BEGIN PLANNING
- go to wedding shows and get wedding ideas
- Announce engagement in the newspapers
- Decide on amount of guests and budget
- decide on a wedding theme and colour scheme and time of day
- Choose Wedding date
- check venue, parents and all important people can attend.
- confirm date with venue reception and ceremony
- set up a wedding bank account
- select photo presentation type an album or a photobook
- select a wedding photographer and videographer
- draw up guest-list
- choose a wedding planner or coordinator
- get a wedding website
- plan a pamper party and bulls night out
- choose a wedding officiant/priest
- Pre-marital counseling
- book Master of Ceremony
- Setup one or more gift registries
- send save the date cards especially to overseas guests
- choose wedding attendants and matron of honor
- start a beauty and fitness program, see whats on the market to help you skin and your figure and maybe try a makeover.
- most couples consider a weight-loss program
- start looking options of where you are going to live together (renting / buying)
SIX MONTHS TO GO
- choose caterer and discuss menus
- arrange marriage contract
- order invitations and other wedding stationery
- Choose wedding gown and accessories. confirm delivery date including veil and garter
- Or book dressmaker and fabric and accessories including veil and garter
- book bar-tending services
- Ice sculptures, pyrotechnics and petals
- choose flowers and florist
- choose wedding cake and cake topper
- select entertainers and DJ’s
- Choose wedding rings for bride and groom
- choose and book honeymoon destinations. Make sure you have vaccinations, passports and visas
- select wedding transport
FIVE MONTHS TO GO
- choose music for reception and ceremony
- regular beauty treatments (remove unwanted hair) as well as manicures and pedicures
- wear in your wedding shoes to make them comfortable
- choose wedding entourage dresses and suites, including shoes and accessories
- dance lessons
- confirm menu
- confirm flowers and arrangements
- arrange leave from work
- visit the dentist
- go for checkup at doctors
- prepare for name change with banks and passport and ID, if applicable
- hire equipment and marquees
- hire decor
- make personalized number-plates for cars
- book accommodation and transport for out of town guests.
- shop for lingerie, honeymoon outfits, pre-wedding parties.
- look at insurance policies that you might want to begin together as well as wedding insurance
- write down all gifts and who they are from as they arrive.
- go for trial makeup and hair appointments (take your veil with)
- choose wedding gown dry cleaners for after your wedding
- organize foreign currency
- follow up on all suppliers to make sure all arrangements are confirmed
- confirm that you have all legal wedding documentation ready.
THREE MONTHS TO GO
- plan wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
- inform all the speech-makers at your wedding to start preparing speeches.
- plan seating plan
- buy groom and bridesmaids special gifts
- order wedding favors/gifts
- arrange venue to get dressed
TWO WEEKS TO GO
- go for final fitting of wedding dress with all accessories
- send all the guests and service providers a map with directions to get to the venues
- co-ordinate mothers and important peoples clothes and colours
- order sweets and treats
- confirm final guest count with venues and caterers
- announce wedding in newspapers
- have wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
- confirm transport and accommodation for the out of town guests
- Pack wedding day emergency kit include: Make-up, deodorant, extra stockings, rescue remedy, hair pins, pins, safety pins, clear nail polish, brush, hair spray, tissues, needle & thread (white), chalk , headache tablets, anti-acid medicine, band aids, toothpaste & brush, dental floss, breath mints.
- finalize seating plan
- clean wedding rings at the jewelers
- confirm and prepare all speeches
- make sure all wedding service providers have or will be payed
- confirm wedding day appointments and make a detailed schedule of the wedding day
- arrange for the wedding cake to be delivered
- confirm honeymoon bookings and collect foreign currency
- pack honeymoon suitcases with all documentation
- follow up on grooms duties
- send gift thankyou notes
- print or email copies of your wedding day schedule and hand them to the members involved.
- plan to have a relaxing day the day before your wedding, go to a spa of have a beauty treatment
- write personalized vows
- appoint someone to handle any last minute problems so that you can relax, as well as collect gifts after reception
TWO DAYS TO GO
- rings to the best man
- gather everything that must go with you in one area so that you do not forget anything
- prepare an overnight bag for the night of the wedding
- prepare your going away outfit
- confirm florist and cake maker
- confirm entourage
DAY BEFORE
- get a massage
- spoil yourself and relax in a hot bath and go to bed early
ON THE DAY
- have a good breakfast
- do a little exercise
- hairdresser
- makeup
- nails
- take ten deep slow breaths this is your wedding day, it is what you make of it…ENJOY IT!