wedding planning guide

Here are some of our tips to help you get ready for your wedding.

After you announce your engagement

• open a wedding bank account
• take out wedding insurance
• pick a wedding date and visit the minister or registrar
• set a budget
• decide who is doing what
• start looking for a wedding dress
• visit possible venues and talk to caterers about the kind of menu you would like
• book the photographer, videographer and transport
• choose your chief bridesmaid and best man
• decide on the number of guests and draw up a list
• start choosing the bridesmaid outfits
• book the reception venue, the caterers and decide on the menu and wines
• begin a beauty routine for skin, hair and nails

Three months to go

• choose your rings
• arrange a second meeting with the minister, priest or rabbi to discuss the service and set a date for the reading of the banns
• if the wedding is in a church other than the Church of England, give notice of the marriage to the superintendent registrar
• arrange order of service and pick hymns
• if it is a civil wedding, book the registrar
• organise dress fittings
• pick a florist and discuss the bouquets and colour schemes
• order your cake
• discuss lots of hairstyle options with your hairdresser!

Two months to go

• book your first night hotel and the honeymoon
• check your passports are in order and get any necessary inoculations for your honeymoon
• reconfirm all bookings
• post wedding invitations
• finalise the order of service
• buy accessories, like the veil, tiara, necklace and earrings
• choose presents for the attendants and both mums
• if you have time, send out thank you notes as soon as any gifts arrive (if not, make a note of who they are from and send notes after the wedding to avoid forgetting anyone).

One month to go

• buy the certificate of licence from the registrar
• book your hairdresser and make-up artist for the day
• make sure everyone involved in the wedding knows what is happening and at what time
• if you're changing your name, write to banks, etc, to inform them

Two weeks to go

• confirm the final number of guests to your caterer and draw up the seating plan
• write out the place cards or send to a calligrapher or printer
• try on your dress with your chosen underwear to check the fit
• break in your shoes

One week to go

• arrange to have a rehearsal at the wedding venue
• confirm all reception arrangements
• confirm flowers, cars and bands or DJ
• ensure that the groom, best man and your dad are preparing their speeches
• arrange to have the cake delivered to the reception venue

The day before

• have a manicure
• arrange for your luggage to be delivered to your hotel
• make sure the cake will be delivered on time
• have an early night

The day

• have a romantic message or gift delivered to your fiancé
• make sure that all your flowers arrive or send someone to collect them from the florist
• allow plenty of time to have your hair and make-up done
• give yourself enough time to get ready
• enjoy the day, relax, and smile!