One year before your wedding



? First things first, set the special date and arrange a time with the priest, minister or registrar.

? Discuss in full detail your plans with the person who will be performing the ceremony.

? Decide on a budget and stick to it.

? Remember to suit the ceremony to your budget, and to both your personal tastes and wishes.

? Talk it all out now!

? Decide on the type of ceremony, type of reception and hoe many guests will attend.

? Choose your venue and arrange a meeting with the people in charge.

? This goes for hotels, caterers, musicians (for the ceremony, the reception) etc.

? Plan your wedding cake, cars, photographer and florist.

? Think about wedding clothes and costumes, particularly your bridal dress, colors, fabrics and accessories.

? Remember you will probably want a color scheme and a style that carries throughout the day so talk your plans through with the your dressmaker, florist and caterer.

? Both of you should book in for a pre-marriage course. Start thinking about your honeymoon.

Six months before the wedding

? Order wedding stationery, cake boxes, and favours.

? Discuss the order of the service with the person performing the ceremony and decide on service sheets for guests.

? Discuss your wedding menu with your caterers/hotelier.

? Decide on a wedding present list.

? Choose the rings.

? A doctor and dentist check up is a good idea.

? Plan inoculations for your honeymoon if necessary.

? Organise visas, passports etc.

? Think about your 'going away' attire and clothes for your honeymoon

Three months before the wedding

? Make sure you have all the appropriate pre-marriage documents and certificates.

? Finalise details of your color scheme, bouquets, buttonholes with the florist.

? Finalise the wedding guest list and have the invitations sent.

? Remember to keep a careful track of replies.

?Choose gifts for the best man, bridesmaids and attendants.

?Arrange accommodation for attendants and advise travelling guests of the rates for your hotel.

A month before the wedding

? Organise the final fittings for your dress and for the bridesmaids.

? On the day of your final fittings make sure all the bridesmaids are wearing the same shoes that they intend to wear on the big day.

? Finalise fittings for the groom and best man.

?Have a hair and make-up rehearsal.

? On the day of the hair and make-up rehearsal remember to bring the head-dress with you for the experts opinion.

? Finalise seating arrangements for the church and wedding reception.

? Plan the wedding rehearsal with the priest, minister or registrar.

? Eat properly for the next few weeks, you will need all your energy with all the running around you will be doing.

A fortnight to go

? Arrange your honeymoon and going away clothes, including passports, tickets and visas.

? Now is the time to arrange travellers' cheques, insurance, car hire and all other documentation.

? Give advice to the hotelier of the approximate number of quests for the reception.

? Plan the table setting, place cards and linen etc.

? Finalise details with the florist, photographer and caterers.

? Try all your wedding clothes on and make sure all fits correctly and all is comfortable.

A week to go

? Have the wedding rehearsal.

? Nominate someone to look after the wedding dress and the groom's outfit after the wedding.

? Wrap all the gifts for the bridesmaids, best man and attendants.

? Arrange all fees for the church or registrar, musicians (best man should do these).

? Do one last check on all documentation required including passports for the honeymoon.

? Give all documentation to the best man for safe keeping.

Two days before the wedding

? Confirm your final guest list to your hotelier.

? Make sure the wedding cake is fine and arrange all transport to and from your reception.

The day before

Have a manicure and pedicure, a long hot bath and an early night

The Big Day

? Relax.

? Have a good breakfast.

? Get your hair and make up done.

? Give yourself plenty of time to reach the church or registrar and always allow for the last minute hiccup.

Have a fantastic day to remember