Wedding Checklist

First of all, let me start by saying a wedding checklist helps you keep track of the things you need to do in order to prepare for your wedding. It helps ensure you get things ready and in order exactly the way you want you want them to be.

I know that coordinating all the bits and pieces of your wedding can be very stressful. I have been there before so trust me. Obviously each wedding  is different, I have seen brides who organised their whole wedding in 2 years, 1 year, even 8weeks(me!). But the truth is that there are general rules you know, so below is a checklist based on 1 year engagement and wedding planning time that you will definitely find as a very useful guide whether you are planning your wedding in 2years, 1year, months or weeks.

 

  Print  a copy of this list for yourself and your future husband and tick each item off as you accomplish it to ensure that you have everything in place and under control for your wedding day :

Immediately:

• Pray-yes pray! its very important.
• Work out your budget.
• Open a bank account specifically for your wedding and put a certain amount of savings into this account every month or as many times as possible.
• Decide on what sort of ceremony you want (in a church, courthouse, home, etc…).
• Book the church and officiating ministers, if applicable.
• Start looking at reception venues. Availability may determine your wedding date. Book your venue as soon as possible.
• Ask your friends and family members whether they will be willing to be your bridesmaids, maid of honour (chief bride's maid), best man and groomsmen.

12 months to go:

• Book your photographer and  videographer.
• pray
• Consult with different caterers( till you meet with the one you can afford and/or that will satisfy you).

10 months to go:

• Pray.
• Book your caterers
• Confirm honeymoon arrangements and organise your travel insurance.
• Visit  Bridal houses or boutiques and start trying on a range of styles.

9 months to go:

• Pray.
• Decide on a colour theme for your wedding (this may depend on the dress you choose)
• Order your dress.
• Book the entertainment (band or DJ) for your wedding reception.
• Book or arrange your wedding transport (remember to ensure that your bridal party also has transport from the ceremony venue to the reception venue).

6 months to go:

• Pray.
• Start to look around for court houses at which you would love to have your registry
• Consult with and book the florist that will be responsible for your bouquets as well as the flowers at the ceremony and reception.
• Decide upon and organise the dresses and suits for the bridal party.
• Attend pre-marriage counselling if required.

5 months to go:

• Pray.
• Try on and purchase your underwear for the wedding and the wedding night.
• Consult with cake makers and decide on a design and a supplier.
• Confirm the menu with your caterers.
• Finalise your guest list.

4 months to go:

• Decide on the music to which you want to walk down the aisle, exit the ceremony venue and arrive at the wedding reception. Also decide on hymns and provide the marriage official(s) with these.
• Choose readings or poems for the ceremony.
• Print your wedding invitations.
• Decide on your veil, tiara or fascinator.
• Book guest accommodation, if necessary.
• Organise your fiancé’s suit if he has not already.
• Pray

3 months to go:

• Print the programmes and menus.
• Send out the invitations.
• Ensure that your passports are still valid if you are honeymooning abroad. If not, do this immediately. Keep in mind that you will need to change your passport to your married surname if you want to travel as Mrs …
• Book your make-up artist, hair dresser and beautician.
• Hire crockery and cutlery, if necessary.
• Organise your table plan.
• Decide on a hairstyle and experiment with colours now, if you are planning to dye your hair for the big day.
• Pray

2 months to go:

• Write your vows and confirm with your wedding official that they are appropriate..
• Choose your wedding rings and plan to have them made or customised.
• pray.

1 month to go:

• Have a make-up and hair trial. Take photographs and include any accessories you want for the day (clips, veil, etc…) so that you have a good idea of the final effect.*winks*
• Collect the wedding rings.
• Write your speech.
• Book your final dress fitting.
• Ensure that you have bought gratitude gifts for your bridal party.
• Call all suppliers to confirm dates.
• Pray.

2 weeks to go:

• Pray.
• Confirm the final guest numbers and let the caterers know the final guest head count.
• Trim and colour your hair one last time before the wedding(optional).
• Organise your rehearsal for the ceremony.
• Get any foreign currency that you may need for your honeymoon.
• Buy the refreshments, if you are responsible for arranging this yourself.
• This is around the time that bridal shower should be organised and held.

1 week to go:

• Visit the beautician for your eyebrow, upper lip and leg waxes so that you do not have any redness or rashes on the day.
• Get massaging, manicure and pedicure
• Pray

2 days to go:

• Pack your bags for your honeymoon.
• Pray

The day before:

• Pray.
• Wash your hair and use a light conditioner on it.
• Focus on relaxing and pampering yourself. Take long baths and make sure that you feel as relaxed as possible.
• Provide all your wedding professionals with an emergency phone number to call on the day of the wedding.
• Get a good night's rest.
• Pray

On the day:

• Pray.
• Organise for a friend or family member to ensure that everything is in order at the wedding reception venue.
• Give wedding bands to the best man to hold during the ceremony.
• Assign a family member to be the photographer's contact so he knows who is who.

 

Hmmmm.... what a long list!  I actually stayed up all night putting this together. I am exhausted, running off to bed now.
                    
                                                      Xoxo,
                                                                Becky

 

 

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