Wedding Planner

You've played the dating game and finally found the person you want to marry. Now, it's time to get to work. Planning the wedding can be stressful, so we've created a quick guide to help make your wedding planning easier.

Keep in mind that the most important part of your wedding day will be your temple ceremony. The reception is a great way to celebrate with family and friends but we recommend keeping it simple. Elder Cree-L Kofford offers this important counsel:

Plan the activities of the temple day such that they focus on the spiritual. I realize that is extremely hard to do when you're talking about being sealed. There are many times when people come from out of town who want to express their best wishes. Sometimes there is a meal; usually there is a reception. All too often you are so exhausted you are unable to comprehend the significance of what you have experienced. Frequently you become so caught up in the things of the world that it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to fully appreciate the things of God. Realizing that sometimes it simply can't be done, do everything you can to move as many social commitments off that day as possible. Often we cheat ourselves out of the greatest spiritual experiences of our lifetime by being too wrapped up in the temporal things.

Remember that your wedding day is not a social experience with a tinge of the spiritual, but rather it is a spiritual experience with a tinge of the social.

President Spencer W. Kimball said about receptions:

I know you plan a reception following the marriage. It offers a delightful opportunity for relatives and friends to bring gifts and wish you well, but I hope you will again avoid the temptation to go to extremes in following the world in showy pageantry. There is danger that the ostentatious display may detract from and overshadow the simple wedding. With your good judgement and clear thinking, I know you can graciously entertain your guests in a wholesome, friendly, and dignified reception without the excesses so often in evidence.

The following checklists are ordered according to priorities.

Priority #1:

Set a Temple Date

Call Temple and Schedule a Time
If you do not have endowments, you will need to schedule an appointment

Set a Reception Date

Determine Your Budget

How much will the bride's parents contribute?
How much will the groom's parents contribute?
How much will you contribute?

Decide the style of your reception (formal, semiformal, informal)
Reserve a place for the reception

Priority #2:

Choose Attendants

Decide on number of attendants
Select the Maid of Honor and the Best Man

Write a Guest List

Temple Ceremony
Reception
Wedding Luncheon

Shop for Wedding Gown and Coordinating Accessories

Be sure the dress is Temple Ready or can be altered to be so
For specific Temple Dress Guidelines contact the Temple or click here

Shop for Invitations

Decide on the wording
Decide on how many you need to order

Select Photographer
Take Engagement Pictures

Priority #3:

Plan Reception
Select Dresses for Bridesmaids
Make arrangements for Wedding Luncheon if on is planned
Make and appointment for a premarital checkup with OBGYN
Order invitations and Thank You Cards
Have Wedding Gown altered
Arrange Honeymoon Plans

Priority #4:

Select Wedding Bands
Arrange Transporation
Mail Invitations
Locate a Place to Live

Make Deposit
Arrange Utilities with Coordinating Companies

Make Accomodations for Traveling Guests
Register for Gifts
Get Final Fitting for Wedding Gown
Take Bridal Portraits
Order Tuxedos

Priority #5:

Get Marriage License
Make Hair Appointment
Purchase Gifts for Attendants
Purchase All Accessories for Reception
Confirm All Reservations
Get Temple Recommends and Recommends for Living Ordinances
Purchase Garments
Receive Endowments

Day Before the Wedding:

Get Manicure/Pedicure
Iron your Wedding Gown
Pack for Honeymoon
Go to Bed Early

Wedding Day:

Eat Breakfast
Get Hair Done
Take to Temple:

Marriage License
Temple Recommends
Recommends for Living Ordinances
Rings
Wedding Gown
Garments (if this is first time to temple)
Personal Accessories (Make up, hose, etc.)

Brigham Young University