What You Will Need to Organise
| Published: 28th December 2007 17:34 |
Below is a list of things to do to help organise your big day. Remember though that everyone is different so it may be that some of the items do not apply to you or that you find some of your ideas missing. This is just meant as a guide to help you along the way, good luck!
As soon as possible
Set a provisional date for your wedding.
Decide on the type of ceremony i.e. religious or civil. If civil, decide between a register office or a licensed venue (England & Wales only).
Check the legal requirements for your type of wedding ceremony including any residency requirement and the documents that will be required (birth certificate, decree absolute certificate etc).
Establish who is going to pay for your wedding and agree a budget.
Compile a provisional guest list to establish an estimate of guest numbers for both the ceremony, day and evening receptions. This will help you budget accordingly and choose the size and style of venues.
Decide if you're going to plan and organise your wedding yourself or use a wedding co-ordinator.
If getting married in a church, visit the minister and provisionally book the wedding date.
If getting married by civil ceremony at a register office, provisionally book the register office.
If getting married by civil ceremony at a licensed venue in England or Wales, provisionally book superintendent registrar to attend the licensed venue.
Provisionally book venue or marquee for reception.
Provisionally book first night hotel room/bridal suite.
Confirm provisional bookings when the venues confirm availability. In England and Wales, you have to be married within 12 months of the date on which you gave notice of intent to marry. It must occur within three months in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Arrange wedding insurance before paying any deposits etc.
Decide on the type of catering you want, whether it will be a sit-down meal or buffet, select your reception menus and book the caterers.
Select and book your photographer and videographer.
Decide on the type of music and entertainment for your ceremony and reception.
Before booking musicians, band and/or DJ, arrange to see them perform live to check their act and standard.
Order the cake. The final design and colours can be decided later.
Book transport to and from the ceremony and reception for the bridal party, making sure that you view the actual vehicles that you will have on the day.
If you want to lose weight for your wedding then now is the time to start a healthy eating plan and exercise regime.
Start thinking about your wedding dress. Cut out any magazine pictures that appeal to you or bookmark your favourite designs online and get an idea of whether you want a designer gown, an 'off the peg' dress or a local dressmaker or friend to make one. Also consider buying second hand or hiring a dress.
Start shopping for your gown and try on as many styles as possible. Bear in mind that most dress manufaturers change their styles twice a year.
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5 Months To Go
Choose wedding attire for the chief bridesmaid (or matron of honour), bridesmaids and any flower girls. Start thinking about their shoes and accessories.
Choose outfits for the groom, best man, ushers, pageboys, ring bearer.
Liaise with both mothers on their choices of outfits and colours. Discuss the colour and style of corsage they want.
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.
Visit florists for quotes and discuss your requirements. Book preferred florist.
If you have any very young children as guests then book entertainment or creche facilities.
4 Months To Go
Choose your wedding rings.
Learn how to cope with stress now that the pace is hotting up!
Compile a gift list.
Finalise wedding cake design and colours.
Start a routine to get your skin, nails and hair feeling and looking good.
This is the perfect opportunity for a spot of well-earned pampering!
Start experimenting with your hair and make-up. Book for any highlights or colouring as this gives you plenty of time to grown out colour you are not happy with.
Check your passports for validity and give thought to your surname after marriage. If you intend adopting your husband's surname and wish to travel on your honeymoon in your married name, obtain passport application forms from a post office.
3 Months to Go
If you are getting married in Scotland by civil ceremony, book the registrar.
Send out your invitations and have your gift list ready for those who ask for it. Remember, it is not considered appropriate to include your gift list with the invitations. It is preferrable to include it in an information pack sent out to those guests who accept your invitation.
Order remaining items of wedding stationery e.g. order of service, menus, place cards and thank-you cards. Make sure you obtain your minister or registrar's final approval for your order of service before going to print!
Don't forget extra items like serviettes, cake boxes, menus and matchbooks.
Choose your going away outfits.
Apply for your passport if you are changing your surname upon marriage and wish to travel in your new name.
Arrange for any necessary visas to be issued.
Consult your doctor about any vaccinations needed for your honeymoon.
Discuss hair styles with your hairdresser. Take along any veil or headdress that you are interested in, a picture of your dress if possible and an idea of your colour-scheme.
Arrange for a trial run for your make-up. Take along a picture of your dress, and idea of your colour-scheme and flowers. Ask someone to take plenty of photographs of both your suggested hair and make-up so you can get an idea of what you will look like in your wedding pictures and adjust the styles accordingly.
2 Months To Go
Best Man and Chief Bridesmaid to arrange stag and hen parties.
Send out thank you letters as gifts arrive.
Make sure that guests have somewhere to stay and book rooms where necessary.
Upon receipt of acceptances from guests, send out an information pack containing maps and directions to your venues, local accommodation information, details of your gift list and any other relevant information.
Arrange for credit cards in your new name (if you are changing your name upon marriage).
Buy a guest book for people to sign on your wedding day.
Make sure you know what wedding traditions and ethnic or cultural customs you wish to include.
1 Month To Go
Book final hair appointments (earlier if you know that your hairdresser is very busy), and your make-up artist if you are having one. Confirm whether you will be going to the salon on the day or having stylists to your home.
Telephone guests who have not responded to your wedding inviation.
Send final number of guests to the caterer and the reception venue.
Prepare speeches and start practicing!
Check that all items of wedding clothing for the bridal party are on schedule for fitting and delivery or collection.
Check that the transport details are finalised, and arrange a practice drive from the bride's house to the church or register office. It is always worth checking with the police and council to see whether there are any road works or other hold-ups scheduled.
Choose and buy presents for attendants, family and friends.
Finalise your reception table plans and perhaps come up with alternative ways to name your tables.
Ensure you have bought all of your accessories and shoes.
1 - 2 Weeks To Go
Final rehearsal at the venue for the ceremony.
Wear-in your wedding shoes.
Make sure your order of service sheets, menus, place cards and thank-you cards have been delivered.
Order foreign currency and/or travellers cheques.
Celebrate at hen and stag parties.
Put together a list of telephone numbers in case of an on-the-day emergency such as a local cab firm, doctor's surgery and all the suppliers that will be attending or delivering items on your wedding day e.g. cake maker, florist, transport etc.
On The Day
Get up in plenty of time.
Try to stick to your timetable.
Have a relaxing bath and, even better, include a massage.
Be sure to eat breakfast.
Surround yourself with people you are comfortable with.
Prepare yourself in plenty of time so you do not feel rushed.
If you are going to a salon to have your hair done then do not forget to take along your headdress, veil or flowers.
Above all, relax, enjoy and have fun!
After Your Wedding
Notify bank, doctor etc. of any changes of name and address.
Send out final thank you letters for gifts.
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