There's lots to do when planning a wedding but don't panic, we're here to help.
The following information provides you with a guide of things to arrange and suppliers to book for your wedding.
We have put most of the main items in ‘ The To Start' planning your wedding section as the best and most popular venues and suppliers can be fully booked a year or two in advance. If you know specific venues, suppliers or services you wish to use you should book them as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Start Planning your wedding:
- Set a provisional date for your wedding.
- Decide on the type of ceremony. i.e. religious or civil.
- If civil, decide between a register office or a licensed venue. (England & Wales only).
- Check the legal requirements for your type of wedding ceremony including any residency requirement and the documents that will be required (birth certificate, decree absolute certificate etc).
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Establish who is going to pay for your wedding and agree a budget.
- Compile a provisional guest list to establish an estimate of guest numbers for the ceremony, day and evening receptions. This will help you budget accordingly and choose the size and style of venues.
- Decide if you're going to plan and organise your wedding yourself or use a wedding co-ordinator.
- If getting married in a church, visit the minister and provisionally book the wedding date.
- If getting married by civil ceremony at a register office, provisionally book the register office.
- If getting married by civil ceremony at a licensed venue in England or Wales, provisionally book the Superintendent Registrar to attend the licensed venue.
- Provisionally book venue or marquee for reception.
- Provisionally book your first night hotel room/bridal suite.
- Confirm provisional bookings when the venues confirm availability.
- Arrange wedding insurance before paying any deposits etc.
- Decide on the type of catering you want, whether it will be a sit-down meal or buffet, select your reception menus and book the caterers.
- Select and book your photographer and/or Videographers.
- Decide on the type of music and entertainment for your ceremony and reception. Before booking musicians, band and/or DJ, arrange to see them perform live to check their act and standard.
- Order the cake. The final design and colours can be decided later.
- Book transport to and from the ceremony and reception for the bridal party, making sure that you view the actual vehicles that you will have on the day.
- Start thinking about your wedding dress. Whether you want a designer gown, an 'off the peg' dress or a local dressmaker or hiring a dress.
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Decide on the style of flowers you want and the amount of arrangements required to include bouquets, buttonholes, venue and ceremony displays, table centres and gifts for mums.
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Upon receipt of acceptances from your guests, it is a good idea to send out an information pack about your wedding, it could contain things lik maps and directions to your venues, information on local accommodation, details of your gift list and any other relevant information.
- Book your final hair and beauty appointments (earlier if you know that your hairdresser is very busy), and your make-up artist if you are having one. Confirm whether you will be going to the salon on the day or having stylists to your home.
- Telephone any guests who have not responded to your wedding invitation.
- Send final number of guests to the caterer and the reception venue.
- Prepare speeches and start practicing!
- Check that all items of wedding clothing for the bridal party are on schedule for fitting and delivery or collection.
- Check that the transport details are finalised, and arrange a practice drive from the bride's house to the church or register office.
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Put together a list of telephone numbers in case of an on-the-day emergency such as a local cab firm, doctor's surgery and all the suppliers that will be attending or delivering items on your wedding day, e.g. cake maker, florist, transport etc.
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