Congratulations – you’re engaged! Now here comes the fun bit. You’re probably wondering where to start with how to plan your perfect big day, but panic not, Style & the Bride have everything you need to know covered with our 12 month wedding plan, in other words, ‘what to do when’ guide.
If you plan everything in advance, you will obviously be able to thoroughly enjoy your wedding day. Just make sure you read our 12 month wedding plan! Photograph by Ana Lui Photography.
12 months
Announce your engagement! You’re no doubt over the moon that your best boy went a put a ring on it, so go ahead, shout it from the rooftops! Let all your friends and family know of your plans to marry. You could even host an engagement party to celebrate.
Begin to talk to your fiancé about the kind of wedding you’d both like. If he’s imagining a Star Wars extravaganza complete with Storm Trooper outfits, and you’re more city chic with an elegant pink and gold theme you might have to talk it over a while.
Decide between the two of you, and with your families whether you’ll have a religious or civil ceremony, then begin to look at the appropriate venues.
The big one: have the money talk. You’ll need to set a realistic wedding budget based on the reality of what you can afford, not what you wish you could afford, and start saving now!
Chose your bridesmaids and send them a cute card asking ‘will you be my bridesmaid?’ – get your man to do the same for his best man and ushers.
Compile a initial guest list
Set a fitness goal and make a start on your exercise and healthy eating plans.
Get scrap booking! A wedding organiser is the perfect place to keep cuttings, receipts, notes and ideas and you’ll end up taking yours everywhere with you. If you’re more of a techno girl, get yourself onto Pinterest, which you will love.
Most excitingly dress shop! Ideally you need to have bought your dress before the nine month mark; so get visiting those boutiques!
It is never too early to start looking for your dream wedding gown. Photograph by Ana Lui Photography.
9 months
Start to visit venues, and when you find the one you love – book it! Venues get snapped up quickly, especially for summer dates, so there’s no point dithering over this decision, once you’ve found the one, make it yours.
Once you’ve booked the venue you’ll have a date so why not send out some adorable save the date cards?
Start to research photographers (check out our real wedding section for fab photographers work), and then meet up with some to find the one you really get on with. You’ll be spending a good deal of time with your photographer throughout the wedding, so skype or a face to face meeting is ideal to ensure you feel comfortable around them.
Organise the wedding licence, book the time of your ceremony and make arrangements with a registrar or vicar to conduct your marriage service.
Start researching catering options if this isn’t included within your venue package. Taste test – get out there and sample the food, if you don’t enjoy eating it then your guests certainly won’t – so try before you buy.
If you haven’t already – order your dress! Dresses from boutiques have to be ordered in and then altered to fit you perfectly, so make sure you leave plenty of time. You’ll have fittings at the three month mark, and again one month before the big day which is why you don’t want to be rushed.
Book the florist and cake maker. (Don’t forget the marvellous task of taste testing the cake) – that’s one ‘wedding job’ I’m sure the Mr will love to help you with.
Place an order for your stationery. (As a general rule of thumb wedding stationery includes; invites, RSVPs, orders of service, place settings, table names/numbers, menu cards, seating plan and thank you cards.)
You and your fiancé will definitely enjoy the cake tasting! Photograph by Ana Lui Photography.
6 months
Plan a girly day with your bridesmaids and take them shopping to chose their outfits and accessories.
Buy your own accessories; veil, shoes, jewellery, clutch bag.
Decide on a suit colour for the groomsmen and buy/book these.
Discuss how you’ll get to the ceremony; vintage car? retro campervan? horse and carriage? Or will you simply walk?
Grab your fiancé and head to the local travel agent, it’s time to talk honeymoon! Long haul or closer to home, wherever you decide to travel you need to be booking it now.
Pick your make-up artist and hairdresser (these get booked up very quickly, so it’s best to be in their diaries plenty in advance.)
Have your first dress fitting; you will need your shoes for this.
Reserve hotel /B&B rooms for your wedding night and also for the guests who will be staying over.
Begin to plan your ceremony (readings, songs, music). For church weddings take a look at their website – they have an excellent ‘ceremony planner.’
3 months
Buy your wedding rings.
Send out the invitations. Remember to include an RSVP date and ask people to include any dietary requirements they may have. You caterer will be asking for final numbers and food considerations very soon, so ensure guests RSVP in a timely manner.
Choose and order wedding favours and think about table and venue decorations. If you have a specific style or theme in mind, now is the time to start pulling it all together.
Arrange to have a hair and make-up trial. Go to these armed with pictures, mood boards and clippings of styles you like, but also keep an open mind. Be prepared to listen to your stylists; they’re professionals who have probably been doing the job a long time, so will be full of useful advice.
Buy wedding lingerie and any other accessories you may want; for example a garter, or pretty robe for the morning of the wedding. (You could even buy the bridesmaids robes too – as your gift to them).
When the invite RSVPs are returned, make a start on the seating plan.
2 months
Create music playlists for the ceremony and reception. These could either be for you to play yourself with a Ipod, or for you to pass on to your entertainment provider. This is also a good time to decide on your first dance song; including the obligatory ‘practice dance’ around your living room.
Write and distribute your gift list if you are having one. If you are asking for monetary donations, for example to help pay for your honeymoon make sure guests know this in advance.
Confirm the register office booking; so your wedding will be a) happening and b) legal!
Confirm the final menu plans with your caterer including any dietary requirements provided by your guests.
Finalise the seating plan, once and for all!
1 month
Write vows and give a gentle nudge to the men in your life to ensure they’re cracking on with their speeches too.
Email ALL suppliers to confirm final arrangements. (It may seem like an arduous task but you’re covered then should anything go wrong. If you have everything in writing it gives you reassurance they know all the little details.)
Go on hen and stag parties! Woohoo
Have a final dress fitting. Take along all the accessories you will be wearing on the day to ensure you are happy with the whole ensemble and to confirm you haven’t forgotten anything!
Catch up with the bridesmaids / ushers and best man and run through their duties on the day. They’ll probably be feeling a little nervous, because they’ll want to do the best they can for you on the day, so this is your chance to tell them what you expect from them.
2 weeks
Pack your honeymoon or minimoon bag, and order travellers cheques / foreign money if you’ll need it.
Confirm the running order of the day with your photographer and tell them of any ‘must have’ photographs that you’d like them to capture.
Buy thank you gifts for the mums and your bridal party.
The week leading up to the wedding
Have a spray tan
Call travel agents / hotel provider and confirm your honeymoon arrangements. If you’re lucky they might offer you a room upgrade as it’s a special occasion.
Write a clear and concise list of all the suppliers / contractors / people who will be helping to create your wedding day. Pass this list around to mum’s, bridesmaids and ushers so they can step in if there is a problem. The last thing you’ll want to be doing is ringing the florist if she gets lost, so provide phone numbers so someone else can do it!
Hold a rehearsal (this is expected for church weddings).
Arrange for your wedding cake to be delivered to the reception venue.
Try to take it easy….
The day before
Have a manicure and pedicure
Have all your luggage, props and décor items delivered to the venue.
Relax and have an early night. Tomorrow you’ll be married!
Make sure you read Style & the Bride’s 12 month wedding plan to ensure you know what to do and when. Photograph by Ana Lui Photography
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