Time and tide wait for no man - a timeline to planning your big day
Oh boy! No sooner have you shown everybody the beautiful sparkle of the engagement ring on your finger, than you're running down the aisle, late for your own special day! To avoid a panic-stricken wedding, start planning early and use our simple tips to get yourself to the alter in a cool, calm and collected fashion.
A year before your wedding
Get organised. Either hire a wedding consultant to plan your day for you, or buy a book or one of the new computer programmes that help you keep track of your planning and raise alerts to tell you what you should be doing, month by month.
Finalise your budget and write it down. If you have to take out the paper and adjust the figures every time you're tempted to overspend, you'll be much more likely to stick to your agreed spending.
Choose your attendants.
Research locations for your wedding and reception, and book them as soon as possible.
Research and book your professionals. This includes the caterer, photographer, video maker, and florist. Don't forget the vicar or other celebrant!
Nine months before the wedding
Put together your guest list. It's always a good idea to sit down with both mothers and make sure you haven't left anybody off the list who's going to be mortally offended at not getting an invitation.
Begin looking for your gown now. Remember the time of year you'll be wearing it though!
Six months before the wedding
Meet with the professionals you've hired. Make decisions about your reception menu, music: whether band or DJ etc.
Order your invitations and announcements. Remember that ordering table stationery at the same time can reduce your costs and is likely to ensure you get a harmonised theme across your entire wedding. If you've sorted out your professionals you should be able to place one order and forget the issue of stationery - tick it off the list!
Shop for your bridesmaids' dresses.
Begin planning your honeymoon. Think about passports and visas and remember to check on immunisations.
If you are having a wedding gift list, decide on where to locate it now.
Three months before the wedding
Purchase your wedding rings.
Finalise your guest list.
Have your first gown fitting.
Choose your headpiece/tiara.
Make sure the menswear formal hire is organised.
Make plans for guests arriving from far away. Reserve hotel rooms, or confirm arrangements to stay with relatives, organise transportation, etc.
Six weeks before the wedding
Mail invitations.
Choose the music and vows for the wedding service.
Consider having a portrait photograph taken now, especially if you didn't have an engagement photo - you can have the picture on an easel at the reception and all your guests can sign the mount. It makes a wonderful souvenir of your day.
Announce your wedding in the newspaper if you choose.
If you're changing your name, or address, inform bank accounts, licenses, etc.
Have your final gown and headpiece fitting.
Book an evening out, just for the two of you, where all talk of weddings is strictly banned! You need a break and a chance to remember that a wedding is about love and romance, not planning, budgets and problems.
Organise the gifts for your attendants.
Two weeks before the wedding
Confirm all reservations: church, hairdresser, photographer, honeymoon, hotel for out of town guests. Do not think you don't need to do this because you've been talking to them all along - it's amazing how often people write things down wrongly, and unless you follow up, you may be the bride who misses out.
See your hairdresser for a trim or a touch up, but don't do anything drastic to your hair at this late date, save extravagant changes for after the wedding!
Arrange the seating plan for the reception.
One week before the wedding
Send thank you cards for gifts you've already received.
Gather the final headcount and give to the caterer.
Schedule the rehearsal a day or two before your wedding day.
Make sure those hen and stag nights are out of the way this week! Have fun but don't forget you want to be fit, pretty and calm for your wedding.
The day before the wedding
Visit a beauty salon for a manicure and pedicure; get a massage too, if you're seriously stressed.
Make sure the ushers have the final guest list.
On the day
Make sure one or the other of you has:
Eat something before going to the church. Oatcakes settle nervous stomachs.
Be happy!
A year before your wedding
Get organised. Either hire a wedding consultant to plan your day for you, or buy a book or one of the new computer programmes that help you keep track of your planning and raise alerts to tell you what you should be doing, month by month.
Finalise your budget and write it down. If you have to take out the paper and adjust the figures every time you're tempted to overspend, you'll be much more likely to stick to your agreed spending.
Choose your attendants.
Research locations for your wedding and reception, and book them as soon as possible.
Research and book your professionals. This includes the caterer, photographer, video maker, and florist. Don't forget the vicar or other celebrant!
Nine months before the wedding
Put together your guest list. It's always a good idea to sit down with both mothers and make sure you haven't left anybody off the list who's going to be mortally offended at not getting an invitation.
Begin looking for your gown now. Remember the time of year you'll be wearing it though!
Six months before the wedding
Meet with the professionals you've hired. Make decisions about your reception menu, music: whether band or DJ etc.
Order your invitations and announcements. Remember that ordering table stationery at the same time can reduce your costs and is likely to ensure you get a harmonised theme across your entire wedding. If you've sorted out your professionals you should be able to place one order and forget the issue of stationery - tick it off the list!
Shop for your bridesmaids' dresses.
Begin planning your honeymoon. Think about passports and visas and remember to check on immunisations.
If you are having a wedding gift list, decide on where to locate it now.
Three months before the wedding
Purchase your wedding rings.
Finalise your guest list.
Have your first gown fitting.
Choose your headpiece/tiara.
Make sure the menswear formal hire is organised.
Make plans for guests arriving from far away. Reserve hotel rooms, or confirm arrangements to stay with relatives, organise transportation, etc.
Six weeks before the wedding
Mail invitations.
Choose the music and vows for the wedding service.
Consider having a portrait photograph taken now, especially if you didn't have an engagement photo - you can have the picture on an easel at the reception and all your guests can sign the mount. It makes a wonderful souvenir of your day.
Announce your wedding in the newspaper if you choose.
If you're changing your name, or address, inform bank accounts, licenses, etc.
Have your final gown and headpiece fitting.
Book an evening out, just for the two of you, where all talk of weddings is strictly banned! You need a break and a chance to remember that a wedding is about love and romance, not planning, budgets and problems.
Organise the gifts for your attendants.
Two weeks before the wedding
Confirm all reservations: church, hairdresser, photographer, honeymoon, hotel for out of town guests. Do not think you don't need to do this because you've been talking to them all along - it's amazing how often people write things down wrongly, and unless you follow up, you may be the bride who misses out.
See your hairdresser for a trim or a touch up, but don't do anything drastic to your hair at this late date, save extravagant changes for after the wedding!
Arrange the seating plan for the reception.
One week before the wedding
Send thank you cards for gifts you've already received.
Gather the final headcount and give to the caterer.
Schedule the rehearsal a day or two before your wedding day.
Make sure those hen and stag nights are out of the way this week! Have fun but don't forget you want to be fit, pretty and calm for your wedding.
The day before the wedding
Visit a beauty salon for a manicure and pedicure; get a massage too, if you're seriously stressed.
Make sure the ushers have the final guest list.
On the day
Make sure one or the other of you has:
- the rings
- the fee for the priest, rabbi or justice of the peace
- payment for musicians at ceremony
- tips for altar boys or other service attendants
- payment for other contracted services
- aspirin, plasters, breath mints, lip balm - either in his pocket, or in a bag carried by your Chief Bridesmaid.
Eat something before going to the church. Oatcakes settle nervous stomachs.
Be happy!
