Planning Your Wedding Day
A 12 Month guide to planning your wedding day and everything in between to ensure that your wedding day runs smoothly. Once again ladies, this is just a rough guide and you may choose to do things differently. It is your day!
12 Months to the BIG day…
- Firstly, you will have to decide on a budget and on who will be paying for what: This will be the foundation to planning your wedding.
- Set a wedding date: Make sure it does not coincide with other important events such as Christmas (or the Rugby World Cup – No bride wants to compete with the rugby on her wedding day).
- Visit potential venues: It is important to book your venue early as most venues are booked up a year in advance during peak time (October to May). It is also important to
- Hire a wedding planner or consultant if you are planning on using one.
- If you are not hiring a wedding planner, it will be best to start looking at potential suppliers, such as décor specialists, florists and caterers (If your venue does not provide in-house catering).
- Pick a date for the engagement party (If you are having one).
11 Months to the BIG day…
- Book your wedding photographer and wedding videographer (if your budget allows for it).
- An engagement shoot is the perfect way to get more at ease with your photographer and to banish some of that camera shyness, plus there’s the bargain of having beautiful, professionally-taken photographs to use for your wedding stationary.
- Book your entertainment: DJ/Band. Remember the music can make or break a party, so make sure that you choose a DJ that knows his stuff.
10 Months to the BIG day…
- Decide on your colour palette or theme. Check out Pinterest for some inspiration.
- Start looking at wedding dress ideas – Also look at dresses that you never thought you would wear, you might be surprised in the end.
- Start thinking of who you want to ask to be bridesmaids.
9 Months to the BIG day…
- Decide on who your wedding officiant will be and what readings you’ll have. A lot of times the wedding officiant will give you a list of readings to choose from.
- Pick a florist to do the floral arrangements for the wedding. Discuss what flowers are in season at the time of your wedding and what flowers would go together best, but also fit with your theme/colour palette. The floral arrangements will include any venue floral décor (Ceremony and Reception), bouquets and boutonnieres. You can finalize the details closer to the time.
- Decide on a date for your engagement shoot. Remember, it takes about 4-6 weeks before you receive your pictures from your photographer, so if you are planning on using them for your save-the-dates or invitations, make sure they are ready by the time you need to send the save-the-dates/invitations to the printers. Save-the-dates need to go out 6 months before the wedding (for local weddings) & at least 9 months before the wedding (for destination weddings in order to give guests time to save up).
8 Months before the BIG day…
- Start planning your honeymoon. If you are planning on traveling internationally, be sure to leave enough time for visas and vaccinations. Don’t forget to book flights using your maiden name!
7 Months before the BIG day…
- Order your wedding cake and take your fiancé along for the tasting (This is usually one of the areas where the men are happy to give their input). Find out how your wedding cake will be getting to the venue (Pick-up/Delivery).
- Book your wedding transport to and from the wedding venue for you and your bridal party.
- If you are having your dress made, book your fittings.
6 Months before the BIG day…
- Send out your save-the-dates (if you have not already done so). If you are having a destination wedding, send out your invitations.
- Pick your bridesmaids. It is better to ask them 6 months before the wedding as the idea of being a bridesmaid can cause some drama if asked too early. First make sure that you know who you want to ask before asking as “firing” a bridesmaid can be considered rude and you don’t want to end up with having to ask someone just to fill a space.
- Start looking at ideas for bridesmaids dresses. Ask for their input. This will let them know that you care about their opinions and want them to feel great in the dresses you decide on.
5 Months to the BIG day…
- Choose your wedding rings. Traditionally, the bride and groom would pay for each other’s wedding bands. However these days couples include their rings in the wedding budget.
- Book an appointment with your hairdresser to discuss styles.
- Book your make-up artist and trial appointments.
- Go bridesmaids dress shopping. Keep in mind that some dresses might not look good on all body shapes, so it might be a good idea to listen to your girls’ opinions on what they like and feel comfortable in. Give them options on what you like and let them choose. It will cause a lot less stress later on.
- Discuss plans for the Hen’s party/Kitchen tea and Bachelor’s.
- Decide on the music list or ask your DJ for recommendations. You will also need to think of a list of songs to play during formalities (Walking down the aisle, register and confetti, cutting of the cake, walking into reception, first dance, father-daughter/ mother-son dances, garter & bouquet toss etc.).
4 Months before the BIG day…
- Arrange a tasting with your caterer and order the drinks.
- Make sure that your fiancé has organised outfits for himself as well as his groomsmen.
- Confirm who will be giving speeches. It might be a good idea to give each speaker a time limit to stick to. You don’t want your guests listening to Aunt Marge for an hour rambling on about embarrassing stories from your childhood.
- Appoint an MC. Remember that this is not the person who can necessarily talk the most, this would be the most responsible person to keep guests in the loop with what is going on as well as be the go-to person for service providers. This person would be the one who can keep the attention of your guests by keeping them entertained for that 10 minutes before you enter the reception area or in between speeches. This person is not the person who will be throwing back champagne like it’s water and dancing on the bar by 7pm. Choose em’ wisely!
- Choose wedding favours and gifts for your bridal party and anyone who you would like to thank for their contribution towards your special day.
- If you plan on having a gift registry, you should set this up now.
3 Months Before the BIG day…
- Meet with an attorney to sign an ante nuptial contract.
- Confirm the order of service with your marriage officiant and start putting together your wedding vows (if you are having personal vows).
- If you are having a local wedding, send out your invitations.
- Finalize your table and wedding décor and lighting.
- Drink a lot of water.
2 Months before the BIG day…
- Shop for your honeymoon outfits.
- Remind your guests of the upcoming RSVP date.
- Drink a lot of water.
1 Month before the BIG day…
- RSVP by date set one month before the wedding day.
- Print menus, table settings, place cards, and any other stationary you need for your wedding.
- Confirm the playlist with your DJ/band.
- Finalize guest numbers and seating plan with your venue and caterer.
- Brief your photographer and videographer. A meeting with the both of them present would be a fantastic idea. Some photographers and videographers have a form for you to fill out with all the details they might need on the day of the wedding. This will consist of important contact numbers and addresses as well as any important times and formalities on the day).
- Drink a lot of water.
2 Weeks before the BIG day…
- Go for your final dress fitting – Try on your entire outfit with your veil, shoes and accessories. Make sure that you have everything that you need to complete your look.
- Break in your wedding shoes.
- Have your final hair cut & colour. Stay away from anything too radical at this point as there will be no going back.
- Drink a lot of water.
1 Week before the BIG day…
- Collect your wedding dress.
- Make any outstanding payments to your service providers.
- Go for your final beauty treatments (Facials, waxing, etc.).
- Pack for the honeymoon.
- Have the rings polished.
- Drink a lot of water.
The day before your BIG day…
- Rehearsal dinner (If you plan on having one).
- Check in with your suppliers.
- Get a manicure & pedicure.
- Put your outfit and accessories in one place.
- Pack an emergency kit (tweezers, tissues, mints, mini sewing kit, etc.).
- The groom should give the best man the rings to hold till the ceremony.
- Relax and have fun with your girls! A relaxed and stress-free day is the best way to prepare for your wedding day.
Comment
Wonderful post! Thanks for sharing all the information regarding this. It was worth reading your post. You mentioned some valid points and the way of your writing is excellent. I think it’s very important to discuss everything with the planning of a wedding ceremony. So that there will be no misunderstanding later. No doubt the information you shared here will help people regarding this.