Four Helpful Tips for the Month Before Your Wedding

from June Hoffman of Megasound

The last thirty days as a single woman may feel very stressful. From the standpoint of a professional DJ/MC/Officiant, here are four helpful hints for the last four weeks before your wedding.

1. Get your marriage license. In Fort Wayne and Allen County, you can get your marriage license up to sixty days before your wedding. The license is good for sixty days once it is issued. So, if you were putting off traveling to the Allen County Courthouse, put it on your calendar a couple of weeks before your wedding. While it isn't absolutely necessary, it is a good idea to give your license to your officiant before your wedding so that they have it. Then that is one less thing you need to be concerned about the day of your wedding.

2. Write (or review and update) a detailed “wedding day” schedule. You have many things to get accomplished and the wedding day will be very busy. Take a quiet day with your fiancé and put the details of your wedding day on an agenda. This way you avoid the "day-of" confusion and stress. Give (or email) a copy to your wedding party and your wedding professionals about two weeks ahead of time.

3. Set a time to meet with your Officiant and your DJ/MC. The ceremony time line and logistics are important and your Officiant needs to know these details prior to your wedding rehearsal. Your disc jockey (DJ)/MC should work with you in person (if possible) prior to your reception. Planning a wedding reception takes time and you should have already talked to your caterer/venue, photographer, and/or video person so that your DJ/MC has your plan ready ahead of the wedding date.

4. Select your wedding ceremony music. Whether you are holding your ceremony in a church or other location, you should be able to select the ceremony music that best fits your style. Keep in mind that churches have specific rules on which songs are allowed at your wedding ceremony. Wedding ceremonies held at alternative locations (outdoors or reception location) allow for a wider variety of song assortments. Keep in mind that you will want about thirty minutes of prelude music, processional and recessional songs, and approximately thirty minutes of postlude selections. Your music coordinator should have suggestions for you.

Your DJ/MC and Officiant should be able to help you with the last three tips if you need ideas or suggestions. Of course, these tips are only a limited scope of your wedding, so be sure that you and your fiancé review your whole wedding plan together (ahead of time) so you can enjoy your wedding day.