back to Wedding Embassy Yearbook

[The following pages are a transcription of the Wedding Embassy Yearbook, printed by Embassy Publishing Company for Garfinckels. This hardcover book worked as both a promotional item for the wedding business at Garfinckels, as well as a manual of wedding etiquette and customs. the book has been divided up into major chapters as presented in the book, along with illustrations from the original text. Please keep in mind that prices and money mentioned in the book (such as what to pay clergymen, etc.) are stated in 1955 rates.]

You Chart Your Course of Action

It is to be hoped that you have at least three months to prepare for your wedding. However, planning can be telescope into two months, six weeks or even less time. The important thing is to follow a practicable plan of action, which will enable you to make the most of the time you have.

The following timetable is in last eight, but the sequence of action is important:

Three Months Before

1. Make general decisions -- when, where, type, etc., of wedding and reception and visit your clergyman. Take your bridegroom, along on this first visit, if possible.
2. Draw up tentative budget of expense and divide that into properly balanced expenditures
3. See the store's consultant who is ready, willing and able to be your experienced adviser and strong right arm in helping you with all problems from dollars to dish towels
4. Make necessary reservations for the wedding, rehearsal and reception
5. Draw up your guest list, including your family's; remind your bridegroom and his parents of theirs
6. Get estimates and engage florist, caterer, musicians and candid photographer
7. Discuss with them their wedding attire, obtain all necessary sizes and have sizes with you when you go to the store
8. Discuss with your bridegroom, the number of ushers needed
9. Decide what attire the men will wear
10. Begin shopping for your wedding costume and select attendants' dresses and accessories

Two Months Before

1. Complete final organization of combined guest lists
2. Order invitations and announcements and began addressing envelopes
3. Decide on your mother's attire and inform bridegroom's mother of selection. Also tell what clothes the men will wear.
4. Discuss with bridegroom general plans for home furnishings
5. Choose patterns of silver, china and glass and have your choices of these and other gift preferences, as well as your color schemes, registered in the store
6. Shop for lingerie and linens
7. Make general plans for wedding trip (see travel agent)
8. Begin shopping for personal trousseau and luggage
9. Choose the bridegroom's gift (optional)
10. Choose the bridegroom's ring, if double ring ceremony. If the church ritual does not include a double ring ceremony, the ring may be slipped on in private. But regardless, consult the bridegroom before presenting him with a ring
11. Choose the attendants' gifts
12. Make specific plans for reception, menu, location of receiving line, etc., and order wedding cake
13. Decide on decorations for wedding and reception and place orders.
14. Order bridesmaids' bouquets
15. Discuss with your bridegroom your bouquet, corsage, the mothers' flowers and the men's boutonnieres and see that orders are placed
16. Plan music selections for wedding and reception
17. Start buying furniture and shop for kitchen equipment
18. Plan rehearsal dinner, bridesmaids luncheon and trousseau tea . (optional)
19. Arrange accommodations for wedding party and special out-of-town guests
20. Complete addressing invitations, and have them stamped and ready to mail

One Month Before

1. Mail invitations
2. Have hairstyle just as you will wear it on your wedding day. Have final fitting on wedding gown. Have formal photographs made. Either now or later invite your father to see you in your gown
3. Make final purchases of furniture
4. Make appointments for final beauty treatments
5. Obtain health certificate, if required by your state
6. Decide on procedure, spacing, pace, etc., of wedding before they rehearsal
7. Send photographs and wedding news releases two papers
   
8. Record, display and acknowledge receipt of gifts as they arrive.
   
9. Record each response to reception invitation as it is received
   
10. . Decide how many pews to reserve and prepare any necessary seating instructions for the head usher.
    
11. . Decide whether you and your attendants will dress for the wedding at home or at church. If at church, be sure, adequate facilities are provided.
    
12. Take delivery of bridsmaids' dresses
    
13. Complete all shopping and check on delivery of purchases
    
14. Check with bridegroom on the ushers' clothes and accessories

One Week Before

1. Be sure I'll purchases have arrived from the store.
   
2. Remind your father to arrange for cars to transport the wedding party, reserve parking facilities, engage traffic officer, and if considered necessary, engage someone to assist guests into and out of their cars
   
3. Group together as you think of them, everything you wish to take with you on your trip -- camera, golf clubs, tennis racket, etc.
   
4. Go for marriage license, taking along any necessary papers
   
5. Keep going on the thank you notes
   
6. Have bridesmaids' luncheon and present gifts, make appointment either preceding or following, for fittings out late arrivals
   
7. Complete packing the day before the wedding, leaving a last-minute wedding day packing to someone else -- perhaps, your honor attendant
   
8. Check all last-minute details with florist, caterer, etc.
   
9. Have final beauty treatments, manicure, pedicure and massage two days before, or the day before the wedding

All this done according to schedule means that you will be a charming, untroubled bride, composed and serene on your wedding day.

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