Planning a wedding, moving house and starting a new job are rated 3 of the most stressful things to do! So many choices, venues, prices and of course everyone has an opinion of how to do it!
With our simple step by step wedding planning guide you'll wonder what all the fuss is about!
Up to 9 months before the wedding
Budget
The dreaded B word of wedding planning! Now is the time to determine how much you have to spend. Are you saving / getting a loan / family contributions / credit card - however you go about it you need to sit down and have a think of just how much you are willing to spend now - before you see them real diamond Gucci stiletto's that your dress can't possibly be seen without!
Wedding Idea Book
Get a folder, be it virtual, scrapbook, facebook album or just a box full of clippings and get inspired! Anything you like the look of keep hold of it! Wedding inspiration can come from anywhere and when your stuck for idea's you'll be glad you thought ahead!
Throw an engagement party
If your going to have one get one sorted before you start the main bulk of wedding planning. A quiet get together or a lavish event - enjoy it!
Choose your wedding party
Chief Bridesmaids, Best Man, Groomsmen, Bridesmaids, Flower Girls, Page Boys..... you don't have to be traditional! I had two chief bridesmaids and my husband had two best men! Write who you want in your wedding & where!
Guest List
This cause's most couples arguments! Write down a list of everyone who you want there. Remember it is YOUR wedding and you don't have to have anyone there who you don't want. Brutal? Yes, but if you don't want your twice removed cousin's uncles new girlfriend there - it's your choice.
This is also a good way of cutting down costs - again brutal. Have a list of people who have to be there and a second list of people you'd like there. Sadly sometimes need's must and if you can't afford a 200 people wedding cutting down the guest list is a sure fire way of dramatically seeing a budget difference.
Wedding Planner
Hiring one? This would be the time to do so! Make sure to do your research, get references and ask to speak to previous clients - don't just go by what the wedding planner tells you!
Venues
The most expensive part of your wedding. Decide if you want it in two separate locations or just a single one. Factor in traveling times, the size of the venue and food costs. Make sure you look around as many different venues as possible - it's the easiest way to know exactly what you want.
Also when booking your venue, always, always, ALWAYS barter! You'll be surprised how willing venues will be to reduce costs/throw in freebies depending on your party size and simply by asking!
Book your offciant
You'll need to go to your local council/church and find out information on booking your officiant.
Remember fee's apply and you'll need to give notice of marriage.
Photographers/bands/florists/caterers/venue decorators/cake makers
Research, research & research some more. Real flowers? Fake Flowers? Does your venue include food or do you need caterers? Do you want a band or just a DJ? Do you want a traditional photographer or something modern? Do you want chair covers & backdrops? Do you want a photobooth/sweet stall/chocolate fountain/magician? Cupcakes or traditional tier cake?
Going to wedding fairs is a brilliant way of not only meeting the suppliers but getting better deals & you can see in person what the items/service will look like. Don't be afraid to ask for discounts and don't be scared to ask for references! Again it's your wedding and your employing them!
Up to 8 months before
Hire your photographer &/or videographer
Now all that research you've been staying up to do until 3am will pay off! Take the plunge and hire your photographer &/or videographer. This will be a large chunk of the wedding budget, so while you don't need to tell them now that you want at least 3 pictures of your dog in his wedding suit, make sure that they offer the style of photo's your looking for!
Register your wedding gift list
If your asking for gifts, make sure you register with at least 3 retailers and make sure to pick items of various costs. Don't opt for just high end items- old Aunt Edna might not be able to afford your Royal Dolton glass collection but she might be able to stretch to that gorgeous salad bowl or toaster!
Hotels
For friends and family who are traveling to you, hotels & accommodation are going to be needed. Check with your venue to see if they have a special deal with a local hotel or if they have any recommendations. Normally hotels will be willing to have reduced prices if you book over so many rooms, so be sure to check and get details to add to the wedding invites!
Purchase your wedding dress
Yes, the time has come! The average bride needs around 3 fittings and depending on if your having your dress custom made or buying from a designer, usually take around 6 months to be made. The veil can also be purchased now but these usually take less time, so don't fret if you haven't found the perfect one to match your gorgeous gown just yet!
Be sure to check out wedding dress fairs & sales and be open to trying something you didn't have in mind. I had my heart set on a 50's tea length dress and ended up with a corset topped princess style dress with a train....
