Guide for your wedding day checklist

Your six month countdown

Don't be daunted by the task of planning your wedding!

Planning will ensure your wedding is a success, and keep stress to a minimum. The checklist below covers the basic steps in getting ready, but couples planning a wedding have differing timelines and requirements, so adapt it to suit.

SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

Get yourself a planning book and filing system, and keep a running wedding plan checklist. Include ideas about how to make the next six months healthy and pampering so you feel fantastic rather than exhausted on the day.

Decide on the date for your wedding, and a minister/celebrant to conduct your ceremony. This will include deciding on the ceremony venue.
Decide on the bridal party.
Discuss numbers of guests for the reception. Draw up your guest list.
Book a reception venue to suit your wedding date.
Think about venue decorations. Establish whether you will require specialist venue decorators or if family will do a lot of the work.
Consider type of food and expense. Select a caterer.
Book your photographer and/or videographer.
Organise your florist. Discuss bouquets for bride and attendants, and other flower decorations for lapels, tables etc. Decide whether you want to use a specialist floral artist.
If music and/or entertainment for the day is a feature think about musicians, performers, DJ etc early.

Order your wedding dress or confirm a dressmaker. Start thinking about bride attendants' clothes at the same time.
Decide on clothes for the groom, best man, etc.
Talk about clothes to other key people such as ushers and parents.
Consider where to spend your honeymoon. Book airfares/transportation and hotel suites early. Check your passport if you’re travelling overseas.
Write a list of your stationery requirements. Select who will provide this.
Order your wedding cake.
And remember to get yourself a wedding website.

3 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

You’ll have on-going decisions and appointments to do with all the things you’ve started to organise already. As well you’ll need to think about the following.

Arrange a meeting with your celebrant or minister to discuss details of your wedding day, music and songs, readings, and how the service will happen.
Send out invitations between 2-3 months before the wedding. For guests overseas ensure they receive invitations 3 months before the wedding.
Book your music and any entertainment for the day.
Talk to your hairdresser and discuss possible hair styles. Book your hairdresser for the morning of the wedding.
Buy shoes and other accessories.
Finalise the details for groom and attendant clothing.
Choose wedding rings.
Book transport - to the ceremony, to and from the reception venue etc.
Draw up a gift list. Place in one or more selected stores.
Check your household insurance policy will cover your wedding gifts. If it doesn't, take out extra cover.
Finalise the details of your honeymoon.
If you require accommodation on your wedding night book with a local hotel close to the venue.

TWO MONTHS BEFORE

Keep a note of responses to invitations.
As gifts arrive send out thank you notes. And keep a list of who sent the gifts.
Finalise the proceedings for the ceremony and order any printing you may require.
Think about your honeymoon clothes if you need to.
Think about thankyou presents for your bridesmaids, bestman, parents and others.
If you are changing your name inform relevant organizations eg banks, insurance companies etc.
Confirm in writing all the suppliers - venue, celebrant/minister, caterers, transportation, florist, musicians, wedding cake, photographer, and other bookings. Request written confirmations.

ONE MONTH AWAY

Call or contact people who haven't replied to invitations.
Write a final guest list and confirm numbers with venue and caterers.
Work out a seating plan for the reception.
Make arrangements and pay for the marriage certificate.
Visit your hairdresser to check headwear and hairstyle.
Book a make-up session for the morning of the wedding
Wear-in wedding shoes around the house.
Make a date and organise stag and hen parties.

TWO WEEKS TO GO

Go right through all aspects of your wedding and make sure everything is going according to plan.
Make a detailed check on all aspects of wedding outfits.
Arrange a rehearsal with all wedding participants. Confirm the rehearsal date with celebrant or minister.
Make any arrangements for the last week’s pampering – massage, pedicure, etc.

ONE WEEK TO GO

You don’t want to be doing much this week, other than looking after yourself, so have all your support people on deck.

Reconfirm all arrangements by telephone all the wedding day suppliers.
People giving speeches should prepare what they want to say.
If you are not getting a hairdresser and make-up artist practise your hair and make up.
Pack for the honeymoon.
Sort out required documents such as travellers' cheques, passport, travel insurance.

THE DAY BEFORE

Double-check everything.
Take time out to relax.
Delegate where you can.
Check-in with key people that things are going smoothly.