Make an appointment to see your minister, priest, rabbi or registrar to fix the wedding date and time
With both sets of parents, decide how many guests will be invited and work out a budget and guest list
Choose your attendants, best man and ushers
Decide on your dress (allow at least four months for a made-to-measure dress)
Choose and order your attendants' outfits
Start looking at
honeymoon brochures and consider booking early, particularly if you're getting married during high season
Find a
florist and discuss your flowers, including buttonholes, bouquets and arrangements for the church and
reception venueDecide on a company for the wedding gift list and start planning what to ask for
Confirm your menu choice and drink order with your caterer
If you're getting married in a church, talk to the organist about the music and discuss your choice of readings with the minister. If you're having a civil ceremony, ask the registrar what readings and music are permitted
Order
invitations and envelopes (allow one invitation per married couple or family), plus place cards, menus and a seating plan
Book transport to the
wedding venue and on to the reception for you, your parents and attendants, as well as a car to take you to your
first-night hotel or the airport
Remind your fiancé to hire whatever
formalwear he and his ushers require
Choose presents for your attendants, best man, etc
Choose the wedding ring(s)
Have orders of service printed. Remember that if you are having a choir at your wedding, they will need copies, too
If you're changing your name, allow plenty of time to have your passport renewed - you'll need to ask the officiating minister or registrar to sign the application form for you
Buy going-away and
honeymoon clothes. If you're going on a beach
holiday after a winter wedding, try to shop in the summer when beachwear is in the shops. Find out if you need visas or inoculations for your
honeymoon. Ask your fiancé to book your
first-night hotel
Make an appointment with a make-up expert to try out different looks
Book a wedding rehearsal (these usually take place a couple of days before the wedding)
Send out
invitations six weeks before the day and keep a list of acceptances and refusals
Check that your fiancé has organised the rings, his wedding clothes,
first-night hotel and buttonholes
Try on your wedding outfit, including headdress, shoes and underwear
Inform the caterers of the final number of guests
Work out a seating plan
Order
honeymoon currency and traveller's cheques
Visit the hairdresser to try out hairstyles with your veil and tiara
Have your hen and stag nights - after all that running around, it's time to party!