6.- Wedding to do checklist
If you make lists you can't go too far wrong. It's the best way to keep on track and organized. Set schedules
for your wedding and plan as much of it as you can. At the end of the day it will take a lot of the stress out of
preparation. And you are less likely to make mistakes or forget something.
Immediately
Once you decide on a date you must sit down and work out the costs. After working out the different costs
decide what your budget is and try to stick to it Buy yourself a couple of diaries and note what and who you
gave deposits to Decide on the type of wedding you would like to have, traditional and formal, semi-formal,
civic/registry office or something else.
Then think about the type of wedding dress you would like to wear. Look through the various bridal
magazines and publications, visit specialist wedding dress suppliers. Make arrangements to meet with the
Priest/Clergyman or registrar. Book the wedding reception/venue, catering and entertainment. Work out how
many guests you intend to invite and make guest list. Decide on whether or not you are going on a
honeymoon and look at the brochures and book as soon as you can.
Don't forget to include all the expenses of going away in your budget. Flights, accommodation spending
money etc. Now would be a good time to check that you both have valid passports and visas. Also will you
need vaccines if necessary - sometimes you must have these months in advance! Draw up a gift list and
register them with the relevant outlet. Some outlets have gift lists online. Decide on whom you want for
bridesmaids, best man, groomsmen, ushers, pageboys and flower girls.
Start the search for the perfect dress and consider gowns for the bridesmaids. You should at this stage visit
the dressmaker. Decide on the attire for the lads and check availability for the wedding date. Now you need
to start looking for a photographer! While you're on this site now is the time to provisionally book your
photographer. At least it will give you time to look around for a video guy. Book the bridal car/s let them know
if you intend to stop off at a garden/park. You need also to check out what's on offer with regard to the menu
and let the hotel know the approximate number you have invited to the reception.
Check out what child menus are available and if they can provide vegetarian alternatives. Talk to your
hairdresser for recommendations on styles. Consider a style that isn't going to be high maintenance on the
day, especially if there is a bit of a breeze!
Four Months to go
Book registry office services. Order wedding stationery, don't forget invitations, mass booklets, napkins and
cake boxes or any other novelties. Confirm all wedding arrangements with the church - times, music, flowers,
confetti, fees etc.
Select the music you would like, be careful of you choice because some priests can and do object to the
choice of music, especially if your other half is into Black Sabbath! Book your singer/s at this time you can
start looking for your trousseau or going away outfit, consider something that's not going to be a once off.
Finalize all the outfits that are going to be worn on the day, bridesmaids' dresses and best-men outfits,
dressmakers require two three months advance order. Choose the wedding rings, and arrange when they
should be picked up. (And don't loose them)!
Check out what flowers are going to be in season and organize the flowers for the church and the reception.
Also order all the other flowers that will be required for the day, headdresses, corsages and buttonholes for
the bridal party.
Two Months to go
Confirm that everything is in order with the honeymoon. Don't leave it until the last minute to change your
passport, you may have to change it to your new married name?
Revisit your hairdresser and make a final decision on what sort of style you are going for. Don't forget to
take into consideration what sort of head-dress you will be wearing. If you haven't booked the hotel rooms for
the wedding party now might be a good time to do that.
Post out the invitations, it's no harm if they are posted too early. The more notice you give your guest the
better. The guest that have to travel to the wedding will appreciate any research you have done with regard
to available accommodation near the wedding - also include a simple map and directions.
One month to go
Purchase any gifts that you intend to present on the day - Mother in-law, best man, maid of honor, flower girl
etc. Go through the entire yes replies (RSVP's) and get a final count on how many guests you are going to
have sitting down for the meal. You might want to include the priest, and the video guy. Finalize the numbers
attending with the hotel. Discuss a seating arrangement and plan out who sits where and beside whom.
Write out the place cards - that's providing you've received them from the printer. It's also a good idea to
have an overall plan of the tables, numbered and the names listed. The hotel will help you with this.
Have the final headdress and wedding gown fitted. If you haven't arranged your hens/stags party, now would
be a good time to do it. Don't arrange for anything too mad and this especially goes for the groom - last thing
you want is to be limping up the aisle in a plaster cast! You can also post out any thank you cards for gifts
that you have received, or you could wait until after the wedding and do them altogether. This memento
would be appreciated by all your guests. Decide on how you are going to wear your make up and try out
some new colors - get advice.
Down to the final two weeks
Ring around all the services that you have booked - photographer, cars, video guy, organist & singer,
bands, disco, cake, cars and flowers. Arrange for additional deposit/final payment checks for these services.
Off you go again, around to try on your complete wedding gown, just make sure that the outfit looks and
feels right. And make any final adjustments that are needed.
Ring the hotel and clarify the numbers, double check the menus and any special arrangements that you
have agreed. Round up the girls! Have a hens night & keep away from the stags party!
The last week!
If you haven't already had a rehearsal of the ceremony at the church this is a good time to go through your
paces, and don't start biting your nails! The best man should have the mass booklets at this stage. Pack
your case for your honeymoon & make sure the tickets are okay. Check in is usually 2 hours before
departure. Don't be tempted to hang on for another drink!
All suits, dresses, wedding dress, shoes, morning suits, are where they should be. Now hopefully you can
relax, enjoy the last few days as a free woman/man and look forward to the future with your new
husband/wife!
