Brides Of Éire Countdown to the Big Day

AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Tell relatives and close friends your good news!
Decide on the date and place of wedding.
Visit various venues; menus and timing of the day.
Organise wedding insurance.
Set a budget and decide who is doing what, accept all offers of help!
Consider opening a wedding bank account.
Book your venue and caterers. Choose menus and wines.
Start looking for “The Dress”. Think about what style you want and whether your wedding is traditional or informal and take into account the time of year. The sooner you start looking the more likely you are to find your perfect style.
Book your photographer. Talk to them about the theme you require posed or candid, black & white or colour. Make sure they know which family group photographs you would like and ask their advice on timings, backgrounds etc.
Book your videographer. Make sure they know of any special moments you would like captured and discuss the timings of the day. Check with the priest if filming inside the church is permitted.

FROM 12 MONTHS
Choose your Bridesmaid and Best Man.
With the help of both sets of parents, draw up a guest list.
Book your honeymoon and your first night’s accommodation. If your honeymoon is abroad check your passports.
Book marquee and wedding cars.

FROM 6 MONTHS
Order your rings, consider special inscription.
Arrange a second meeting with the priest. Arrange the order-of-service and choose hymns. Book organist, choir and bells.
Organise dress fittings
Choose the bridesmaids’ outfits and arrange fitting if necessary.
Order your cake.
Choose a florist and discuss bouquets and colour scheme. Discuss arrangements for floral arrangements at the church and reception.
Order all the stationary, invitations, order-of-service, menus, place cards and thank you notes.
Select and book musicians and/or a D.J. for your reception. Discuss with them the music you require, ask their advice on this as they have lots of experience, but make sure they know your special favourites. (Maybe you and your fiancé have a special tune you would like played for your first dance).
Arrange hire of suits for the Groom, Best Man, Ushers and Fathers.

FROM 2 MONTHS
Post wedding invitations and keep track of acceptance. Consider sending a directions map and a list of local accommodation to guests coming from out of town.
Buy accessories e.g. veil, headdresses, Necklace and earrings. Buy shoes and start breaking them in around the house.
Have a lovely day out shopping with your mum for her outfit, your going away outfit and any honeymoon clothes you want.
Buy your special wedding lingerie and take it (and your shoes) to your next fitting.
Organise church rehearsal and make sure all parties involved know when it is.
Book appointments for hair, nails, tanning and make up.
Reconfirm all bookings made earlier.
Buy presents for your attendants and both mothers.
If you are honeymooning abroad, check if any inoculations are advised.

FROM 4 WEEKS
Send out thank you notes as gifts arrive or keep a careful list of people to thank after your wedding, so no one is forgotten.
Have trial run of make-up and hair with your headdress.
Make sure everyone involved in the wedding knows details of what is happening and when.

FROM 2 WEEKS
Confirm to your caters the final number of guests, draw up a seating plan and write the place cards.
Organise currency and travellers cheques for your honeymoon. Check with your travel agent and arrange to collect tickets.
Check (diplomatically) that your Father, Groom and Best Man are preparing their speeches.
If ordered, pick up your wedding rings. Make a list of everything needing collection or delivery in the next two weeks. Enlist as much help as possible.
Attend rehearsal at the wedding venue. Use this opportunity to discuss any final details with your attendants. Ask the Best Man to take charge of returning any hired cloths – you will be away on your honeymoon!

FROM 1 WEEK
Confirm all reception arrangements. Confirm cars, DJ, flowers and arrange for cake to be delivered to the reception.
Have a facial and other beauty treatments. Get lots of beauty sleep in the week before your big day.
Gather together your wedding ensemble, going away outfit and pack for your honeymoon.

THE DAY BEFORE
Relax everything is organised just enjoy the day.
Have a manicure today, it will save time tomorrow.
Pack your overnight bag and arrange for baggage to be delivered to the hotel.
You are bound to be excited but try to have an early night.

YOUR WEDDING DAY
Allow plenty of time to have your hair and make up done, enjoy being pampered.
Check the flowers arrive or make sure they are collected in plenty of time.
Have a lovely day. Enjoy yourself knowing that all will run smoothly. Relax and remember.