Wedding Planner

This far out is all about identifying what you really want out of this whole experience, making decisions about your future is both exciting and a little scary but that is all part of the fun.

* Decide on the date and the time.

* Discuss with your fiance what style of wedding you are both dreaming of.

* Once you have agreed on this, set your budget.  If it’s going to be tight, discuss what you are willing to compromise on.

* Discuss (just the two of you) what role you would like your family members to play.

* Another important discussion to have as early as possible is all the legal bits…. organising life insurance and other insurances, superannuation beneficiaries, amending or constructing a will each, power of attorney, if you will be having a prenuptial agreement drawn up… etc

* Finally, if you haven’t already discussed your long term future i.e. children, where you would like to live, your long term career plans and for the Bride to be, whether you want to change your name or not, then this is the perfect time to do so.

* Once you have come to a decision regarding your families, and their involvement, then discuss all or any of the above with them.  Remember it is your day, not theirs. If they are willing to contribute financially then identify who will be paying for what and start your savings / payment plan TODAY!

Whether you put a set amount, each pay cycle, into a “wedding account” or you pay deposits when making bookings and you organise a payment plan with your suppliers, by spreading the costs out your budget will stretch a lot further. Try to have everything paid off approx. 1 month before the wedding day, then any last minute costs will not be a problem.

* Discuss (again just the two of you) your Bridal Party contenders.

* Announce your Bridal Party and inform them of their duties.

* If you are going to hire a Wedding Planner, contact potential candidates and arrange suitable times to meet.

* Start your “Guest List”.

* Book your Ceremony location.  If you are planning to be married in a public place, a park or the beach for example, you must contact the local council to arrange a permit.  It’s quite an easy process, so don’t let this put you off.

* Book your Celebrant, if required.

* Book your Reception venue.

* Book your Caterer, if required.

* Book your Photographer.

* Book your Videographer.

* Discuss and book your Honeymoon.

* Start your “Wedding Day Health & Fitness Regime”.  If self motivation isn’t one of your strongest points then get yourself a Personal Trainer.  You want to look your best don’t you?

* Meet with your Lawyer.

* Meet with your Financial adviser.

* Locate your personal documentation i.e. birth certificates, divorce documents (if previously married) etc.  Your officiate will be able to provide you with a list of what is required to ensure your marriage is legal.

* If you are planning an overseas honeymoon, make sure your passports are in order as of the date of travel.

* Go wedding dress & bridesmaid dress shopping.  Try lay-bying instead of using your credit card.

* Start paying off your honeymoon now, most travel agents will accept regular payments or offer BPAY.  Either way a little each pay cycle will make a huge difference when it comes around.  Ask your travel agent if they can do a Honeymoon Registry too, it’s a nice alternative to a wishing well.

* Start saving for your honeymoon spending money today too.  Again a little each pay will ensure you aren’t stuck in your hotel room eating chicken noodles for a week.

* Month 2 of your “Wedding Day Health & Fitness Regime”, have you noticed a difference yet?

* Book your transportation.

* Choose & book your Ceremony and Reception entertainment.

* Start putting together your music play list.  If you are stuck for ideas visit our Wedding Resources page, here you will find our TOP 50 Wedding Waltz Songs.

* Meet with your Photographer & Videographers (together if they are not from the same company, this way they can exchange ideas and will work together).  Be sure you are happy with the outcome of this meeting, this is a huge expense, don’t feel pressured into something you don’t want, especially at the expense of something you really do want.

* Start your photography & video check lists. Visit our Wedding Resources page for our Photography & Video Footage Check Lists.

* If you are getting married out of town, now is a good time to start looking into establishments that can accommodate all traveling guests.  Don’t be afraid to ask for a discounted rate for your wedding guests.  Advise them of the number of guests you anticipate would be staying to ensure you get the best deal possible.

* If catering the reception yourself, finalise your food and drinks menu.

* Order your hire equipment, chairs etc.  If catering yourself organise your refrigeration/food service equipment & of course your decorations.  If possible pay more than the minimum deposit.

* Confirm and book your florist.  Discuss your colour and style choices with your florist now, especially if you are after something very specific, so there are no surprises when it gets closer to your wedding day. Be sure to pay a deposit, even a little more if possible.

* If possible see if you the florist can arrange for your order to be delivered to the Ceremony and Reception venues, and the Bridal Party pieces to where everyone is getting ready.  If not, be sure to organise someone responsible to do this on the day.

For some great advice on choosing the right floral varietals and arrangements for your big day, visit our Wedding Resources page.

* Meet with your Ceremony & Reception venues to confirm your booking and pay your deposits, if you haven’t already done so.

* Finalise your guest list and order your stationery.

* Once you have confirmed your Ceremony, Reception and, if necessary, Accommodation venues send out your “Save the date” cards.  Be sure to include a brochure or at minimum the details of the accommodation you have tentatively booked, for the out of towners, so they have plenty of time to book.  If you were able to secure a discounted rate, provide the details so they don’t end up paying a higher rate.

