• Announce your engagement if you haven’t done so already!
• Decide how the wedding (and honeymoon) shall be financed and agree the budget.
• Consider what style of wedding you would like.
• Make an initial list of the guests you’d like at your wedding. This will assist you in choosing a suitable sized venue.
• Find a wedding planner to help you get the best out of your day.
• Choose a venue.
• Contact the officiant who will conduct the ceremony.
• Book a caterer if needed. Make time for food tastings.
• Research and book wedding musicians and wedding entertainers (DJ, magician, caricaturist, musicians, band, etc.) • Good entertainers are often in high demand and are booked months in advance.
• Decide on the theme of the wedding. Be sure to speak with your suppliers on how the theme can be incorporated into the services they offer.
• Send out ‘save the date’ cards.
• Select the bridal party members and let them know in what way that can assist.
• Start researching wedding dress styles.
• Research accommodation and transport for your guests.
• Book transportation for your guests.
• Select wedding invitations and choose wording.
• Choose table card design.
• Find a florist.
• Research beauty products and hair and make-up artists.
•Order your wedding dress.
• Buy wedding dress accessories (veil, tiara/headpiece, shoes, and jewellery)
• Order the Groom’s, usher's and pageboys' outfits.
• Choose the bridesmaids' and flowergirls' dresses.
• Let mum know what the wedding theme and colours are so that she can choose a complimentary mother of the bride outfit.
• Decide on the food to be served at the reception.
• Determine order of ceremony events.
• Review wording on the wedding invitations.
• Book honeymoon and arrange transportation to and from the airport.
• Start to organise hen party and stag party.
• Research venue decoration ideas and suppliers.
• Have your first dress fitting.
• Choose wedding rings.
• Book wedding day transportation for the bride and groom.
• Prepare a wedding music playlist for during the ceremony, reception and first dance.
• Decide whether you would like wedding gifts from your guests and what you would like.
• Order your wedding cake.
• Write wedding vows.
• Groom has suit fitting.
• Purchase groom’s accessories (cufflinks, shoes, etc.).
• Review the wedding invitation wording.
• Have your second dress fitting.
• Create the seating plan for your guests.
• Choose wedding favours.
• Purchase wedding ‘thank you’ gifts for the bridal party and parents.
• Post wedding invitations to guests.
• Buy a gift for your soon to be husband or wife.
• Discuss the preparation details of the entertainers and suppliers with the venue manager.
• Collect your dress.
• Make contact with those whose invitation replies you have not received.
• Give final guest numbers to the venue manager and caterers.
• Confirm music selections.
• Confirm details with all suppliers and entertainers.
• Create a schedule for the day to hand out to the bridal party.
• Go through the ceremony details with your officiant.
• Arrange the care for any pets whilst on honeymoon.
• Have a hair and make-up trial.
• Discuss wedding duties with the bridal party.
• Order travel money.
• Arrange for the return of the groom’s hire wear after the wedding.
• Check honeymoon arrangements.
• Start packing for the honeymoon.
• Get pampered! It will have been a busy and possibly stressful past few weeks. Take this time to recharge your batteries ahead of the big day and treat yourself.