A wonderful day depends on great planning.
If you have a wedding planner, so much the better.
However, here are some tips that will help you plan your own wedding & get all the parts in place on time
12 MONTHS BEFORE (if possible):
-
Inform family & friends of date
-
Arrange meeting with family
-
Set a tentative date
-
Determine budget & who pays for what
-
Select & reserve ceremony & reception venues
-
Choose bridal party & groomsmen
9 MONTHS BEFORE
-
Select & order invitations and other stationery you may need
-
Hire a wedding consultant (if you need one)
-
Establish a gift registry
-
Book a photographer/videographer
-
Book a florist
-
Sort out the music for the ceremony and reception – and book if needed
-
Hire a caterer
-
Choose a marriage celebrant
-
Shop for a dress & schedule fittings if needed
-
Select the bridal party’s gowns
-
Establish a system for keeping track of gifts, party invitations & thank you notes
6 MONTHS BEFORE
-
Work out ceremony & details including vows, decoration etc
-
Choose ushers and any other assistants you may require
-
Ask relatives and close friends not actually involved in the wedding, to help with tasks such as the guest register, identifying people for photos
-
Meet with the officiant and work out the details of the marriage ceremony & pre-nuptial requirements
4 MONTHS BEFORE
-
Arrange ceremony music selections with musicians or load onto i-Pod
-
Set the guest list
-
Arrange the honeymoon
-
Get any required inoculations & visas
-
Make arrangements for the rehearsal dinner
-
Select and order the wedding rings
-
Determine marriage license requirements
-
Take dancing lessons if you want to
2 MONTHS BEFORE
-
Address invitations
-
Pick out formal wear for men & set up fittings
-
Buy gifts for the attendants
-
Arrange hen’s night/stag party with attendants
-
Plan the rehearsal & dinner
-
Choose accommodation for out of town guests
-
Buy accessories – ring pillow, cake knife, guest book. Make favours
-
Secure wedding transport
6 WEEKS BEFORE
-
Mail invitations
-
Extend homeowner’s insurance to cover wedding gifts
-
Set up a display area for wedding gifts
-
Design wedding programme & have it printed
-
Set up insurance policies and change wills
-
Purchase bride’s/groom’s gift
1 WEEK BEFORE
-
Confirm musical programme
-
Run through last minute details & confirm arrangements with florist & photographer
-
Confirm numbers to reception venue
-
Hold hen party/stag night
-
Confirm rehearsal & wedding day plans with attendants
-
Write thank you notes for gifts which have already arrived
-
Get marriage license & put it in a safe place!
-
Get wedding rings & put them in a safe place!
-
Assemble bride’s wedding finery, including “something old” etc
1 DAY BEFORE
-
Pack an emergency kit for the wedding – sewing kit, extra tights, makeup, safety pins, etc
-
Pack for your honeymoon
-
Have a manicure/pedicure
-
Arrange for favours, knife, etc to be delivered to the caterer or reception venue
-
Attend rehearsal
-
Give bride/groom their present
THE WEDDING DAY
-
Have your hair & makeup done
-
Have your honeymoon luggage sent to the hotel or a secure area at the reception venue
-
Make sure you have the ring & marriage license
-
Take a moment with family
-
Have a few moments on your own to relax & savour the day!
Mangawhai Weddings
Zahn Trotter
Phone: 09 431 4566
If you are looking to have your dream wedding in Mangawhai, this website is the place to start.
www.mangawhaiweddings.co.nz
Perry Trotter Photography
Ph: 09 431 4566
Mangawhai
Perry Trotter
www.perrytrotter.com
Single Fin Photography.
Ph 021 058 9526
