The essential countdown to your big day!

 

      Do it now…

·        Spread the news that you are engaged.

·        Decide on your wedding date (if choosing a Saturday between May and September expect many venues to be booked up well in advance so consider a Friday or Sunday instead).

·        Decide on the type of ceremony you want: religious or civil. Remember there may be restrictions on where you can marry, so investigate fully before committing to a venue.

·        Who will be paying for the wedding? Set your budget.

·        As a couple, discuss what your priorities are for your wedding.

·        How many guests would you like to invite? If parents are contributing they may expect to be able to invite some of their friends too. Will any children be attending?

·        Visit potential venues, having checked they can accommodate your numbers, are available and you know their prices. Make sure you check the small print of any terms and conditions provided.

·        Organise wedding insurance.

·        Open a wedding bank account.

·        Select the key bridal party: best man, bridesmaids and ushers.

·        Start collecting those bridal magazines, looking for ideas and inspiration.

·        If you think it could just be too stressful, you don’t know where to start, or you are short on time, consider hiring a professional wedding planner.

 

      6 - 12 months to go

 

·        If you are getting married on a bank holiday weekend or at busy holiday times, it is a good idea to send out Save the Date cards.

·        Arrange to meet your minister, priest or Rabbi. If you are having a civil ceremony, book the registrar.

·        Book your venue.

·        Visit local bridal fairs to meet suppliers.

·        If you are planning a marquee wedding at home, check if your caterer or whoever is supplying the bar can apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) on your behalf. You will require this if you are having a pay bar or any music and dancing - except Morris dancing!

·        Also for marquee weddings, don’t forget you will need to organise power, water, toilets, caterers and possibly a bar, as well as the marquee company itself. You may even need to hire a skip for the caterer’s rubbish.

·        Arrange tastings with caterers and select your menu.

·        Try on dresses remember they make take up to six months to arrive. Start to look at bridesmaids’ dresses too.

·        Book your photographer - think about what style of photos you would like and which type of album. It is a good idea to meet a number, as it is important that you get on with them.

·        Book your videographer - again look at the style they can offer and how they work.

·        Book your wedding cars; consider if you need to provide any transport for guests too.

·        Order your stationery to complement the look / feel of the day.

·        Choose your florist - ideally meet them after you have chosen your dress and know what colour your bridesmaids dresses will be. Don’t forget, you don’t need to finalise your flowers until a few weeks before the wedding, so it is okay to change your mind!

·        Look at cake makers and try samples!

·        Book your reception or ceremony entertainment, taking into consideration popular artists are often booked well in advance. If a band is high on your list of priorities try and see them play live to ensure you are happy with your choice.

·        Begin your health and beauty regime.

 

      4 - 6 months to go

      

·        If you have not done so already and you are not getting married in a C of E church, give notice of the marriage to the superintendent registrar at your local registry office.

·        Confirm your readings and choice of music for the ceremony with your minister or registrar, remembering if it is a civil ceremony there can be no religious content.

·        The groom needs to arrange suit hire for himself, his best man, the ushers and possibly the fathers of the bride and groom.

·        Order your wedding cake; check if you will need to also hire a stand or does your venue supply one?

·        Select your wedding rings.

·        Choose your gift list company (avoid selecting sale / special purchase items).

·        Finalise your guest list, carefully considering the numbers allowed at your venue (they may have a minimum number that you will be charged for).

·        Select the wording for your invitations and proof read the samples.

·        Block book accommodation for your guests at nearby hotels, if needed.

·        Compile a guest information sheet detailing places to stay, directions, and so on.

·        Select or start to make your wedding favours.

·        Book any venue dressers or hire equipment that you require.

·        Arrange your first dress fitting with shoes, lingerie and so on.

·        If not done, so order your bridesmaids dresses.

·        Select a hair and make-up artist, decide who will be having their hair and make-up done.

·        Book a toastmaster, if required.

·        The best bit…plan and book your honeymoon!     

 

 

       2 - 4 months to go

 

·        Send out your invitations, including gift list and guest information. Date RSVP’s at least one week before you need the final numbers for your venue or caterer.

·        Confirm your booking if marrying in a registry office.

·        Meet your minister to finalise your Order of Service.

·        Finalise plans for your honeymoon, including visas, jabs, travel insurance and passports.

·        Print your Orders of Service.

·        Buy a guest book, or organise an alternative idea.

·        Plan your hen and stag parties.

·        Buy clothes for the honeymoon.

·        Book your first night accommodation, if needed.

·        Buy gifts for the bridal party and decide how those will be given out: as part of the groom’s speech, left at their places or before the big day.

·        It’s not too late to employ a wedding planner if you want a stress free day.

 

         1 - 2 months to go

 

·        Chase all unanswered invitations.

·        Finalise your seating plan.

·        Give the final numbers to your caterer / venue.

·        Have a final meeting to go through the day in detail with your caterer or venue.

·        Have a final meeting with your florist to confirm flower choices and styles.

·        Buy your marriage licence from the registrar.

·        Arrange your hair and make up trial, remembering to wear a neckline and colour similar to your dress.  

·        Arrange a date for the church rehearsal.

·        Remind your Dad, fiancé and best man they should be working on their speeches.

·        Arrange final fittings for your dress and the bridesmaids.

·        Have a final meeting with the photographer / videographer to discuss the plan of action for the day and those ‘must take’ shots.

·        Hold your stag and hen parties.

·        If you require any jabs for the honeymoon have those as soon as possible.

 

        2 weeks to go

 

·        Confirm all your supplier bookings, ensuring each one has the information they need.

·        Write out your place cards or send them to be printed.

·        Give the seating details to the stationer making your table plan, or create your own.

·        Gather together all the items that will need to be taken to the venue.

·        Confirm your honeymoon details.

·        Ensure you have everything you need for the honeymoon, such as travellers cheques, toiletries, clothes, and so on.   

·        Remind your fiancé to have a haircut.

·        Arrange to pick up your wedding outfits.

 

      1 week to go

 

·        Confirm again final numbers to your caterer or venue.

·        Pick up suits and ensure each member of the bridal party tries their outfit on.

·        Pick up your dress and check your accessories.

·        Wear-in your wedding shoes.

·        Hold a wedding rehearsal.

·        Arrange for the cake to be delivered to the venue.

·        Ensure that someone is allocated to return the suits.

·        Collect your rings.

·        Pack for your honeymoon.

 

     The day before

 

·        If necessary, help to decorate the venue.

·        Have a manicure and pedicure.

·        Deliver all the table décor items to the venue.

·        Try to have a relaxing evening and an early night.