Your essential wedding checklist

Once the hype surrounding your engagement has died down, the reality of the mammoth task ahead will start to really sink in. It’s time to pull out a pen and paper and get planning your big day – but where do you begin?

Nightmare Alert! You’re halfway down the aisle when you realise you’ve not only forgotten to hire a band, but the groomsmen are tux-less, and your wedding cake is still sitting at the store waiting to be collected. Want to avoid this scenario? Read our wedding checklist.

 3+ months till D-Day

1. Work out your budget! This will dictate everything! An Excel spreadsheet is a great way to keep track of everything.
2. Choose a wedding date and time. To avoid a pre-marital meltdown, try and give yourself at least 3 months to arrange all the details (although 6 months is more ideal).
3. Select a bridal party.
4. Make a guest list. The number of guests will affect your ceremony and reception venue choices.
5. Decide on and book venue/s for ceremony and reception. Many places are booked up well in advance so make sure you do this ASAP.
6. Secure a celebrant/priest/minister to conduct the ceremony.
7. Book a photographer. Make sure you confirm with them exactly what’s required and how long you expect them to stay at the reception.
8. Organise music. Book a band/DJ for the ceremony and reception.
9. Book wedding cars/limousines.
10. Purchase your wedding dress and accessories (shoes, jewellery etc.) This can be a lengthy process, so make sure you leave plenty of time for shopping around and dress fittings.
11. Purchase/order bridesmaid dresses.
12. Design and print invitations.
13. Arrange a bridal registry/ gift options.
14. Decide on a honeymoon destination and make travel and insurance arrangements (this is traditionally the man’s job)

2 months till D-Day

1. Post or hand-deliver invitations.
2. Purchase wedding rings, make sure you leave plenty of time if you’re having them made.
3. Order wedding cake. Be sure to check if you’ll need to arrange a pickup or if they’ll be dropping it off at the reception venue.
4. Arrange bouquets and lapel pins for the bridal party and flower arrangements for the venue/s. Also, double-check the delivery arrangements.
5. Appoint a Master of Ceremonies for the reception.
6. Organise a hairdresser (and makeup artist) for yourself and your bridesmaids.
7. Purchase of make rental arrangements for groom’s and groomsmen’s tuxes/suits.
8. Make menu selection for reception; this could involve some type of tasting.
9. Organise the hire of tables/chairs etc. if needed.

1 month till D-Day

1. Book personal appointments for the big day e.g. beautician for nails, spray tan, etc.
2. Arrange and attend a hair (and possibly makeup) trial.
3. Ensure all the official wedding documentation is in order.
4. Schedule wedding rehearsal.

1-2 weeks till D-Day

1. Arrange final dress fitting and delivery of all attire.
2. Organise reception seating plan and design seating chart.
3. Confirm and make final payments for all arrangements e.g. cars

 D-Day Eve

1. Pack overnight bags for the night of the wedding and pack bags for the honeymoon.
2. Lay out everything for the next day; make sure you have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue!
3. Run a bath and relax!