Advance Planning of your Wedding.
As the wedding date approaches, less and less time will be
available for wedding preparations.
You need to be in a position to enjoy the
days leading up to your wedding,
as well as the wedding itself.
To do this you must start planning your wedding early,
the
earlier the better.
An average wedding is planned at least 9 to 12 months in advance.
Here is a guide to the things you need to plan for your big
day.
Up To 12 Months Before The Wedding
Announce your engagement
Set your date -
decide if you want a civil or religious
ceremony
and book the church or other venue.
See a minister or registrar to
arrange the ceremony
and any paperwork you may need well in advance.
Select your best man, chief bridesmaid, attendants
and other
key members of wedding party.
Plan your budget.
This will allow you to establish who pays
for what
Draw up your guest list.
Check with your place of ceremony,
they may have limits on the number
of guests attending the wedding, fire
regulations for example.
You can always invite a lot more to the reception
Select your venue for the reception.
In some cases you might
have to book a year in advance.
Check they have a room for you to change out of
wedding attire into your going away clothes.
Book your professionals
i.e. Photographer (hopefully me!),
Caterer, Entertainment, Cars, Florist etc.
Think about your color scheme for the wedding
3 To 6 Months Before The Wedding
Confirm your booking with the caterer
and select your menu
and drinks for the wedding
breakfast and/or buffet for the reception
Select your color scheme
and order your wedding dress and
bridesmaids dresses.
Start wearing your wedding shoes around the house,
as this
will break them in and make them more comfortable on the day
Decide on what the groom will wear
and clothing for the best
man and ushers, normally matching tuxedos.
Confirm color scheme with florist and cake designer.
Organise the flowers for the church and the reception
as well as the bridal
bouquet sprays and buttonholes
Go shopping together and select your wedding rings
Decide upon a Wedding Gift Registery List
and place at a store of your
choice.
If you are setting up home this is the time to get all the essentials
you need.
If you are already have those items, some couples prefer to ask for
cash to contribute towards larger items or towards the honeymoon
Choose a honeymoon destination
and book early.
Apply for a
new passport (in your married name ladies!!!)
and inform your doctor, bank,
credit card etc. of your change of name
Order your invitations and stationery needs
Decide upon and order your reception favors.
Be sure to order disposabile cameras for every guest table at the reception.
You will enjoy the casual photos that everyone will take.
Leave a little note that the camera should be used freely
and left on the table to be collected at the end of the night.
Help both mothers coordinate their outfits.
2 Months Before The Wedding
Send out your invitations and keep note of all replies
Buy your going away clothes
List gifts as they arrive and write Thank You notes
Book a hotel room for your wedding night
Buy gifts for bridesmaids, best man, ushers
and anyone else
you wish to thank
1 Month Before The Wedding
Follow up on invitation replies
Finalise the guest list
and confirm the final numbers with
the caterers.
Confirm all transport arrangements
Visit you hairdresser with your headdress
to try out some
hairstyles
and ifs worth paying a visit to a beautician for some advice on makeup.
Time to arrange your stag/hen nights.
Stag parties are
arranged by the best man and
hen parties are arranged by the chief bridesmaid,
or if you have joint friend have one big party if you'd prefer
The Week Before The Wedding
Have the final fittings for the Bride's dress, bridesmaids
dresses,
groom's and usher's clothing
Practice you hair and makeup
Get the packing done for the honeymoon.
Buy Travelers
cheques and keep your tickets and passport in a safe place,
so there's no panic
at the last minute
Prepare seating arrangements (if necessary)
Make sure your marriage license is in order
Have the wedding ceremony rehearsal
Instruct your wedding party on what they do on the wedding
day.
Be sure that everyone knows your plan for photography after the ceremony
Give your best man the payment for the caterers, photographer, etc.
Confirm the caterer in writing the final head count
Check final arrangements with florist to ensure flowers
arrive on time,
and confirm your photograph requirements with the photographer,
including any extra ideas you have thought of.
