WEDDING CHECKLIST

Wedding Checklist - The Engagement

Choosing the ring, the date of the proposal, what to say and where to say it are just some of the decisions that need to be made. Announcements, parties, gifts and more are other aspects to consider.

Wedding Checklist - Setting the Date

After getting engaged, this is the first thing to do - that said, it's not as simple it seems. Weather, venue availability and potential date clashes are just some of the things that should be thought about before penciling in the big day.

Wedding Checklist - Wedding Insurance

Covering almost all eventualities, from companies going bust to your wedding cake being undercooked, wedding insurance is surely a must - especially if you are planning to spend alot on your big day.

Wedding Checklist - Choosing a Theme
It may seem a minor decision, but you will be surprised how many other decisions your chosen theme will influence. The theme you choose should reflect your personalities and set the tone for the whole day.

Wedding Checklist - Picking a Colour Scheme

The colour scheme will flow throughout the course of the day – from the flowers, to the bridesmaid’s outfits, the balloons to the table decorations. When it comes to choosing colours, the choice is endless!

Wedding Checklist - The Wedding Ceremony

As well as the type of ceremony to have, the venue, time, readings, vows, hymns and music all need consideration. With so many options available to couples these days, it's no easy task deciding!

Wedding Checklist - The Reception

The reception is a generic term typically applied to the venue where the Wedding Breakfast (meal), speeches, cake cutting and 'evening do' take place. It is sometimes the same venue as that which is used for the service, or alternatively is usually within a 30-or-so minute drive from the service venue. Menu’s, seating plans, timings, accommodation for guests, room set-up, last orders and more all need to be co-ordinated along with other elements such as music, entertainment and decorations.

Wedding Checklist - Entertainment

Entertainment needs to be considered for both the day and evening elements of the wedding reception. From table magicians to impersonators and caricature artists to firework displays there really is a huge choice.

Wedding Checklist - Music

Whether it's your own music, a string quartet, swing band, DJ or harpist, music for the reception and ceremony will both need organising. Just remember, a wedding without music, is like Christmas without the presents!

Wedding Checklist - Flowers

The beauty of flowers can add to any occasion and blend seamlessly with your theme and colour scheme. You will need to organise flowers for both the Reception venue and the venue for your Service - they will also be used for buttonholes, corsages and, of course, the bouquet.

Wedding Checklist - Decorations

Banners, streamers, balloons, ice sculptures and more can be used to decorate the venue(s) and create a serene or party atmosphere. If you are planning a break in the day, it is quite common for different arrangements to be used for the reception and ‘evening do’ to help set the scene and add to the fun and romance.

Wedding Checklist - The Wedding Dress

For many, the image of the Wedding Dress epitomises marriage. Material, design, colour, accessories and more need to be determined. Believe us when we say that it’s no mean task choosing the dress.

Wedding Checklist - Hair and Beauty

Once you have decided upon your theme and chosen your outfit, you will need to decide upon how to wear your hair and how to have your make-up done (normally just one for the Bride's!). It is common for elaborate, but not overpowering, hairstyles to be worn with subtle make-up that compliments the dress. You may wish to arrange hair and make-up trials to help you decide. For all you Groom's out there, you too will need to think about your beauty regime (shaving, haircuts etc).

Wedding Checklist - Bridesmaids Outfits

The bridesmaid’s outfits will often, but not always, match in colour but perhaps vary in design to accommodate the varying ages and sizes. The outfits can be hired, bought or designed from scratch, all of which are perfectly acceptable as long as the Bride is still the star of the show!

Wedding Checklist - The Groom’s & Groomsmen's Outfits

Usually hired rather than bought outright, the Groom, Best Man, Ushers and Fathers of the Bride & Groom will all need to be kitted out in formal outfits with a consistent theme that compliment the Wedding Gown and Bridesmaids dresses.

Wedding Checklist - Photography&Videography

Photographs and film provides a lasting memory to your Big Day that you can revisit over and over again – even show them to your children! Choosing the photographer and videographer, package, style of imagery and more are all things that you need to think about.

Wedding Checklist - Transport

Normally, three vehicles are hired for the Wedding transport and are used by the Bride and Groom, Mother and Father of the Bride, the Best Man, and the Bridesmaids (albeit with some jigging about of passengers if the Reception venue is different to that of the Service). Traditionally vintage cars or horse and carriages were the mainstay of the Wedding transport, but these days Fire Engines, Police Cars, Tuk Tuk's or even Combine Harvesters can be used (cue the Wurzels!).

Wedding Checklist - Stationery

Invites, thank-you cards, orders of service, menus, place-cards, not to mention the writing and proofing of them, are all part of the stationery that you will need to sort out. A consistent theme and style will usually run across all of the stationery items and be closely linked to the style and theme of your wedding.

Wedding Checklist - The Wedding Cake

The Wedding Cake is the traditional cake served at the end of the Wedding Breakfast to all guests. The image of a three tiered cake decorated in white icing still is popular, but with modern utensils, equipment and ingredients, if you employ a skilled cake-maker your cake’s design is only limited by your imagination.

Wedding Checklist - Wedding Rings

The wedding rings, usually gold, platinum or white gold symbolise marriage and indicates commitment and fidelity. Typically worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, they are exchanged at the service and it is becoming popular these days to have matching rings for both the Bride and Groom.

Wedding Checklist - Guests

One of the key tasks that will closely affect the overall cost of the wedding (and the number of presents you receive!) is determining the guest list. There are however three potential guest lists to determine. Firstly those who are to be invited to the Engagement Party (should you choose to have one), secondly those who will be invited to the Service and Reception, and finally those who are to be invited to the Evening Reception. Relatives may have strong opinions that differ from yours on this, so be prepared for a bumpy ride!

Wedding Checklist - Gifts

Gifts need to be arranged on three different fronts. Firstly (and most importantly!) you need to sort out gifts for yourself and establish a gift list. Secondly, you need to determine what you will purchase for members of the Wedding Party as a token of thanks for their assistance. Finally, you may also choose to purchase small gifts for your guests to accompany the traditional sweet-based favours – teddy bears for the younger guests, a lottery ticket for those a little older perhaps.

Wedding Checklist - Stag and Hen Nights

The Stag and Hen nights, whilst usually organised by the Best Man and Chief Bridesmaid respectively, will sometimes require some input. Possible dates and activities (that’s right, you don’t just have to get plastered – you can actually do something a little different!) should be mentioned to the organisers in advance to help them sort things out.

Wedding Checklist - The Honeymoon

The honeymoon typically follows the Wedding Day and can involve anything from a 4 week worldwide cruise to a night in a hotel by the sea somewhere in the UK. If you are going abroad, unless the flight/boat leaves the next day, you will also need to consider how to spend the time in between the wedding and the honeymoon.