Planning Your Wedding - What to do When to Do it
Getting organized for a wedding means planning and mapping the route to the big day. It’s a good idea to begin the planning process a full year before the wedding.
18 Months to One-Year Ahead
v Bookmark this website you will need it over and over again
v Announce engagement to family and friends
v Buy a wedding planner or Notebook, draw up a to do list
v Decide whether to have a church or registry ceremony
v Contact the priest, celebrant or registrar to set date and discuss requisites
v Catholic services book your Pre Marriage Course.
v Discuss and decide on a joint budget.
v Who’s paying for what? Check with your parents and families
v Decide on a venue and check the availability of dates
v Choose your bridal party. – Delegate duties from your to do list.
v Choose witnesses, usually the chief bridesmaid and Best Man, who must be over age 18.
v If you are using a wedding coordinator contact them as soon as possible.
v Compile your guest list: Discuss with all parents, you can shortlist it later.
v Attend local Wedding Fayers to get ideas and check out special offers.
v Book photographer and videographer
v Order wedding dress, veil, shoes, lingerie, and accessories
v Organise music for the ceremony
v Book entertainment for reception.
v If you haven’t heard them perform try to see them before you book them.
v Book the Florist.
v Plan and book honeymoon.
v Update passport, Check to see if you need a travel visa. Update your international driver’s licence if needed.
Six Months – Four Months to go
v Update your wedding planner or notebook of items done and items to do.
v Compile wedding gift list.
v Finalise guest list be practical and refer to your budget.
v Decide on wedding vows, Research special readings, prayers, and songs.
v Order stationery - invitations, place setting cards, thank-you cards etc.
v Buy wedding rings. Make sure the bride’s ring and engagement ring are the same carat gold.
v Organise Groom’s attire: purchase or hire.
v Order bridesmaids dresses and attire for bridal party.
v Have a medical check up and visit the dentist.
v Book transport.
v Order wedding cake.
Four Months to Two Months to go
v Update your wedding planner or list of items done and items to do.
v Complete and return notification to the registrar of intent to marry.
v Choose music for ceremony and reception advise your musicians.
v Review ceremony details with the celebrant.
v Make arrangements for out-of-town guests.
v Create a web page or blog for guests to access info
v Confirm your menu and wine for reception.
v Purchase a going-away outfit, suitable for where you are traveling to
v Write thank-you notes as you receive gifts.
Two to four weeks to go
v Update your wedding planner or notebook of items done and items to do.
v Post invitations
v Honeymoon – purchase suitable clothes, skin care etc for destination.
v Buy gift for bridesmaids and flower girl.
v Inform family and bridal party about wedding rehearsal.
v If changing your name, complete all necessary paperwork.
v Make appointment with hairdresser…bring veil/head-dress.
v Make appointment with beautician.
v Print wedding booklets, Kelt font very suitable for weddings
v Purchase guest book if you are using one.
v Bridal gown fitting.
v Write thank-you notes as you receive gifts.
Two Weeks to go
v Update your wedding planner or notebook of items done and items to do.
v Arrange seating plans and write place cards
v Write and practice wedding speech
v Test Makeup
v Attend Hen/Stag night. You will be too busy on the final week.
v Write thank-you notes as you receive gifts.
One Week to go
v Update your wedding planner or notebook of items done and items to do.
v Give banqueting manager final guest count
v Have a facial or other beauty treatment
v Break-in new wedding shoes
v Phone all vendors to confirm details
v Enjoy hen party!
v Get money organised for honeymoon
v Check credit cards are valid for duration of honeymoon
v Pack for honeymoon
v Confirm honeymoon arrangements
v Write thank-you notes as you receive gifts.
One day to go
v Update your wedding planner or notebook of items done and items to do.
v Finalise seating plans.
v Confirm transportation.
v Write and post thank-you note to your parents
v Have a manicure.
v Attend rehearsal.
v Give each member of your wedding party their gifts.
The Big Day
v Eat your breakfast. We don’t want you fainting on the altar.
v Get to ceremony on time.
Don’t forget to relax and enjoy the rest of your big day.
Sláinte!
I found your blog via Google while searching for wedding speeches and your post regarding g Your Wedding - What to do When to Do it | Irish Wedding Pro looks very interesting for me
September 16th, 2007 at 2:30 pmHi Daniel, Thank you for your comments. I have sent you an email requesting more information. I am always trying to improve the site so your comments are very much appreciated.
Slainte
Fionnuala
Hi Adam
September 17th, 2007 at 9:21 amThank you for your comments. I will be posting an article on speeches very soon. If you have something particular in mind please let me know. Watch this space…..
Slainte
Fionnuala
Thank you for sharing!
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July 10th, 2008 at 7:31 pmdestination wedding plannerg Your Wedding
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:04 pmDon’t forget, if you’re changing your name after your wedding, you’ll need to put about 10 hours aside to compile a list of all companies, instituations & government bodies, contact & grab appropriate information & forms. Not sure if there’s an irish version, but there are sites in most countries that can help the process along.
Gen Dennis
July 29th, 2008 at 10:32 pmstieff bear
August 25th, 2008 at 7:46 pm