Tips on Choosing Your Wedding invitations
This is your big day and you want everything to be absolutely perfect, so the invitation is the best way to send the right impression to your guests. You want to show the theme of your wedding as well as give important details, so there's a lot to consider.

Setting the tone 
If you're a fun loving person, then there's no need to pick a stodgy old wedding invitation. And why would you? You want to show your guests the real you (and that includes both soon-to-be spouses) as well as what they can expect for the events of the afternoon or evening. Decide with your fiancé or fiancée what the overall theme of the wedding will be. If you're stumped on that, perhaps you can choose more than one idea and figure out invitations for each. A lot of couples will actually choose a theme from the invitation, rather than the other way around. Not only are the pictures or illustrations on the invitation a way to show guests the colors and the atmosphere, but the wording can be a sign as well. By choosing casual phrases like 'May 28' instead of the '28th of May in the Year of Our Lord,' you can signal to the recipient that your reception and ceremony may be a little less formal.

Buying or making?
Of course, you may have looked in various bridal magazines or at print shops for wedding ideas, but this doesn't necessarily mean that you have to purchase them. A lot of couples decide that they want to make their own and add another personal touch to their wedding affair. But for the busy couple, having your invitations made to order is the best course of action. By looking at samples and choosing the wording that you would like, the invitations will be personalized (even the envelopes can be printed for your convenience), so all you have to do is buy stamps and find the nearest mailbox. If you have a little more time and patience, then you may want to consider creating your own wedding invitation. You will find that this process takes a bit longer than you think, but the results are tremendous. Sit down with that book of samples for the printed invitations and see if there are any that you like, and can duplicate. Many times you can even use a home computer to do the printing for you.

About the Author: Amy Spade is an expert on planning weddings, and she has written an amazing totally free minicourse on how to make sure that you have the day of your dreams, and avoid wedding day disaster! Get the free course "Your Special Day from Start to Finish" now at at http://www.weddingdata.com

The Joys of Selecting Wedding Themes
For the imaginative couple, you may want to break away from the traditional church and reception hall theme. And many more couples are trying something outside of this standard, so you're sure to find whatever the two of you can think of. 

What do you like? 
Many couples come up with wedding themes based on where they met or what they like to do together. For example, a couple that met in a particular city may want to celebrate that city, or even hold the nuptials there. Although more extreme, some couples have exchanged vows while jumping out of an airplane or skiing down a mountain. Why not pledge your love in the waters of a tropical island or create a traditional renaissance fair? Make up a list of all of the things that you might like for your wedding. Let it be everything that you could imagine enjoying. This celebration is for the two of you, so let the wedding reflect the couple that you are. 

Showing off 
Creating your dream day may be as simple as a few well-placed decorations or an island setting. For a tropical wedding, you may want to stand on the beaches of a favourite vacation place or just decorate the reception hall like a luau. The bridesmaids can wear leis and the groomsmen can wear sandals. If you're looking for a more renaissance themed wedding, then you may be able to capture this with medieval music or entertainment--a jester might be a great addition. Of course, the outfits that you wear will reflect your theme. A bride dressed as Guinevere and the groom as Lancelot would make for beautiful pictures. Try to find the recognizable details in the theme of your wedding and incorporate them into the decorating plan. You may also want to find food that would compliment the theme as well. A roasted pig can make a great conversation piece as well as dinner. 

And the theme can even begin with the invitations. Try to find a way to signal to your guests the theme of your wedding. Some couples have even had their guest dress the part of the wedding theme as well. It's like a great big costume party and a trip back in time. Of course, don't make it too strange or no one will go along. An alien themed wedding might seem like a good idea, but if the wedding party is that only one that plays the part, then it can be more awkward than anything. But it's your wedding! About the author: Amy Spade is an expert on planning weddings, and she has written an amazing totally free minicourse on how to make sure that you have the day of your dreams, and avoid wedding day disaster! Get the free course "Your Special Day from Start to Finish" now at at http://www.weddingdata.com

Bride and Groom’s Planning Calendar

Six To Twelve Months Before Your Wedding

*       Announce engagement. Use formal printed announcements and/or the newspaper.

*       Select a wedding date and time.

*       Choose size and style of wedding-formal, informal, special theme.

*       Set a preliminary budget.

*       Schedule a meeting with both sets of parents to openly discuss wedding expectations, costs, and responsibilities.

*       Hire wedding consultant if you plan to use one.

*       Buy a wedding planner or a notebook to remain organized and record decisions.

*       Invite attendants to be in your wedding.

*       Reserve the ceremony location.

*       Choose the officiant for the ceremony.

*       Reserve the reception site. Find out what services are included or available.

*       Interview caterers, florists, photographers, videographers, musicians, etc. Be sure to taste food options, see the work of florists, photographers and videographers. Listen to or watch tapes of musicians. Ask for references and discuss deposit requirements and the cancellation policy. Hire as soon as possible.

*       Create a preliminary guest list, including addresses. Ask all parents to do the same. Include the relationship (friend, uncle), this helps if the list needs to be shortened.

*       Begin planning the wedding ceremony and reception.

*       Write out directions and or a map to be included on a separate card with invitation.

*       Shop for a wedding gown and accessories. Order your dress at least 6-8 months in advance.

*       Choose and order attire and accessories for bridesmaids. Keep in mind the time of year and style of wedding.

*       Start planning the honeymoon. If you are leaving the country, make sure your passport is up to date and verify any visa requirements.

*       Register for wedding gifts. Develop a system for recording gifts as they arrive and for recording when you wrote the thank-you note.

Three To Six Months Before Your Wedding

*       Finalize guest list. Write each guest’s name and address on an index card and use these to track responses.

