Planning Your Wedding. A List Of Things To Do..

Planning Your Wedding. A List Of Things To Do..
Author : Wedding Photography Select
Article Date : 09 Nov 2014

You're engaged. Congratulations!

So, what's next? Picture this: a stress-free guide to planning your wedding...

Planning a Wedding: Stage 1

* Agree on your budget
* Go venue hunting - this includes contacting Marquee companies - if applicable (they're extremely popular and peak seasons can be booked out years in advance).
* Hire a Wedding Planner
* Start Wedding Dress Shopping

First things first: it's important to stay in control financially. Planning a wedding has the potential to push overdrafts into overdrive. You wouldn't test drive a Bentley if your purchasing budget was equivalent to the amount you'd pay for a Nissan Micra. Reality also (annoyingly) applies to weddings; choose options that fit within your allotted budgets for each wedding planning 'component'.

What's the ultimate dampener at the start of married life? No, we're not referring to the rain that's guaranteed to greet your arrival back at Heathrow. It's returning home on a high from your honeymoon, only to be greeted by a mountain of debt. If desired, now's the time to invest in a wedding planner. Generally, the earlier they come on board, the less stress all round. Having a professional take calm control of the wedding planning process is generally a real winner. Although hiring a wedding planner is undoubtedly an added investment to factor in, employing a coordinator to seamlessly manage your big day generally offers the added advantage of keeping your budget in check.

Planning a Wedding: Stage 2

* Purchase wedding insurance
* Book your venue
* Set the date and book the ceremony
* Book a caterer
* Give notice at your local registry office
* For an Anglican Wedding, establish the dates for publishing banns
* Send 'Save the Date' cards
* Confirm your wedding photographer
* Confirm your wedding cake designer
* Book the music & entertainment professionals required for the ceremony and reception
* Review transport logistics for the wedding party and guests (where applicable). Book accordingly
* Shop for wedding dress, groom's outfit, bridesmaids' dresses & reserve suit hire for best man and ushers. Book up fittings and advise all of your wedding party well in advance.
* Decided on a theme and plan decorations (including hired furniture) for your ceremony and reception spaces accordingly
* Confirm florist
* Book your wedding night accommodation
* Book your honeymoon

Would you indulge in the holiday of a lifetime and not purchase travel insurance to protect your purchase? Didn't think so. The same applies to weddings; arguably the most expensive day of your life needs to be safeguarded against disaster. Wedding insurance is widely offered and should be invested in as a priority. Don't be the subjects of a horror story featured on Watchdog. Reputable companies such as John Lewis offer wedding insurance policies from as little as £58. A huge relief if your venue burns down/your caterer goes bust the week before your wedding day.

Planning a Wedding: Stage 3

* Have a tasting session with your caterer, decide on a menu and choose wine
* Choose your wedding cake
* In line with your chosen colour scheme and/or theme, choose your flowers
* As required, book a bridal hairdresser and makeup artist
* Decide on wedding stationery, including place name cards
* Mail out invitations 10 weeks before your wedding
* Purchase wedding rings
* Choose readings and music and confirm the order of service with whoever is officiating at your wedding ceremony
* Register with a gift list service and make your selections prior to sending out invitations
* Consider accommodation options for guests who are travelling to your wedding and insert this information into your wedding invitation



If you're getting married abroad, ensure paperwork is completed for your destination wedding. Check passports, visas and inoculations are all sorted in time for your departure. The same thing applies for your honeymoon! If you're changing your name - send a new passport application to the Passport Office at least 3 months before your wedding.

Planning a Wedding: Stage 4

* Confirm final guest numbers with your venue and your caterer.
* Complete and print a seating and table plan and highlight guests who have specific dietary requirements
* Double - check all the final arrangements with your suppliers 10 days in advance, including their access times at your venue on the day
* Attend final dress fitting and collect
* Collect all hired outfits and the rings
* Collect Orders of Service, menus and place cards
* Create a wedding day contact list and a schedule and distribute it to members of your wedding party who are performing duties on the day, as well as your venue and suppliers
* Pack for your wedding night and honeymoon in advance.
* Plan carefully for your luggage - be sure it's going to be placed in the right hotel room on your wedding night!
* Wrap gifts you've purchased for members of your wedding party
* Confirm the shot list with your photographer if there are pictures you definitely want taken of certain groups of guests
* Designate someone to take care of returning all hired items whilst you're on your honeymoon

Planning a Wedding: Stage 5

* Avoid having your hen night/stag the night before your wedding (assuming you're of rational mind, there is no need to expand on this point).
* Get a good night's sleep so you can cherish every moment of your wedding day (prior to the whiskey chasers as you head onto the dance floor)

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