Once the hype surrounding your engagement has died down, the reality of the mammoth task ahead will start to really sink in. It’s time to pull out a pen and paper and get planning your big day – but where do you begin?
Nightmare Alert! You’re halfway down the aisle when you realise you’ve not only forgotten to hire a band, but the groomsmen are tux-less, and your wedding cake is still sitting at the store waiting to be collected. Want to avoid this scenario? Read our wedding checklist.
3+ months till D-Day
- Work out your budget! This will dictate everything! An Excel spreadsheet is a great way to keep track of everything.
- Choose a wedding date and time. To avoid a pre-marital meltdown, try and give yourself at least 3 months to arrange all the details (although 6 months is more ideal).
- Select a bridal party.
- Make a guest list. The number of guests will affect your ceremony and reception venue choices.
- Decide on and book venue/s for ceremony and reception. Many places are booked up well in advance so make sure you do this ASAP.
- Secure a celebrant/priest/minister to conduct the ceremony.
- Book a photographer. Make sure you confirm with them exactly what’s required and how long you expect them to stay at the reception.
- Organise music. Book a band/DJ for the ceremony and reception.
- Book wedding cars/limousines.
- Purchase your wedding dress and accessories (shoes, jewellery etc.) This can be a lengthy process, so make sure you leave plenty of time for shopping around and dress fittings.
- Purchase/order bridesmaid dresses.
- Design and print invitations.
- Arrange a bridal registry/ gift options.
- Decide on a honeymoon destination and make travel and insurance arrangements (this is traditionally the man’s job)
2 months till D-Day
- Post or hand-deliver invitations.
- Purchase wedding rings, make sure you leave plenty of time if you’re having them made.
- Order wedding cake. Be sure to check if you’ll need to arrange a pickup or if they’ll be dropping it off at the reception venue.
- Arrange bouquets and lapel pins for the bridal party and flower arrangements for the venue/s. Also, double-check the delivery arrangements.
- Appoint a Master of Ceremonies for the reception.
- Organise a hairdresser (and makeup artist) for yourself and your bridesmaids.
- Purchase of make rental arrangements for groom’s and groomsmen’s tuxes/suits.
- Make menu selection for reception; this could involve some type of tasting.
- Organise the hire of tables/chairs etc. if needed.
1 month till D-Day
- Book personal appointments for the big day e.g. beautician for nails, spray tan, etc.
- Arrange and attend a hair (and possibly makeup) trial.
- Ensure all the official wedding documentation is in order.
- Schedule wedding rehearsal.
1-2 weeks till D-Day
- Arrange final dress fitting and delivery of all attire.
- Organise reception seating plan and design seating chart.
- Confirm and make final payments for all arrangements e.g. cars
D-Day Eve
- Pack overnight bags for the night of the wedding and pack bags for the honeymoon.
- Lay out everything for the next day; make sure you have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue!
- Run a bath and relax!