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12-18 months to go
- Decide
on the wedding date
- Decide
on your budget (put a budget for each supplier too)
- If
you have chosen a church you will need to see the minister to agree
arrangements
- If
you have chosen a registry office or alternative licensed venue you will
need to give notice to your local registrar
- At
the same time as booking the registrar you will need to have chosen and
booked your wedding ceremony venue
- Decide
on the number of guests and write a guest list
- Book
the wedding reception venue (this may or may not be the same as your
ceremony venue)
- Think
about musicians and reserve the band or DJ when you have chosen one
- Book
any entertainers (such as Children’s entertainers or magicians etc)
- Research
and book caterers
- Research
and book the photographer and/or videographer
- Research
and book any wedding transport
- Research
and book the florist
- Think
about toastmasters and book one if required (some venues offer this)
- Book
any over night accommodation at your chosen venue. Some venues offer to
block book a set number of rooms and will agree to release – without
charge – any unused rooms on a certain date (usually a month before or
similar)
- Think
about and book your honeymoon, you can book this in your married name if
you intend to change your passport beforehand - remember to book time off
work!
- Organise
for any visa required on your honeymoon
- Keep
an eye out for bargain clothes for your honeymoon – especially if you are
travelling out of season
- Research
and order the cake
- Think
about venue decoration and reserve any chairs / tables / crockery etc if
the date is a popular summer date (July – September)
- Decide
on your wedding party – bridesmaids and best man – and ensure they keep
the date free
- Begin
the search for your wedding dress and bridal party outfits
- Confirm
all bookings in writing and pay any deposits due
6 months to go
- Decide
on your wedding dress and make arrangements for a fitting
- Choose
your accessories (shoes / lingerie / tiara / jewellery)
- Choose
the grooms attire as well as the other men in the bridal party
- Choose
the wedding rings
- Order
your stationery and favours
- Send
‘Save the Date’ cards / fridge magnets to your guest list (not so
important if your wedding date is not during prime holiday times)
- Take
out wedding insurance
- Book
a hairdressing trial and meeting to discuss your ideas and book them for
the wedding day itself. Take along any items that you feel might help
reach the perfect hair do! (colour swatch / tiara etc)
- Book
a beauty and make up session (arrange a trial and book them for the day)
4-5 months to go
- Send
out your invitations, this is vital if your wedding is to held in the
summer as guest may book holidays etc around this time. You may wish to
send out a gift lift with these
3 months to go
- Buy
your marriage licence from the registrar
- Send
out wedding invitations if you haven’t done so already
- If
not already done, decide upon a gift list and make it available (remember
not all people have access to the internet)
- Make
a list of all relevant authorities such as banks, passport etc who will
need to be informed of your new name and write to them - ordering new cards, passport etc if
necessary
- Confirm
your arrangements with the minister or registrar
- Decide
upon ceremony music and readings
- Remind
guests about the overnight accommodation and keep your venue informed
- Arrange
for your ‘order of service’ to be printed
- Buy
any gifts for the bridal party
- Confirm
flower arrangements with your florist
- Discuss
and decide upon seating plan for the wedding breakfast
- Decide
and buy any venue decoration
- Arrange
for any vaccinations to be done, if required for your honeymoon
- Update
your will – this is important as your status may change after marriage
- Plan
your hen and stag parties, if required
- Confirm
details with your chosen suppliers – photographer / videographer / DJ /
entertainer / catering / transport
1 month to go
- Arrange
for a final fitting of your dress
- Reconfirm
all of the following:
- Photographer
- Florist
- Transport
- Venue
– ceremony & reception
- Catering
- Honeymoon
arrangements
- All
entertainment
- Confirm your ‘room list’ with your overnight
hotel – chasing any last minute guests and releasing any left over rooms.
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Have your hen and stag parties
-
Finalise the seating plan and chosen menu
-
Arrange a date for a wedding rehersal, if
required
-
Attend any wedding ‘lessons’, if required
-
Chase any last minute RSVP’s
-
Write wedding speeches – if not already done
-
Meet with bridal party to discuss final plans
1 week to go
- Have
a wedding rehearsal
- Pack
for the overnight stay and for your honeymoon
- Wear
in your wedding shoes (around the house!)
- Give
one of your bridesmaids an ‘emergency kit’ and include things like make
up, hair pins and lip gloss)
- See
your minister or registrar again and give them your order of service
- Order
any holiday money
- Collect
any outfits (dress and suits)
- Make
arrangements for any bills that need paying whilst you are away
- Arrange
for someone to return any hired equipment or outfits
- Arrange
for someone to keep any gifts, your wedding dress, flowers, decorations
etc until your return
- Give
the rings to the best man (you may wish to do this on the day)
- Give
any money for the church / DJ etc to the best man so he can pay them on
the day
- Give
your best man a list of wedding suppliers and emergency contact details in
case they need to be contacted on the day
The day before
- Have
the day off!
- Try
and get some time to relax – have a manicure!
- Grooms
should have a hair trim and shave at a barbers
- Hand
over anything not complete to someone else
- Try
and get an early night
After the big day
- Arrange
delivery of your gift list
- Send
out thank you letters
- Return
any hired equipment
- Ensure
all your cards / accounts have your new name
GOOD LUCK!
Information courtesy of Isabella Weddings – Wedding and Event Planners
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