'Congratulations ' to you both on your engagement and forth coming Wedding.
3 - 4 Months
The best time to organise and order your Wedding stationery, is at least 3-4 months prior to your set Wedding date.
2 Months -
Prior to Wedding date, you will need to finalise details of your 'Order of Service '
Stationery and confirm printing details with your stationers.
Send Wedding Invitations and gift list details to your guests or organise to have your stationers send them to your guests on your behalf.
Send out Thank you cards, as your gifts arrive.
1 Month -
Finalise all remaining details for your ' Order of Day' stationery and confirm with stationers and have printed off.
2 Weeks -
Prior to Wedding day, confirm guest numbers with caterers and provide your stationers with details of table plan/seating arrangements; also table numbers or guest name place cards and if using favours for your tables.
Book a photographer and or videographer.
Organise Wedding insurance.
Announcements
Tell relatives and close up friends of your good news.
Place announcement of your forthcoming wedding in the local press.
Arrange meeting with your priest, minister of your choice.
If you have chosen a civil ceremony, make appointment and book the Registry office.
Set a budget of what you can afford or want to spend.
Choose your chief bridesmaid, best man and other attendants
decide on the number of guests you wish to attend your ceremony and draw up guest lists with both sets of parents.
Try to arrange to visit Venue's for your Wedding and reception.
Discuss with caterers/hotels menu choices and estimates for food and drink.
Make all reception bookings
Start your search for your Wedding dress and attendants outfits.
'3 Months
Arrange a second meeting with your minister or priest to discuss your style of service and agree dates and date for reading of the banns. If your choice of church is other than a Church of England church then you must give notice to The superintendent Registrar at your local registrar of Marriages.
Choose your hymns and music for the ceremony and book musicians.
Order the Wedding cake.
Place an order for all your Wedding stationery requirements.
Decide on your florists and discuss requirements.
Arrange Wedding dress fittings and plan your going away outfit.
Book appointmentwith hairdresser and discuss hairstyle options.
Book both the hotel for your first night of honeymoon.
Arrange passports and inoculations if necessary.
Choose Wedding rings or make appointment with designer if you have designed your rings.
Book Wedding cars. Organise gift list.
2 Months Finalise your order of service and order printed sheets.
Reconfirm all your prior bookings.
Post invitations with gift list details.
Send out Thank you cards as gifts arrive.
Buy all your accessories.
Check the Best man and groom have all their clothes organised.
Choose gifts for all your attendants.
1 Month
Book hairdressers and make-up appointments for the morning of the Wedding.
Make sure everyone involved in the wedding knows what's happening and when.
2 Weeks
Try on your full Wedding outfitting and practicing walking in your shoes.
Confirm the number of guests with your caterers and finalise plans with your stationers to have a seating plan drawn up for your reception.
Pack for honeymoon and order traveller cheques.
1 Week
Arrange a rehearsal at the venue, if required.
Confirm all reception arrangements in writing.
Confirm photographer, flowers, and transport
Check that the groom, your father and the best man have all their speeches prepared.
The day before
Help to decorate the reception venue if necessary.
Arrange for the cake to be delivered to the reception venue.
Have a manicure
Have honeymoon luggage sent to the reception venue.
Relax have a long bath and an early night.
On the day
Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get ready in the morning.
Have the bouquets, buttonholes and corsages delivered or send someone to collect them from the florists.
The Mother-of-the-bride, plus any bridesmaids leave first, followed by the bride and her father. The groom and best man make their own way and should arrive at the ceremony venue approx 15 minutes before the bride.
It is the Best man’s job to ensure that all guests have transport between the ceremony and the reception.
Speeches usually come after the food and before coffee. The bride’s father speaks first, then the groom and the best man.
Traditionally, the bride and groom leave the reception before their guests.