By this time you should have done the following: |
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| i) fallen in love |
ii) proposed / accepted proposal |
Things to start doing between 9 - 12 Months
Buy a wedding planner or create a new wedding section in your Filofax / PDA or personal organiser. Start making notes, jotting down ideas and entering contact details of suppliers etc.
Start visiting possible venues. If a venue is not right, you'll know immediately. Don't waste time on places you don't like. Decide what sort of place you want to host your reception and create a shortlist of possible venues.
It can take a long time to find the right place - help speed up the process by looking on-line either in directories such as net-weddings or by doing web searches. Ask for written quotations from the short list of reception venues.
Turn your mind to photographers. Visit them to see samples of their work or ask if they have samples on-line on a web site. The great majority of photographers do have websites on which they show samples of their work and directories such as net-weddings are invaluable in helping to find photographers in your area.
Remember, photographers will show the photographs which they feel show their skills in the best light, so you will probably be able to tell from the photos on a photographers web site if they are they right one for you. Make a short list of half a dozen and make appointments to go to see them.
Think of video makers at the same time. Ask for sample videos.
Start thinking about flowers. Wedding and reception venues are often a good place to start since they will have seen the work of many florists. Visit a number of florists to discuss possible arrangements and styles.
Think about your wedding dress. Do you want a modern or classic style? Are you buying the dress or borrowing? Will the dress be ready-made or made to measure? Go to the shops and don't be afraid to try as many on as you can.
After you have reached a conclusion about the style and colour of your wedding dress, think about dresses for the bridesmaids. Consider how the match your own in style, material and colour.
Use the magazines for inspiration. Cut out images and articles which inspire or interest you and refer to them.
Things to decide between 9 - 12 Months
Decide what sort of meal you want, for how many people and then contact caterers, again asking for written quotations.
Things to book between 9 - 12 Months
Book the Wedding venue
Book the Reception venue
Book the venue for the evening party (if held elsewhere)
The first thing to do is to book the church or wedding venue and the reception venue. It is the availability of these two things which will probably determine the date of the wedding.
Book accommodation
If the reception is to be held in a hotel where you will be spending the night
decide whether any guests need accommodation. Book it now if necesary.
Book the marquee
If your reception is to be held in a marquee remember to ensure that tables and chairs, dance floor, stage
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