Plan as far ahead as possible. Decide as a couple, right from the start, the kind of day that you would like.


Map it out on a large piece of paper, adding phone numbers and contacts as you go along.


Show the plan to anyone who is involved in the planning of your day.


• Set a provisional date for your wedding.


• Decide on the type of ceremony i.e. religious or civil. If civil, decide between a register office or a licensed venue.


• Check the legal requirements including any residency requirement and the documents that will be required.


• Agree a budget.


• Compile a provisional guest list for both the ceremony, day and evening receptions.


• If getting married in a church, visit the minister and provisionally book the wedding date.


• If getting married by civil ceremony at a register office,


provisionally book the register office.


• If getting married by civil ceremony at a licensed venue provisionally book superintendent registrar to attend the licensed venue.


• Provisionally book venue or marquee for reception.


• Provisionally book first night hotel room.


• Arrange wedding insurance before paying any deposits etc.


• Confirm provisional bookings when the venues confirm availability.


• Send out your invitations and compile a gift list ready for those who ask for it.


• Decide on the type of catering you want, sit-down meal or buffet, book the caterers and select your menus.


• Select and book your photographer and videographer.


• Select and book music and/or entertainment for your ceremony and reception.


• Order the cake.


• Book transport to and from the ceremony and reception for the bridal party.


• Choose the wedding dress. Decide whether you want a designer gown, an ‘off the peg’ dress or a local dressmaker or friend to make one. Also consider buying second hand or hiring a dress. Don’t forget about shoes and accessories.


• Choose outfit for the groom. Don’t forget about shoes and accessories.


• Choose wedding attire for the chief bridesmaid, bridesmaids and any flower girls, best man, ushers, pageboys, ring bearer.


• Decide on the flowers and the amount of arrangements required such as bouquets, posies, button-holes, venue and ceremony displays, table centres and gifts for mums.


• Visit florists for quotes and discuss your requirements. Book preferred florist.


• Choose your wedding rings and any other wedding jewellery.


• Book hair appointments, manicure and make-up artist. Confirm whether you will be going to the salon on the day or having stylists to your home.


• Decide on what type of honeymoon you want to have. Make any travel arrangements.


• If wish to travel abroad on your honeymoon check passports for validity. Apply for your passport if you intend adopting your husband’s surname. Arrange for any necessary visas to be issued. Order foreign currency and/or travellers cheques. Consult your doctor about any vaccinations needed.


• Order items of wedding stationery e.g. order of service, menus, place cards, thank-you cards and a guest


Celebrate Weddings - autumn / winter 2011-2012 9


book for people to sign on your wedding day. Make sure you obtain your minister or registrar’s approval for your order of service before going to print.


• Don’t forget extra items like serviettes, cake boxes, menus and matchbooks.


• Choose your going away outfits.


• Make sure that guests have somewhere to stay and book rooms where necessary.


• Upon acceptances from guests, send out an information pack containing maps and directions to your venues and local


accommodation information.


• Arrange for credit cards in your new name (if you are changing your name upon marriage).


• Make sure you know what wedding traditions and ethnic or cultural customs you wish to include.


• Send final number of guests to the caterer and the reception venue.


• Prepare speeches and start practising!


• Choose and buy presents for attendants, family and friends.


• Put together a list of telephone numbers in case of an emergency such as a local cab firm, doctor’s surgery and all the suppliers that will be attending or delivering items on your wedding day e.g. cake maker, florist, transport etc.


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