Our Essential Wedding Planning Checklist
Whether you’re newly engaged and eager to start planning or entering the final countdown to your big day, make sure your wedding goes without a hitch with our essential wedding checklist.
Mission Statement
Before you go rushing ahead into the whirlwind of wedding planning, sit down with your significant other and write down a personal mission statement. Agree on a budget, a timescale and general theme and check back regularly throughout the planning process.
Set the date
Setting the date is the first big step towards walking down the aisle. Some couples choose a date that means something special to them, whereas others may choose a date based on the availability of their dream venue. However you choose your date, it will be one you’ll never forget!
Choose your wedding party
Often one of the hardest decisions is trying to choose who will be supporting you at alter on the big day. Think about who you want to not only share the special day with, but plan it with too! Whether it is your siblings or your oldest friend, remember, the people who will stand by your side on your wedding day will also be the ones planning your stag and hen nights!
Venue
The wedding venue is the first thing you need to book, as the catering, decoration and even the dress can depend on this decision. Make sure you go and view a few locations to work out what you like and what you’re not so keen on. Think about: how will guests get there, will they need to stay the night, do you plan on staying nearby?
Services and suppliers
Once you’ve done your research and made your decisions, be sure to book as soon as possible to avoid the disappointment of your favourite band/hairdresser/photographer not being available on your date. Don’t forget to book the hire of any extra special touches or decoration to make your day unforgettable like our light up letters.
Bridal Shopping
A little tip, if you are having hair and makeup trials, arrange them to coincide with dress shopping so you can get a better idea of the whole look. It’s much easier to get a vision of the final image if you’ve got all the accessories with you.
Wedding party attire
If you are working from a strict colour palette or have opted for a more relaxed, mismatched look for your wedding party, just make sure everyone knows what they are expected to wear so you don’t have any surprises.
Wedding Rings
It may seem like the most obvious wedding essential, but ministers and celebrants have many a tale about couples who realised in the middle of their ceremonies that they didn’t just forget the rings on the day, they forgot to buy them entirely.
Send Invitations
As a general rule, wedding invites should be sent 6-12 weeks before the celebration, but many couples choose to send them a little earlier than this if their venue is further from home to give guests more time to make arrangements.
Book the honeymoon
Wedding planning can be stressful so get your honeymoon all booked up so you can look forward to your first romantic getaway as a married couple. Want to save up some cash before you go on your celebratory trip as newly weds? Mini-moons are becoming an increasingly popular option.
The final countdown
It’s time to check you’ve not forgotten any wedding essentials. Have the final fittings of your wedding attire, check in with your suppliers, complete your table plan and make sure everyone in your wedding party knows the schedule for the big day. The day before your wedding, everything should be organised, so relax, breathe and get an early night!
