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
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ENJOY
Thanks for reading
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