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A Wedding Checklist
This is a guide for wedding and civil partnership planning, not necessarily in strict order of events but more of a prompt to consider. One of the main things to remember is that many venues and suppliers get very booked up in advance (sometimes years) If you can consider a Thursday or Friday or a Sunday wedding you may also give yourself more options
- Agree to be married or have a civil partnership ceremony- pretty important start!
- Start doing some research online – use the Pollen Directory for tips
- Start looking at venues - book show rounds.
- Visit some wedding fairs – if possible at your 1st choice venue
- Decide on provisional budget, see our Pollen gift vouchers, other suppliers may have similar schemes
- Agree on wedding ceremony style and theme, look in magazines for ideas and trends
- Make guest list decide on a provisional number of guests – this can change?!
- Choose/invite the best man/woman, page boys and ushers
- Choose/invite maid of honour, bridesmaids , flower girls
- Choose the ideal date, location and venue
- Book the venue , nowadays many venues are licensed for the ceremony so you can do the whole thing in one place
- If you are having a religious ceremony book the minister. If you would like to get married at the Royal Pavilion for example and then move to the reception venue you will need to book the registrar, use this site to assist with locating one www.registerofficeweddings.co.uk
- Arrange wedding rehearsal if required
- Consider a food tasting of your chosen menu
- Book the catering, any special dietary requirements to be considered and children’s meals
- Arrange alcohol, soft drinks and bar staff if necessary
- Arrange marquee if required
- Book chair covers and sashes
- Book a venue dressing company (swags , drapes, twinkling lights) if that fits your theme
- Book toastmaster if required
- Book the photographer/videographer
- Organise honeymoon budget, where to go, for how long
- Order outfits for a civil partnership
- Order outfits for bridesmaids/wedding party
- Book hair, beauty and make-up specialists
- Decide on Order of Service, arrange printed sheets
- Order flowers (bouquets, button holes, sprays) – book a consultation – use our latest weddings gallery at www.pollenflowers.co.uk for inspiration
- Book entertainment / musicians / DJ / close-up magician
- Choose your first dance song – consider dancing lessons
- Arrange any additional equipment lawn games for fine weather, storm lanterns and tea lights for the evening [check with your venue what is allowed]
- Order your wedding cake - hire stand and knife if required
- Order other decorations - balloons, etc.
- Draw up seating plan for reception
- Arrange the Hen/Stag party
- Design and order invitations include directions and accommodation suggestions for guests
- Purchase gifts for wedding party
- Arrange transport between venues - book a wedding car
- Organise wedding insurance
- Does home insurance cover your new gifts?
- Someone to take care of the children / pets if necessary
- Notify banks of your change of surname
- Arrange transport for going away
- Check passports are valid change to married name if appropriate (do this in plenty of time)
- Arrange visas if necessary (leave plenty of time for this)
- Organise inoculations if required (leave plenty of time)
- Buy going away outfits, honeymoon clothes and luggage
- Book your first night's accommodation
- Prepare speeches for reception – there are writers who can help you with this if it isn't something that comes naturally - see directory
- Check clothes fit comfortably and wear in wedding shoes
- Ensure all attendants know their role, timings, venues, etc.
- Check the weather forecast adapt the plans if necessary
- Final checks on all the above prior to the big day
- At this point in the list you may be considering a wedding planner's services :-)
- Take a deep breath, relax, smile and enjoy!!
Download a pdf version to print out and keep! |
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