A 12-month wedding checklist

Planning a wedding simply means getting organised. Our 12-month wedding plan checklist will help turn your dream into a reality, writes THORN MULLI

12 Months or more to the Wedding

• Choose your engagement ring.

• Announce your engagement.

• Determine the style and theme of your wedding. This means whether it will be a formal, semi-formal, or informal wedding.

• Make a list of what is important to you. This will help determine your budget.

• Discuss the wedding budget and who will pay for what.

• Decide on a wedding date and start searching for wedding venues.

• Find a marriage officiant (the person who will marry you) and apply for the necessary licences.

 

Nine to 11 months to the D-day

Begin your search for vendors:

• Bridal gown

• Groom’s suit

• Photographer

• Videographer

• Caterer

• Florist

• Wedding transport

• Hair and beauty stylist

• Bridesmaid dresses

• Wedding cake

• Shoes and accessories

• Wedding lingerie

• Venue decoration/chair covers. If your the vendor is available on your chosen date, book them immediately!

• Compile a preliminary guest list.

• Visit wedding fairs/look through bridal magazines, search the Internet to gain ideas and inspiration for your big day.

• Finalise your wedding colours, theme and style.

• Choose your bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, flower girl and ring bearer and ensure they are aware of what their duties are.

• Choose and purchase your wedding rings.

• Begin looking at honeymoon options and discuss where you both would like to go.

Six to eight months to the wedding

• Select the choice of music you want played at the ceremony and reception.

• Start looking at invitation card designs.

• If you haven't already, purchase your wedding gown, veil and accessories.

• Finalise and order/purchase attire for your attendants.

• Sign up for your gift registry/honeymoon donation.

Four to five months

• Contact your florist and finalise the type of flower arrangements you want.

• Order wedding stationery (invitations, envelopes and wedding programmes).

• Book you wedding transport.

• Arrange accommodation for out of town guests.

• Choose your wedding cake.

• Decide on your wedding decorations including favours.

Three months to

• Order your wedding cake.

• Finalise your guest list.

• Meet with your marriage officiant to discuss details of the ceremony

• Choose gifts for your attendants and parents.

• Groom and male members of the wedding party to arrange for a suit fitting.

• Reconfirm honeymoon arrangements.

• Start writing your wedding vows, if you are doing them yourselves.

Two months to

• Send out your invitations.

• Meet with vendors to finalise arrangements.

• Schedule a hair and make-up trial with a consultant.

• Start making/buying wedding favours.

• Finalise music selections for the ceremony and reception.

• If changing your name, complete the proper documents.

• Meet with officiant to finalise ceremony details.

• Reserve room for wedding night if not already done so.

A month to

• Meet with your photographer and provide a list of required shots.

• Start working on your seating plan.

• Decide and confirm your wedding vows and ensure your officiant has been sent copies.

• Confirm all final payment amounts with your vendors as well as dates and times.

• Confirm honeymoon reservations.

• Arrange for a final wedding dress fitting.

Two weeks to the wedding

• Finalise seating chart.

• Confirm delivery time and locations with florist.

• Contact any guests you have not received an acceptance from.

A week to the wedding

• Collect wedding gown, bridesmaid, flower girl dresses and accessories.

• Give final guest numbers to venue/receptions/caterer.

• Make sure the men have their final suit fitting.

• Reconfirm everything with vendors one last time.

A day before

• Attend rehearsal.

• Have a manicure/pedicure.

• Confirm wedding day transportation.

• Reconfirm hair and make appointments for the wedding day.

• Confirm all duties required with the wedding party.

• Try to get an early night and relax!

The wedding day

• Take breakfast, even if you think you aren't hungry.

• Have your hair and make-up done

• Begin dressing two hours before ceremony is scheduled to begin.

• Take a deep breath, relax and most importantly, enjoy your big day!

Post wedding day

If you are due to leave for honeymoon straight after the wedding day, you need to ensure the following:

• Any attire such as gowns that have been hired for the day is returned the next working day in good order to the vendor. Delegate this task to the best man or a member of the bridal party.

• Ensure any debt incurred on wedding day is cleared as you also collect any refundable deposits.

• Ensure ‘thank you notes’ for any gifts, or donations are sent out no later than three months after your wedding date.