For the majority of couples, a wedding day represents the culmination of many months or even years of dating and gives them the chance to show family and friends a physical expression of their love for one another.
However, sentiments aside, a wedding can often end up as the biggest organizational headache you’ll likely take on in life – not to mention one of the biggest financial outlays – so planning ahead for the big day is vital to ensure everything goes smoothly.
A sample wedding day checklist
If you’re considering getting married or have even already set a date for your wedding, below are a few ideas you should consider to make sure your day goes to plan.
Set the date: It should go without saying but if you’re getting married, you should have a very clear idea of the date.
Work out your budget: Of course, the big day is about romance, but you also need to keep a close eye on your budget to avoid overspending (or, indeed, spending less than you might and ending up with substandard services).
Use a wedding planner or go DIY: If you want to avoid the hassles of organizing everything for your wedding day, by far your best bet is to hire the services of a wedding planner. Yes, it will cost more but these experts are highly skilled at guiding couples through everything they’ll need for their wedding day as well as coming up with ideas you may not have thought of.
Arrange your suppliers: A wedding is one of the most special days of anyone’s life, but it also relies on a large number of third-party suppliers to make it work. From caterers to photographers, drivers, florists and DJs, you should have a clear idea of who you need to help your day happen. In terms of photography, you might also want to consider having boudoir photoshoots produced to capture personal photos showing just how you looked at the time.
Go to a bridal exhibition: Wedding fairs and bridal exhibitions are the perfect place to find ideas for your day – plus it will give you a chance to meet local experts and retailers.
Draft an invitation list: When couples come together, they bring their own family and friends into the mix so take some time to work out who you want to invite. Note – this process can quickly spiral out of control so you should spend time talking and deciding with each other.
Choose your venues: This will largely depend on the type of wedding service you want to have. In some cases, a more informal service in a hotel or hall will work, however, if you’re looking for a more religious setting, you’ll also need to find your ideal church or place of prayer.
Select formal wear: Choosing the right formal wear for your wedding is one of the most important elements of the entire day. From wedding dresses to morning suits and bridesmaids’ dresses to the best man’s outfit, you’ll want to ensure everyone looks in harmony. Of course, you can’t choose what your guests wear – but you most certainly can find the right tailored look for your wedding party.
Choose who you want in your wedding entourage: This will normally be the individual choice of the bride and groom but remember to respect each other’s wishes. Ideally, you’ll both have a pretty clear idea of who you want in the wedding party and easily reach an agreement.
Hair and makeup: This is your big day so you’ll be wanting to look your very best. Sure, you could do your hair and makeup yourself but, unless you’re professionally trained, they’re never going to look as good as if you use an expert service. Remember to book these appointments well in advance to avoid disappointment on the day.
Plan your tables: Planning table layouts is hugely important – especially if you have friends or family that don’t particularly like each other or are feuding. Think carefully about who to sit next to whom. The last thing you want is tension at your reception party.
Find the right officials for your particular type of wedding: This again will likely come down to religious persuasion, the type of wedding you want to have and/or the location where you hope to get married. The officials required to legally wed you can vary greatly so think in advance about the type of person you need and be sure to book them early.
