Upon deciding a date for your wedding, there are a few preliminary arrangements that need to take place to set the wheels in motion for the planning of your wedding.

Invitations

• Bear in mind that guests have their own arrangements to make if they are able to attend the wedding. Advance notice will always help guests with their own plans for attending the big day. Before you send out written invites it is a good idea to start telling people you know you want to invite what the date is as soon as it is known.
• Making a final guest list can be a lengthy process (see separate section 'The Guestlist'), but you will need to know the final number before you order invitations from the printers. Ordering a few extra invitations is advisable in case of any problems with loss or damage, or extra guests who you decide upon inviting at a later date.
• Bear in mind that the time taken for printing the invitations can vary enormously, but if the printing firm is told of the urgency they may be able to produce a faster turnaround.
• Get an estimate of the cost, in writing if possible.
• Good quality card or paper should be used for formal invitations: a good invitation makes a good first impression.

Guests

A good guest will reply as soon as possible. A formal letter is the best way to let the Bride and Groom know of your attendance, but the increased use of email may also be a method of replying. A phone call is better than nothing, but it is not the easiest way for the wedding party to keep track of the number of invitation responses.

Replies

Keep a careful tally of names and numbers of guests' replies as they arrive. Also retain in a file the letters themselves as the bride might want to keep them with other memorabilia about the wedding, such as a copy of the invitation, order of service, press cuttings, etc.

The article Invitation arrangements originally appeared on 999 Today