Your Wedding Made Easy: January 2016

12 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

Pick a date for your wedding
Decide what sort of wedding you want; take your time with this
Write up your guest list and decide on numbers
Work out your budget and find out if any family members will be able to contribute
Work out how you are going to spend your budget and work out what is important to the both of you and divide up the budget accordingly
Open wedding bank Account
If having a church wedding, visit your priest and book the church
If having a civil ceremony, contact your local registrar to book the date and time and an appointment to give notice of marriage
Book a wedding planner if you want someone for Full Planning
Research venues, visit top 3 – 5
Start looking at blogs/internet/magazine ideas and inspiration
Don’t make any rash decisions, think about it all and way up your options on all decisions to be made
Organise your engagement party

11 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

Make final decision on your venue and book
Book Your Photographer
Take out wedding insurance
Bride go dress shopping
Choose your best man, bridesmaids and ushers
If reception venue requires a marquee, book this along with furniture and any equipment
If you need to hire in outdoor caterer and bar, look for these and get menu ideas
Look for wedding invitations
Compile names and address for gust list and send out save the date cards if you decide to have them

10 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

9 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

Select a florist and visit them, talk through your ideas, book.
Bride go shopping with your bridesmaids for their dresses and if necessary your mother and mother in law for their outfits.
Groom look at suits for you and the groomsmen

8 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

7 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

Check your passport, visas etc. (for honeymoon)
Book the time off work
Book the transport for the wedding party and cars for bridal party
Bride book your hair dresser and make-up artist
Draw up a gift list at chosen department store/charity/honeymoon (these need to be ready to send out in the wedding invitations)
Order Rings

6 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

Send out wedding invitations if you are not sending out save the dates
Finalise arrangements for the venue and the church
Bride buy wedding accessories, shoes, headwear, veil, and bag.
Organise the Stag and hen party
Book your wedding planner if you want someone for on the day co-ordination
Attend pre wedding counselling or wedding classes if requested by the church, or start to visit regularly if required for the ceremony.
If you are adding any DIY elements to your wedding, projects should be on their way by now.

5 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

4 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

3 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

Decide on guest book ideas
Decide on how to display table plan/escort cards
Decide on wedding post box for cards
Select readings for the ceremony and give to the relevant people so they can practice
Choose hymns for the ceremony or songs if a civil.
Bride go for fitting for your dress and also your bridesmaids

2 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

1 MONTH BEFORE THE WEDDING

Write your vows if you are choosing to use your own
Finalise every detail and double check bookings with all suppliers
Confirm honeymoon reservations
Pick up wedding rings
Delegate jobs for the wedding day i.e. give someone the guest book to look after
Go on pre wedding shoot with the photographer If not had an engagement shoot.
Confirm numbers and food allergies with the caterers and draw up final seating plan
Groom write your speech and make sure the best man, father and anyone else giving one have done theirs as well.
Both try and wear in your wedding shoes around the house, put socks or stockings over the shoes do they don’t get dirty.

2 WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING

Complete final song list for the band or DJ if you have any special requests for them and send it to them.
Bride; Go for you final colour and or cut with your hairdresser and have a final practice run.
Bride draw up list for change of name, ready for when you get back from honeymoon
If possible get a final walk through at the venue with the suppliers so everyone knows where and when they need to be. Final walk through with wedding planner

1 WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING

Confirm details with all participants
Confirm all details with all suppliers
Supply the venue with suppliers list of requirements i.e. band/DJ set up time, setup space for florist
Supply the venue and church/registrar with a schedule of all the suppliers delivery and set up time and contact numbers
Groom get your hair trimmed and any last minute beauty treatments
Do your honeymoon packing
Get honeymoon currency

2-3 DAYS BEFORE THE WEDDING

Have rehearsal and dinner (if having one)
Bride pick up your dress
Bride get your nails done and any last minute beauty treatments
Bride if necessary get your and your bridesmaids’ dresses steamed and
Groom make sure you and the groomsmen pick up your outfits
Hand over all favours, and name cards to the reception venues, or decorator/planner
Call car rental companies for final pickup times for the day
Write up wedding day time table and give to the bridal party so they know where and when they need to be anywhere

1 DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING

Sort out any monies to be paid to suppliers on the day and give to family members or planner to look after
Get an early night

ON THE DAY

Relax!
Give wedding rings to the best man
Make sure that the designated family member/planner has the final payments for the suppliers
Designate someone to work with the photographer so they know who everyone is for the group shots
Bride once you are ready give your make up to either your mum or your bridesmaid to look after
Make sure that everyone has their flowers once they have been delivered
Bride, put your engagement ring on your right hand

HAVE FUN ………..it’s your wedding day, the best day of your life!!!!!!