The ultimate wedding checklist

You’re engaged, Congratulations! Your journey is just about to begin.

Planning a wedding can be stressful but most importantly it should be FUN! If you love a list then you’re at the right place.

We are here to guide you through every step of the way with our ultimate wedding checklist.

We’ve had brides who have organised their whole wedding in just 15 weeks and others in three years.

From managing your budget, to picking the perfect wedding dress, to sorting through your RSVP list, here’s everything you need to know from the best wedding venues in Wales.

So, sit back and relax as we take you through the ultimate checklist for planning your dream wedding with the Oldwalls Collection.

12 – 24 months before the big day

• Set your budget – It’s so easy to get excited and go over budget!
• Guest List – Who’s going to make it onto the guest list? You’ll need a rough idea of numbers to help with those budgets
• Choose your potential wedding date.
• Do your research! What wedding venues would you like to visit? (Obviously Oldwalls Gower, Fairyhill and Sant Ffraed House are on the top of the list)

• Visit and book your venue (Some venues are booked two-three years in advance so it’s best to get this sorted ASAP to avoid disappointment)
• Legalities – make sure your registrar or priest/ religious celebrant are aware of timings/ date/ location etc.
• Search your favourite wedding suppliers: Photographer, videographer, florist, cake, invitations, band, DJ, hair and make up. You don’t want to be disappointed if the photographer you had in mind is already booked up.
• Wedding insurance options – As soon as you’ve set your wedding date and booked your venue get your wedding insurance sorted.
• Entertainment – Don’t forget that with Fairyhill your DJ is part of the package so you only need to look for a band, if you wanted one.
• Book your photographer
• Book your videographer
• Venue décor –  Have you thought about colour schemes?

• Wedding dress shopping (This has to be the best bit… right?)
• Save the date cards
• Choose your bridesmaids (Ask those who’ll ensure your hen is one to remember…)

• Book your band
• Look at additional accommodation if needed. Check out our rustic retreats for the perfect night before and night after celebration extension!

• Book that honeymoon – flights, accommodation, transport to and from the airport
• Sort your wedding cake

• Do you need a pre-marriage course? (Check if this is required by your church or celebrant)
• Order your wedding dress – check with your boutique their deadlines on ordering as you don’t want to be stung with a ‘rush order’ fee.
• Have you thought about ceremony musicians such as a harpist or string quartet?
• Passports are all in date ready for your honeymoon (You don’t want to leave the groom behind…)
• Arrange hen/ stag do – This is a job for your bridesmaids/ best men so make sure they’re on the case.
• Choose your bridesmaid dresses

• Wedding invitations
• Wedding stationery/ favours
• If you’re having a Catholic ceremony you’ll need to attend pre-marriage counselling
• Meet your florist – choose your flowers, colours, bouquet

• Grooms suit
• Ushers formalwear
• Travel if necessary for you (wedding cars)

• Travel for your guests – do you need to put on a coach?
• RSVP list – who’s coming/ who’s not
• Hair trail and book your hair stylist
• Make up trail and book your make up artist
• Send out your invitations to your guests
• Dress fittings
• Choose and order your wedding rings
• Organize gifts for parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen and your other half
• Wedding shoes, accessories, hair pieces, bow ties

• Flower girl/ page boy outfits
• Menu tasting – The thought of this is making our mouths water already!

The big day is almost here… The last minute check list

• Final wedding dress fitting
• Last minute tweaks with any suppliers
• Order of mass booklets/ order of ceremony – final details
• Wedding DIY projects you’ve been working on – Get these finished
• Review final RSVP list and chase any guests who haven’t yet responded.
• Once you have final numbers, give this to your wedding venue. They will need the final head count
• Potential shot list for your photographer

• Who makes the cut? Who do you want in your wedding photos.
• Table plan
• Hair cut and coloured
• Ivory or clear wedding umbrellas – Incase the weather takes a turn for the worse

• Give your wedding coordinator a list of supplier requests; Band set up, space for florist to set up
• Place cards – names on table
• Contact wedding suppliers to confirm arrangements – timetable for the day
• Ceremony and reception will need a schedule of supplier set up times, plus contact numbers for any emergencies
• PAMPER TIME – Get all your ‘prep work’ sorted; manicure, massage, waxing
• Full wedding dress rehearsal from underwear to veil
• Overnight bag for the reception
• Pack for honey moon (If it’s pretty soon after the wedding)
• Check you are happy with the table plan
• Grooms – final fitting

• Ushers – pick up formalwear
• Confirm pick up times with wedding car company
• Running order for the day
• Sort payment for any final balances to be paid

One sleep to go until the big day…

• Drop off place cards, table cards, menus, favours, table plan to your wedding coordinator
• Send contact details to your suppliers
• Cake is on track to be delivered
• Ceremony rehearsals
• Early night and good night’s sleep!

The wedding day…

• If you’ve bought gifts for certain people give these to the best man/ bridesmaid for after the speeches
• Flowers delivered to where the bride is getting ready and buttonholes for the guys
• Wedding bands to the best man – he’ll look after these during the ceremony
• Meet and greet – introduce your coordinator to your bridesmaids and best man for and questions throughout the day

The day after…

• Return any rentals
• Dry clean wedding dress/ suit – or return if rented
• Thank you notes to your guest for their attendance and gifts
• Collect your wedding certificate