So many of you have been messaging me regarding doing a post about a wedding to do list or how I have gone about with my own planning.
So here is an explicit guide which helped me...
As soon as possible
- Tell relatives and close friends of your plans
- Announce your engagement in the local paper
- Think about your wedding theme or style
- Set the initial wedding budget and ask relatives if they would like to contribute
- Decide on the number of guests and draw up a guest list with both sets of parents
- Start looking around possible venues
- Choose a date; check this with preferred venue and registrar or celebrant
- Book date with Registrar (for register office or civil venue ceremony)
- Book your venue
- Book caterer if different to your venue
- Sample the menu choices
- Choose your wedding party - best man, bridesmaids, ushers, flower girls, page boys etc
- Book wedding insurance
- Start looking for your wedding dress and attendants’ outfits
- If hiring a wedding co-coordinator do this now
- Choose and book your musicians / entertainment
- Choose and book your photographer / videographer
- Choose and book your florist
- Choose and book your transport
- Select a wedding cake company and order
- Choose and order wedding stationery
- Post your save the date cards
- Select honeymoon destination and book
- Check with Doctor if any vaccinations / medications are required for overseas destinations
- Order stationery and favours (if not already done)
- Choose wedding venue decorations
- Choose shoes, veils, headdresses and any other accessories
- Arrange your wedding gift-list
- Order rings
- Pick up Marriage Notice form from Registrar
- Book hairdresser / beauty therapist / make-up artist
- Arrange for fittings for grooms, ushers, pageboy's etc
- Meet with your minister/priest to discuss the service
- Choose hymns, music and readings for the ceremony
- Send out invitations
- Buy gifts for attendants
- Choose any extra accessories required
- Have a trial make-up / hair-do sitting
- Book your first nights hotel room (if different to reception venue)
- Arrange final fittings for wedding dress/bridesmaids outfits
- Any children should be measured up for hired outfits
- Prepare initial seating plans
- Prepare order of service and order them
- Post invitations and send them along with gift list suggestions
- Send out thank you notes as gifts arrive
- Check the groom and best man have organised their outfits
- Choose presents for your attendants
- Check all travelling documents and requirements
- Choose your eco-friendly confetti petals
- Review seating plans as RSVPs come in
- Inform venue / caterer of final numbers
- Inform stationer of names for place cards and menu details if required
- Keep record of who is giving what gifts (if gift list in place this will be recorded for you)
- Check all dress wear and accessories
- Book hairdresser and make up appointments for the morning of the wedding
- Make sure everyone involved in the wedding knows what is happening and the timings
- Write to banks and official bodies if you are changing your name
- Arrange rehearsal if an option
- Arrange hen/stag parties
- Confirm all arrangements with suppliers
- Make sure all speeches have been prepared
- Try on your full wedding outfit and practice waking in your shoes
- Order travellers cheques and currency for your honeymoon
- Enjoy your hen night ad get your groom to hold his stag night in plenty of time
- Pick up Marriage Schedule or meet with registrar if required
- Ensure best man has rings and cash for services to be paid on the wedding day
- Arrange rehearsal at the ceremony venue if required
- Confirm timings with florist, photographer, transport etc
- Type a list of any must-take shots and send it to your photographer
- Type up favourite music for the DJ/band to play including your first dance song
- Pick up hired dress wear
- Pack over-night stay bags and / or going away bags
- Help decorate the wedding venue
- Arrange for cake to be delivered at the reception venue
- Have a manicure
- Relax and have an early night!
- Give yourself plenty of time to get ready
- Have bouquets and button holes delivered or send someone to collect them
- The mother of the bride and bridesmaids leave first, followed by you and your father (or whoever is giving you away)
- Groom and best man arrive at least 15 minutes before the bride
- The best man is in charge of ensuring everyone has transport between the ceremony and the venue
- Speeches traditionally come after the food and before the coffee, but many people are choosing to do them first, the photographer may stay and take some photos and everyone can relax after the speeches.
- Traditionally the bride and groom leave the reception before all other guests
Great article :)
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to add that it's worth checking out some wedding entertainment as soon as possible, I know that we take bookings 12 months - 2 years in advance! Particularly for June and September as they seem to be the busiest months!
All the best :)