You're Getting married.. now what do you do?
OK, it's getting closer to the Big Day now. You've done the hard part - the next six months of Wedding Day planning should be a lot more fun.
Six Months To Go
Sort out Bridesmaid Dresses
You may have done this when you found your dress, but if you didn’t, now is the time to do it. A good idea is to go for looser fittings now, with a view to having some alterations done nearer the day.
Arrange your Honeymoon
Most of the operators have a dedicated Honeymoon service offering something a little more special than a normal package holiday.
Hen and Stag Night
Start planning ideas for the Hen Night and Stag Night with your head bridesmaid and best man. Top Ten Overseas Hen and Stag Weekend Locations - Top Ten UK Hen and Stag Weekend Locations
Three Months To Go
Hair and Beauty
Decide on the image you want. This is the time to experiment and work out any glitches before 'the day', such as the right makeup colour pallet to suit your skin and dress, and how to style your hair with your veil, if you have one.
Bridal Beauty Consultants and Bridal Makeup Artists
Arrange the Order of Service
Once you've chosen your music and readings, now's the time to plan out your Order of Service. You can see an example of an Order of Service here.
Send out Invitations
This should be just a formality by now, everyone should have been pre-warned and be expecting your invite. You need those RSVPs coming back to you as soon as possible so that you can finalise your details, so be disciplined. Traditionally, this is the duty of the bride's mother but it is perfectly acceptable to do this yourselves nowadays. Wedding Invitations
Buy Wedding Accessories
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Useful Links:
FCO - Travel Advice
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The cake knife, balloons, table decor and wedding favours. Check with your reception venue as to what they will supply and arrange on the day. Wedding Favours
Buy your Shoes and Accessories
Remember you'll be on your feet most of the day so choose sensibly!
Organise jabs and visas for Honeymoon
Don’t forget to change the name on your
passport.
You can arrange this up to three months before the ceremony,
although you’ll be unable to use your passport until the actual
day of your marriage or civil partnership.
If you apply to amend your passport before you get married you
will need leaflet
PD1, which explains what you need to do, and form
PD2.
UK Passport Service
Finalise Catering Plans
Your caterer or venue should be fully versed by now, make sure they have catered for special diet requests from vegetarians, etc. Arrange your seating plan so that the two families are intermingled but not to the extent where they are isolated from people they know. With a bit of thought and planning it should all fall into place. When you are fairly sure about your seating plan, check with the venue and caterer that they can accommodate your arrangement. Simple Seating plan software
Make your Choice of Wines
It is sometimes better to get your own wines and pay corkage to your venue then it is to buy their own wine. There is money to be saved here so do your research, charges will vary from venue to venue.
As a guide, allow 2/3 glasses of Champagne or Sparkling Wine per person. Generally, reckon on 34 standard bottles per 100 guests. For wine, allow half a bottle for each guest, a regular 75cl bottle will fill 5 medium wine glasses.
One Month To Go
Chase up those RSVP's
If people haven't replied by now you will have to get on their case! Have a list handy of people you could invite at the last minute - just in case.
Start wearing your wedding shoes around the house
The big day will take it’s toll on your feet so you need to break those shoes in!
Two Weeks To Go
Hen Night
Between now and a week before, you should be having your Hen Party. Don't leave it too late as you will need to be in tip-top shape on the day. The last thing you want to be doing is nursing a hangover! Hen Night Bliss
Have final chats with your Wedding Service Providers
Check that everyone knows the numbers attending, seating arrangements, & who's responsible for what. Iron out any problems here rather than on the day itself.
Buy Gifts
A small gift is traditional for the bride/groom/bridesmaids/father of the bride, etc. Wedding Day Gifts for Him - Wedding day Gifts for Her - Wedding Day Gifts for the Younger Attendants
Arrange Dress Fittings
You should arrange the final fitting as near to the day as you can, your weight will have fluctuated from month to month so now is the time to make those final adjustments. Try and get all the bridesmaids together at the same time for any last minute adjustments.
One Week To Go
Have the Rehearsal
The evening before the ceremony is the time when a lot of people choose do the rehearsal, often this is a Friday night, which is probably convenient for most of your guests.
Notify your Change of Name
Write to your bank, utility companies, etc, to give notice of your change of name and address. Send your driving licence/car registration to the DVLA. Some of these will require a copy of your Marriage Certificate - which you get once you are married - but it's a good idea to have the letters prepared in advance.
The Wedding Day
The big day has arrived - Your hairdresser/beautician should be fully prepared so don't worry, they do this every day, everything will be fine! Your bridesmaids, ushers and best man have all been briefed and prepared, it's their job to do the worrying now! Relax, take a deep breath - it's your big day now so enjoy it!
