WEDDING CHECKLIST
your guide to the perfect day
It is very difficult to try and remember everything so here is a checklist to follow. Keep this with you at all times and it will be a guideline for all the things you must do.
Whatever you do, don’t panic; everything will come together in the end. After all the most important thing to remember is you are marrying the love of your life.
ONE YEAR BEFORE THE WEDDING
• Set the date. Agree a time with your priest, minister or registrar.
• Discuss your plans with the person who will be performing the ceremony.
• Decide on a budget. Remember to suit your reception to your budget and to both your personal taste and wishes.
• Decide on the type of ceremony, type of reception and how many guests will attend. Choose your venue and meet with the people in charge. Book early and get several quotes for all hotels, caterers and musicians.
• Plan your wedding cake, cars, photographer and florist.
• Think about wedding clothes and costumes (especially The Dress!), colours, fabrics and accessories.
• Get yourself booked on a pre-marriage course. Choose and book your honeymoon.
3-6 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
• Order wedding stationery, cake boxes and favours.
• Discuss your order of service with the person performing the ceremony and decide on service sheets for guests.
• Agree your wedding menu with your caterers and if toastmasters, pipers, cloakroom attendants etc need to be booked, do this now.
• Decide on a wedding list.
• Choose the rings.
• Organise visa, passports etc. Think about going away clothes and clothes for your honeymoon. Choose shoes to go with your wedding dress.
10-12 WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING
• Make sure you have all the appropriate documents and certificates to enable the marriage ceremony to take place.
• Finalise details of your colour scheme, bouquets, buttonholes and arrangements with the florist.
• Finalise the wedding guest list and have the invitations sent. Remember to keep a careful track of replies.
• Record and write thank you letters for any wedding presents you may receive. Choose gifts for the best man, bridesmaids and attendants.
• Discuss with your attendants their requirements for accommodation, where they will change etc. Arrange accommodation also for any travelling guests.
A MONTH BEFORE THE WEDDING
• Final fittings for the wedding dress and bridesmaids’ dresses and finalise arrangements for the groom’s and best man’s clothing.
• Have your hair and make-up rehearsal. Remember to bring the headdress you will be wearing on the day so the experts can plan your look accordingly.
Finalise details of the honeymoon and for the church, venue and reception and the seating plan.
• Plan the wedding rehearsal with the person who will be performing the ceremony. Plan your hen and stag nights.
• For many couples the last month or so before the wedding can be stressful at times. Why not book yourself a beauty treatment, massage or quiet night away and get some relaxation to recharge your batteries.
A FORTNIGHT TO GO
• Organise honeymoon and going away clothes and pack (don’t forget passports, tickets and visas). If you need travellers cheques, car hire, insurance or any other documentation, now is the time to do it.
• Give final numbers to the people organising the reception. Plan place cards, table settings, linen etc.
• Finalise details with the photographer, florist, caterers, car hire etc.
• Try on all the wedding clothes including shoes, headdress, underwear etc and make sure everything fits correctly and is comfortable (Your wedding day will be a long one and should be as hassle free as possible!).
A WEEK TO GO
• Have your wedding rehearsal.
• Organise fees for church or registry office), musicians (both at ceremony and reception) and make sure the best man takes care of these.
• Do a final check on honeymoon packing. Give tickets and travel documents to the best man for safekeeping.
THE DAY BEFORE
• Make sure the wedding cake is OK and organise transportation to the reception. Present your attendants with their gifts.
• Have a manicure, pedicure, bath and an early night!
THE WEDDING DAY
Pace yourself. Get as much rest as possible and eat a good breakfast.
• Have a relaxing bath followed by hair styling and make-up.
• Give yourself lots of time to dress and get ready to allow for any last minute hiccups. Take your time and enjoy yourself. This is your day, so savour it.