Planning a wedding is not easy but we thought that this 12-month handy planner maybe just the job to ensure you are organised for the big day;
12 months to go…
Have the budget conversation with your fiancé and your parents?
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Fix a date and time
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Decide on guest numbers
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Visit reception venues and book one as soon as possible
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Buy wedding insurance
11 months to go…
Send save-the-dates
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Book your wedding photographer and videographer (Make sure the church or wedding venue allows photos and videos to be shot!)
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Book the caterer, DJ and/or band
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Make appointments to try on wedding dresses
10 months to go…
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Choose your guests – bridesmaids, ushers and best man etc.
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Decide on your wedding dress (allow at least six months for a made-to-measure dress to be delivered)
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Choose and order your bridesmaid’s dress.
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Start thinking about a honeymoon, including the costs, season and flights
9 months to go…
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Find a wedding florist and discuss your flowers, including buttonholes, bouquets and arrangements for the church and reception venue
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Taste and confirm your menu and drinks with your caterer
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Choose and order your bridesmaid outfits
8 months to go…
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If you’re getting married in a church, discuss readings with the minister or priest and music with the musicians
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If it’s a civil ceremony, enquire about what readings and music are permitted
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Order invitations and envelopes (allow one invitation per married couple or family), plus place cards, menus and a seating plan
7 months to go…
Book transport to the wedding venue and on to the reception for you and your bridal party (as well as a car to take you to your first-night hotel or the airport)
Order your wedding cake
Choose and order wedding favours
6 months to go…
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Remind your fiancé to get his and the usher’s outfits
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Choose gifts for the wedding party
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Pick your wedding rings
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Confirm the order of service with your priest or registrar, and then have guest booklets printed. If you have a choir, they need copies, too
5 months to go…
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Go honeymoon shopping (Remember summer clothes aren’t easy to find in the winter and vice versa!)
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Book a hairdresser and style consultation (do this earlier if you’re planning to grow your hair)
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Book your make-up artist and trial appointments
4 months to go…
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If you’re changing your name, renew your passport now or do it after you have your honeymoon. The officiating minister or registrar will sign the form
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Find out if you need visas or inoculations for your honeymoon.
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Discuss hen and stag night plans with your friends.
3 months to go…
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Pick a company and start gift-list window shopping!
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Book for a colour (if you get your hair coloured) and a trim
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Organise a rehearsal and inform those who will need to be there
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Attend a reading of the banns, if you’ll marry in a church
2 months to go…
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Send out invitations six weeks before the day and keep a list of acceptances
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Check that your fiancé has organised the rings, his wedding clothes, and your first-night hotel
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Try on your whole wedding outfit, including headdress, shoes and underwear. Forgotten anything? Get it!
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Book any other beauty treatments (nails, fake tans, etc.)
1 month to go…
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Confirm numbers with caterers and do the seating plan
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Discuss special requests with your band or DJ
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Order honeymoon currency and traveller’s cheques
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Visit the hairdresser to try out hairstyles with your veil and tiara, and have your final cut and colour
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Have your hen and stag nights – after all that running around, it’s time to party!
