A Tried and Tested Timeline for your Wedding Plans
7th October 2019
Congratulations - you're engaged!
The champagne has been popped, family have been told and you've been busy celebrating with your friends. Now everyone's asking, what's next?
It's time to start planning your wedding, and it's never too early to think about a timeline so that nothing is left to chance. Here is our Amazing Space Weddings guide to help you plan your dream day.
Sooner rather than later...
- Tell everyone! Let your loved ones know you're engaged. Let them know your wedding is coming up even though it may be sometime away.
- Decide on your budget - find out at this early stage whether you are going to get any parental/family contributions.
- Decide on a desirable date and the area in which you wish to be married.
- Plan the style and colour of your wedding and find out legal requirements whether you are opting for a religious ceremony or civil.
- Research venues and book your ceremony and reception whether they are both in the same location or in two different places.
We'd recommend reading our detailed Top Tips for Planning Your Perfect Wedding at this point, which has some great ideas when thinking about your venue style, budget, and the best time of year for your wedding.
12 months ahead of your big day...
- Choose your best man, maid of honour, bridesmaids and ushers and let them know!
- It's time to start thinking about suppliers. Luckily we have a handy Guide to Finding the Right Wedding Suppliers to help you here.
- Speak to your bridesmaids about your colour scheme ideas, and the colour dresses you have in mind for them.
- Decide on whether you'd like all your bridesmaids in the same dress, or whether you're going to mix up styles and colours to suit them all individually. Remember you all want to look great together!
- Try on heaps of wedding dresses and choose your style.
- Speak to the groomsmen about suit styles, colours, and take everyone to get fitted.
- Research wedding cake designs and find someone to make your chosen one.
- Talk to a number of florists, decide which one's designs you love the best and book them in.
- If you need to have your own caterer, talk to a few and ask for samples - then decide on one and reserve them for your chosen date.
- Think about whether you need transport to/from the ceremony and to the reception venue. Book it in!
- Do you want a DJ, string quartet or jazz band? Choose your entertainment and reserve them for your special day too.
- Check out several wedding photographers and discuss your requirements then book one to ensure they are available on your chosen wedding date.
- Draw up a guest list, work out your anticipated numbers and send out "Save the Date" cards.
6 months to go...
- Buy your wedding rings. If you want to have them bespoke it may take some time for the jeweller to get them made.
- Choose your stationary design and order what you need.
- Book your hairdresser and if you want one, your make up artist.
- Order outfits for the groom and ushers from a hire company if hiring or put in your orders if buying.
- Start thinking about any wedding favours you may wish to assemble for guests.
- Think about a place which is special to you and your fiancé, then book your honeymoon!
- Decide how you want to decorate the reception venue - flowers, table arrangements, centrepieces, balloons, sprinkles, paper decorations and find out where they can be bought.
Only 3 months left...
- Send out those beautiful invitations you ordered a few months ago!
- Think about what gifts you want to give - bridesmaids, best man, mother of the bride etc.
- Make sure the bestman/maid of honour are planning your hen and stag parties.
- Go to dress fittings and have a hair and make up trial.
- If buying your own booze order it now! If buying from your reception venue, choose from their wine list and order the required bottles.
- Ensure the caterer is organised and clear regarding your menu requirements.
1 month away...
- Check your guest list and check in with those who have yet to reply.
- Confirm all wedding suppliers for your chosen date and times.
- If you plan to write your own vows, start on these now.
- Apply for your marriage licence.
- Have another dress fitting.
- Buy your accessories, lingerie and honeymoon clothes.
Just a fortnight to go...
- Write an itinerary and give out to all the relevant people who will need it.
- Write any wedding speeches you plan to give.
- Discuss detail about shots you require with the photographer.
- Call your caterer and give an up to date list of guest numbers, dietary requirements etc.
- Finish your seating plan and write out the place cards.
- Have your last dress fitting and collect your dress and bridesmaid dresses.
- Have a rehearsal of the wedding ceremony with all the important people present if possible.
- Collect your wedding rings, and give them to your trusted chosen person to keep hold of until the ceremony. This is traditionally the best man.
The day before your wedding...
- Pick up the grooms and ushers hired outfits.
- Take your decorations, flowers, table plans & gifts to the venue so they're all ready.
- Make sure that someone else has the contact details for all your wedding suppliers in case they are needed on the day.
- Pack your things for the honeymoon if you are leaving straight after the wedding celebrations.
- Get all your accessories, shoes, make up and the all important dress ready to take with you.
- Finally, sit back, relax and know you've done a great job preparing for your big day.
All that's left to do is for you and your fiancé to look forward to celebrating your love with your friends and family tomorrow!
