It's not Christmas until..

All of us have those little things that signify Christmas. Whether it's hearing a particular song or watching an advert on TV, some things will just kick you straight into the Christmas spirit.

I, of course, have a list of these things and would now like to share these with you. So, for me, it's not Christmas until..:

1) The "Holidays are coming" Coca Cola advert is on

2) I hear the "You're a mean one Mr. Grinch" song

3) I watch "The Nightmare before Christmas" and "Home Alone" (the original) + in later years "Love Actually" and "The Holiday"

4) I start opening my advent calender

5) A car drives past with a tree on it's roof

6) Christmas lights are up in town and everyone's got a star in their window

7) My cat starts spending all his time sleeping on the sofa

Planning a wedding

Apparently to plan a wedding you need at least a year and a lot of organisation...oh dear, what have I gotten myself into

	Announce Engagement
	Select Wedding Date
	Hire wedding consultant/coordinator
	Determine type of wedding: location, theme, # of guests, formality, time of day
	Determine budget & how expenses will be shared
	Buy a daytimer to keep track of appointments & events
	Develop a record keeping system for payments
	Create an approximate # guest list
	Decide if you will be inviting children or not
	Select and reserve ceremony site
	Select and book Officiant/Priest/Minister/Rabbi
	Select and book reception location
	Select and order bridal gown
	Determine colour scheme
	If ceremony or reception is at a home, arrange for any home improvements
	Obtain, passports, visas, birth certificates, any documents need for travel and/or marriage licenses

	Select and book caterer, if needed
	Select and book photographer
	Select wedding party
	Give wedding party a list of their responsibilities
	Select and buy attire or bridesmaids & flower girl
	Select and buy attire for mothers of the bride and groom
	Select and book ceremony musicians
	Select and book live band or DJ for reception
	Select and book videography
	Select and book florist
	Register for your wedding gifts (this can be done sooner)

	Schedule fittings for custom made bridesmaids gowns
	Arrange marriage prep-courses, if necessary
	Reserve rental items
	Select and book decorator
	Finalize an A and B list of guests
	Select and order invitations and other wedding stationary
	Set date, time and location for rehearsal dinner
	Select and book honeymoon night suite
	Arrange accommodations for out-of-town guests
	Start planning your honeymoon
	Shop for your wedding gifts to each other
	Shop for your wedding gifts to your wedding party
	Shop for your wedding gifts to your parents
	Buy shoes, lingerie and accessories for the bride
	Buy shoes and accessories for the bridesmaids
	Select and order wedding bands

	Take formal engagement picture
	Select and order wedding cake
	Order party favours/bombonniere
	Select and order decorations
	Purchase honeymoon attire and luggage
	Select and book wedding day transportation
	Start addressing your invitations
	Plan activities for out-of-town guests (optional)
	Go on trials and book wedding day hair and makeup. Bring your headpiece and wear a white shirt
	Obtain marriage license (expires in 3 months)
	Send out your invitations
	Select ceremony readers
	Select ushers to seat your guests
	Select guest book attendant
	Select your MC
	Mail invitations to shower
	Get photography permit, if needed

	Maintain a record of RSVP's and early wedding gifts
	Maintain a record of shower gifts and send thank you's
	Purchase all ceremony and reception accessories: guest book, toasting glasses, garter, ring pillow, etc.
	Select and reserve wedding attire for all gentlemen
	Mail invitations to rehearsal dinner
	Plan bridesmaid luncheon
	Select your something old, new, borrowed, blue

	Finalize all food and beverages for wedding
	Finalize all ceremony details with Officiant
	Finalize all rehearsal arrangements
	Finalize all floral arrangements
	Final fittings for yourself and bridesmaids
	Make a wedding day itinerary
	Give a copy of the itinerary to your wedding party and vendors
	Finalize all details with all your vendors
	Decide order of receiving line and head table setting
	Contact guest that haven't replied
	Pick up wedding rings
	Give photographer a photo checklist
	Visit reception site for floor plan
	Create reception seating plan
	Give musicians a list of your music selection
	Inform attendants when and where to pick up attire
	Determine VIP seating for ceremony seating
	Print out seating cards
	Pick up honeymoon tickets

	Give caterer/reception venue final tally of guests
	Pack of your honeymoon
	Wrap reception flavours/bombonniere
	Arrange mail collection while you are on honeymoon

	Drop all wedding accessories and decor off at ceremony and reception locations
	Make sure you bring all gifts that will be handed out at dinner
	Make sure you have all final payments in envelopes for wedding day
	Pack over night bag for honeymoon suite
	Make sure wedding party has their itinerary
	Make sure gentlemen have black socks
	Go to church for rehearsal
	Review VIP seating with ushers at ceremony location

	Most of the details will be on your wedding day itinerary
	Eat breakfast
	Pack anything remaining on your "To Bring" list in cars
	Make sure Maid of Honour has groom's ring and Best Man has bride's ring
	Make sure you have your marriage license, photo permit and Special Occasions Permit, if needed
	Put your engagement ring on your right hand
	Use your wedding day itinerary to get you through the day on some sort of trouble
	Remember to look around and soak in the views of the day you planned so long and hard for.

Mad World

Wouldn't it be nice?

Wouldn't it be nice if we were older, then we wouldn't have to wait so long...