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    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

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    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

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Martha Stewart Weddings

The Ultimate 30-Day Wedding Countdown

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By Jaime Buerger
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Credit: Laura Murray

A comprehensive checklist for the last month before your wedding.

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Credit: Laura Murray
The Etiquette of Wedding Rehearsal Dinners

It's easy to feel overwhelmed the closer you get to your day. The more you want to relax, the more the responsibilities mound on. There are dresses to be fitted, shoes to break in, and rings to pick up. Welcome bags, favors, and seating lists need to be made. And before you jet off to the honeymoon, night-of bags should be packed, wedding party gifts should be delivered, and cards from guests should be collected. Don't fret! Luckily, we're here to help, with expert advice on how to push through the final stretch of wedding planning. From arranging the rehearsal dinner to keeping tabs on your vendors, we've covered everything you need to know to be fully prepared before the wedding date. So keep calm and marry on with this common-sense checklist for the last month before "I do."

Four Weeks Out: Send Rehearsal-Dinner Invites

You want to give your VIPS plenty of notice so they can clear their schedules. 

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Four Weeks Out: Write Vows

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Credit: Weddings by Sasha
What You Need to Know About Writing Your Wedding Vows

Allow yourself time to write from the heart. Things will only get busier from here, and your ceremony isn't the moment to speak on the fly.

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Four Weeks Out: Deliver Playlists

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Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography
100 Top Wedding Songs for the Party Playlist of Your Dreams

A band may need to learn your first-dance songs and any special requests. While you're at it, share any do-not-play or must-play songs with your DJ.

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Four Weeks Out: Buy Attendant and Parent Gifts

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Credit: Christina Holmes
Our Best Wedding Party Gift Ideas

It's not a must, but giving your supporting cast a token of appreciation is always a good move.

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Three Weeks Out: Nail Down Ceremony

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The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Checklist

Discuss the details of the service with your officiant. Also, make sure the people doing the readings have a copy of the text so they can practice.

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Three Weeks Out: Buy (or Make) Guest Book

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Credit: Jose Villa
Super Creative DIY Guest Book Ideas

Don't forget to pick up pens, too. (We love the color options from Marvy Uchida LePen.) 

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Three Weeks Out: Contact Outstanding RSVPs

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Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

Phone or email invitees who missed the deadline; you'll need this info to pass on to your caterer and to devise a seating chart for the reception.

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Three Weeks Out: Apply for Marriage License

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Credit: BernardaSv/Getty

State laws differ, but typically a license is valid for at least 30 days; check usmarriagelaws.com to find the requirements for yours.

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Three Weeks Out: Prepare a Day-of Shot List

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Credit: Aneta Mak

Be sure to ID who's who in your families and the wedding party so your photographer and videographer know whom to capture.

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Three Weeks Out: Finalize Day-of Printed Pieces

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Credit: Q Weddings
Amazing Wedding Program Ideas

Print ceremony programs, escort and place cards, menus, signature-drink signs, and the like (or commision someone else to do it). 

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Two Weeks Out: Create Seating Chart

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Credit: Pablo Béglez

Make life easier by managing seating assignments online; try allseated.com.

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Two Weeks Out: Put Together Welcome Bags

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Credit: Jose Villa
Welcome Bags We Love

Care packages for out-of-town guests can be simple or elaborate. Be sure to include a schedule of events.

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Two Weeks Out: Make Favors

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Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Favors

Get them ready now unless you're giving edible wedding favors; those should wait until a day or two before the wedding.

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Two Weeks Out: Attend Final Dress Fitting

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Credit: Trent Bailey Photography
How to Get the Most Out of Your Wedding Dress Fitting

Think of this as a dress rehearsal, and bring along your veil, accessories, shoes, and day-of undergarments.

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Two Weeks Out: Break-In Shoes

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Expert Tips for Walking in Heels

Practice wearing your kicks around the house for a few hours at a time.

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Two Weeks Out: Get Hair Cut and Colored

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Credit: Leo Patrone Photography
Beauty Treatments to Skip Before Your Wedding

Book this early enough that your hair can settle into its new shape, but not so early that roots have time to grow out.

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One Week Out: Pick Up Your Dress

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Credit: Bryan Gardner
The Art of Traveling with Your Wedding Dress

Keep it on a padded hanger in a breathable muslin garment bag.

