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| Countdown
To Your Wedding |
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 There's
lots to organise when planning a wedding but don't panic, we're here
to help. Print out our checklist of the things to do and when to do
them, then tick the boxes for ultimate satisfaction!
The following checklist provides you with a guide as to when you should
carry out certain tasks, and arrange and book the numerous suppliers
and services for your wedding.
We have put most of the main items in the 'as soon as possible' category
since the best and most popular venues and suppliers can be fully
booked a year or two in advance, especially during the busy months
of May to August. However, you can leave these nearer the date of
your wedding, particularly if you wish to pick up late booking bargains.
There are no rules as to the length of time between getting engaged
and your wedding day so use this list a general guide to the order
of tasks rather than a date line. However, if you require specific
venues, suppliers or services you should book them as soon as possible
to avoid disappointment.
We have also included hyperlinks throughout the checklist, which will
take you to other pages on our website where you will find further
information.
As soon as possible:
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Set a provisional date
for your wedding. |
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Decide on the type of
ceremony i.e. religious or civil. If civil, decide between a
register office or a licensed
venue (England & Wales only). |
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Check the legal requirements
for your type of wedding ceremony including any residency requirement
and the documents that will be required (birth certificate,
decree absolute certificate etc). |
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Establish who is going to pay for
your wedding and agree a budget
. |
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Compile a provisional
guest list to establish
an estimate of guest numbers for both the ceremony, day and
evening receptions. This will help you budget accordingly and
choose the size and style of venues. |
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Decide if
you're going to plan and organise your wedding yourself or use
a wedding co-ordinator. |
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If getting married in
a church, visit the minister and provisionally book the wedding
date. |
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If getting married by
civil ceremony at a register office, provisionally book the
register office. |
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If getting married by
civil ceremony at a licensed venue in England or Wales, provisionally
book superintendent registrar to attend the licensed venue. |
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Provisionally book venue
or marquee for reception. |
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Provisionally book first
night hotel room/bridal suite. |
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Confirm provisional
bookings when the venues confirm availability. In England and
Wales, you have to be married within 12 months of the date on
which you gave notice of intent to marry. It must occur within
three months in Scotland and Northern Ireland. |
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Arrange wedding insurance
before paying any deposits etc. |
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Decide on the type of
catering you want, whether it will be a sit-down meal or buffet,
select your reception menus and book the caterers. |
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Select and book your
photographer and videographer
. |
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Decide on the type
of music and entertainment for your ceremony and reception.
Before booking musicians, band and/or DJ, arrange to see them
perform live to check their act and standard. |
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Order the cake. The
final design and colours can be decided later. |
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Book transport to and
from the ceremony and reception for the bridal party, making
sure that you view the actual vehicles that you will have on
the day. |
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If you want to lose
weight for your wedding then now is the time to start a healthy
eating plan and exercise regime. You may wish to use our Weight
Loss Forum for advice and support. |
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Start thinking about
your wedding
dress. Cut out any magazine pictures that appeal to you
or bookmark your favourite designs online and get an idea of
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. |
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Start shopping for your
gown
and try on as many styles as possible. Bear in mind that most
dress manufaturers change their styles twice a year. |
5 Months To Go
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Choose wedding attire
for the chief bridesmaid (or matron of honour), bridesmaids
and any flower girls. Start thinking about their shoes and accessories. |
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Choose outfits for the
groom, best man, ushers, pageboys, ring bearer. |
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Liaise with both mothers
on their choices of outfits and colours. Discuss the colour
and style of corsage they want. |
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Decide on the style
of flowers you want and the amount of arrangements required
to include bouquets, posies, button-holes, venue and ceremony
displays, table centres and gifts for mums. |
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Visit florists for quotes
and discuss your requirements. Book preferred florist. |
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If you have any very
young children as guests then book entertainment or creche facilities. |
4 Months To Go
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Choose your wedding
rings. |
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Learn how to cope with stress now that
the pace is hotting up! |
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Compile a gift list. |
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Finalise wedding cake
design and colours. |
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Start a routine to get
your skin, nails and
hair feeling and looking good. This is the perfect opportunity
for a spot of well-earned pampering! |
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Start experimenting
with your hair and make-up. Book for any highlights or colouring
as this gives you plenty of time to grown out colour you are
not happy with. |
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Check your passports
for validity and give thought to your surname
after marriage. If you intend adopting your husband's surname
and wish to travel on your honeymoon in your married name, obtain
passport
application forms from a post office. |
3 Months To Go
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If you are getting married
in Scotland by civil ceremony, book the registrar. |
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Send out your invitations and have
your gift list ready for those who ask for it. Remember, it
is not considered appropriate to include your gift list with
the invitations. It is preferrable to include it in an information
pack sent out to those guests who accept your invitation. |
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Order remaining items
of wedding stationery e.g. order of service, menus, place cards
and thank-you cards. Make sure you obtain your minister or registrar's
final approval for your order of service before going to print!