* Choose your Fine Jewellery retailer/designer and order/design your wedding rings.

* Register for your “Gift Registry” and select your gifts.

* Choose your Cake Decorator and order your cake.  Don’t forget to pay a deposit.

* If possible ask if they can arrange delivery of the cake to the reception venue, the day of the wedding.  If not, be sure to organise someone responsible to collect and deliver the cake on the day.

* Organise your Guest Thank You gifts.  If you are making them yourself, why not get a head start and do a few at night in front of the television. If you are ordering them don’t confirm a quantity until you have received all your RSVP cards in, ensuring you don’t over order.

* Month seven of your “Wedding Day Health & Fitness Regime”, so how are you feeling and how fantastic do you look?  If you have lost your motivation, it is not too late to get yourself back on track and looking fabulous for your big day.

* Meet with your Reception venue to discuss themeing, menus and drinks packages and seating plans.  Start your own seating arrangements now you have a floor plan of the venue.

* Book your Hairdresser appointments, to have your final cut and colour, make appointment for three (3) weeks prior to your wedding day.  Gents possibly the week before.

* Book your Hair Stylist, that will style your hair on your wedding day, be sure to book in for your trial too. Make sure you book your trial to happen after your final Hairdresser appointment, this way the Stylist is working with your hair at a similar length to what it will be on your Wedding Day.

* Book your Beautician, for your facial one (1) month prior and your eyelash tint, waxing etc for approx. four (4) days prior to your wedding day.

* Book your Spray Tan, for two (2) days prior to your wedding day.

* Book your Nail Technician, for two (2) days prior to your wedding day. (Try to book this appointment for after your spray tan, if possible.

* Book your Massage Therapist, for either the night before your wedding day.

* Book your Make Up Artist, for the day of your wedding day and for your trial. Food for thought… why not book this appointment for the day of your Hens or Bridal Shower, it would be a shame to go home and have to wash all that lovely make up off without a little outing first….

* Have our Vaccinations, if your Honeymoon destination, travel advice recommends so.

* Meet with your Photographer to discuss your wishes.

* Meet with your Videographer to discuss your wishes.

* Choose your MC and discuss the day’s timetable and their expected duties.

* Send out your Hens, Bucks & Bridal Shower invitations.

* Send out your Wedding invitations.

* Meet with your Officiate no later than this to ensure your “Notice of Intended Marriage” is submitted on time.

* Have your last dress fitting.  Be sure to try your dress on with your lingerie and accessories, while with your Dressmaker/Seamstress just in case there are any last minute alterations required.

* Start writing your Thank You Cards as your RSVP’s come in.

* Confirm your Honeymoon details and make your final payment.

* Meet with your Wedding Decorator to finalise any loose ends.

* Organise your Wedding Rehearsal, for the week prior, and notify those that will be required to attend.

* Hairdresser appointment for your final cut and colour.

* Hair Stylist trial.

* Make Up trial.

* Ask those making speeches to start preparing.

* Buy your Bridal Party gifts.

* All your RSVP’s should be in this week.  Finalise your seating arrangements and notify your Reception venue with your final numbers and a seating plan.

* Party time – Hens & Bucks.

* Collect your Honeymoon travel documents.

* Collect your rings from the jeweller.

* Go through your list and phone all contacts to confirm final details – Photographer, Cake Decorator, Caterer etc.

* Organise an appointment with your Photographer & Videographer to view the photos and footage, upon return from your Honeymoon.

* Collect your dress, if you haven’t already done so.

* Notify the newspapers of your approaching Wedding Day.

* Enjoy your Bridal Shower, ladies.

* Wedding Rehearsal.

* Order Honeymoon spending money.

* Decorate the cake knife and deliver with the cake bags, place cards and another copy of the seating plan (just in case) to the Reception venue.

* Try on your outfits one last time.

* Pack your bags for your Wedding night.

* Pack your bags for your Honeymoon.

* Pack your handbag for the big day.

* If you weren’t able to organise the Florist and Cake Decorator to deliver your orders, confirm with whomever you have arranged to do so, that they know where they are going and what time they need to be where.

* Organise someone to return the hire outfits, hire equipment and collect the flowers, decorations, cake knife and remaining cake from the Reception venue.  If you have catered the event, be sure to organise someone to clean up and collect any left over food and beverages, after everyone leaves. You don’t want to be hit with a cleaning bill.

* Organise someone to collect your mail, water your plants and feed the animals, while you are on your honeymoon.

* Enjoy all your beauty and pampering appointments.  Be sure to exfoliate before your wax and spray tan appointments.

* Eat healthy to avoid any nasty spots and oily skin.

* Have all outfits, accessories, toiletries etc. delivered to the address where the Bridal party will be getting ready.

* Where possible have the Bridal party stay with the Bride & Groom the night before, to ensure no one arrives late.

* Enjoy a relaxing massage.

* Avoid drinking too much alcohol tonight, you don’t want to end up with dry skin or worse a hangover.

* Get an early night sleep to avoid puffy eyes and sleep ins.