Preparation and Planning

Your day needs detailed planning and individual attention. A dedicated co-ordinator is unobtrusively with you every step of the way to ease the pressure by making sure everything is in order and immaculately organised.

Nothing is overlooked and they come equipped with plenty of ideas, lists of reputable suppliers, lots of experience and enormous enthusiasm to create exactly what you would like - this is your day and we never lose sight of that!

First things first!

Here is a month by month checklist for Weddings and Ceremony planning.

Twelve Months to go

Choose between a religious or civil ceremony.
Decide on your ideal wedding date and time.
Visit the celebrant and book the ceremony venue.
Determine your budget.
Arrange wedding insurance.

Eleven Months to go

Hire a wedding consultant (if you are using one).
Decide on the approximate number of guests and draw up the guest list.
Book the venue for the reception.
Choose the bridal party, including bridesmaids, page boys, best man and ushers.

Ten Months to go

Select your wedding dress or book your dressmaker and schedule fittings.
Select clothes / outfits for female wedding party.
Select clothes / outfits for male wedding party.
Choose and book musicians for the reception.

Nine Months to go

Arrange professional photographer and/or videographer.
Decide on your florist and all your flower arrangements including the bridal bouquet, bouquets and buttonholes for the ceremony and flowers for the reception.
Arrange your wedding cake.

Eight Months to go

Arrange your honeymoon and travel insurance.
Select and order wedding stationery, including place cards, invitations and order of service sheets.

Seven Months to go

Select and order your wedding rings.
Work out ceremony preferences and details, including vows.
Meet with the celebrant and confirm the ceremony details and pre-nuptial requirements.
Arrange your transport for the wedding and going away.

Six Months to go

Draw up a list of wedding presents and decide which store/s will manage the gift registry.

Five Months to go

Arrange visas and vaccinations for your honeymoon.
Arrange music selections with musicians.

Four Months to go

Address invitations.
Arrange stag and hen parties.
Ensure your passport has been changed (if you are changing your name) and notify your doctor, dentist, bank/building society of your new name.

Three Months to go

Send out invitations.
Buy gifts for all attendants.
Keep your venue up to date with the number of guests and confirm your final menu and drinks choices.
Book appointments with your hair stylist, beautician and make-up consultant / artist.

Two Months to go

Meet with gift registry consultant to update gift list.
Send wedding announcements to newspapers.

One exciting Month to go!

Run through last minute details and confirm arrangements with florist, cake and photographer.
Confirm final number of reception guests.
Confirm your honeymoon arrangements and book your currency.
Have a rehearsal dinner at Lainston House and confirm plans with attendants.
Get the marriage licence.
Hold the hen and stag parties.
Have a full dress rehearsal including shoes, jewellery etc.