6 to 9 Months Before Your Wedding

By The Celebration Team 22 Feb, 2010

Determine the available budget and how expenses will be shared - treat this sensitively, financial matters are notoriously the No1 cause of stress when planning a wedding
Think about the size and style of wedding you want - formal or informal;
Big or small - and the time of year you want your wedding to take place
Choose a wedding planner / wedding co-ordinator (if required)
Consolidate all guests lists: bride's, groom's, bride's family, groom's family and organize as follows:
those who must be invited
those who should be invited
those who would be nice to invite… and organize addresses
decide if you want to include children among guests
Select and reserve the wedding venue - availability of your desired venue will often dictate your wedding date
Select and reserve ceremony location
Visit your minister, priest, rabbi or registrar to discuss the ceremony and reserve the date
Decide on your retinue - best man, bridesmaid/s, maid of honour, flower girl/s, ring bearer/s master of ceremonies and ushers
Send out an e-mail or save-the-date cards to your guests announcing the wedding and requesting that they set that date aside in their diaries
Determine your colour scheme and general theme of the wedding and start planning wedding attire for bride, groom and all attendants - will outfits be hired or purchased and who pays for what?
Start discussing your honeymoon and make sure passports are up to date
Spply for passports, visas or birth certificates, if needed for your honeymoon or marriage license
Select and book your wedding photographer
Select and book videographer if desired
Select and book caterer if needed
Select and book ceremony and/or reception musicians and/or DJs
Select and book florist or décor specialist
Reserve wedding night accommodation
Start a wedding file to include all quotes, payments, contracts, guest
Lists, honeymoon arrangements & note all important activities: showers, luncheons, parties, etc