Wedding background with checklist. Paper planner and craft envelopes on white wooden table with lots of tender bridal stuff, top view

Thursday, 11 July 2019 / Published in Wedding Blog

The Only Wedding Checklist You’ll Ever Need

Getting married? It’s time to get organised!

Planning for a wedding can feel overwhelming, which is why we’ve created a month-by-month checklist to keep you on track.

Here’s the only wedding checklist you’ll ever need:

16 – 9 months before the wedding

First, let’s have some fun! You’re engaged, so throw an engagement party!
Define your wedding budget, right down to the smallest details.
Choose the special people who will be in your wedding party.
Start planning your guest list on a spreadsheet (or use an app) with columns for their contact details, number of people invited and RSVP status. This is your ‘wish list’, which you can narrow down once you have a better idea of budget, venue size and other factors.
Choose a date, reception venue and ceremony venue. It’s advisable to do this simultaneously so that you have some flexibility around your favourite venue’s availability,
Think about your wedding day ‘vision’. Get inspired on Pinterest and magazines and get a pretty folder to store all your snippets, planning, quotes and invoices.
Start shopping for your wedding attire, even if you just browse around for ideas for now.
Hire a wedding planner if your budget allows. If not, think about how your friends and family can help out. You’ll have a lot on your plate, so don’t be afraid to delegate!
Start interviewing and booking suppliers (ask us about our list of local suppliers):
- Officiant
- Photographer
- Videographer
- Florist
- Band and/or DJ
- Caterer.

8 months

Book your service providers.
Send out ‘Save the Dates’ to your guests.
Set up your own wedding website where guests can find all the details of your Big Day.
Find your dress and bridesmaids’ dresses. If you’re having it made or altered, schedule times for fittings with your dressmaker.
Plan your dream honeymoon.

6 months

Send out your invitations and link to your wedding website (if you have one).
Include your wedding gift registry on your wedding website and/or invitations.
Meet up with your Officiant and start getting your ceremony planned and all your documents in order. You can also find out about any pre-marriage counselling.
Book your hired items (such as decor, lighting and sound systems).
Sort out any logistics and transport plans for you and your guests.
Start thinking about the timeline of your day – what will take place when?
Shop for wedding rings.

4 months

Taste and choose your wedding cake.
Set a rehearsal dinner venue and plan.
Send your guest list to the person who will be organising your Bachelorette party.
Buy your wedding shoes and bring them along to your dressmaker so that they can alter your dress to the right height.
Book your hairstylist, make-up artist and pre-wedding beauty appointments.
Make sure that the groom and groomsmen are kitted out, suits hired, etc.
Create a playlist to give to your DJ that includes your first dance song, song for coming down the aisle, entrance, garter toss, bouquet toss, cake cutting and any other events.

3 months

Finalise your flowers and catering menu.
Make your wedding party, suppliers and speakers aware of the schedule for the day.
Accessorise! Have you got your garter, wedding lingerie, jewellery, cuff links, pocket squares or ties, etc.
Start writing your speech or vows.

2 months

Check in with all your vendors and suppliers to ask any questions and allow them to do the same. Check when final payments are due.
Walk through the ceremony and reception venues with your photographer to identify photo opportunities.
If you don’t have a wedding planner, appoint a friend or relative to be “supervisor” (the person to see about problems) on your wedding day.
Finalise your honeymoon plans.

Confirm the times for all your beauty appointments.
Assign seating for the reception.
Practice your wedding dance so you know the ‘moves’.

1 month to go!

Visit the dressmaker for your final fitting.
Confirm final guest numbers and let your venue and suppliers know.
If you’d like to, purchase a small gift for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to give to them on the day or at the rehearsal dinner.
Get your hair cut and coloured.
Finalise the ceremony and schedule.
Have a hair and makeup trial to choose your look for the day.

1 week

Pick up your wedding dress!
Finish and print ceremony programs.
Confirm the schedule with all your suppliers, highlighting any changes.
Don’t forget to update the wedding party and your family of the schedule for the day.
Delegate tasks to do on the day. Give your ‘right-hand’ helper a timeline of the wedding along with important contact information of all the vendors.
Attend all your beauty appointments.
Break in your wedding shoes.
Pack for your honeymoon.
Pick up wedding rings.
Finalise vows and speeches.
Enjoy the last few days leading up to the wedding and remember to relax and enjoy this special time!

There you have it, the only wedding checklist you’ll ever need to make sure that your big day is the best day of your life. Of course, things don’t always go according to the exact plan; but, at the end of the day, you are marrying the love of your life, and what else truly matters?

At Harrington House, we specialise in helping couples remove the stresses of planning a wedding by offering a lot of the essentials ourselves, and by suggesting expert service providers who will make your day go just as you want it to be.

Get in touch for a free consultation or walkabout with Jen and the team: https://www.harringtonhouse.co.za/contact/.

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