When you get engaged…

* Decide on your budget with parents
* Decide on your wedding date
* Book a venue for the ceremony and reception
* Call a meeting with minister or celebrant
* Choose your bridal party
* Find a photographer and videographer
* Select the bride’s and bridesmaids gowns and accessories

Six months before your wedding…

* Select a florist
* Have dress fittings for bride and attendants
* Choose groom and attendants suits
* Design your invitations and other stationery
* Choose a wedding cake
* Look at bands/musicians/disc jockey for ceremony and reception
* Organise honeymoon destination
* Book wedding day cars or other transportation
* Make appointments for hair and makeup for bride and attendants

Three months to go…

* Have invitations printed
* Confirm other printing requirements i.e. RSVP cards, order of service books, place cards, etc
* Finalise ceremony order with minister or celebrant
* Write wedding vows
* Attend any pre-wedding programs as required
* Finalise flower selections
* Book honeymoon
* Arrange any travel documents required for honeymoon i.e. passports, travel insurance, etc.
* Register your gifts at a bridal registry
* Book musicians for ceremony and reception
* Draw up draft for guest list and discuss with relevant parties

Two months to go…

* Finalise guest list and send out invitations
* Speak to your reception wedding coordinator at Rivers to discuss menus and any decorations required
* Select wedding rings for bride and groom
* Visit dentist and get your teeth polished
* Book wedding night accommodation
* Have another dress fitting and organise final fitting date
* Make final selections for any readings for the ceremony
* Finalise order of service books for ceremony and get minister to check

One month and counting…

* Finalise documentation required for minister or celebrant for ceremony
* Book a date for the ceremony rehearsal
* Work on guest table and seating allocations
* Choose a master of ceremonies for the reception
* Check all deposits have been paid
* Select accessories for the bride’s gown
* Have any beauty treatments such as facial
* Confirm groom and groomsmens’ suits and other accessories
* Buy gifts for bridal party and parents
* Have kitchen tea for bride

One week to go...

* Have hair and make up trial
* Book venue for rehearsal dinner
* Confirm appointments for manicure and/or pedicure
* Have any waxing done
* Chase up any outstanding RSVPs
* Final guest numbers to reception venue
* Write place cards for reception and drop off at reception with guest list
* Organise disposable cameras for the reception
* Confirm groom’s transport arrangements for the ceremony
* Groom and his attendants should have any haircuts done now
* Hen’s or buck’s parties to be held by now
* Pick up wedding rings and have any other jewellery cleaned
* Organise a schedule for final payments
* Start having some early nights and drink lots of water
* Groomsmen to organise any drinks for the photo session
* Pick up your gown a week before
* Give your shoes a test run at least a week before
* Groom’s suit to be collected
* Practice smiling!