Your Wedding Countdown - Modern Wedding

From the minute you said yes to the moment you walk down the aisle, you need to plan, organise and arrange…here is your step by step plan

12- 9 months to go!

Announce your engagement
Have an engagement party
Set your budget – use your budget calculator in Modernwedding planning tools
Choose your bridal party and let them know
Set a date
Start looking for gowns
Look at venues and locations for your ceremony and reception
Decide on wedding bands
Think about the sort of transport you’d like and the number of guests you need to accommodate
Familiarise yourself with flowers that you like – colours, names, seasons
Visit studios and decide which style of video, photography and wedding album you’d like
Design a health and beauty plan (and stick to it!)
Start your Modernwedding scrapbook, also check out the magazine for ideas
Think about possible honeymoon destinations

Speak to wedding coordinators and choose one if required
Find and book your church/ registry office and celebrant
Make arrangements for the marriage license
Decide on a theme for your wedding
Couture gowns need to be ordered at this stage
Start looking for groom and groomsmen’s suits
Think about the sort of bomboniere you’d like
Book a venue and a caterer and themer if needed
Write the guest list using Modernwedding guest list tool
Look into wedding stationery and wedding vehicles
Visit floral designers and bouquet preservation specialists
Think about the flavour, design and size of the cake you’d like and visit bakers to taste-test some alternatives
Choose a photographer and video producer
Decide on what sort of music and entertainment you’d like for the ceremony and reception
Look into dance lessons
Have a look at gift registries and select one
Look for your hairdresser and makeup artist
Visit travel agents and get quotes and information for your honeymoon

Decide on the order of service
Create a contingency plan for bad weather
PrÃªt-a-porter dresses need to be ordered for you and your bridesmaids
The suits need to be ordered from your bespoke tailor
Finalise details with venue, themer and caterer
Order wedding rings, bomboniere, stationery (invitations, order of service, place cards, thank-you cards)
Book your transport, the entertainment for the reception and music/singers/ organ player for the ceremony
Choose your florist, flower preservation specialist, cake designer and the style of each
Discuss all details with your photography studios and have a pre-wedding engagement photography shoot
Start dance lessons
Select makeup artist and hairdresser
Make any radical changes to your hair
Compile a wish list for your registry
Book your honeymoon and the accommodation for your wedding night

Make sure your celebrant has all of the paperwork
Check that the speeches are being done
Confirm that everyone knows their part and what they’re supposed to do
Collect your gown and store it well
Break in your wedding shoes
Make sure all place cards are done
Confirm all transport, photography, videography, music and entertainment bookings and details
Confirm the order with your flower preservation specialist, florist and baker
Trial your hairstyle with headwear
Have a makeup retrial if needed
Men’s haircuts
Write thank you notes as you receive gifts
Check your gift registry – just in case you need to add items
Order foreign currency and traveller’s cheques and collect your tickets

Have a rehearsal of the ceremony
Prepare bomboniere and place cards to be distributed according to table setting and deliver to reception venue
Confirm all reception details, cake and flower preservation delivery arrangements, photographer and videographer’s arrival time and details and the arrangements for hair and makeup
Have your rings cleaned and polished
Get plenty of sleep
Get a manicure and pedicure the day before
Prepare your bridal party gifts
Pack for your honeymoon
Confirm honeymoon accommodation and re-confirm flights
Enjoy!