Wedding Countdown

It's all in the planning

12 months to go

• Set your wedding budget
• Make an appointment to see your minister, priest, rabbi or registrar to fix a date
• Organise wedding insurance
• Choose your attendants
• Work out the guest list
• Arrange wedding licence
• Start to look at venues and once you've found the right one, book it!
• Book photographer
• Begin shopping for your dress
• Find a cake maker

9 months to go

• Visit venues for reception and civil ceremony if you're having one
• Book the caterer
• Choose and buy dress
• Book florist
• Design and order cake
• Pick out the wedding stationary and order

6 months to go

• Book transport
• Sort out the bridesmaids' dresses
• Men should buy or hire their outfits
• Book honeymoon
• Have a dress fitting
• Reserve accommodation for guests if required
• Book hairdresser and make up artist
• Select readings and vows

3 months to go

• Choose and buy the wedding rings
• Send out invitations
• Buy wedding lingerie
• Book first night accommodation
• Create seating plan
• Choose your table settings and decorations
• Book band or musicians for reception
• Compile gift list and send out
• Buy wedding rings

2 months to go

• Choose music for ceremony and reception
• Check passports are up-to-date
• Confirm menu with caterer
• Confirm registrar booking
• Finalise seating plan
• Buy a guest book

1 month to go

• Finalise your vows
• Hold hen and stag parties
• Have final dress fitting
• Run through attendants duties
• Buy wedding favours and thank you presents

2 weeks to go

• Inform photographer of what photos you would like
• Have hair and make up trial
• Choose wedding jewellery and accessories

1 week to go

• Confirm with all suppliers
• Reconfirm final numbers with caterers
• Hold wedding rehearsal
• Arrange for cake to be delivered to reception venue

The day before

• Manicure and beauty treatments
• Go to venues and decorate
• Try to relax and have an early night
• Pack for honeymoon if you are going the day after the wedding