Check It Out!

BUDGET GUIDE In debt is no way to start a marriage. Follow this guide to stay over the moon - and under your budget - while planning your wedding. The numbers below are general estimates; adjust as necessary to fit your wedding’s style RECEPTION - 50% • Site Fee • Catering costs, including tax & tip • Bar and beverages • Wedding cake/additional desserts MUSIC - 10% • Ceremony • Cocktail hour • Reception - band/DJ FLOWERS - 10% • Ceremony site • Bride’s bouquet • Wedding party and family • Reception centerpieces WEDDING ATTIRE - 10% • Dress • Alterations • Headpiece/veil • Lingerie • Jewelry • Shoes • Hair/makeup • Groom’s attire PHOTO/VIDEO - 10% • Engagement portrait • Photography • Videography • Wedding-album package • Wedding DVD STATIONERY - 5% • Save-the-dates • Invites/enclosures • Postage • Event pieces (programs, escort cards, table numbers, menus) • Thank-you cards MISCELLANEOUS - 5% • Wedding rings • Gifts (each other, attendants, parents) • Marriage license • Bachelor/bachelorette parties • Welcome bags • Rehearsal dinner • Transportation • Location/officiant fee • Favors FLOWER CHECKLIST Make sure your event blossoms are just they way you want it to with all the right elements Personal Flowers • Bouquets • Bride’s bouquet • Bridesmaids’ bouquets • Mothers’ bouquets/corsages • Bride’s tossing bouquet Boutonnieres • Groom’s boutonniere • Groomsmen’s boutonnieres • Fathers’ boutonnieres • Ring bearer’s boutonniere Additional • Flower Girl’s basket/pomander • Boutonnieres/corsages for attendants, grandparents, ushers, etc. Ceremony • Entrance arrangements • Aisle markers • Altar arrangement • Petals (aisle/tossing) Reception • Entrance arrangements • Escort-card table arrangement • Table centerpieces Cake décor • Food/beverage/cake station arrangements • Displays for the guest-book and favor tables NAME CHANGE GUIDE Here is a rundown on all of the people, places and things you need to notify about your new last name (if, of course, you’re changing it. Documents • Social Security card • Driver’s license • Passport • W-4/Employer documents • Voter registration • Mortgage/rental lease • Legal deeds Accounts • Bank accounts • Stock/brokerage/retirement accounts • Email accounts • Online profiles (Facebook, LinkedIn) and shopping accounts (Amazon, Gilt) • Student loans Government • U.S. Postal Service • Internal Revenue Service Memberships • Gym • Library • Museum, symphony, other civic institutions • Alumni associations • Magazine subscriptions • Netflix Service Providers • Dentist • Doctors • Cable and utility companies Remember To Have On-Hand • An original marriage certificate (order a few extras from the get-go). Government offices and many banks require this. • A copy of your birth certificate • A photo ID with your maiden name • If applicable, a divorce decree