The Checklist For Planning Your Wedding
Congratulations on your engagement, whether you are planning for a wedding in two years or five months this easy step by step checklist will help you to ensure you have that perfect day you have been dreaming of.
As soon as possible
•
Decide and agree on a budget for the wedding.
•Agree on what sort of wedding you will be having, Church ceremony, register office or will you be having your ceremony conducted in a hotel.
•See the minister, priest or contact the register office to book your ceremony.
•Book your reception venue.
•Draw up a guest list. (This should involve both families)
•Book your photographer or video company, these can become fully booked very quickly.
•Book your entertainment such as D.J or band.
•Enquire and book your honeymoon. Remember this will be a holiday of a life time so make sure it’s exactly what you want, avoid any disappointment by booking early.
•Decide with your partner who will be your best man, bridesmaids, ushers and pageboys.
•Most importantly start looking for that perfect dress that you have dreamed of, remember if you want a dress specifically made this may take up to 5 months.
•Send out save the date cards.
5 Months Before
•Organise and decide on the hire of formal wear for the groom, best man, father of the bride and ushers.
•Book transport for the bride to get to the church and for the groom if needed.
•Start getting ideas for your wedding gift list.
4 Months Before
•Meet and confirm your ceremony, here you should discuss hymns and the type of service you require. Also arrange for any decoration of the venue, make it clear who will be doing the decorations, you or the venue.
•Order your invitations, service sheets, place cards etc.
•Decide on and organise your flowers, any arrangements should be discussed now rather than later.
•Order your Wedding cake, or maybe go for a more contemporary feel and get a chocolate fountain.
•Decide on your menu, remember to take into account any special requirements such as vegetarians, you don’t want them to feel left out of your special day.
•Decide on and choose your wedding rings.
3 Months Before.
•Confirm your wedding music.
•Confirm all your honeymoon plans and book your wedding night hotel if this is required.
•If you are changing your name make sure you get your name changed on your passport.
•Shop for clothes for your honeymoon and going away outfit.
•Place your wedding list with the stores you have chosen.
2 Months Before
•Send out your invitations.
•If hotels are needed for your guests these should be organised now.
•Choose and buy your presents for the best man, ushers, bridesmaids, page boys, father of the bride and both mothers.
•Buy any extras you may need, such as candles, bubbles, favours and camaras.
1 Month before
•If any guests have not replied to the invitations, chase these up.
•Work out your seating plan and organise seating plans.
•Check that your wedding dress is completed, make sure you have all the wedding clothes, tiara, shoes and underwear.
•Visit your hairdresser to sort out how you will be having your hair on the day.
•Make sure all your transport is organised. Remember there maybe some guests who will require transport to the reception from the ceremony, you should think about how you will organise for these guests.
•Final guest numbers will need to be given to the reception venue and the caterers at least two weeks before.
•Arrange your stag and hen nights, these should preferably not be on the night before the wedding.
•Make those final checks on your honeymoon and pick up your tickets. Including organising any foreign currency that is needed.
•Wear in you wedding shoes, the last thing you will want is to be uncomfortable on your perfect day.
1 Week Before
•Have your rehearshal
•Make those all important final checks on everything you have booked, such as video company, photographer, D.J, This will avoid any thing going wrong on the day.
•Make Button holes.
The Big Day
Its Finally here after all the planning, the most important thing to remember is to enjoy yourselves. This is your day so make it a day to remember.
•The best man should pay all fees that have to be paid on the day.
•The ushers should make sure that all guests are seated and that all guests get to the reception from the church.
•Remember if you have any flower girls or pageboys, it is the job off the bridesmaids to look after them during the ceremony.
Arrival Times
•The ushers should arrive 40 mins before the ceremony.
•The groom and best man should arrive 20 mins before the ceremony.
•Guests should arrive 15 mins before the ceremony and take there seats.
•The mother of the bride will take her seat last.
Once again remember that this is your day and it should be a day to remember, relax and enjoy yourselves.