Shop for bridesmaids dresses
If your purchasing your bridesmaids dresses from a wedding dress shop be sure to do this with a good 6 months still to go, they'll need to be ordered in and chances are they'll need to be adjusted by a seamstress once they arrive!Don't forget to check out online and on the high street! They are gorgeous dresses available and normally at a fraction of the price you'll pay in a wedding dress shop!
I got all my bridesmaids dresses on Ebay for £20 each AND all the girls loved them!
Shop for Groomsmen suits
Hiring or purchasing suits? Now is the time for the lovely lads to go and pick! Be sure to check out a few different place if hiring as prices can vary - a lot! Make sure you also have all the groomsmen measurements if they aren't available to go and look with the groom.
Arrange transport
Limos? Tractors? Busses? Now is the time to choose your stallion of choice and book it! Again be sure to check out different suppliers as prices can vary. A lot of suppliers will charge more if you are traveling to more than one venue - something to keep in mind!
Invitations & wedding stationary
Order any wedding invites & stationary now. If your going DIY and making them yourself now is the time to start! Be sure to include addresses, phone numbers, emails, hotel details and anything else you think your guests might need!
If your sending out Save the date cards they need to go out now too!
Honeymoon Plans
Go to different holiday shops, check flight prices and compare hotels! Make sure your passports are still in date and get any injections you might need.
Book your florist and venue decorator
If you haven't already done this, it's your last chance! Book the bride and bridesmaids bouquets, grooms and groomsmen buttonholes & any other flowers your having in the wedding. Take photos with you and be sure to shop around! Why not opt for fake flowers? They'll last forever unlike the real thing!
If you still haven't booked a venue decorator book one now. Have a rough idea of how many guests and tables your going to have, it doesn't have to be exact but it will give you a rough idea money wise!
Schedule
Get in contact with your venue and have a rough schedule of the day. Your venue will be the best way of getting realist timings for each component, such as photos and cake cutting!
Up to 4 months to go...
Book any rehearsals and dinner rehearsals
Contact your venue and arrange any rehearsals, make sure you've negotiated the price with your venue too. These are completely your choice and you don't have to do them!
Let them eat cake
Book you cake & have a cake tasting! Be sure to look at previous work and barter! You don't have to opt for the traditional fruit cake! I had a peanut butter chocolate 'cutting' cake and a mix of flavoured cupcakes!
Wedding shoes & underwear
You'll need these BEFORE your wedding dress fitting, be sure to get them and take them with you for your dress fittings! Don't change your shoes without informing your seamstress, this can effect how long you need your dress and your posture!
Hen Do's / Stag Do's
Time to start dropping hints or even help organise your nights! Be sure whoever is organising it knows what you don't want and budgets. A long weekend in Milan might be a dream but not everyone will be able to afford it....
Wedding Invites & Stationary
If you've ordered yours ask your supplier for a final sample of the completed invites, be sure to revise them if they're not quiet right. If your making them, get someone else to have a look over them and make sure you've included everything!
Be sure to see if you can get a discount if you get your bridesmaids & family done at the same time.
Music
Time to choose your tunes! Write down a list of songs you do want playing and a list of songs that you don't. Nothing has to be set in stone yet, but it's always good to get an idea!
Choosing a song to walk down the aisle to is always hard but don't feel pressured into having anything that isn't you. I had AC/DC Shook me all night long!!
Hair & Makeup
Having your hair and makeup done? Choose on a chain store like mac & Tony & Guy or look around for a independent supplier who can offer both! Be sure to get trials done before you book who you want to do it on the day! Take photos & never feel pressured into saying you like something.... it's the most photographed day of your life, you don't want to look back and hate that bun you agreed too!Be sure to see if you can get a discount if you get your bridesmaids & family done at the same time.
Music
Time to choose your tunes! Write down a list of songs you do want playing and a list of songs that you don't. Nothing has to be set in stone yet, but it's always good to get an idea!
Choosing a song to walk down the aisle to is always hard but don't feel pressured into having anything that isn't you. I had AC/DC Shook me all night long!!
3 Months to go...
Food
Get in contact with your venue or caterers and let them know what you want. Let them know of any potential guests with any special requests such as lactose intolerance or vegans.
Favours
Decided on what your having? If your going to buy boxes and fill them yourself, this can be left to as little as a few weeks before the wedding. However if your ordering boxes now is the time to get in contact with suppliers and ordering how many you'll think you'll need. It's always best to have too many than not enough!
