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 The 12 Month Wedding Countdown.
Planning a wedding can be a daunting prospect. This month by month guide of what needs to be done and when to do it, will make wedding planning a piece of cake!
12 months to go:
Work out an initial budget. Fix the date and time of your chosen wedding location. If getting married by civil ceremony at a licensed venue, book registrar to attend the venue.Find out if photos and videos are allowed to be taken during the ceremony. Book the reception venue, caterer, evening entertainment, or enlist the services of a wedding co-ordinator at this time.
11 months to go:
Decide how many guests will be invited, include parents in the decision making if possible. Book the photographer and videographer. Start looking for the wedding dress. Book your toastmaster should you be having one. If you want to lose weight for your wedding then now is the time to start a healthy eating plan and exercise regime, Arrange wedding insurance. Confirm all bookings in writing
10 months to go:
Choose attendants, best man and ushers. Think about possible colour themes and choose attendants outfits accordingly. Get the honeymoon brochures, it is important to book early if you are getting married in high season. Choose and order the wedding cake. Purchase shoes, Tiaras, jewellery and veil.
9 months to go:
Start planning your wedding gift list, Choose a florist to discuss your floral requirements. Decide on the style of flowers you want and the amount of arrangements required to include bouquets, posies, button-holes, venue and ceremony displays, table centres and gifts for mums. Finalise choices for your menu and drink package with the caterer.
8 months to go:
Choose what music you will be having throughout the ceremony, book any musicians you may be having, or church organist should you be having a religious wedding and Select hymns . Decide on readings. Make sure if you are having a civil ceremony the readings are not religious. Book stationary including invitations, order of service, menus name cards.
7 months to go:
Book transport. This may include Bride, attendants, groom. You may need transport for guests and for yourselves to the first night hotel, and transport to your honeymoon or airport.
6 months to go:
Purchase or hire the Grooms outfits, Ushers, best Man, Father of Bride/Groom. Choose presents for your attendants, best man, and Mother of Bride & Groom. Choose the wedding rings Start thinking about raising your normal beauty regime. If you have any very young children as guests then book entertainment or creche facilities. Arrange any Venue decoration.
5 months to go:
Of you’re changing your name allow plenty of time to have your passport renewed – you will need to ask the officiating minister or registrar to sign the application form for you. Make sure the grooms passport is valid for a honeymoon abroad. Check if Visas are required at your honeymoon destination
4 months to go:
Buy any going-away and honeymoon clothes. Attend initial fitting for the wedding dress Check with your practice nurse if any inoculations are required for your honeymoon. Book your first night hotel – this is traditionally done by the groom. If you have an active Will, have it amended to make sure it remains active after the wedding Notify your bank, Building Society DVLA and relevant authorities that you intend on changing your name and as of what date it will take affect
3 months to go:
Make an appointment with your beautician to try out some different looks. Book a wedding rehearsal to take place a couple of days before the wedding. Confirm your ceremony details with either your minister or registrar, arrange the marriage licence and/ or Arrange for the banns to be read
2 months to go
Send out invitations and keep a list of acceptances and refusals. Arrange a final fitting of wedding outfits, it is good at this stage to try everything on together such as headdress shoes and underwear to make sure everything works together and fits appropriately. Arrange Hen and Stag nights. Arrange for credit cards in your new name should you be changing it. Arrange hire of Wedding umbrellas and cake stand if required.
1 month to go:
Telephone any guests who have not yet responded to your invitation and Inform the caterers of the final number of guests. Work out the seating plan. Order honeymoon currency and travellers cheques. Visit your hairdresser to try out hairstyles with any veil and/or tiara you may have. Reconfirm arrangements with all businesses you have booked for your wedding day. Organise a date when you can pick up you’re wedding party outfits.
The final week: Make sure the grooms speech is completed
Pack for your honeymoon, double checking Passport, Tickets, Money
Send out ‘thank you’ letters as gifts arrive.
Give your ‘order of service’ sheets to the minister.
Book to have a fake tan applied if necessary, and a relaxing facial
Visit the hairdresser to have a trim, and get the groom to have a haircut
Wear-in your wedding shoes a little.
Have the hen and stag night.
Give the rings to the best man as well as any phone numbers he may need of your wedding services should they need to be contacted on the day |