>> Return <<
If you make lists you can't go too far wrong. It's the best way to keep on track and organized. Set schedules
for your wedding and plan as much of it as you can. At the end of the day it will take a lot of the stress out of
preparation. And you are less likely to make mistakes or forget something.
Immediately
Once you decide on a date you must sit down and work out the costs. After working out the different costs
decide what your budget is and try to stick to it Buy yourself a couple of diaries and note what and who you
gave deposits to Decide on the type of wedding you would like to have, traditional and formal, semi-formal,
civic/registry office or something else.
Then think about the type of wedding dress you would like to wear. Look through the various bridal
magazines and publications, visit specialist wedding dress suppliers. Make arrangements to meet with the
Priest/Clergyman or registrar. Book the wedding reception/venue, catering and entertainment. Work out how
many guests you intend to invite and make guest list. Decide on whether or not you are going on a
honeymoon and look at the brochures and book as soon as you can.
Don't forget to include all the expenses of going away in your budget. Flights, accommodation spending
money etc. Now would be a good time to check that you both have valid passports and visas. Also will you
need vaccines if necessary - sometimes you must have these months in advance! Draw up a gift list and
register them with the relevant outlet. Some outlets have gift lists online. Decide on whom you want for
bridesmaids, best man, groomsmen, ushers, pageboys and flower girls.
Start the search for the perfect dress and consider gowns for the bridesmaids. You should at this stage visit
the dressmaker. Decide on the attire for the lads and check availability for the wedding date. Now you need
to start looking for a photographer! While you're on this site now is the time to provisionally book your
photographer. At least it will give you time to look around for a video guy. Book the bridal car/s let them know
if you intend to stop off at a garden/park. You need also to check out what's on offer with regard to the menu
and let the hotel know the approximate number you have invited to the reception.
Check out what child menus are available and if they can provide vegetarian alternatives. Talk to your
hairdresser for recommendations on styles. Consider a style that isn't going to be high maintenance on the
day, especially if there is a bit of a breeze!
Four Months to go
Book registry office services. Order wedding stationery, don't forget invitations, mass booklets, napkins and
cake boxes or any other novelties. Confirm all wedding arrangements with the church - times, music, flowers,
confetti, fees etc.
Select the music you would like, be careful of you choice because some priests can and do object to the
choice of music, especially if your other half is into Black Sabbath! Book your singer/s at this time you can
start looking for your trousseau or going away outfit, consider something that's not going to be a once off.
Finalize all the outfits that are going to be worn on the day, bridesmaids' dresses and best-men outfits,
dressmakers require two three months advance order. Choose the wedding rings, and arrange when they
should be picked up. (And don't loose them)!
Check out what flowers are going to be in season and organize the flowers for the church and the reception.
Also order all the other flowers that will be required for the day, headdresses, corsages and buttonholes for
the bridal party.
Two Months to go
Confirm that everything is in order with the honeymoon. Don't leave it until the last minute to change your
passport, you may have to change it to your new married name?
Revisit your hairdresser and make a final decision on what sort of style you are going for. Don't forget to
take into consideration what sort of head-dress you will be wearing. If you haven't booked the hotel rooms for
the wedding party now might be a good time to do that.
Post out the invitations, it's no harm if they are posted too early. The more notice you give your guest the
better. The guest that have to travel to the wedding will appreciate any research you have done with regard
to available accommodation near the wedding - also include a simple map and directions.
One month to go
Purchase any gifts that you intend to present on the day - Mother in-law, best man, maid of honor, flower girl
etc. Go through the entire yes replies (RSVP's) and get a final count on how many guests you are going to
have sitting down for the meal. You might want to include the priest, and the video guy. Finalize the numbers
attending with the hotel. Discuss a seating arrangement and plan out who sits where and beside whom.
Write out the place cards - that's providing you've received them from the printer. It's also a good idea to
have an overall plan of the tables, numbered and the names listed. The hotel will help you with this.
Have the final headdress and wedding gown fitted. If you haven't arranged your hens/stags party, now would
be a good time to do it. Don't arrange for anything too mad and this especially goes for the groom - last thing
you want is to be limping up the aisle in a plaster cast! You can also post out any thank you cards for gifts
that you have received, or you could wait until after the wedding and do them altogether. This memento
would be appreciated by all your guests. Decide on how you are going to wear your make up and try out
some new colors - get advice.
Down to the final two weeks
Ring around all the services that you have booked - photographer, cars, video guy, organist & singer,
bands, disco, cake, cars and flowers. Arrange for additional deposit/final payment checks for these services.
Off you go again, around to try on your complete wedding gown, just make sure that the outfit looks and
feels right. And make any final adjustments that are needed.
Ring the hotel and clarify the numbers, double check the menus and any special arrangements that you
have agreed. Round up the girls! Have a hens night & keep away from the stags party!
The last week!
If you haven't already had a rehearsal of the ceremony at the church this is a good time to go through your
paces, and don't start biting your nails! The best man should have the mass booklets at this stage. Pack
your case for your honeymoon & make sure the tickets are okay. Check in is usually 2 hours before
departure. Don't be tempted to hang on for another drink!
All suits, dresses, wedding dress, shoes, morning suits, are where they should be. Now hopefully you can
relax, enjoy the last few days as a free woman/man and look forward to the future with your new
husband/wife!
>> Return <<
 |