Planning Your Day - Tips & Advice
To help you plan your day with have gathered together some tips and advice which we hope you will find helpful in planning your day.
Wedding Planner:
Just Got Engaged
- Tell everyone your happy news
- Decide when you would like to get married and what kind and size of ceremony you would like
- Research suitable venues, book viewings and check availability
- Set a budget and confirm who would like to pay for what. Some couples like to open a specific bank account just for their wedding as they find it easier to manage the budget that way
- Organise Wedding Insurance if required
- Choose your best man, bridesmaids and ushers
6-12 Months To The Big Wedding Day:
- Create a wedding diary/scrapbook, filled with your ideas and research so you can keep a record of your day from the planning right through to your wedding
- Contact key people you would like to attend your wedding and make sure they keep the day free –you can send “save the day” cards
- Arrange a first meeting with your Minister, Priest or Rabbi or if you are having a civil ceremony book the registrar/register office
- Hire a Wedding Planner if needed
- Book the venue
- Book Marquee if required
- Book the caterer and begin to discuss menu ideas
- Book the photographer, videographer
- Book the Wedding cars/transport
- Order the stationery
- Book the cake maker
- Make appointments to try on dresses
- Choose your florist and discuss ideas and colour schemes
- Book the reception entertainment
4-6 Months To Go:
- If your wedding isn’t in a Church of England, give notice of the marriage to the superintendent registrar at your local register office
- Confirm your readings and music with your minister/registrar
- Make sure the Groom knows what he and his Best Men and Ushers are wearing
- Order the wedding cake
- Choose your wedding rings
- Organise your wedding gift list
- Draft your initial invitation list
- Choose or start making the wedding day favours
- Book accommodation for guests who will need it
- Ensure all rental equipment is reserved e.g. chairs, tables, glassware
- Dress fitting with lingerie and shoes
- Choose bridesmaid dresses
- Research and book hairdresser and make-up artist
- Plan and book your honeymoon
2-4 Months To Go:
- Select readings
- Send out invitations, including details of your wedding list
- Write thank you notes as gifts arrive
- Confirm the booking if getting married in Register Office
- Finalise the honeymoon plans, visas, passports, inoculations and travel insurance
- Print order of service sheets
- Write your own vows if necessary
- Book a wedding rehearsal
- Buy a guest book
- Try out hair and make-up looks
- Plan hen/stag parties
- Buy going away outfit
- Discuss details of the menu with the caterer
- Book your first night hotel
- Contact local/national newspapers if you wish to publish your wedding announcement
1-2 Months To Go:
- Chase all unanswered invitations and draw up a final guest list
- Finalise your seating plan
- Give final number of guests to caterer
- Buy marriage license from Registrar
- Final dress fitting and confirm collection date
- Choose gifts for the wedding party
- Book final hair appointment
- Finalise all transport arrangements
- Remind all to start working on their speeches
- Find out where key guests are staying
- Hold hen and stag parties
2 Weeks To Go:
- Write out or print place cards
- Type up list of shots for photographer
- Confirm photographer, flowers, cars, entertainment
- Plan honeymoon wardrobe
- Have your last facial
- Order holiday money – traveller’s cheques etc
- Make sure Groom is looking smart
1 Week To Go:
- Have final hair and make-up practice
- Arrange for cake to be delivered to reception
- Reconfirm numbers with caterer
- Hold a wedding rehearsal
- Double check your outfit and all accessories
- Make sure all hired outfits will be returned on time
- Wear in your wedding shoes
The Day Before:
- Help decorate the venue if necessary
- Have a manicure and pedicure
- Have your honeymoon luggage sent to your first night hotel
- Eat a light meal, take a long bath and have an early night – try to relax