Wedding Planning ... What to do and when!

Wedding Magazine recently shared this helpful tick list of what to do, when and we thought it may be useful for our lovely brides to be too....

Do it now...

•  Tell friends and relatives you’re engaged. 
•  Decide on your wedding date. 
•  Choose what type of ceremony you want, and the number of people you want to invite. 
•  Visit potential venues and check availability- book!
•  Set your budget and decide who’s paying for what.
•  Organise your wedding insurance.
•  Open a dedicated wedding savings account.
•  Choose your best man, ushers and bridesmaids. 

 
6–12 months to go

•  Check your date with your minister/priest/rabbi or book the register office.
•  Make a first draft of your guest list.
•  Send out save-the-date cards.
•  Start a wedding scrapbook filled with ideas torn out from the pages of Wedding and Wedding Flowers & Accessories. Get browsing on Pinterest for ideas!
•  Book your chair cover supplier (look no further!)
•  Look at sample menus and book your caterer.
•  Book your photographer and videographer.
•  Book your wedding cars.
•  Order your invitations and other stationery.
•  Start looking for your cake maker.
•  Make appointments to try on dresses.
•  Choose your florist and discuss ideas.
•  Book your reception entertainment.
•  Begin a health and beauty regime.

 
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.
•  Prompt your groom to start looking for suits for himself, his best man and the ushers.
•  Order your wedding cake.
•  Set up your wedding gift list.
•  Choose and buy your wedding rings.
•  Choose or start making your wedding day favours.
•  Book accommodation for any guests who need it.
•  Arrange a menu tasting with a caterer.
•  Have your first dress fitting with lingerie and shoes.
•  Choose your bridesmaid dresses.
•  Find and book your hairdresser and make-up artist.
•  Plan and book your honeymoon.

 
2–4 months to go
 

•  Select any readings and music, and confirm your choices with your minister/registrar.
•  Send out your invitations, together with details of your gift list and any other essential information.
•  Confirm your booking if you’re marrying in a register office.
•  Finalise your honeymoon plans, ensuring you have any necessary visas, inoculations and travel insurance.
•  Have order-of-service sheets printed.
•  Write your personalised wedding vows, if necessary.
•  Buy a guestbook.
•  Try out various hair and make-up looks.
•  Plan your hen and stag parties.
•  Book your first-night hotel.
•  Contact local or national newspapers if you want to publish your wedding announcement.

 
1–2 months to go
 

•  Chase all unanswered invitations.
•  Draw up a final guest list.
•  Finalise your seating plan.
•  Give the final number of guests to your caterer.
•  Buy your marriage licence from the registrar.
•  Have your final dress fitting and confirm the collection date.
•  Choose gifts for your wedding party. 
•  Book your final hair appointment.
•  Finalise transport.
•  As people start to buy presents from your gift list, make a start on your thank-you notes.
•  Give your fiancé, father and best man a gentle nudge to start working on their speeches.
•  Find out where your guests are staying if you plan to deliver gifts or welcome notes to their rooms.
•  Hold your hen and stag parties.

 
2 weeks to go
 

•  Hold a wedding rehearsal with all key members of the wedding party.
•  Write out your placecards or send them to be printed.
•  Type up a list of must-take shots for your photographer.
•  Confirm timings with all your key wedding suppliers, including photographer, florist, cake maker and band/DJ.
•  Plan your honeymoon wardrobe.
•  Remind your fiancé to have a haircut.

 
1 week to go
 

•  Have a final hair and make-up practice. Arrange for the cake to be delivered to your reception venue.
•  Reconfirm final numbers with your caterer.
•  Double-check your outfit and accessories.
•  Make sure the best man has arranged for the hired outfits to be returned on time after the wedding.
•  Wear in your wedding shoes around the house.

 
The day before
 

•  Help to 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 bath with lots of bubbles, have an early night – and try to relax!