Engagement
- Announce engagement and insert in newspapers if desired.
- Arrange engagement party.
Soon after
- Set wedding budget. It may be helpful to use the Wedding QLD budget planner.
- Plan the wedding style.
- Hire a wedding coordinator if necessary or do the planning yourself using Wedding QLD .
- Choose the wedding venue and set the date.
- Contact the wedding official – priest, celebrant or registry office.
- Choose wedding party – groomsmen, bridesmaids, etc.
- Draw up a guest list and formalise approximate numbers for reception.
- Decide on reception venue and book.
- Hire any extra equipment required – marquee, furniture, crockery, etc.
- Determine if a wedding decorator is required and contact if necessary.
- Begin shopping for wedding dress or dressmaker and accessories.
- Select suits and dresses for the rest of the wedding party and arrange fittings.
- Plan and book the honeymoon.
- Book the wedding transportation – cars, horse and carriage, limousines, etc.
- Select photographer and videographer.
- Select a florist.
- Choose music or musician for church or ceremony.
- Book reception entertainment.
- Consider pre-marriage counselling.
- Consider wedding insurance.
3 Months before
- Order invitations and other stationery.
- Select bomboniere.
- Choose wedding cake.
- Make wedding day appointments – hairdresser, beautician, etc.
- Make any necessary personal appointments.
- Arrange passport, vaccinations, etc if the honeymoon is overseas.
- Arrange a Master of Ceremonies.
2 Months before
- Compile gift list and consult a gift registry if necessary.
- Must give notice of intent to marry to wedding official at least one full month and no more than 6 months in advance of wedding date.
- Arrange wedding rehearsal.
- Select wedding rings.
- Collect and write invitations.
6 Weeks before
- Relax! Take some time out for self care.
- Confirm reception arrangements especially if hired goods have been selected.
- Order beverages.
- Confirm arrangements with florist.
- Confirm honeymoon details.
- Plan honeymoon clothes.
- Mail your invitations.
- Maintain a record of acceptance and declines.
- Advise venues of estimated guest numbers.
- Plan hen’s and buck’s nights.
- Select gifts for attendants.
- Begin to prepare your speeches.
4 Weeks before
- Arrange wedding insurance for gifts and holiday insurance.
- Confirm reception arrangements especially if hired goods have been selected.
- Confirm arrangements with wedding official.
- Have a hair and beauty rehearsal.
- Final wedding dress fitting and alterations if necessary.
- Finalise arrangements with photographer.
- Finalise attendants outfits.
- Update your Wedding QLD Guest List and begin writing thank you notes as gifts are received.
2 Weeks before
- Relax! Your wedding plans should be coming along nicely.
- Final fitting of all wedding attire and arrange delivery.
- Make sure the wedding party is fully aware of all arrangements and of what is required of them.
- Finalise guest numbers and confirm with caterers.
- Arrange wedding reception seating.
- If the bride is changing her name she will need to notify her credit institutions.
- Type an alphabetical list of guests and table allocations with place cards and give to your reception venue.
1 Week before
- Relax! Enjoy the lead-up to your wedding day.
- Finalise all arrangements – catering, floral, photography.
- Have wedding rehearsal.
- Final fitting check of all outfits and accessories.
- Ensure that all guests (especially interstate and overseas) have transport to and from the church and reception.
- Pack an emergency kit for the day which a family member can carry.
- Pack for the honeymoon.
- Layout all clothes for the wedding day – just to set your mind at ease.
- Give gifts to attendants.