There’s a lot to remember when organising a wedding, so our checklist will help you stay on track of what to do and when to do it.

Twelve months to go (or immediately if you have a shorter lead time)

• Fix your budget
• Decide on your wedding date and book your minister or registrar, discussing arrangements and legal requirements with them
• Book your reception venue (if different) and if required, a caterer
• Book your photographer/videographer and discuss your requierments with them
• Draft your guest list
• Send out save the date cards
• Start looking for your dress and remember most shops need at least a six-month lead time for a made-to-measure gown to be delivered
• Choose your bridesmaids (and their dresses), ushers and best man

As soon as possible

• Book your florist
• Book your cake
• Book your wedding transport
• Book caterers, bands, musicians or toastmaster

Six months to go

• Order stationery
• Book a hairdresser and make-up artist and discuss ideas with them
• Start any beauty and fitness regime so you look your best on the big day
• Choose outfits for the groom, his best man and his ushers
• Talk to the above about their duties on the day
• Buy your wedding rings
• Order or make wedding favours
• Buy your bridal lingerie and shoes and wear for all dress fittings
• Book your honeymoon and find out about any vaccinations required

Three months to go

• Send out invitations and gift list
• Confirm ceremony details including wedding music and order of service
• Buy gifts for the best man, ushers and bridesmaids
• Discuss menu and drinks with your caterer
• Plan your hen and stag parties
• Organise hair and make-up trials
• Initial dress fitting
• Suit fittings for the groom’s party
• Start looking at first dance ideas

One month to go

• Arrange your final dress fitting
• Arrange final fittings for bridesmaids, page boys and flower girls
• Have a trial run for hair/make-up
• Confirm all bookings with your various wedding suppliers
• Update guest list with acceptances and contact those who haven’t responded yet
• Start writing your wedding speech
• Start wearing in your wedding shoes for comfort
• Reconfirm honeymoon arrangements, order traveller’s cheques/currency
• List contact details of all suppliers and give to someone you trust
• Arrange date for wedding rehearsal
• Have your hen/stag parties

Two weeks to go

• Finalise the seating plan and provide caterers/venue with a copy
• Confirm menu and any special dietary requirements
• Create your place cards and table plan
• Provide your photographer with a list of essential shots
• Collect wedding rings

One week to go

• Final check for all outfits
• Have the wedding rehearsal
• Put together a schedule of wedding day timings and give copies to the whole wedding party
• Ensure all speeches have been written and rehearsed
• Pack for your honeymoon
• Confirm who is collecting/delivering the buttonholes
• Finalise arrangements with hairdresser/make-up artist
• Put together an emergency kit for the day – make-up, headache pills, sewing kit etc.

The day before

• Deliver decorations, table plan, place cards, favours and guest book and pens at the venue
• Drop off orders of service to the ushers
• Collect any hired outfits
• Take out money for cash payments you need to make on the day
• Give rings and details of wedding suppliers to the best man
• Lay out your wedding dress, lingerie and accessories ready
• Get pampered – have a manicure or massage
• Go to bed early and make sure you set your alarm clock

THE BIG DAY

• Allow six hours of preparation time before the ceremony
• Bridesmaids and mothers arrive for their hair and make-up
• Check the bouquet, buttonholes and corsages have arrived
• Groom and best man should arrive at the ceremony with at least 15  minutes to spare
• Check the best man has rings, list of wedding suppliers and fees, copies of speeches, vows, readings and any messages to be read out

• ENJOY

Thanks for reading

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