You’ve started planning for the happiest day of your life, congratulations! Wedding and pre-wedding preparation can seem like a daunting task considering how many aspects you want to get perfect. So, where to begin! We’ve put together a wedding checklist for you, making sure all of the main boxes are ticked so you don’t have any last minute surprises. Remember if you are lucky enough to have your wedding, reception, or both, in Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort, you’ll have a dedicated wedding planner on hand to help in any way we can in the lead up and on the day.
12 months to go
• Discuss the type of wedding and potential numbers
• Think about what season you’d like to get married in & check dates with potential venues
• Set a budget and made a rough estimation of costs. Create a savings plan to cover the costs.
• Book your reception and wedding venues
• Research wedding suppliers including bakers, entertainment, florists, make up artists etc. It’s never too soon & supplier book very fast.
• Book your wedding photographer and videographer, making sure to do your research of their previous work and results.
• Nominate your bridal party to give them plenty of time to organise themselves and your hen!
• Send save the dates to overseas guests so they can plan flights & travel.
8-10 months to go
• Book extra entertainment if needed – dancers, singers, magicians, comedians, fireworks, photobooths, balloon displays etc.
• Book your ceremony music and musicians.
• Think about the theme and colour scheme of the wedding and communicate it with your venue. Start to buy décor, stationary and any extras you might like.
• Contact bridal shops, making appointments to visit & try on dresses – both bride & bridesmaids. Order your dress in plenty of time to allow for adjustments.
• Book group accommodation for your guests and family, offering them first preference to book the rooms you have held within your venue.
• Get excited about your honeymoon, deciding your dream destination and deciding your dates.
6-8 months to go
• Order your wedding cake, taking care to use a trusted supplier with proven positive reviews. Communicate your ideal outcome with your supplier, deciding together on a price and standard of work.
• Research Grooms and groomsmen options for suit hire or purchase. Book appointments I several suit shops for the party, ensuring all shapes and sizes are catered to.
• Decide on the type of wedding flowers and displays you’d like & book with your florist. Take into consideration the time of your and seasonality of flowers.
• Book your pre-marriage course if you are getting married in a Catholic Church.
• Decide on bridesmaid dresses & purchase, giving your party plenty of notice of style and colour.
• Book your honeymoon.
4-6 months to go
• Research and book trials with make up artists & hairdressers, deciding on a final style and paying your deposit if needed.
• Send notification of intention to marry to the registrar (this is a legal requirement - you need to give at least three months’ notice)
• Order baptism and communion certificates if getting married in Catholic Church
• Buy your wedding shoes and accessories, including underwear!
• Book wedding transport & arrange buses for guests if needed.
• Ensure your best man or maid of honour have instructions for your stag or hen party
• Attend pre-marriage course if you’re getting married in the Catholic Church
• Check the date on your passport - renew if necessary
• Start any wedding DIY projects
3 months to go
• Buy wedding rings
• Book alterations and fitting appointments
• Organise wedding favours – DIY if needed
• Best Man and Groomsmen’s suits fitted and altered
• Gather addresses of friends and family for the invites and order stamps
• Arrange food tasting with the hotel and cake supplier
• Send wedding invitations
2 months to go
• Work on your mass booklets - bearing in mind that readings and song choices need to be approved by your priest if getting married in a church.
• Think about your table plan display and rough table plan
4 weeks to go
• Check out/test tanning options
• Have your final wedding dress fitting
• Confirm details with suppliers
• Confirm menu and any dietary requirements with your venue
• Collect bridesmaid dresses – factoring in time for adjustment if needed
• Send song suggestions/playlist to band/DJ
• Chase any guests who have not yet RSVP’d
• Send photo list to photographer
• Finalise guest list
• Start breaking in your wedding shoes
2 weeks to go
• Collect wedding dress
• Finalise table plan and seating arrangements
• Write speeches/vows
• Give reception venue/caterer final guest numbers
• Go over checklist to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything
• Get your something old/new/borrowed/blue
1 week to go
• Visit venue or chat to your wedding coordinator about layout and timings
• Confirm times and expectations with wedding suppliers and let your venue know
• Get hair coloured
• Have beauty treatments – waxing, tinting, massage etc.
• Attend wedding rehearsal
• Pack your honeymoon bag
• Create a timetable for your day with slots for bridal party’s hair, makeup etc.
• Pack overnight bag for the hotel including your night after outfit and something comfortable to wear
• Organise envelopes with payments for suppliers – allocate groomsmen to look after on the day
2-3 days to go
• Enjoy your bridal manicure & pedicure
• Collect groom’s/groomsmen’s suits
• Confirm time the wedding car will pick you up
• Arrange for delivery of flowers to church/venue/home
• Get your spray tan done in good time to allow it to settle into your skin – moisturise each night before the big day.
1 day to go
• Drop off wedding decor, place cards, table names, favours, props, etc. to venue for set up
• Ensure bridal party know what time to arrive for make up etc.
• Have the rings/wedding suppliers payment envelopes ready for the Best Man for the wedding morning
• Ensure you have your wedding accessories ready for the morning/overnight bag packed
• Eat and drink well, avoiding too much alcohol and go to bed early – you don’t want a hangover on your big day!
• Most importantly, relax! Soak up the exciting atmosphere and get a good nights sleep before the best day of your life.
Our wedding planners and experienced staff can take a lot of pressure off organising your big day. You can book your ceremony, dinner and party in Tulfarris Hotel and leave your guests with lasting memories of a brilliant day.
Contact our friendly team today to arrange a walk around and discuss our flexible wedding packages. Enjoy your wedding planning!