This afternoon we have a BIG dose of wedding planning advice for you. January and February are very busy months when it comes to wedding planning. Many couples get engaged over the Christmas and New Year period. The beginning of the year can mean many couples who are already engaged kick-start their wedding planning with only a few months to go before their big day. If you fall into any of these categories, chances are that you have just started to feel the strain of wedding planning. Panic not! You are in good hands. When I first started the blog 10 years ago I was also a wedding planner. I have planned many, many weddings and for each one I used this 12 month planner. It was my essential wedding planning bible. So today I am delighted to share it with you to make your wedding planning journey that bit easier. It even comes in an easy to use, downloadable PDF. I hope you find it useful.
12 Month Planner
12 months before the wedding
Pick a date for your wedding
Decide what sort of wedding you want; take your time with this
Write up your guest list and decide on numbers
Work out your budget and find out if any family members will be able to contribute
Work out how you are going to spend your budget and work out what is important to the both of you and divide up the budget accordingly
Open a wedding bank account
If having a church wedding, visit your priest and book the church
If having a civil ceremony, contact your local registrar to book the date and time and an appointment to give notice of marriage
Book a wedding planner if you want someone for Full Planning
Research venues, visit top 3 – 5
Start looking at blogs/internet/magazine ideas and inspiration
Don’t make any rash decisions, think about it all and weigh up your options on all decisions to be made
Organise your engagement party
11 months before the wedding
Make final decision on your venue and book
Book Your Photographer
Take out wedding insurance
Bride; Go dress shopping
Choose your best man, bridesmaids and ushers
If reception venue requires a marquee, book this along with furniture and any equipment
If you need to hire in outdoor caterer and bar, look for these and get menu ideas
Look for wedding invitations
Compile names and address for guest list and send out save the date cards if you decide to have them
10 months before the wedding
Book your wedding planner if you want someone for partial planning
Decide on your band/DJ/entertainment and book
If venue is providing food, talk through the options with them
Decide on themes and colours
Book the videographer
9 months before the wedding
Select a florist and visit them, talk through your ideas, book.
Bride; Go shopping with your bridesmaids for their dresses
Groom; Look at suits for you and the groomsmen
8 months before the wedding
Contact rental companies and book chairs, tables etc. (if needed)
Start planning your honeymoon and book
Make a start at ring shopping
Order the wedding cake
7 months before the wedding
Check your passport, visas etc. (for honeymoon)
Book the time off work
Book the transport for the wedding party and cars for bridal party we recommend limofind.com
Bride; Book your hair dresser and make-up artist
Draw up a gift list at chosen department store/charity/honeymoon (these need to be ready to send out in the wedding invitations)
Order Rings
6 months before the wedding
Send out wedding invitations if you are not sending out save the dates
Finalise arrangements for the venue and the church
Bride; Buy wedding accessories, shoes, headwear, veil, and bag
Organise the Stag and Hen party
Book your wedding planner if you want someone for on the day co-ordination
Attend pre-wedding counselling or wedding classes if requested by the church, or start to visit regularly if required for the ceremony
If you are adding any DIY elements to your wedding, projects should be on their way by now.
5 months before the wedding
Groom; You and the men get the rest of your outfits, shoes etc.
Decide on decoration for reception venue
4 months before the wedding
Book your wedding night hotel, if you are not staying at the reception venue
Look at options for favours if you are having them
Plan the ceremony and reception music
Choose gifts for bridesmaids, best man, and parents
Send out invitations if you have already sent out save the dates
3 months before the wedding
Decide on guest book ideas
Decide on how to display table plan/escort cards
Decide on wedding post box for cards and presents
Select readings for the ceremony and give to the relevant people so they can practice
Choose hymns for the ceremony or songs if a civil
Bride; Go for fitting of your dress and also your bridesmaids
2 months before the wedding
Get Order of Service made up and printed
Chase guests who have not sent an RSVP
Put together seating plan
Make or order place cards and table number/names
Bride; Have hair and make-up trial
Bride; Buy wedding lingerie
Groom; Enjoy your Stag Do
Bride; Enjoy your Hen do
1 month before the wedding
Write your vows if you are choosing to use your own
Finalise every detail and double check bookings with all suppliers
Confirm honeymoon reservations
Pick up wedding rings
Delegate jobs for the wedding day i.e. give someone the guest book to look after
Confirm numbers and food allergies with the caterers and draw up final seating plan
Groom; Write your speech and make sure the best man, father and anyone else giving one have done their’s as well
Both try and wear in your wedding shoes around the house, put socks or stockings over the shoes so they don’t get dirty
2 weeks before the wedding
Complete final song list for the band or DJ if you have any special requests for them and send it
Bride; Go for your final colour and or cut with your hair dresser and have a final practice run
Bride; Draw up a list for your change of name, ready for when you get back from honeymoon
If possible get a final walk through at the venue with the suppliers so everyone knows where and when they need to be. Final walk through with wedding planner
1 week before the wedding
Confirm details with all participants
Confirm all details with all suppliers
Supply the venue with suppliers list of requirements i.e. band/DJ set up time, setup space for florist
Supply the venue and church/registrar with a schedule of all the suppliers delivery and set up time and contact numbers
Groom; Get your hair trimmed and any last minute beauty treatments
Do your honeymoon packing
Get honeymoon currency
2-3 days before the wedding
Bride; Pick up your dress
Bride; Get your nails done and any last minute beauty treatments
Hand over all favours and name cards to the reception venues or decorator/planner
Call car rental companies for final pick-up times for the day
Write up wedding day time table and give to the bridal party so they know where and when they need to be anywhere
1 day before the wedding
Sort out any monies to be paid to suppliers on the day and give to family members or planner to look after
Get an early night
On the day
Relax!
Give wedding rings to the best man
Make sure that the designated family member/planner has the final payments for the suppliers
Designate someone to work with the photographer so they know who everyone is for the group shots
Bride; Once you are ready, give your make up to either your mum or your bridesmaid to look after
Make sure that everyone has their flowers once they have been delivered
Bride; Put your engagement ring on your right hand
HAVE FUN………..It’s your wedding day, the best day of your life!!!!!!
Click on the image below for your FREE downloadable Planner
Great planner. It is really essential to plan a wedding over 12 months if not more. It makes the whole process smooth, cost effective and stress-free. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!
this is such a useful blog for brides!
Great info!
Great planner. It is really essential to plan a wedding over 12 months if not more. It makes the whole process smooth, cost effective and stress-free. Thanks for sharing!
NEVER has an article been so useful for me!
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