Planning Check List

 


12 months Prior to Wedding Day

  • Blessing the Groom

    Once you have chosen the date, you will need to decide on the approximately times for your ceremony and your reception. Most people you contact will ask you for these details.

  • Decide on your wedding party size and who you'll ask.

  • Decide on wedding budget, and allocation of costs. Bear in mind that this will probably change as you plan out and organise your wedding.

  • Consider a wedding style or theme. (religious, civil, formal, beach).

  • Start a file for notes, pictures and snippets of things you like.

  • Start writing a guest lists to determine approximate numbers.

  • Begin discussing and planning your honeymoon.

  • Start researching possible reception sites

  • Things/people to book in well in advance. They can generally cater for only one wedding at a time - make sure it's yours.

    • Ceremony Venue.
    • Reception Venue.
    • Priest/Celebrant.
    • Limousines
    • Band/DJ
    • and of course – your photographer!!!

 

8 - 10 months from your wedding day.

  • Decide on Engagement party options, book and send out invitations.

  • Start looking at wedding gowns (remember you can buy or design your own).

  • Organise catering for your venue, if required.

  • Research music for your reception.

  • If you have out of town guests, help them to find a place to stay.

 

6-8 months

  • dresses

    Consider some gift registry options.

  • Choose and order your wedding gown.

  • Look for your shoes and accessories.

  • Bridesmaid dresses – decide to buy or have them made.

  • Book hairdresser and beautician for you and your bridesmaids.

  • Choose and order stationary and wedding invitations.

  • Choose your florist and discuss style options.

  • Book you annual leave with work.

  • Review and refine guest lists.

  • If you are catering for your reception, book equipment required such as marquee, crockery, lighting, chairs etc.

  • If you are using a videographer, research and book. (We can help with some suggestions).

  • Choose and order your wedding rings.

 

3 - 6 months from your wedding day.

  • Cake

    Dress fittings – both you and your bridesmaids.

  • Organise guys' suit hire or purchases.

  • Prepare pre wedding parties (shower tea, kitchen tea, bridal shower, bucks night, hens night).

  • Organise your passports for honeymoon (if required).

  • Research and order wedding cake.

  • Confirm guest list and numbers.

  • Organise the printing of your invitations and covers for Order of Ceremony.

  • Confirm with your florist your floral designs.

 

2 - 3 months

  • Confirm your menu (and perhaps trial it) with your caterer or reception venue.

  • Confirm your gift registry's for your reception.

  • If required, have dress fittings for your gown and your bridesmaid's gowns.

 

1 month

  • White Flowers

    Meet with your photographer refine the timing and locations for the day.

  • Final dress fitting, you and your bridesmaids.

  • Confirm arrangements with florist (check with venues as to their drop off specifications).

  • Finalise vows and readings with the Priest or  celebrant.

  • Finalise music for ceremony and reception.

  • Finalise order of ceremony/printing of programs.

  • Organise travellers cheques, foreign currency and travel insurance for honeymoon.

  • Trail make-up/facial/hair location if flowers are provided).

  • Finalise menu with caterer/venue (remember special dietary requirements of guests).

  • Book pedicure, manicure, massage to have just before your big day.

  • Plan wedding rehearsal with celebrant and venue.

 

2 weeks

  • Menu

    Confirm with suppliers and services.

  • Write out running sheet for wedding day and brief wedding party, confirm wedding rehearsal.

  • Confirm all dates with all parties – make note of mobile numbers on running sheet.

  • Call guests whom haven't replied.

  • Confirm songs with DJ or musicians.

  • Final hair cut/colour.

  • Prepare speeches.

  • Type out alphabetical list of guest names – seating plan.

  • Write out table cards.

  • Final dress fitting, check groom/groomsman outfits.

  • If bride is changing her surname, notify banks and credit institutions.

  • Confirm final numbers with caterer/venue.

  • Collect your gown.

  • Pack for honeymoon plus a separate overnight bag for your wedding night.

  • Pick up honeymoon tickets/confirm flights/accommodation Read over speech.

  • Organise someone to return hire clothes and equipment.

  • Call car/limousine company or drivers to reconfirm location and pick up times.

  • Manicure, pedicure, massage.

  • Lay out everything you will need for your wedding day.

  • Confirm flower and cake delivery.

  • Confirm hair and make-up appointments.

  • Prepare going away outfit and pack overnight bag.

  • Wedding rehearsal.

  • Organise and Finalise all payments.

  • Groom/Groomsmen pick up suit hire.

  • Organise gifts for attendants.

Relaxing

  • Organise fee envelope for ceremony if appropriate.

 

On The Wedding Day

  • Relax – enjoy your day and let everyone else look after you.