#WeddingWednesday How to Plan Your Special Day in 12 Months – Stress free!

"I am newly engaged, now what?"  This is a question that goes through every bride-to-be’s head as soon as you have that new shiny rock on your finger and every dream you had about your perfect day since you were a little girl playing dress up, seems to have been forgotten once you start thinking about the details of this very special day.

To make the planning process a little easier, I have compiled a checklist to help you along, with not too many things to do each month, but with more than enough time to ensure that each item is in place before your I do’s.

12 – 10 months to go:

□   Decide on the number of guests

□   Book your venue

□   Set your wedding date

□   Consult with a wedding planner

□   Book accommodation for the wedding night and the night before

□   Draft a budget

□   Book your photographer and videographer

□   Start collecting ideas (e.g. theme, colours, etc)

10 months to go:

□   Compile a guest list

□   Book a minister/officiant

□   Try on different styles of wedding dresses

□   Book your caterer

8 months to go:

□   Book florist, décor, lighting

□   Decide on the look and feel

□   Provisionally book furniture and items that need to be hired in

□   Finalise bridal party

□   Decide on attire for the bridal party

□   Book hair and make-up artist

□   Book a DJ / musician for pre-drinks and reception

□   Plan the menu, wines and beverages

6 months to go:

□   Choose your wedding dress/designer

□   Get names of partners of your guests

□   Groom to start planning the honeymoon

□   Do wedding cake tastings

□   Design wedding details and stationery

5 – 4 months to go:

□   Appoint Master of Ceremony

□   Decide on the wedding favours and make/purchase them

□   Choose wedding bands and other accessories

□   Finalise transport for bride and guests

□   Kitchen tea / bridal shower to be organized by Maid of Honour

□   Batchelor’s party to be organized by Best Man

□   Book a pre-wedding couple shoot to get to know your photographer

3 – 2 months to go:

□   Set up your guest registry

□   Send the wedding invitations

□   Check passport expiry and visas for honeymoon

□   Purchase wedding rings

□   Draw up an antenuptial contract

□   Pre-order wine, champagne and other drinks

□   Arrange a décor mock-up

□   Finalise your dress and buy your veil, garter and shoes

□   Finalise the groom’s attire and accessories

1 month to go:

□   Send order of the day to vendors and wedding party

□   Select the ceremony/reception music

□   Have a dress fitting

□   Bridal party dress and outfit fittings

□ Wear in your wedding shoes

□   Finalise the seating plan and give it to the stationer

□   Shop for honeymoon

□   Shop for wedding lingerie

□   Bride and groom to start planning their speeches

□   Do your hair and make-up trial

□   Book beauty treatments – nails, was, facial, massage

□   Decide on other speeches and notify those responsible

2 – 1 weeks to go:

□   Confirm the final guest count with the caterer and inform of special dietary requirements

□   Finalise any outstanding payments

□   Arrange pick-ups and transport to and from the venue

□   Pick up the wedding dress and suit

□   Brief the Master of Ceremonies of his / her duties and the order of the day

□   Practice your first dance

□   Take some time out to relax

2 days to go:

□   Maid of Honour to pack a wedding emergency kit with on-the-day essentials

□   Rehearsal ceremony at venue

□   Pack your honeymoon bag

□   Pack one bag with accessories and a getting-ready outfit

□   Give the rings to the Best Man

1 day to go:

□   Give your Maid of Honour a to-do-list

□   Enjoy a mani and pedi

□   Write your groom a love note

□   Drink 8 glasses of water and get enough rest!

All of the above may seem overwhelming sometimes, and this is when I recommend taking a break and focusing on something else for a while.  Once you have taken a breather, the wedding planning gets back on track fast.

Choose your stresses – at the end of the day, only the bride and groom will know if everything does not work out exactly as you had planned.  Your guests will only remember the good food and great time they had at your celebration!

By Eldorét Visser, Functions & Events Manager at Rickety Bridge Wine Estate

Email: functions@ricketybridge.com