Checklist - 6 to 9 months before

At 6-9 months before the wedding the couple should have obtained a license or marriage certificate and arranged banns or registrar’s notice. The music should be discussed with an organist, music group or wedding music company and any readings discussed with the minister or registrar. It is a good idea to ask family and friends if they would like to read at the ceremony.

The caterers should be chosen and confirmed at this point and a wine merchant chosen to talk about wine and champagne. The wedding cake should also be chosen at this point as well as flowers for bouquets, buttonholes, the venue and table centres.

The wedding list company and register should be decided on and the guest list finalised. The couple can then design and order the invitations and envelopes as well as choose place cards, menus and seating plans. The order of service sheets need to be designed and printed, perhaps by the same company who are printing the invitations.

Then the transport needs to be booked. This includes transport to and from the wedding venue for the bridal party and groom’s party as well as a car for the wedding-night hotel or airport. Local hotel or B&B rooms should then be booked for the wedding party and close family and the honeymoon booked.

Time off work must be booked in advance for the run-up to the wedding as well as the honeymoon. Confirm all entertainment as well as the florist and pay any deposits necessary. Any extra sound equipment or furniture required should be reserved at this point. A crËche facility or child entertainers should also be booked at this point if there is going to be any children present at the wedding.

Once this is done the bride can buy or order her wedding dress and book make-up and hair stylists for a trial run as well as he wedding day. Bridal accessories should be considered such as veil, shoes, underwear and cover-up.