to get to know each other.
DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING
•
Confirm your honeymoon plans.
• Bring the favors to the reception venue.
• Practice the wedding ceremony.
• Enjoy you’re rehearsal dinner (if you’re
going to have one, that is.)
DAY OF THE WEDDING
•
Check with the people you asked to give toasts on
your wedding.