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One Week Out: Pick Up Wedding Bands

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Credit: Corbin Gurkin
A Guide to Caring for Your Engagement and Wedding Rings

And then promptly hand them off to your best man for safekeeping.

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One Week Out: Get a Spray Tan

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Credit: Mei Tao
How to Self-Tan—and Still Wear a White Dress!

If you need some extra color, do this 48 hours before donning your dress to avoid stains. (We also suggest a test run a month ahead). 

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One Week Out: Confirm Day-of Timeline With Vendors

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Your Vendor Etiquette Questions Answered

And provide directions to any transportation you've booked.

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One Week Out: Give Final Head Count to Caterer

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Things Your Caterer Wished You Knew

Caterers have their own guidelines, but most will need the exact number about three days out.

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One Week Out: Drop Off Welcome Bags

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Credit: Kirsten Ellis
Hidden Costs to Watch Out for When Planning Your Wedding

Leave them with the hotel's concierge. There may be a fee (around $7 per bag) to deliver them to guests' rooms; you might avoid the charge if desk clerks hand them out as guests check in.

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One Week Out: Gather All Extras for Your Venue

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Things You Didn't Know You Needed on Your Wedding Day

Give your coordinator any favors, place cards, cake servers, toasting glasses, and whatever else has been in your charge up to now.

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The Day Before: Assign Someone to Collect Gifts/Cards

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Credit: Walter B. McKenzie
A Guide to Your Wedding Gift Table

Designating a point person before your wedding means no present will be left behind.

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The Day Before: Give Itineraries to Wedding Party

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Credit: Corbin Gurkin

This extra step is well worth it to ensure everyone is where they need to be at the right time.

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The Day Before: Go for a Mani-Pedi

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Credit: Bryan Gardner
Flattering Nail Polishes

It's a smart idea to buy the polishes, too, for any last-minute fixes.

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The Day Before: Pack a Wedding-Night Bag

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And ask a friend or attendant to make sure it gets to the right place.

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The Day Before: Prepare Tips for Vendors

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Helpful Tips for Tipping Wedding Vendors

Check contacts to see if gratuities are included; if not, place each tip in a marked envelope, and enlist your MOH or best man to deliver them. 

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The Day Before: Get Your Beauty Sleep

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Beauty Products That Work While You Sleep

A well-rested bride is a beautiful and happy bride.

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    1 of 29
    2 of 29 Four Weeks Out: Write Vows
    3 of 29 Four Weeks Out: Deliver Playlists
    4 of 29 Four Weeks Out: Buy Attendant and Parent Gifts
    5 of 29 Three Weeks Out: Nail Down Ceremony
    6 of 29 Three Weeks Out: Buy (or Make) Guest Book
    7 of 29 Three Weeks Out: Contact Outstanding RSVPs
    8 of 29 Three Weeks Out: Apply for Marriage License
    9 of 29 Three Weeks Out: Prepare a Day-of Shot List
    10 of 29 Three Weeks Out: Finalize Day-of Printed Pieces
    11 of 29 Two Weeks Out: Create Seating Chart
    12 of 29 Two Weeks Out: Put Together Welcome Bags
    13 of 29 Two Weeks Out: Make Favors
    14 of 29 Two Weeks Out: Attend Final Dress Fitting
    15 of 29 Two Weeks Out: Break-In Shoes
    16 of 29 Two Weeks Out: Get Hair Cut and Colored
    17 of 29 One Week Out: Pick Up Your Dress
    18 of 29 One Week Out: Pick Up Wedding Bands
    19 of 29 One Week Out: Get a Spray Tan
    20 of 29 One Week Out: Confirm Day-of Timeline With Vendors
    21 of 29 One Week Out: Give Final Head Count to Caterer
    22 of 29 One Week Out: Drop Off Welcome Bags
    23 of 29 One Week Out: Gather All Extras for Your Venue
    24 of 29 The Day Before: Assign Someone to Collect Gifts/Cards
    25 of 29 The Day Before: Give Itineraries to Wedding Party
    26 of 29 The Day Before: Go for a Mani-Pedi
    27 of 29 The Day Before: Pack a Wedding-Night Bag
    28 of 29 The Day Before: Prepare Tips for Vendors
    29 of 29 The Day Before: Get Your Beauty Sleep

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