Wedding Feature: CountDown
Your cut-out-and-keep guide to planning your special day
Straight away
• Set your budget!
• Pick a date and venue
• Provisionally book venue
and reception
• Contact registrar to check
their availability
• Send out ‘Save The Date’ cards
9–12 months to go
• Book photographer/video
• Book your toastmaster
• Book reception venue, caterers and music
• Plan and book the
decoration of the room
• Book your honeymoon
• Take out wedding insurance
• Book appointments
to enter notice with
Registrar Office, or meet priest/minister/rabbi/
celebrant
• Pay deposit to confirm venue
• Plan bride’s dress
and menswear
6 months to go
• Draw up a guest list
• Book your transport
• Decide on your chief bridesmaid/best man
• Order stationery and
table favours
• Choose outfits for bridesmaids, best man and ushers
• Purchase your wedding rings
• Choose your gift list company
3 months to go
• Visit reception venue to
decide on menu and wines
• Start a beauty routine
for skin and hair
• Choose a florist and
discuss requirements
• Check passports
• Book overnight hotel
if necessary
• Choose (and order!) the cake
• Arrange Order Of Service
and music readings
2 months to go
• Send out invitations
• Send out list of local accommodation to guests
• Re-confirm all bookings
• Buy accessories: tiara, veil, lingerie, cufflinks and shoes
• Choose and order presents
for your attendants
• Buy a guest book
• Book wedding day hair and make-up appointments
1 month to go
• Have final dress fitting
• Arrange stag/hen nights/weekends
• Give wedding party
a list of duties
• Chase up guests
who have not replied
• Confirm final number of
guests with caterers
• Pay registrars’ final fees
• Order travellers cheques/currency
1 week to go
• Contact registration staff
to finalise arrangements
• Call all bookings
and confirm times
• Pick up dress
• Ensure all hired garments
are collected in time
• Pack for honeymoon
• Have final hair and
make-up practice
1 day to go
• Help to decorate the venue,
if necessary
• Have honeymoon luggage
sent to venue
• Relax – have an early night!
