Getting Organised

Now that the excitement of the engagement has calmed down a bit, it’s time to start the planning of the wedding day itself. This can seem like a mountainous task, but by sitting down together and making a written plan of action in chronological order, everything will come together nicely.

Use this checklist to get you started, but remember your wedding is completely individual, so feel free to add your own personal touches where required.

Start researching wedding ideas. Draw inspiration from friend’s weddings or bridal magazines.

Start a wedding folder which can include information from your research and important details.

Decide on your wedding budget. How much you want to spend will influence the rest of your decisions.

Decide who you want as best man, maid of honour, bridesmaids and ushers (and ask them).

Start your guest list. You will need a rough estimation of numbers to give venues and caters.

If you want to hire a wedding planner, do it now so you can work through the rest of the list with them.

Decide on a date and book your venue. Make sure you visit a few venues before making a final decision.

Book your officiant for the day, whether they be a priest, registrar or otherwise.

Send out ‘save the dates’ to your guests so they know when and where your wedding is.

Decide on your photographer and book them. Make sure to book a meeting with them before the wedding.

Decide on entertainment, whether it be DJ, live band or anything else and book them.

Send out invitations to your guests. Remember to ask for RSVP by a specific date and get dietary requirements. You might want to consider digital invitations which are cheaper and easier.

Purchase your wedding dress. You will need to do this well in advance to leave enough time for resizing and several fittings. Grooms may also want to purchase their outfit now.

Meet with your caterers (presuming your venue provides catering, if not then book catering now) and decide on your final menu. Remember to take your guests specific dietary requirements with you.

Book your florist and meet with them to discuss your flower arrangements.

Talk to your maid of honour and best man to discuss hen/stag do. In the modern world, it is acceptable for the bride and groom to be involved in the planning if they want to be.

Go shopping for bridesmaid dresses. Again, you will need to leave extra time for resizing and fittings but the groom may also want to take his groomsmen to get matching suits too.

Plan your honeymoon. Decide whether you want to go straight after the wedding or later on down the line.

Meet with your officiant to discuss how the ceremony will run on the day

Book or arrange your transportation for the day, whether you are hiring a wedding car, getting a taxi or jumping in a family member’s car.

Purchase your wedding rings and get them sized appropriately.

Book your wedding rehearsal and make sure all of the important people can attend. Try to get it booked around 2 months before the wedding.

Choose your wedding cake and get it ordered. You’ll need to think about who/how/when it will be collected and transferred to the venue.

If you haven’t already, purchase your wedding insurance policy.

Book a hair and makeup artist for the bride on the morning of the wedding.

Decide what music you would like on the day, including your first dance. If you want to hire a string quartet to go up the aisle, do so now. Send your playlist to the DJ/Band.

Give notice of your wedding at your local register office. This needs to be done at least 28 days before the wedding so it’s best to get it done early.

Order or create your own favours, if you are having any.

Make a list of all the people giving speeches and make sure the groom has at least started his!

If you are having any readings at the ceremony, finalise these now and confirm with the people giving the readings.

Finalise all details such as menu, flowers, order of service and the reception.

Meet with your photographer to discuss what exactly you would like included on the day.

Create your seating plan if you are having one.

Chase up any guests who have not yet responded as you will need to let the venue know numbers.

Send all of your final plan details to the wedding venue to ensure they can help with a smooth running of the day.

Confirm everything with each of your suppliers, including hair and makeup, photographer and catering.

Purchase gifts for the important people at the ceremony e.g. best man, parents, bridesmaids and ushers.

Ensure everyone who has a role at the wedding knows what they need to do and where they need to be.

Make as many payments to vendors as possible so you are not worrying about this after the wedding.

Make sure the cake has been collected and delivered to the venue.

Make sure the groomsmen all have their buttonholes.

Get someone to visit the venue early (perhaps the groom) to ensure everything is set up correctly

Have a backup plan for transport just in case!

Get to the venue on time and enjoy your wedding!