Countdown To The Big Day

Planning your wedding needn’t be stressful!
Follow our countdown to your big day and see
just how manageable planning your big day can be...

 

12 months

•    Inform friends and relatives about your engagement
•    Choose an engagement ring
•    Discuss the style of the wedding and where it will be held
•    Set a budget
•    Compile a guest list of names and addresses
•    If you are having a Church of England ceremony, set a date with the minister
•    Make an appointment with the local registrar
•    If you want a religious ceremony, speak to your faith leader
•    Book your ceremony venue
•    Arrange a civil ceremony with a superintendent registrar, if needed
•    Book your reception venue
•    Start a file for quotes and invoices
•    Arrange wedding insurance
•    Hire a photographer
•    Book hair and make-up artists
•    Look for a Master of Ceremonies
•    Think about who your bridesmaids and best man will be
•    Start looking for a dress
•    Start eating well and exercising regularly

 

6-12 months

•    Organise your wedding transport
•    Arrange fittings for the bridesmaids and ushers
•    Book a florist
•    Order a wedding cake
•    Choose favours
•    Select table decorations
•    Have the stationery printed
•    Finalise your gift list
•    Choose, buy and insure the rings
•    Write or choose your vows
•    Select your ceremony music
•    Book you hotel rooms for the wedding night
•    Confirm your honeymoon booking
•    Prepare to grow your hair for the style you want
•    Buy bridal lingerie and wear it to your bridal fittings
•    Groom to be measured for his suit

3-6 months

•    Choose the drinks list
•    Confirm you wedding breakfast menu
•    Send out the invitations
•    Make sure your passports are up to date
•    Select a veil and headpiece
•    Book a practice-run with your hairdresser and make-up artist
•    Help mothers select their outfits

1 month

•    Provide the venue with seating plans
•    Confirm numbers with the caterer
•    Hold the stag and hen dos
•    Follow up the final RSVPs
•    Have the final dress fitting
•    Purchase all your accessories
•    Keep track of gifts and write thank you letters
•    Give an itinerary of the day to your attendants, suppliers and venues,
     including important contact numbers
•    Collect the wedding rings
•    Confirm the music selection or song list with the DJ or band
•    Check suppliers have all the correct details, dates, phone numbers and addresses
•    Buy gifts for the attendants

2 weeks

•    Indulge in deep-cleansing facial or massage treatments
•    Visit the hairdresser for a final trim
•    Take delivery of the dress

1 week

•    Have waxing treatments
•    Pack your honeymoon suitcase and going away outfit separately
•    Have a rehearsal
•    Distribute instruction lists among the attendants

1 day before

•    Charge all mobile phones
•    Have a manicure, pedicure and massage
•    Wash your hair if you’re having a fiddly up-do
•    Lay out everything ready for the morning
•    Have a relaxing evening
•    Get a good night’s sleep

On the day

•    Allow plenty of time to get ready
•    Enjoy a good breakfast
•    Spend time with your family before the ceremony
•    Stick to the look you have planned and don’t start experimenting
•    Have informal photographs taken before you go to the ceremony
•    Give presents to the attendants
•    Make sure someone is keeping track of presents