So you’ve settled on a wedding venue and picked your perfect date – we’ve got 12 months to go, that’s just 52 weeks, only 365 days!
There’s no need to worry, we’ve got plenty of time to plan the wedding day of your dreams. With so much to see, do, plan and pay for, things can get a little overwhelming, so our top tip is to split your time in to manageable nuggets. We’re going to everything down into three month sections – you can thank us later.
Don’t feel like you need to stick to this exact timeline, each wedding will be different so there’s no right or wrong way to plan your own big day.
12 Month Checklist
Talk Budgets
Weddings are expensive! Recent research says couples in the UK spend over £31,000 on their big day, while Irish couples spend upwards on €25,000 on theirs. It’s best to be realistic when allocating your wedding budget, some couples get financial support from their parents – if that’s not possible, you might have to think about what you truly want and what is an unnecessary expense.
Start Your Guest-list
It’s best to try and keep things equal. Top tip – keep your ceremony and reception lists separate, it’s easier to keep of numbers that way.
Book Photographer
Some wedding suppliers can be organised a little closer to the wedding, but others book up quickly, so it’s best to get in there quickly. The day will be a blur for you both, you want to be able to look back once it’s all over and smile – check out our recommended Irish wedding photographers in our online directory.
Book Videographer
Not having a wedding videographer is often cited as being the number one wedding regret for couples after the wedding. There are a host of top-class videographers here in Ireland, trust us! Packages now include mini-highlight reels that can be easily shared on social media – we love this! Once you have secured your venue, it’s definitely time to start booking the essentials.
Choose Bridesmaids
It’s time to gather your girl squad together and choose the bridesmaids you know will bring their A-game! You need to think carefully before you make big decisions and tread carefully to ensure peace now, and for years to come. Our advice – less is always more – too many opinions can be a struggle.
Book Your Registrar
If you’re hoping to host a civil or humanist ceremony, you’ll need to book a registrar or celebrant.
You can book these any time between one year and three months before your wedding date, but it’s best just to get it out the way. They’ll be able to answer all your questions about the ceremony, and help you find suitable readings and music.
Decide On A Theme
It’s time to pull up your Pinterest boards, girls! We’ve been secretly preparing ourselves for this very day – it’s finally time to gather inspiration, select a colour palette, and create a mood board. We’re talking décor, wedding flowers, stationery, lighting, reception trends, this is the really fun part.
Start Dress Shopping
You might already know exactly what you want, or you might not, which is okay, too.. Before you get started, why not check out our online wedding dress finder, filled with the latest world-renowned bridal designers and various styles of wedding dresses. You can filter your search to help you find your perfect fit.
Attend A Wedding Show
For all the wedding inspiration you need under one roof, book tickets to The Wedding Journal Show; not only is it a great place to find loads of unique wedding ideas, it’s a fun day out with your other half, bridesmaids and MOBs. Complete with international catwalk shows and complimentary glasses of bubbly, you can’t beat it.
READ MORE:
How To Budget For Your Wedding During Tough Financial Times
22 Wedding Dresses For The Budget-Savvy Bride
Meet Ireland’s Best Wedding Venues & Suppliers
