From 2 months before your wedding

In the countdown from 2 months before your wedding, there will be a multitude of things to consider. The more lavish your wedding and reception, the more planning will be required. In this 3 part series, you’ll be able to read up on my a wedding checklist. It steps through some of the key things you may need to take into account in the lead up to your wedding. This includes:

• Part 1 – What to Do After You’re Engaged – Here’s a link to Part 1 of this blog – This was published on 31.12.22.
• Part 2 – 2 Months, 1 Month and 1-2 Weeks Before your Wedding – This is the subject of this blog.
• Part 3 – When you Return from Your Honeymoon – This will be published on 28.2.23.

 

Each wedding will be different so your requirements will not be the same as someone else’s. These lists will, however, provide a good starting point for consideration.

 

Things to Do

 2 months before

Plan the food and drinks menu with your reception venue. Decide whether you’ll have an open bar or, for example, cover the cost of beer, wine and soft drinks, with guests covering the cost of spirits.

Select gift options if you’re having a bridal registry. Alternatively, you may prefer to have a wishing well at the reception.

Address and mail invitations a minimum 6-8 weeks prior to your wedding. Allow more time if family and friends are travelling from out of town. (Remember: if you have budgeted for save the dates, your guests will already have your wedding date in their calendar.) Include accommodation options for guests, map/s to ceremony and reception venues, RSVPs and gift register details (if applicable.)

Arrange a wedding dress fitting for the bride (if applicable.)

Buy or arrange to hire attire for the groom and his attendants. Arrange payment of a deposit (if applicable.)

If your venue does not provide these items, order marquee, tables, chairs, linen, bain marie, decorations, etc. and pay a deposit (if applicable.)

Buy personal items such as the underwear and jewellery required for your wedding day and honeymoon.

Book any necessary personal appointments e.g. bank, solicitor, dentist, doctor (particularly if you’re travelling overseas and require injections, medication etc.)

Finalise ceremony roles (e.g. witnesses, the person playing your ceremony music, readings etc. (if applicable.)

Purchase any items required for a symbolic ritual (if applicable.)

Write your personal wedding vows (if applicable) and tweak them over the next few weeks.

 

 

1 month before

 If you’re not using a wedding planner, confirm all arrangements (in writing) with each wedding supplier and make any final payments.

Confirm any changes to ceremony details with your celebrant e.g. vows, readings, music, bridal party, witnesses, your address, occupation, venue etc. (Your address and occupation will appear on your Certificates of Marriage so must be accurate at the time of your marriage.)

Set aside time for hens’ and bucks’ nights (if applicable.)

Confirm day/time with your celebrant for your wedding rehearsal (if applicable.)

Buy gifts for your partner, bridesmaids, groomsmen and mother of the bride and groom (if applicable.)

Book any other necessary personal appointments e.g. spray tan, nails, eyebrows etc.

Write a schedule for your wedding day so that those with specific roles are clear on where they should be at a particular time. Include mobile numbers for key people involved. Be realistic with timeframes.

 

 

1-2 weeks before

Arrange for final fitting and collection of all wedding attire.

Confirm final guest count. Notify reception venue/caterer of numbers.

Finalise seating plan for your reception.

Arrange for wishing well/gift table at your reception venue. Ask a trusted family member to transport your gifts home after the wedding.

Pack an emergency kit for the wedding day. Include items such as tiny safety pins, tissues, lipstick, hairspray, headache pills, bandaids, tic tacs, water, needle and cotton etc.

Write speech/es for your reception (if applicable.).

Pack bag/s for your honeymoon (if applicable.)

Try to relax in the lead up to a fabulous day!

 

~     ~     ~     ~     ~

 

If you’re organised and, perhaps, have the help of some friends or family, you may find that some or many of the above things have been arranged ahead of the above timeframes. The more plans you feel comfortable setting in place, the less stress you’re likely to have down the line.

 

 

31/01/2023

098 ~  ©Lindy Cooke Celebrant