Countdown Planner
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12 Months To Go:

Sit down with the priest, rabbi, minister or registrar at your chosen wedding venue to discuss the date and arrangements. Book the reception venue, caterer and entertainment.

11 Months To Go:

With parents, decide on a budget and who'll be on the guest list. Order the cake, book the photographer and choose attendants, best man and ushers.

10 Months To Go:

Choose wedding clothes, allow four months at least for a hand made dress. Choose the attendants clothes, organise the flowers. The Bride will require a bouquet but how many guests will want button holes?

9 Months To Go:

Think about the honeymoon and book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

8 Months To Go:

Decide on music for the service, have a chat with the minister or priest.

7 Months To Go:

Book the wedding transport, arrange clothes hire for the groom, best man and other men in the bridal party

6 Months To Go:

Buy honeymoon clothes, book yourself in to hairdresser and beautician

5 Months To Go:

Changing your name? Give yourself six weeks for a new passport and notify banks etc, consider booking visas and vaccinations for honeymoon

4 Months To Go:

Organise your stationery, invitations, envelopes, place cards and so on. Don't forget boxes to send cake in to those who cannot attend, choose and order wedding rings and check that they are covered by household insurance, book first night hotel.

3 Months To Go:

Organise wedding gift list, send out wedding invitations, make a list of acceptances and refusals and send out thank you notes as gifts arrive. Confirm honeymoon arrangements and do not forget visas and make sure vaccinations have been arranged with your doctor. Choose gifts for attendants, best man and others.

2 Months To Go:

Order foreign currency and arrange travellers cheques. Check wedding clothes and try on the whole outfit including the headress, shoes and underwear. Check that your fiancé has organised rings, his wedding clothes and honeymoon details including flights and hotel bookings.

1 Month To Go:

Check late replies and confirm the final guest numbers with the caterer. Work out seating plan and confirm all details, cake, photographer, flowers, transport etc. Have a rehearsal including transport and have hen and stag nights.

1 Week To Go:

Wedding rehearsal with all the key people. Make arrangements to get presents from the reception to your home. Arrange for cake to be delivered to those who can't attend. Break in wedding shoes, pack honeymoon clothes and arrange for them to be delivered to the reception venue.