Wedding Check List

AFTER YOUR ENGAGEMENT

• Set a wedding date and decide what time you would like it to take place i.e. morning or an evening wedding, thereafter you can decide what time you would like the church service and reception to start.
• Select a venue for both your ceremony and reception.
• Make an appointment to see a ceremony official to discuss you ceremony procedures; and see if the date & time will be suitable.
• Decide on the size of your wedding and make sure that you do check with both families that you have included everybody.
• Also decide on how formal you would like your wedding and remember to include this in your invitation.
• Start with your guest list, inform the groom's parents of the size of the wedding and how many guest that they can invite. Specify the date you need the final numbers by.
• It is important to set a budget and this needs to be discussed with all parties involved and to determine who will pay for what.
• It might be helpful if you start a wedding file where you can keep all your notes, quotes and contracts together.
• Book your wedding photographer & Videographer.

6 TO 8 MONTHS AHEAD

• Discuss honeymoon destinations with your groom and make all the necessary arrangements. *Please do keep in mind that your might need your passport so check the expiry dates and visas.
• Select your wedding attendants i.e. bridesmaid(s), best man, groomsmen, flower girl(s), pageboy(s), usher(s) & master of ceremonies.
• Select and/or design your wedding invitations, RSVP cards, thank-you cards, order of service, hymn sheets, menu's and gift favours.
• Make appointments with a dress designer and select your style wedding dress, remember that if you are going to get a wedding dress made it will require a few fittings.
• Arrange dress and suit fittings for our groom and attendants.
• Decide on a colour scheme or a theme for your wedding.
• Select a florist & décor company and discuss your ideas & colour scheme with them.
• Book your hair and make-up artist.
• Select music and/or DJ for your ceremony and reception.
• find out from the venue if they can do the catering; discuss the menu selections with the chef.
• Decide and book a wedding car and remember to arrange transport for your bridal party to and from the ceremony & reception.

2 MONTHS AHEAD

• Complete your bridal registry at the appropriate stores and mail this together with your invitations.
• Decide on your wedding cake and place an order.
• If you do need to order in any extra equipment i.e. chairs, tables or a marquee tent do this now.
• Arrange fittings for you attendants.
• Assist with any accommodation arrangements for out of town guests.
• Start with your honeymoon shopping to get all the bits you need in time, to avoid the last minute rush.
• Start shopping for gifts for your attendants.
• This will be a good time to do a health check up, make an appointment with your doctor.
• Check that all documentation is in order i.e. with the marriage officer, insurance consultant, solicitor, banks etc.
• if you have received any wedding gifts at this stage start with your thank-you cards.

1 MONTH AHEAD

• If you have any unanswered invitations, follow these up at this stage as you will need your final number.
• Contact all the parties/suppliers involved to see if all the wedding arrangements are on track i.e. florist, wedding cake, dress maker, venue, catering, photographer etc.
• Arrange a final fitting for your wedding dress
• Make an appointment to do a trial run on your hair and make-up.
• Schedule a ceremony rehearsal with everybody involved. This will also show the little ones where to stand and what to do and will help you and your groom on the day as well.
• Once your wedding dress is completed see what accessories you need to complete your wedding dress.
• If you have any personal shopping or honeymoon shopping left to do try and complete it at this stage.

1 TO 2 WEEKS TO GO

• Confirm the final numbers with the venue as they need to inform the chef for all the preparations.
• Finalise the details with your suppliers i.e. florist, décor, photographer, make-up artist and DJ.
• If you would like to place your wedding announcement in the newspaper, contact your local newspaper and make the necessary arrangements.
• Confirm all the transport, accommodation & honeymoon arrangements.
• Pack for your honeymoon.
• This might be a little tricky but you will have to sit down and work out your seating/table arrangements for the reception.
• Set-up a program or a running order for the day, this you have to give to your MC, best man, venue, photographer & DJ in order for all of them to know when what is happening.
• All speeches need to be prepared and finalised.
• Be good to yourself. If you can, take some time off and pamper yourself with facials, pedicure, manicure and massages. This is a perfect way to prepare for your wedding day and to look your best!

1 DAY TO GO

• Run through the day with your groom and parents to get some idea of what is going to happen.
• Get everything ready that you might need for the day i.e. dress, accessories, shoes, going away outfit etc. – make sure you remember your; something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.
• Take a nice long hot bath the night before & just relax!

THE BIG DAY!

• It is important to have a nice healthy breakfast which will give you the energy you might need, this is overlooked a lot of the times and is important.
• The most important is to just relax and enjoy the day – remember to pause once in a while to take it all in as it is once in a life time experience.