Don't forget extra items like serviettes, cake boxes, menus
and matchbooks. |
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Choose your going away
outfits. |
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Apply for your passport
if you are changing
your surname upon marriage and wish to travel in your new
name. |
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Arrange for any necessary
visas to be issued. |
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Consult your doctor
about any vaccinations needed for your honeymoon. |
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Discuss hair styles
with your hairdresser. Take along any veil or headdress that
you are interested in, a picture of your dress if possible and
an idea of your colour-scheme. |
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Arrange for a trial
run for your make-up. Take along a picture of your dress, and
idea of your colour-scheme and flowers. Ask someone to take
plenty of photographs of both your suggested hair and make-up
so you can get an idea of what you will look like in your wedding
pictures and adjust the styles accordingly. |
2 Months To Go
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Best Man and Chief Bridesmaid
to arrange stag and hen
parties. |
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Send out thank you letters
as gifts arrive. |
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Make sure that guests
have somewhere to stay and book rooms where necessary. |
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Upon receipt of acceptances
from guests, send out an information pack containing maps and
directions to your venues, local accommodation information,
details of your gift list and any other relevant information. |
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Arrange for credit cards
in your new name (if you are changing
your name upon marriage). |
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Buy a guest book for
people to sign on your wedding day. |
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Make sure you know what
wedding traditions
and ethnic or
cultural customs you wish to include. |
1 Month To Go
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Book final hair appointments
(earlier if you know that your hairdresser is very busy), and
your make-up artist if you are having one. Confirm whether you
will be going to the salon on the day or having stylists to
your home. |
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Telephone guests who
have not responded to your wedding inviation. |
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Send final number of
guests to the caterer and the reception venue. |
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Prepare speeches and start practicing! |
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Check that all items
of wedding clothing for the bridal party are on schedule for
fitting and delivery or collection. |
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Check that the transport details are
finalised, and arrange a practice drive from the bride's house
to the church or register office. It is always worth checking
with the police and council to see whether there are any road
works or other hold-ups scheduled. |
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Choose and buy
presents for attendants, family and friends. |
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Finalise your reception
table
plans and perhaps come up with alternative ways to name your tables. |
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Ensure you have bought
all of your accessories and shoes. |
1 - 2 Weeks To Go
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Final rehearsal at the
venue for the ceremony. |
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Wear-in your wedding
shoes. |
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Make sure your order
of service sheets, menus, place cards and thank-you cards have
been delivered. |
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Order foreign currency
and/or travellers cheques. |
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Celebrate at hen and
stag parties. |
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Put together a list
of telephone numbers in case of an on-the-day 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. |
On The Day
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Get up in plenty of
time. |
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Try to stick to your
timetable. |
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Have a relaxing bath
and, even better, include a massage. |
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Be sure to eat breakfast. |
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Surround yourself with
people you are comfortable with. |
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Prepare yourself in
plenty of time so you do not feel rushed. |
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If you are going to
a salon to have your hair done then do not forget to take along
your headdress, veil or flowers. |
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Above all, relax, enjoy
and have fun! |
After Your Wedding
If
you have any suggestions for this article,
please e-mail
us. We greatly appreciate your input. |
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