What Have We Done So Far?

Here's a checklist (courtesy of Leah of Jopek) of what we have done since May 2005.

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12 months before (december 2005)
Plan the Pamamanhikan and announce the engagement.
Choose a wedding date and time.
Draw up a budget with your fiancé.
Determine the number of guests you are able to invite.
Look for ceremony and reception sites.
Reserve chosen ceremony and reception sites.
Compile your guest list from the list you and your fiancé will make.
Notify out-of-town guests so they can make early confirmation of attendance.
Decide on your new home after the wedding. (Rent first for at most 1 year, then build our own house)

11 months before (january 2006)
Select your ceremony officiant and check his availability. (c/o Mt. Carmel)
Select primary sponsors. Check their availability and personally invite them. (Some not yet advised)
Choose members of the wedding entourage. Check their availability and personally invite them. (Some not yet advised)
Obtain a sample copy of a sample missalette from your officiant.

10 months before (february 2006)
Decide on the color scheme and wedding theme.
Finalize your guest list.
Consult a Travel Agent regarding Honeymoon Plans especially if you will be traveling to countries that require entry visas.

9 months before (march 2006)
Start and canvass for caterers, if necessary.
Secure birth certificates from NSO. (I already have mine, but not sure about Enrique's)

8 months before (april 2006)
Select the style of your wedding gown.
Select the designer and style of entourage’s attire.
Ask your mother and your fiance’s mother to choose their attire.
Canvass and select a reliable couturier and/or dressmaker.
Schedule measurements and fittings for your bridal gown as well as entourage’s attire.
Schedule your trial make-ups.

7 months before (may 2006)
Canvass and select a reliable florist for the church & reception.
Canvass and select a reliable photographer/videographer.
Schedule Pre-nup pictorials with photographer.
Canvass and select musicians.

6 months before (june 2006)
Select and order wedding souvenirs, and decide on packaging so you can order this as well. Ensure timely delivery of it.
Shop for wedding rings.
Canvass and select gifts for the Principal Sponsors.
Book a hotel room for your wedding day.
Get also swatches for the entourage's gowns.
Canvass and select wedding stationery printers.

5 months before (july 2006)
Finalize the members of the wedding entourage.
Select the mass readers and program hosts. Check their availability. (Some not yet advised)
Double check full names (including middle initials) of your wedding sponsors, members of the entourage, mass readers and program hosts.
Start making draft for the missalettes.
Canvass and select make-up artist/hairdresser.
Canvass and select cake maker.
Canvass and book a florist for the the bridal entourage flowers.
Draft your ceremony program.
Start printing of invites.
Come up with solutions for typographical error on entourage card. Explore all possible options.
Start working on your vows, if you are saying your own.
Start printing map inserts on parchment paper.
Buy cloths for gown lining.
Begin planning out your honeymoon.

4 months before (August 2006)
Decide on and finalize wedding details/contracts/agreements with your florist, musicians, photographer, caterer, couturier, make-up artist, and other suppliers of your choice.
Have missalette draft approved by your officiating priest and the church or ceremony venue.
Complete honeymoon plans and book your itinerary.

Submit final draft/mock invites to printer.
Canvass and select calligrapher.
Book a calligrapher or a social printer for addressing of invitations. If invitations and guest list are ready, go ahead with the printing /calligraphy.
Reserve the Church for a wedding rehearsal.
Measurement taking with gown designer.
Confirm fitting schedules with your entourage gown maker and provide those concerned with a copy of these dates.

Trial HMUs.
Finalize on the menu.
Get a complete medical check-up.
Get NBI clearance.
Personally deliver invitations to your primary sponsors.
Decide on floral arrangements for the ceremony.

3 months before (september 2006)
Secure certificate of no marriage from the NSO.

Attend the pre-marriage seminar by the city hall.

Obtain marriage license from your city/municipal hall. Be sure to have all needed documents. Secure original or certified true copies of your and your fiance’s baptismal, confirmation and residence certificates.

Submit marriage certificate to the priest or his assistant. Be sure to give all needed documents.

Get permission from the Bride’s Parish (freedom to marry), as well as marriage banns.

Set an appointment with the priest for pre-marital counseling.

Attend pre-cana seminar.
Attend canonical interview. Pay balance.

Have missalettes printed. This should give ample time for corrections.

Measurement taking of members of the wedding entourage.
1st and 2nd Fitting with gown designer.

Order the bridal accessories and paraphernalia. - In my case, finalize this with Niko.
Shop for your undergarments.
Order and finalize design for wedding cake.
Complete gifts for the sponsors (if needed).
Finalize décor details with the florist, if needed arrange for a mock set-up.
Re-confirm with the musicians and choose songs for the ceremony and the reception.
Start working on your reception program.
Invite participants for your reception program and check their availability.
Pay the reception venue - Fernwood (50% + aircon fee).
Organize your calendar to accommodate all pre-wedding affairs (shower parties, etc).
Finalize your arrangement with your make-up artist/hairdresser of your choice.
Arrange for purchase of liquor or bar requirements with the reception venue.

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Hmm, we've done quite well so far! I'll probably post this again including the to do list for 2 months before the wedding, down to our big day itself. Whew! :D