Start Planning - the wedding checklist

Congratulations! You are engaged! Announce your engagement to family and friends.

Consider making a formal announcement in the newspapers.
11 Months

    Arrange for both families to meet and celebrate if possible
    Purchase a wedding organiser and some magazines for some inspiration
    Plan the engagement party for no more than 3 months from your announcement. Set a date, chose a location and decide on a guest list. Create invitations and send to guests.
    Record cards and gifts received and send personalised thank you notes
    Decide on a wedding budget
    Start guest list
    Determine time frame for your wedding date. Choose a few dates that don't conflict with other events taking into consideration that some guests may need to travel long distances.
    Choose a colour scheme. Collect ideas and create an inspiration board including colours, themes and styles
    Shortlist your venues for the ceremony
    Shortlist your venues for the reception
    Book ceremony venue and record payment in your budget planner
    Book venue and record payment in your budget planner

10 Months

    Begin looking for a dress
    Begin looking for a celebrant that suits your style, theme and personality
    Book celebrant and record payment in budget planner
    Choose your bridal party and formally ask them to be in your bridal party

9 Months

    Shortlist wedding photographers
    Shortlist wedding videographer
    Shortlist wedding Florist
    Shortlist Band/DJ

8 Months

    Investigate bridal registries
    Book Wedding Photographer
    Book Wedding Florist
    Book Wedding Videographer

7 Months

    Research accommodation options for out of town guests
    Send out "save the date cards"
    Select dress and pay deposit, recording the payment in your budget planner
    Shortlist Cake suppliers

6 Months

    Research invitation or stationary supplier. Decide on a theme that covers all aspects of the stationary. Invitations, RSVP cards, name cards and thank you cards
    Meet with ceremony musicians and discuss music choices for ceremony

5 Months

    Book hair and makeup artist  and any pre wedding beauty therapies that are needed (waxing, spray tanning, manicures etc)
    Gather bridesmaids for dress shopping or fittings
    Gather the Groom and Groomsmen for suit fittings. Record any deposits paid
    Book accommodation for your wedding night (make sure it’s the honeymoon suite!)
    Prepare detailed accommodation options for out of town guests catering to as many tastes and budgets as possible
    Plan and Book your honeymoon. Remembering to check the weather and make sure you book the honeymoon suite!

4 Months

    Purchase wedding accessories for the day including jewelry, veil, shoes, underwear and handbags
    Finalise hair and makeup with artist

3 Months

    Confirm bouquets, button holes and ceremony flowers with florist ensuring your flowers will be either "in season" or available on the day
    Finalise bridal party accessories including shoes, handbags and  wedding jewelery for bridesmaids and ties, Cufflinks and socks for groomsmen
    Find wedding jeweler to make wedding bands
    Finalise bridal registry and obtain cards to include with invitations
    Design and create wedding bomboniere
    Book wedding cars/transportation

2 Months

    Finalise guest list
    Finalise invitation wording, font and style
    Finalise menu
    Bride maids to organise hens night (provide a list of names and addresses)
    Obtain travel visas for international honeymoon. Check passport validity
    Decide on readings for ceremony and ask readers to be a part of the day (the longer they have to rehearse the better)
    Schedule dress fittings with dressmaker for the last 3 fittings
    Supply full guest list to Maid of honour and best man for bridal shower/kitchen tea and rehearsal events
    Send out invitations

1 Month

    Confirm travel arrangements have been made for out of town guests
    Finalise ceremony programs and have them printed
    Obtain legal requirements and ensure all paperwork is completed before the deadline
    Purchase guest book
    Bridal party gifts (don't forget you ushers, readers, close family, flower girls, ring bearers and the celebrant)
    Write your vows and send to celebrant to review

4 Weeks

    Arrange rehearsal with entire bridal party and celebrant
    Finalise play list for DJ (if you don't want to provide a full play list, supply "genres"
    Finalise play and "do not play" songs with live music band including : introduction, first dance, cake cutting, father/daughter dance and last dance.
    Finalise ceremony music selections and send the list to your ceremony musicians.
    Final accessories including hairpiece and jewelery
    Collect wedding rings make sure you try them on!
    Create a wedding day schedule covering off all elements including bridal party and suppliers.
    Final dress fitting
    Finalise readings and any other special touches to the day
    Finalise numbers for the reception
    Provide reception venue with running sheet on suppliers and when to expect them
    Create a seating chart and provide details to reception venue including any signage that may be required
    Confirm pick up details with florist
    Prepare toasts and speeches
    Send addresses to transport/car suppliers
    Confirm times and locations with photographer/videographer
    Provide photographer with a list of must have pictures (include parents, special guests etc)
    Shop and pack for your honeymoon (make sure you check the weather!)
    Put together an emergency kit (aspirin, makeup, hairspray, safety pins, mints, band aids)
    Deliver place cards, guest book, pens, cake knife, toasting flutes, and all other reception items at the reception venue.

After the big day

    Ensure all invoices are paid in full
    Record gifts and send thank you notes, no later than 8 weeks after your wedding
    Arrange name change details