Countdown

As soon as the date is decided
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• For a Register Office Wedding, give notice to the Registrar. (This can be done up to twelve months prior to the actual wedding day and twelve months prior in Scotland).
• For a Church wedding, make arrangements with the local minister.
• Arrange the Reception. Book the venue and consult caterers. If you are having a marquee, order it now.
• Book wedding cars.
• Book photographer and organise someone to video the big day.
• Choose Best Man, Bridesmaids, Page Boys and Ushers. Check that the proposed wedding date is convenient for them all.
• Prepare Honeymoon arrangements – order a new passport if necessary (i.e. if the Bride wishes to travel under her married name).


During the next few weeks
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• Decide on the number of guests to be invited, and draw up your guest list.
• Order the wedding stationery. Plan the wording of the invitations and order of service.
• Start planning your wedding outfits. Discuss colours and styles with the Bridesmaids. Consult a dressmaker, or make arrangements for hiring or buying.
• Order the cake. If making it yourself, allow plenty of time for it to mature.


Eight weeks before the wedding
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• Order the flowers for the Bride's and Bridesmaid's bouquets, buttonholes (for the Groom and other male principals) and flowers for the marriage and Reception
venues.
• Check the arrangements with caterers and plan menu in detail.
• Shop for "going-away"outfits (Bride & Groom).
• Plan pre-wedding parties, for example hen & stag parties.
• Discuss both mothers' wedding day outfits with them, so that there is little likelihood of an embarrassing clash.
• If necessary, arrange hire of morning suits (Groom, Best Man, respective fathers, Ushers).
• Buy wedding rings.
• Arrange for banns to be called – in both parishes if the Bride and Groom live in different areas.
• Check the final details of the service, the bellringing and the choir with the minister. Check on the fees involved.


Six weeks before the wedding
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• Send out the invitations.
• Prepare a wedding present list, and be ready to send it out to anyone who asks for it.
• Choose the accessoriesfor the Bride and the Bridesmaids.
• Choose gifts for the attendants (Bridesmaids, Pageboys, Best Man, Ushers).
• Book the Bride’s hair appointment for the morning of the wedding day, and another for the week before it, to try out the hairstyle and headdress.



Four weeks before the wedding
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• Confirm the arrangements with the caterers, photographers, care hire firm, and florist.
• Check that all your outfits are complete. Arrange a dress rehearsal incase any last minute alterations or adjustments are necessary.
• Arrange overnight accommodation for any guests who require it.
• If the Bride is changing her name, notify her bank, Building Society, Insurance Company, etc.
• Arrange for a "Forthcoming Marriage" announcement in your local newspaper.
• Check on, and confirm all travel arrangements.


Two weeks before the wedding
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• Notify the caterers of the final number of guests.
• Prepare the seating plan for the Reception, and print place cards.
• Write "thank you" notes for any gifts received to date.
• Ensure that all helpers fully understand their duties.


The final week
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• Attend wedding rehearsal, if one has been arranged (Church wedding).
• Rehearse wedding day makeup and hairstyles.
• Plan display of wedding presents.
• Confirm the order for flowers, and the time they should be delivered.


The day before the wedding
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• Ensure that all your clothes are in the right place, and that nothing is missing.
• Pack all you need for your Honeymoon.
• Prepare an emergency kit containing needle, cotton, tissues, make-up (for re-touching), and ensure that the Bride's Mother or a reliable friend keeps it easily
accessible.


On the morning of the wedding
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• Make sure that you keep to your "personal grooming" timetable.
• Bride to transfer your engagement ring to the right hand.
• When they arrive, put the flowers in a cool place. If they are late, contact the florist URGENTLY.
• Groom to ensure that the Best Man has the ring(s) in a safe place, and that they will be easily accessible during the ceremony.
• All parties to arrive at the Register Office or Church on schedule.


The wedding day
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• Service minus 45 minutes. The Ushers arrive.
• Service minus 30 minutes. Bellringing begins. Organist starts to play.
• Service minus 20 minutes. The Groom and Best Man arrive.
• Service minus 15 minutes. The Bridesmaids arrive.
• Service minus 10 minutes. Arrival of the Bride’s Mother (unless she has travelled with the Bridesmaids).
• Services minus 3-5 minutes. The Bride and her father arrive. This allows time for one or two photographs, and for the last-minute rearrangements of the Bride's gown and veil.
• Bridal procession and service begin

This timetable applies to a Church wedding. At a Register Office, ALL parties should arrive ten minutes before the ceremony is due to take place.


After the service
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• Formal photographs are taken outside the venue.
• The Bride and Groom leave for the Reception after about 20 minutes, and ten minutes later should be ready to take their place in the Receiving Line (see "The
Reception").


At the reception
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• After about 20 minutes spent receiving guests, the signal should be given for guests to take their place at table.
• The meal will take between one and ½ hours, after which the speeches are given.
• When the speeches are finished, the Bride and Groom cut the cake.
• Shortly afterwards, the Bride and Groom lead the dancing.
• During the post-meal part of the Reception, the Bride and Groom should circulate, greeting and having a brief conversation with each guest.
• Beyond this point, situations vary. Some Brides and Grooms choose to wear their wedding attire for the entire celebration, while others prefer to get changed into
something more comfortable. Sometimes the Bridal couple leave for the Honeymoon immediately following the wedding breakfast, while others remain until the end of the evening party, if one has been arranged.

Remaining until the very end tends to the most preferred option, as it is sometimes felt that the celebrations become somewhat "flat" once the Bride and Groom have
left. Also, staying until the last minute gives them the chance to say goodbye to each guest individually, and to thank them for attending and for their gifts.

Ultimately, the party must finish and the happy couple go off to spend their first night together. The guests all depart, and the last to leave are the Best Man and
the Bride’s parents.

Thus ends what has, hopefully, been a perfect day.

__________________
Stace. xx
Married my sweetpea
Phew that was hard work!!
My little baby yeah not so much now my little man is now almost 3 years old !! not a baby no more
My little ginger man speaks spanish!!