*       Order wedding and reception invitations, response cards, place cards, announcements, thank you notes, informals, at home cards, hold the date cards and accessories. Always order extra invitations and envelopes to allow for addressing mistakes and surprise guests. It is less expensive to order extras from the start.

*       Send out Hold the Date Cards so your guests can reserve your special day on their calendar.

*       Address invitations and announcements as soon as possible.

*       Arrange to have someone mail the wedding announcements the day of the wedding.

*       Start making final decisions and arrangements for the ceremony and reception, including food, music, flowers and any rental equipment.

*       Sign contracts and place deposits with caterer, photographer, videographer, florist, musicians and other service providers if you have not already done so.

*       Plan rehearsal dinner. Time, menu and guest list.

*       Arrange for wedding day transportation for important guests and wedding party.

*       Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town members of the wedding party and guests. It is nice to provide a list of local restaurants and attractions.

*       Order wedding rings and make arrangements for engraving.

*       Have both mothers select their wedding attire.

*       Confirm the delivery date for the wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses. Schedule fittings.

*       Choose and order formal wear for groomsmen. Remind men to submit their measurements to your formal wear provider.

*       Finalize honeymoon plans.

*       Shop for trousseau and special attire for parties, showers and honeymoon.

*       Write thank-you notes as gifts are received. If you are using preprinted thank you notes to immediately acknowledge that a gift was received, be sure to send a hand written thank you on your informal notes within two months after the wedding.

Two To Three Months Before Your Wedding

*       Finish addressing invitations and announcements.

*       Finalize the ceremony details with officiant.

*       Finalize details with caterer, florist, musicians, photographer, etc.

*       Order wedding cake.

*       Finalize plans for bridal luncheon or any other wedding events.

*       Check requirements for medical tests and marriage license.

*       Schedule appointment to have a picture taken for newspaper announcement.

*       Ask someone to be responsible for the guest book.

*       Choose small gifts of appreciation for the wedding party.

*       Collect the forms necessary to change your name (if you are changing your name) on your Social Security card, driver’s license, insurance, etc.

*       Continue to write thank you notes.

Six Weeks To Two Months Before Your Wedding

*       Mail the invitations (six weeks is customary, eight is becoming increasingly common). It is not uncommon for guests to mail their response card without writing their name. To identify guests if this happens, assign each guest a number. Write this number very small on the back of their response card before you put it in with the invitation. An incomplete response card can now be matched to a guest.

*       Use the index cards with each guest’s name and address to track responses.

*       Order wedding programs and reception accessories such as napkins, cake boxes etc.

*       Make final menu decisions.

*       Set rehearsal time and verify with all participants.

*       Have first wedding dress fitting.

*       Schedule to have formal bridal portrait taken two to four weeks before wedding. Make sure wedding dress and shoes will be ready.

*       Make sure members of the wedding party have their fitting.

*       Make an appointment with your hairdresser to practice your wedding-day hair style. Bring headpiece. Have a makeup consultation at the same time. Schedule hair and makeup appointments for yourself and bridal party on the wedding day. Schedule a manicure for the day before wedding.

*       Give photographer a list of all pictures you would like taken, including pictures you may want of the tent, flowers, cake, etc.

*       Give videographer list of all shots you would like included in the video.

*       Purchase gift for fiancé, if gifts are being exchanged.

*       Choose thank-you gifts for parents and any others who helped with wedding.

*       Submit wedding announcement and photograph to newspaper. Specify date for publishing.

*       Continue to write thank you notes.

One Month Before Your Wedding

*       Have your final wedding dress fitting.

*       Verify that all members of the wedding party have had their final fitting.

*       Get blood test and obtain your marriage license.

*       Make sure you have all accessories, toasting goblets, cake knife, ring pillow, guest book, etc.

*       Create a detailed wedding schedule for all attendants. List all events participants are expected to attend. Include date, time, location and any responsibilities. Give attendants the schedule two weeks before the wedding.

*       Give musicians final music list for the ceremony and reception. Specify any music you do not want played. Have the music start 30 minutes before the ceremony.

*       Prepare your wedding toasts.

*       Pick up and try on your wedding bands.

*       Confirm honeymoon reservations.

Two Weeks Before Your Wedding

*       Confirm final details with all wedding professionals you have hired. Confirm wedding night hotel reservation.

*       Give caterer your guest count.

*       Finalize seating chart for reception.

*       Submit names for place cards to calligrapher or write out yourself.

*       Give a wedding-day schedule to all attendants.

*       Finish addressing announcements.

*       Pick up wedding dress.

*       Have your bridal portrait taken.

*       Break in your wedding shoes.

*       Fill out a change-of -address form at the post office.

*       Arrange for someone to collect gifts brought to the ceremony and bring them to your home.

One Week Before Your Wedding

*       Verify final details with all service providers. Inform them of any changes.

*       Finalize the guest count, making necessary changes to seating chart.

*       Confirm transportation for the wedding party.

*       Confirm that the photographer understands the list of pictures you have requested.

*       Confirm that the videographer understands your specific requests.

*       Verify that all wedding attire has been picked up and fits.

*       Confirm that all attendants know when to arrive at the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and the wedding ceremony. Confirm that all attendants have a copy of the wedding schedule you created.

*       Pack for your honeymoon.

*       Stop mail and newspapers during honeymoon.

*       Pay bills that will be due while you are away.

*       Continue to write thank you notes, if possible.

*       Pick up your marriage license.

The Wedding Day

*       Be sure that both of you eat something.

*       Try to relax and enjoy the day. If anything goes differently than planned, chances are you are the only ones who will notice.