Things to start doing between 12 - 9 Months


Buy a wedding planner or create a new wedding
section in your Filofax or personal organiser - Start making notes, jotting down ideas and entering contact details
of suppliers etc.

Start visiting possible venues. If a venue is not right, you'll know immediately. Don't waste time on places you don't like.

Decide what sort of place you want to host your reception and create a shortlist of possible venues.

It can take a long time to find the right place - help speed up the process by looking on-line either in directories such as this or by doing web searches.

Ask for written quotations from the short list of reception venues.

Turn your mind to photographers. Visit them to see samples of their work or ask if they have samples on-line on a web site.

Think of video makers at the same time. Ask for sample videos.

Start thinking about flowers. Wedding and reception venues are often a good place to start since they will have seen the work of many florists. Visit a number of florists to discuss possible arrangements and styles.

Think about your wedding dress. Do you want a modern or classic style? Are you buying the dress or borrowing? Will the dress be ready-made or made to measure? Go to the shops and don't be afraid to try as many on as you can.

After you have reached a conclusion about the style and colour of your wedding dress, think about dresses for the bridesmaids. Consider how the match your own in style, material and colour.

Use the magazines for inspiration. Cut out images and articles which inspire or interest you and refer to them.

Things to start doing between 9 - 6 Months

Create a provisional guest list

Begin thinking about music for the party after the reception. Ask among your friends for recommendations - ask the reception venue for their recommendations, too. When you have some bands in mind, ask to hear a demo tape of their music.

Start looking for your officiant

Start thinking about a baker to make your wedding cake.
Visit the shop and ask to see examples of their work.

Start thinking about your Honeymoon. Safari or beach? Bahamas or New York?

Start looking at rings.

Things to decide between 12 - 9 Months

Decide what sort of meal you want, for how many people and then contact caterers, again asking for written quotations.

Things to decide between 9 - 6 Months

Turn your thoughts to the people who will be involved in your wedding.

Decide on your bridesmaids and best man.

Choose your ushers, witnesses, flower girls and page boys .

Decide what the men will be wearing. Morning suits or Highland Dress? If it's to be a Highland outfit, which tartans are they entitled to wear and should everyone wear the same one?

If you decide to have a dress made, go for fittings.

Decide on honeymoon destination and duration. Find out if there are any vaccination or visa requirements. Ensure that your passports are valid.

Make sure that travel insurance is included; if it's not, take some out.

Draw up final guest lists for the wedding ceremony and the reception.

Things to book between 12 - 9 Months

Wedding venue
Reception venue
Book the venue for the evening party (if held elsewhere)
The first thing to do is to book the church or wedding venue and the reception venue. It is the availability of these two things which will probably determine the date of the wedding.

Book accommodation
If the reception is to be held in a hotel where you will be spending the night
decide whether any guests need accommodation. Book it now if necesary.

Book the marquee
If your reception is to be held in a marquee remember to ensure that tables and chairs, dance floor, stage for band, heating and lighting are included.

Book the photographer
Book the photographer

Things to book between 9 - 6 Months

Book the caterers
Book the florist
Book the honeymoon
Book the music - either live music or a DJ for the reception. Make a play-list of songs you want to hear - and those you don't!

Things to order & buy between 12 - 6 Months

During the course of organising your wedding you will have make a lot of bookings and put down a lot of deposits. If, for any reason, the wedding has to be cancelled or postponed you culd risk losing a lot of money. There are many different reasons that a cancellation or postponement may take place so think about taking out insurance.