wedding then be prepared to name the day at least six months ahead.


Pictures courtesy of www.alchemy-stitchcraft.co.uk


Organising a wedding Organising a family


wedding is the nearest most of us get to conducting a military operation.


It has been said in fact, that the Dunkirk evasion was a mere exercise when compared with the sheer logistics of conducting the happy couple through a tortuous day, to emerge at the other end, married, happy and sane.


This without losing a guest, offending various members of the family, confusing the gifts,


muddling the honeymoon or shooting the photographer!


If you have attended a wedding that proceeded smoothly without a hitch, except the one intended that is, you can be sure of one thing, that months of careful planning and organisation preceded the event.


The smoother the proceedings in fact, the more sheer hard work you can guarantee went into ensuring this smoothness.


As soon as the two of you have decided to get married you must get right down and organise a timetable of action.


Make several copies because if one thing is going to get lost, this is it.


If you know your family will want you to have the traditional type of family


Get together with your fiancé and parents, both sides, and decide right away just how formal or informal the even should be, where the ceremony is to take place and most important of all, how much you are going to spend on it.


It is so important to set this budget and having set it, to stick rigidly to it, tailoring everything to come within its confines.


If you don’t, there is a danger that costs will run away with you and you could start married life with a whacking great debt, as well as a mortgage.


The bride and her family have the lion’s share of the arrangements, so here is a list that may help.


ON THE ENGAGEMENT AND SOON AFTER:


• Visit and make arrangements with the Minister of religion or Registrar who will be conducting the ceremony, and set the date. If a licensed wedding venue is chosen, then the set date will also have to be booked with the Registrar.


• Plan the reception and if it is not to be at home, book the venue and caterers, well in advance.


• Draw up a list of wedding invitations having consulted with your fiancé’s family and having regard to the budget you will have decided upon.


• Shop for a wedding dress and those of the attendants. If the


wedding is to be a formal one with morning suits


for the gentlemen, be sure to book those that are to be hired as soon as possible. If they are to be tailor-made, then a visit to the tailor is also recommended as soon as possible.


• Book the photographer • Book the transport • See the florist.


• Discuss the honeymoon and get it booked up


• Plan your future home and its furnishings


THREE TO FIVE MONTHS BEFORE:


• Finalise travel plans and double check on the honeymoon booking.


• Start shopping for the trousseau having an eye to your budget.


• Order the wedding stationery, invitations, and printed order of service.


• Order any special stationery such as place cards and serviettes for the reception.


• Compile the gift list and give it to the bride’s mother to circulate.


• Help your mothers choose their outfits.


• Discuss music and other details of the service with the officiator.


TWO MONTHS BEFORE • Post wedding invitations.


• Plan the recording of wedding gifts and write ‘thank you’ notes.


• Record acceptances and refusals to invitations as they arrive.


• Check on the progress of any wedding clothes that have been ordered.


• Decide on gifts for the attendants.


• Arrange for the wedding cake and discuss the finer details of the reception with the caterers.


The Wedding - autumn 2012 3


• Buy the wedding ring(s) if you have not already done so.


• Go with your fiancé to get the wedding licence.


ONE MONTH BEFORE


• See your hairdresser and plan your style.


• Arrange seating plan for the reception.


• Try to inform the caterers of the final guest numbers.


• Finalise the trousseau.


• See to the legal niceties, changing name on bank and savings accounts, credit cards, etc. Inform the Tax Office and other relevant officials.


• Check to see that the prospective groom has made all his arrangements.


ONE WEEK BEFORE


• Make final checks on catering, cake, transport, photography, flowers, etc.


• Collect your wedding dress if you have not already done so.


• Have a wedding rehearsal if necessary.


• Make sure you have all you need for the honeymoon.


• Take your bridesmaids out to lunch or organise a hen night.


• Have your hair done. • Practise your make up.


• Arrange for your hair to be dressed on the wedding day.


• Slow down and try to relax, and have a happy, happy day!


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