Wedding Planning Checklist

We’d like to share with you our very own “Wedding Planning Checklist”  to share with you things we feel that you deal with during the different stages of the wedding planning. We hope you find it useful as you plan the most romantic day of your life.

To Do Now:

• Share to all your family and friends the happy news about your engagement.
• Set a date and discuss this with your fiance and both your families.
• Be clear about your budget so you can plan well ahead according to how much you and your fiance are willing to spend on your wedding day.
• Think of the type of wedding you want to have- castle, beach, garden, church etc.
• Discuss with the whole family the number of guests you want to invite. Do you want it to be small and intimate or big and grand?
• Open a “wedding fund” bank account
• If you have the extra budget and if you feel that you really need one, book a wedding planner that you can get a long with and who have got the same understanding of what a romantic wedding means.
• Choose your wedding entourage and politely ask them if they will be honoured to be a part of your wedding.
• Start compiling a scrap book to get an idea of how you want your wedding day to be like. This will help you, wedding planners, suppliers and the whole wedding team to conceptualize your beautiful wedding ideas.
• Be happy and enjoy this new chapter of your life being an engaged couple…it is going to be fun, fun, fun from here.

Six to Twelve Months

• Book your venue atleast 12 months in advance especially if you want it to be a spring or summer wedding- they are very popular.
• Discuss with your wedding planner the type of wedding you want to have.
• Ask your wedding planner to give you a list of wedding vendors that she’s used and highly recommends. If you do not have a wedding planner, ask recommendations from friends and the wedding venue.
• Arrange to meet with your priest or registrar or minister to talk about your wedding plans and book them in advance.
• Send out your ‘save the date cards’ to family and friends.
• Think about your entourage’s outfit and discuss this with them.
• Start a fitness and beauty regimen as soon as you can so you can look good inside and out on your wedding day. You should get your husband-to-be to join you too, you’ll have fun for sure!
• Arrange an appointment with a few bridal shops for your first wedding dress appointment. You will enjoy this part and you can also bring your mum or best friend to join you. Buy your dress as early as possible, there is usually a six months lead time.

Four to Six Months

• Notice your priest or registrar or minister about your wedding order of service, all the readings and all wedding related issues.
• Tell your fiance to start looking for his wedding outfit and accessories.
• Order your wedding invitations and stationery.
• Shop around for your wedding ring. Remember to take your time and to choose one that you both love and feel comfortable with – you will be wearing it everday for the rest of your lives.
• Look for your wedding cake supplier and arrange for you and fiance to taste a few.
• Look for your wedding shoes, lingerie and wedding accessories.
• Start thinking and planning your honeymoon. This is another thing to look forward to after your big day.
• Recommend hotels for your guests to stay especially if you have friends from abroad or if it is an out of town wedding. Tell them to book in advance to avoid disappointments espcially if it is a very popular venue and peak season.

Two to Four Months

• Send out your beautiful wedding invitations including details of wedding gift list registry.
• Book a specialist wedding choreographer to help you plan your first wedding dance.
• Discuss and finalize menu including drinks with your chosen caterer and wedding planner.
• Arrange hen and stag night with your best man and bridesmaids.
• Confirm and finalize date and time with your church or registrar office.
• Go for your first dress fitting and make sure to bring all your wedding accessories with you.

One to Two Months

• Get in touch with relevant companies or government body if you want to change your last name.
• Confirm number of guests and make sure to inform your caterer and wedding planner.
• Book for your final wedding dress fitting.
• Book for your hair and make-up trials.
• Inform family, friends and entourage about the wedding rehearsal.
• Make sure that your fiance has got everything he needs for your special day.
• Ensure that your wedding entourage also have their outfits ready.
• Start thinking about your ‘thank you’ gifts to your parents and wedding entourage/wedding party.
• Get in touch with your wedding vendors to confirm they are all set for the big day.

Two Weeks to Go

• Remind your fiance, dad and the best man to polish their speeches ready.
• Print out place cards or start writing them down in a nice stationery.
• Find out where guests are staying so you can send them welcome and thank you notes.
• Type up list of moments or shots you want your photographer to capture and email it through to them.
• Confirm and make sure that your wedding party and wedding vendros are all set for the big day.
• Remind your fiance to have his haircut. Two weeks is usually required to let hair settle down.
• Write thank you notes as and when gifts arrive.

One Week to Go

• Reconfirm number with both the wedding venue, caterer, florist. If you have a wedding planner, she can do all that for you.
• Make sure everything is ready and in place including all small details for your wedding day.
• Arrange for your wedding cake to be delivered to the venue.
• Double check that your wedding dress and grooms outfit including entourage are all ready and complete.
• Have your final hair and make-up practice.
• Arrange for a wedding rehearsal few days before the wedding and make sure all bridal party are present.

Twentyfour Hours to Go

• Get as much beauty rest as you can.
• Have your manicure and pedicure done.
• Indulge yourself and fiance to a nice spa and pampering day.
• Relax and just enjoy looking forward to your happy wedding day.

Good luck to you all and I am sure you will all have a romantic and beautiful wedding! Remember, you only get married once so you have to enjoy every moment of the wedding planning.

Related posts:

1. Planning a Wedding on a Budget
2. Choosing a Wedding Venue
3. Rosalind Miller Wedding Cakes
4. The Wentworth Club Wedding Open Day 2012
5. Wedding Dress – 7 Tips Before You Go Shopping