Dress Fittings
Your dress maybe ready and waiting for you now! Be sure to book appointments with a seamstress and take your wedding underwear & shoes with you!
Wedding Rings
I'm sure you'll already have your eye on a gorgeous wedding ring, so now's the chance to go make it yours!
Toasts & Readings
Ask anyone who you'd like to do a speech now. Also ask anyone who would like to do a reading at the ceremony. Oh and remember there's no reason the bride can't make a speech!
2 Months to go....
Send out invites!
Send out your invites 6-8 weeks before your wedding! Have a set RSVP date and be harsh. Most suppliers and venues want to know final numbers at least 3 weeks before a wedding.
Meet your DJ or band
Have your list ready! You can't pick everyone song that is played a good list of songs you do want played and a list of songs you don't. No one wants to hear puppy love at a wedding!
Meet your photographer
Let them know the style your going for. Now is a good time to also let them know of any photos you do want and any that you don't! Don't forget to ask for pictures of your venue before your guests arrive!
Contact any other suppliers
Just check everything is still okay with any other suppliers! You should still be able to make any last minute changes.
ONE MONTH TO GO...
RSVPs
Get all your RSVPs and chase anyone who hasn't replied. Don't spend too long on this though, you gave them warning and a set date!
Rehearsals
Make sure you've invited everyone who needs to be there if your having any kind of rehearsals!
Book your final dress fitting
Although you've probably been in contact with your seamstress since your first dress fitting, now is the time to make sure you have your final fitting booked. You can always book an extra fitting for the week of your wedding if you want to double check, but at this point it'll be fine!
Venue / caterers
Let the venue know of your final numbers! If your having food & wine supplied by the venue let them know how many & dietary requirements. Don't forget wine, (half a bottle per guest) and don't forget your toasting champers!
Wedding Breakfast Seating Plan
Make sure you give your venue or caterers a layout and all the names of the guests. They'll need it for your catering! Draw out tables & where your guests will be sitting, be sure to mark who has dietary requirements!
Final Payments
Pay off as many suppliers as possible - some suppliers such as hair and makeup may have asked to be paid on the day.
Confirm times
Confirm the times for hair & makeup and make sure you confirm addresses & times with your transport! The brides meant to be late but not lost!
Presents
Mother of the bride, anyone who helped out planning or organising your wedding, bridesmaids & groomsmen. These don't have to be mammoth gifts, a bunch of flowers, a bracelet etc is all it takes to say thank you! Don't forget your partners pressie for the morning of your wedding either!
Hair
If you plan on having your hair cut or colored, make sure you do it a good month in advance, that way if you hate it you have enough time to change it. Try to avoid mammoth changes as your supplier for you hair on your wedding day won't be expecting it and you might not be able to have the style you agreed on!
Week of your wedding
Collect your wedding dress
Go on! You deserve it! Go pick up that beautiful frock & enjoy staring at it for hours.... just don't let your partner see it!
Wedding day tasks
Get in touch with your bridesmaids and groomsmen and let them know of things that can do on the day if a problem crops up! Give them numbers of suppliers & transport, important guests such as parents and siblings. Delegate who will be in charge of giving out wedding programmes and welcoming guests, while who will be in charge of gift giving, bustle the wedding dress and most importantly who's going to hold on to those wedding rings!
Go on! You deserve it! Go pick up that beautiful frock & enjoy staring at it for hours.... just don't let your partner see it!
Wedding day tasks
Get in touch with your bridesmaids and groomsmen and let them know of things that can do on the day if a problem crops up! Give them numbers of suppliers & transport, important guests such as parents and siblings. Delegate who will be in charge of giving out wedding programmes and welcoming guests, while who will be in charge of gift giving, bustle the wedding dress and most importantly who's going to hold on to those wedding rings!
Pack for your honeymoon
Get everything you need sorted now. If your going away straight after your wedding you simply won't have time!
Fill Favour boxes
If you've decided to make favour boxes and fill them yourself, now's the time! Try and get a lovely groomsman or bridesmaid to help!
Nails
Get your nails done! You've deserved it after everything you've been through!
ENJOY & RELAX
Most importantly, congratulations you've survived planning a wedding! What will be will now be! Book a spa treatment or a night in doing nothing but sitting in your PJ's watching movies. You've completely and utterly deserved it!
More than anything ENJOY your day, you spend so long planning and it's over so quickly! I hope this easy step by step helps any bride out who needs a bit of a reminder! Good luck & I hope it's everything you dreamed of!
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