Hints & Tips:

1. Wedding Calendar

The calendar below assumes the timescale and planning order for a church wedding, followed by a formal wedding reception. Information is based on weddings taking place in the UK, but much of it applies to any wedding, anywhere in the world!


As soon as the wedding date and church have been arranged:

  • select a venue for the reception; ask for prices from more than one, and book once you have decided
  • choose a caterer if the venue doesn't provide this facility
  • order your wedding cake
  • book photographer and/or videographer
  • book transport
  • book a florist to supply the bouquets and flowers
  • book your honeymoon and first night hotel
  • choose the best man, bridesmaids, pageboys, and ushers
  • start looking for your dress and the attendants outfits

Three to four months before your Wedding Day:

  • buy wedding rings
  • organise a wedding gift list
  • discuss readings, music and the order of service with your minister
  • choose and order your wedding stationery, cake boxes, napkins and any favours for the guests
  • discuss the menu and drinks with your caterer
  • discuss the colour scheme of your flowers with your florist
  • make sure you have valid passports, visas and vaccinations if honeymooning abroad

Two to three months before your Wedding Day:

  • finalise guest list and send out invitations; as replies are received use a checklist to note who is coming and who isn't
  • send out thank you letters as gifts arrive; keep the gift cards that accompany the presents - they can be a lovely memento and a useful reference of who gave you what!

Four to six weeks before your Wedding Day:

  • finalise the order of service ready for printing
  • make final arrangements with your florist regarding bridal bouquet and buttonholes; order corsages for the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom, to match their outfits
  • buy presents for the best man, bridesmaids, and other attendants

Two to four weeks before your Wedding Day:

  • have the final fitting for your dress wearing the shoes you will wear on the day; check attendants outfits
  • buy clothes for going-away outfit and honeymoon
  • make sure groom and best man have organised their clothes, the rings, passports and the honeymoon
  • arrange a date for the wedding rehearsal so that everyone involved can attend
  • arrange the hen party and stag night
  • discuss hairstyle to suit your head-dress with your hairdresser; it is best to try out the style before the actual day

Two weeks before your Wedding Day:

  • confirm numbers with caterer
  • draw up seating plan and write place cards
  • time your journey to the church on the same day of the week and at the same time as your wedding, in case you need to allow extra time
  • finalise arrangements with the photographer/video operator, florist, transport firm, and caterer
  • try on the whole wedding outfit, down to underwear, that you will wear on the day - if something is not right, it can be rectified now
  • sort clothes for honeymoon, buy items you need such as sun screen etc.

One week before your Wedding Day:

  • let caterer know if there are any last minute changes to the numbers
  • send a wedding announcement to the local paper
  • wrap gifts for best man, bridesmaids etc.
  • make sure the groom gives the best man the correct fees in separate envelopes for the minister, organist, and choir
  • have a wedding rehearsal
  • pack main items of clothing for your honeymoon, and check tickets
  • make sure that your cake is ready and arrange delivery to the reception venue

The day before your Wedding Day:

  • pack rest of clothes for honeymoon
  • make sure everything you need for the day is in one place
  • have some fresh air - a long walk will also help you to sleep!

Wedding Day:

  • try and eat a light breakfast, if you can!
  • leave plenty of time for dressing and having your hair done before the cars are due to arrive
  • a small glass of sherry with your parents may help to calm you down, but don't overdo it!

After the Wedding:

  • send out cake boxes to friends and relatives who couldn't attend the reception
  • write thank you cards for any wedding gifts received on the day
  • send photos to anyone who couldn't come, or as souvenirs to those who did
  • Enjoy the rest of your life!

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Who Does What! ~ The Dress ~ Photographer ~ Transport
Flowers ~ Wedding Stationery ~ The Reception