For ages now we’ve been thinking about adding a wedding planning guide to the website, we’ve seen these on quite a few other sites and we’re pretty sure we can make a better one.
The idea is that we’ll start it off on the blog, and add to it as we go along. Then once we’re really happy with it and think it may actually be of some use to an engaged couple we’ll promote it to the main website.

So for now, here’s phase 1 of the wedding planner, feel free to leave comments and let us know if you think we’ve missed anything out !

The Essex Wedding Services
Wedding Planner Guide

Two years to Nine months until the wedding day

Start a wedding folder – This may sound a little geeky, but it’ll help you keep organised.
Work out your budget – The single most important part of successful wedding planning.
Decide on the wedding party – Who gets the honour of being best man & chief bridesmaid.
Settle a head count – Make a rough plan of the amount of wedding guests you want.
Hire a planner ? – Some people love a wedding planner, some love planning their own wedding.
Book your date and location - You can’t get married without a confirmed wedding venue.
Book your registrar - At this stage, you need to register your intentions to marry at your local office.
Start researching photographers, bands, DJ’s, florists & caterers - enjoy looking at lots of options.
Why not throw an engagement party ? - Well, why not ?

Eight months before the wedding day

Book your photographer and videographer – once you’ve found your favourite, get them booked up.
Book your part entertainment – Wedding DJ or Band ? Both ?
Start meeting caterers – do a few taste tests if you can, sample menus.
Purchase a dress – take a couple of girlys with you, and find your dream dress.
Book a hotel for out of town guests - Go and visit a hotel, make sure it’s good enough for your guests.
Launch your wedding website- You want everyone to share all the goings on don’t you ?

Seven to six months before the wedding day

Get your marriage license – different councils set different dates for their meetings, speak to them early.
Select & buy invitations- Wedding guests only turn up if you invite them.
Start planning honeymoon - Surely one of the best bits, you may want to do this earlier.
Shop for bridesmaids dresses – Consider High Street shops as well as usual wedding outlets.
Send save the date cards – Nice little touch to make sure no one books a holiday on your wedding.
Book additional necessities – Marquee ? Portaloos if needed ?
Choose your florist - Get them booked, they’ll need to discuss what flowers are in season.
Arrange your transportation – How you plan to get to the wedding day.

Five to Four months before the wedding day

Book a rehearsal if required - always a good idea, especially with a church wedding.
Check on wedding invitations if being made - You’ll want these ready soon.
Select and order the cake – find the cake you want, and of course the cake maker.
Organise Hen / Stag Party – Get the best man & cheif bridesmaid on the case and plan that party!
Purchase shoes and start dress fittings – Unless you want to be a barefooted bride ?
Book hair & makeup artists – These professionals will want a trial with you.
Choose songs – There could be a lot of music to choose, not just the first dance, entrance music etc.

Three months before the wedding day

Finalise your menu – choose what is going to be eating at your wedding.
Order favours – What little wedding favours are you going to be giving to the guests ?
Choose anyone doing readings – They’ll need time to find a reading and practice it ahead of the wedding.
Purchase undergarments - if you wish to do so that is !
Finalise order of ceremony - go through this with the church or wedding venue.
Print menu cards – you’ve chosen the food, now get the menus printed up.
Purchase the wedding rings - you’ll be wearing these for the rest of your lives, enjoy this moment.
Discuss event schedule with the wedding venue – arrange all the day’s timings.
Send invitations - If you’ve already sent save the day cards, this is not too late to send formal invites.

Two months before the wedding day

Meet with wedding photographer – sit down and decide which important memories must be captured.
Sit down with the band or DJ - discuss what songs you want and when you want them.
Follow up with wedding venue – give them a call to make sure everything is on track.
Submit a local newspaper wedding announcement – still a lovely thing to do.

One month before the wedding day

Work out RSVP’s - If you get an “unable to attend” consider offering the place to an evening invitee.
Visit dressmaker for last fitting - fingers crossed it fits perfectly.
Send out final payments if required - wedding venues will probably want payment in full beforehand.
Assign seating plan - decide who is sitting with who at the wedding meal.
Purchase bridesmaids / best man / ushers presents – a nice token to remember your wedding day.
Meet with registrars - sit down, choose your vows and tell them what music you’re having.
Get hair cut – grooms need to be tidy, girls if you’re having a trim & colour, now’s the time.

The week of the wedding

Re-confirm arrival time with your wedding services – make sure everyone is prepared and organised.
Delegate small wedding day tasks – Give the best man his duties, and see who else can help.
Pick up dress / suits - best not to forget this bit.
Supply the photographer with a list of moments to capture – formal wedding photos are a must.
Send final guest info to the caterers – tell them of kids and vegetarians.
Try and break in your shoes - wear them around the house, you don’t want pain on the day.
Pack for your honeymoon – you’re off on a trip of a lifetime, make sure you organise early.
Relax - don’t panic !!!

This is obviously just a guide, no two weddings are ever the same, but we hope this has given you a good platform to get your perfect wedding day planned and organised.

Happy Wedding Planning !

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