Brides, search no more for you have found the perfect checklist of absolutely everything that you need to do 12+ months before your wedding day! From your budget to your officiant and all in between, keep reading our Ultimate 12 Months Before Wedding Checklist to help you down the aisle in a stress-free manner!
Engage a Wedding Planner
Organising a wedding is one of the most stressful things you will do. If you are seeking a perfectly planned & creatively designed wedding, executed seamlessly on budget and everything to tome on the wedding day, then employ the services of a professional wedding planner. They will plan, organise & execute every last detail of your wedding to the highest standard but all the time ensuring each & every component reflects your vision, personalities & style.
Compile a Guestlist
We suggest that you start with a comprehensive list which includes must & would like to invite and work through it, removing names opening on your emotional bond with the guests, the capacity of your venue, your budget, the style of wedding you want, etc.
Brainstorm Your Wedding Style
To find the perfect wedding style for your big day, there are a few things you need to think about. Beginning with the style of wedding you dreamt of & whether or not you want to have a specific theme. Then comes the question of the colour palette. After you answer these questions, you should have a pretty clear idea of your wedding style.
Choose a Wedding Date
A lot of questions come up when thinking about your wedding date. Being thinking broad, what season you want to get married, and work your way to a specific date, thinking of a month, and then a day of the week. But you also have to keep in mind that your venue might not be available on the day you chose. If you chose a destination wedding, you also have to take in consideration that your guests will have to travel so it will be a few days of celebrations.
Draw Up a Budget
Make a list of all the components for the ceremony & reception and then go through it again, classifying the things in terms of must-haves & would like to have. A good rule of thumb for a wedding budget is: 40% reception, 20% photography & cinematography, 10-15% flowers, 10% attire, 10% entertainment & 5% everything else.
Pick Your Venue
When it comes to venues, your budget and the style & theme you chose come into consideration! And honestly, once you decide on these factors, the venue type should become apparent. But here are some other things that you need to consider: Do you want to have a destination wedding or a wedding close to home? Where do you want to have your wedding? Is it available on the date that you want?
Select Your Wedding Party
Your wedding party will be of great help when it comes to organizing your wedding. For this exact reason, we suggest that you choose people in whom you can really trust, like your siblings or close friends. Best if they have an easy temperament & will keep you calm throughout.
Children Or No Children, That Is The Question
If you decide not to invite children to your wedding, we suggest that you get the word out pretty early so that you guests who have children can play accordingly. But if you do decide to invite children, you might want to add entertainment for them in your wedding budget.
Take Out Wedding Insurance
Decide how much you need to insure your wedding for. Then, draw up a list of insurers & select the one which fits your specific needs best.
Prepare The Legalities For Your Wedding In Ireland
This procedure applies to all couples whether they live in Ireland or abroad.
- Minimum 3 months before your wedding, you need to give notice to the state of your intention to marry.
- If the initial application has been given online or by post, then minimum of 5 working days prior to the wedding date, the bride & groom must visit the Registration office to complete their notice.
- The legal Marriage Ceremony will take place 5 days later in the approved venue, e.g. church, civil office, reception venue.
- Remember to return the signed license to the Registrar.
Find Accommodation For Your Guests
Many of your guests may decide to stay for one or two night(s) around your wedding, particularly if you are having a 2 or 3 days celebration or a destination wedding. You should try to reserve an accommodation block either at your wedding venue or at a location close by. Reserve the rooms as soon as your wedding venue & date are set.
Choose An Officiant
Your wedding officiant choice is really important as he will have a big influence on the style & tone of your ceremony. If you are having a church wedding, the minister or priest in the parish may perform the ceremony or you may be required to bring your own. For a non-religious ceremony, the choices include the civil registrar or non-denominational, such as a Celtic Monk, or a humanist officiant. Ensure that your officiant is on the approved list of solemnisers.
Source & Book Vendors
If you have engaged a professional wedding planner, they will provide you with recommendations for the very best wedding vendors. Otherwise, word-of-mouth from friends & venue coordinators are a good source of vendor recommendations. Always try to get three quotes. You should always check with your vendors their availability, the prices of their services, their cancellation policy, their insurance, etc.
Create a Wedding Website
A wedding website is a terrific knowledge tool for your guests, particularly if you are having a destination wedding. We suggest that you create it before you send out ‘Save The Dates’. It can reflect your wedding style by incorporating all colours & design elements you will have for your wedding celebration. You will share essential information such as the date, venue, attire, party, gift registry & your own story. There are lots of free website templates available online.
Decide On Your Gist Registry
Before you send out the ‘Save The Dates’, compile a list of wedding gifts you desire in your favourite department store(s). You can publish the details on your wedding website & get the word out by word-by-mouth. Don’t forget to send ‘Thank You’ notes after the wedding.
Choose Your Stationery Suite
The invitations set the tone for your wedding day & will be a reflection of your wedding style & theme. It is best to choose all of your stationery from the same high-quality suite whether bespoke or pre-designed. Your stationery suite can include Save The Dates, RSVP cards, Thank You cards, Menu cards, etc.
Send Out Save The Dates
‘Save The Dates’ are a great idea particularly for a destination wedding. They can go out at least one year prior to the wedding. While they don’t include an RSVP, you can encourage guests to register their interest through your wedding website or email.
We truly hope that this blog will help you organise your Wedding Planning process. Don’t forget that we are here to help you every step of the way to plan your Dream Wedding. Contact us!
Email: info@westcoastweddingsireland.com
Social media: @WestCoastWeddingsIreland on Facebook & Instagram
@WestCoastWeddIr on Twitter
We acknowledge all the wonderful photographers we work with whose images we have included in this blog, along with images from Pinterest.
