Congratulations on your engagement, now the fun of planning begins! Of course, this is all very new and can be a little overwhelming at times, so we have come to the rescue by putting together our timeline for wedding planning. We hope that this will make the whole process as calm and stress free as possible! Of course, everyone takes up the planning process at different times and at different rates, but we hope that this general guide will be of some help.

Timeline

12 months

Book your venue and book the registrar

Buy a wedding planner/notebook or set up a digital planner with a database (contact numbers, RSVPs, dietary requirements etc.)

Get wedding insurance

Start spreading the news! Send save the date!

Decide if you will plan your wedding or need a wedding planner – Do I need a wedding planner?

Decide on your wedding party

Book your photographer

Start looking at other suppliers

Set up your weddings board on Pinterest so you can start pinning styling ideas!

8 months

Decide on your wedding theme/styling

Book cake, florist, entertainment, transport, hair & makeup

Dress & suit shopping

Plan Honeymoon & Hen/Stag do

5 months

Invitations sent out/create wedding website to keep guests updated of details and final changes

Ensure your dress, suits, shoes, bridesmaids dresses, groomsmen’s suits are purchased

Purchase your rings and accessories

Create wedding day gift list

3 months

Menu tasting

Decide on your bedroom allocation - who is going in which room

If not staying at venue, sort out where staying the night before

Hair and makeup trial

Start thinking about: music, vows, readings, speeches, seating arrangements

Planning thinking about all the details like guest numbers, dietary, requirements, schedule of the day, table and room layout, décor decorations/instructions, supplier timings and contact info

2 months

What do venues offer (e.g. mirror, easel, umbrella, cake stand)

Who puts the décor out – Berwick Lodge put decorations out for you!

Decoration – guest book, card box, favours, décor, confetti, candles etc.

Decide on any gifts you’re giving out

Arrange a meeting to run through all the final details of your wedding, with the venue

6 Weeks

Get your stationary printed – place card, seating plan, menu cards, order of the day

1 months

Dress fitting

Give venue final guest numbers

Confirm supplier arrangements/timings

Decided music, vows, readings, speeches - confirm with registrars and venue

Invoice/payment & final requirements

1 week before

Enlist wedding party to help!

Check the weather and prepare for Plan B

Wrap gifts

Pick up and drop off items

Confirm any changes to details with your suppliers

Pamper yourself!

Image courtesy of Timi Oshin Photography