WEDDING “TO-DO” LIST
- Create a rough budget and determine how expenses will be shared
- You and your fiancé need to decide where you want to have your wedding – close to home, interstate or overseas
- Decide what theme you want for your wedding – beach, winery, cocktail, sit down etc
- Decide on the type of ceremony – religious, celebrant, church or garden etc. You want to be on the same side when telling family members your plans
- Determine a guest list so that the venues you select can cater for your needs
- Select a wedding date
- Book the ceremony venue – if your ceremony is outside make sure there is an inside option
- Book your wedding reception venue
- Send out a save the date, especially if your having a destination wedding
- Choose your bridal party
- Buy some wedding magazines and cut out pictures of cars, flowers, dresses etc that you like and make your wedding storyboard
Time to Start Booking – Let the Fun begin
- Book wedding photographers and videographers
- Decide on how many and what type of wedding cars you want. Get some quotes and book.
- Select a travel agent and start planning your honeymoon
- Book hire equipment if needed – marquees, centrepieces etc
- Start trying on wedding dresses – make the decision if you are buying off the rack or getting it made. If you are getting it made start to organise your designer
- Decide and book your wedding officiant
- Book your wedding cars and any wedding transport you may need for your guests
- Source and book a wedding florist
- Book entertainment
More Orgainsing – Now it Starts to Come Together
- Organise current passports if your honeymoon is overseas
- Find and order bridesmaids dresses, shoes and jewellery
- Let the mothers of the bride and groom know the bridesmaid colours so they can coordinate with the bridal party
- Decide if you are purchasing or hiring suits. Book the suits for the groom and groomsmen
- Organise bridal registry for gifts
- Select invitations and organise invitation wording - send out invitations 6-8 weeks prior to the event
- Start looking and booking your hair and makeup artist
- Book Wedding Night accomodation
- Fill out Notice of Intention to Marry, no more than 6 months before but no less than 1 month and a day
- Purchase wedding bands
Getting Close – Adding Those Special Touches
- Finalise the menu with venue
- Organise the guest floor plan
- Order your bombonieres
- Purchase wedding favours e.g. disposable cameras, confetti, guest book
- Plan the order of your service for the wedding ceremony and select relevant music
- Make service booklets – the general rule of thumb is to make enough booklets for all your female guests
- Buy your gifts for the bridal party and parents
- Purchase your jewellery
- Get documentation from the celebrant/church/synagogue/temple and fill in necessary forms
- Organise your Master of ceremonies, which can be a friend or professional MC
- Organise dance lessons for your bridal whalz
Almost There ……. Now it’s Getting Exciting
- Put together a schedule for the wedding and give the relevant sections to all the people involved
- Write the running sheet, give a copy to the MC. Decide the order of toasts and speeches make sure you notify the people speaking
- Book a hair and make up trial
- Buy your wedding lingerie
- Reconfirm all of your suppliers
- Plan the rehearsal dinner
- Get photography permit, if needed
- Have your final wedding dress fitting
- Have the final fittings for your bridesmaids and groomsmen
Nearly Time – Last Moments of Single Life
- Have your engagement ring cleaned
- Finalise guest list and seating arrangements
- Display guest list so your guests can see where their tables and also give a copy to the venue
- Wear your wedding shoes around the house so that they are more comfortable – purchase some flat shoes in case you get sore feet
- Book into a beautician for nails, spray tan, waxing etc
- Pick up wedding gown. Make sure you have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue
- Make a list of all the wedding suppliers addresses and phone numbers in case of an emergency
- Confirm final numbers with your venue
- Make a list of all the people you want photos with so you can hand it to the photographer or a responsible bridesmaid to avoid leaving important people out of photos
- Pack your overnight bag
- Pack an esky for the bridal party between ceremony and reception
- Pack bridal emergency kit just in case
- Give the best man any cheques or money that need to be given out on the day
- Have the most memorable day of your life xoxo
