Planning a wedding is usually the biggest and most important event undertaken by most people. Use this guide to help you prepare for your special day. It is not too soon to start viewing venues 12 - 18 months prior to the event!  We would not like you to miss out on a date that you may think is available.

6 - 12 MONTHS

• Discuss the budget and type of wedding, involve those who are paying towards it.
• Choose the date, place and time.  Remember there are no rules for wedding receptions!   Friday cocktail parties, Sunday barbeques and Saturday dine and dances are all popular options these days.
• Book the reception venue.  This may sometimes have to happen more than 12 months out depending on the popularity of the venue.  It is quite normal for us to start taking bookings more than 12 months prior to a wedding.  You need to take into account the number of guests, your budget, wedding theme / colour and the time of day you wish to have your reception.
• Book the ceremony venue, which with a Woodlands Wedding can be the same venue as your Reception venue, saving you costs!  Ladies, you may like to think about the option of using the Woodlands Historic Homestead as a place to get dressed for your wedding!   Bring the Hairdresser and Makeup artist with you!
  
• Choose the minister, priest, celebrant, etc.  Bring your minister priest or celebrant to Woodlands!  They may enjoy carrying out your ceremony at Woodlands!
• Compile a guest list in consultation with both families.
• "Woodlands Country Cuisine' resident caterers at Woodlands will help you design a menu.  Stan Grimes, Catering Manager, has many many years of experience in the catering business, over 400 weddings included!  He will create for you a fabulous meal for your special Wedding Day!  Request a detailed estimate and a confirmation of your booking in writing. Catering price per head for a Woodlands Wedding includes your meal, the catering staff, the choice of black or white linen, linen serviettes tied with a chiffon bow in a colour of your choice, china, cutlery (including cake knife, or bring along your own special knife), and glassware.
• Book the musicians/disco for reception and ceremony. Woodlands have a listing of some recommended, including our very own DJ Andy who is available and has several wedding packages to choose from if required.  Your music for the day is your own choice, you can bring to the venue any musician of your choice.
• Choose and book the photographer / videographer.
• Choose and book the florist.
• Order the wedding transport.
• Start looking for your wedding gown.
• Choose the attendants.
• Talk to a wedding consultant, if desired.

3 - 6 MONTHS

• Choose your gown.
• Decide on the wedding colour scheme: clothes, flowers, stationery, linen, etc.
• Choose and order the groom's and attendants' clothes and accessories.
• Order the wedding cake.
• Choose and / or design your table centre pieces.  Check any restrictions with the reception venue, such as not candles.
• Choose design of wedding invitations.
• Decide where you want to go on honeymoon and make reservations.
• Groom and best man have fitting for suits.
• Purchase the wedding rings.
• Compile a gift list and register for gifts.
• Book a hotel room for the wedding night.
• Organise time off work for wedding and honeymoon and a few planning days.

2 MONTHS

• Send invitations. List acceptances and refusals as they return.
• Agree on the menu and wine with the caterer and give the number of guests expected.
• Give the florist details of the wedding colour scheme and agree on flowers. After checking their outfits, order corsages for the mothers of bride and groom.
• Check passports, certificates, etc. are in order.
• Start a list of all wedding gifts received.
• Buy gifts for the attendants.
• Arrange where the attendants will dress on the day.
• Organise accommodation and book hotels for out of town guests.
• Notify anyone required to make a speech.
• Write your vows, if you've decided to do your own, your celebrant will be able to help you with these.
• Book appointment with hairdresser for the wedding day.

1 MONTH

• Apply for the marriage licence.
• Chase up late invitation replies and finalise guest list.
• Write out place cards for the reception.
• Buy cake boxes for guests unable to attend, address labels for these.
• Arrange reception seating details.
• Liaise with the venue if you plan to display your wedding gifts there.
• Have final wedding gown fitting, with lingerie and shoes you will wear on the day.
• Fittings for all the attendants.
• Visit the hairdresser with headgear. Confirm your booking for the wedding day.
• Meet officiant to check all formalities are in order. Agree on a date for the wedding rehearsal. Notify all the people concerned and book with the ceremony venue.
• If you are making your own wedding cake.  Now is the time to apply almond paste, it needs at least two weeks to dry out.
• Check transport arrangements and time the journey.
• Do a trial run with your makeup artist.
• Arrange any helpers to assist with set-up of the venue if required.

2 WEEKS

• Confirm all arrangements with the florist, caterer, car hire, photographer, venue, musicians etc.
• Confirm the wedding day schedule with all participants.
• Try on your wedding gown with all the accessories.
• ‘Wear in' your wedding shoes.
• Check that place cards and all other table settings are in order.
• Give final numbers to your caterer.
• Send thank you letters for gifts you have received so far.
• Ice the wedding cake.  It needs at least five days to dry.
• Organise for someone to look after any out of town guests due to arrive.

1 WEEK

• Have a wedding rehearsal.
• Speeches.  Check with those concerned, everyone should be comfortable with their speeches.
• Groom to: Make sure the best man will have the rings and service sheets. Place money in marked envelopes for the best man to give to the minister / celebrant, organist, choir, musicians, etc.
• Check that suits and any hire items are collected.
• Check all your honeymoon arrangements and assemble going away clothes and suitcases to be taken to the reception venue or hotel.
• Ensure that the bride's mother or an appropriate person is responsible for taking home the bride's gown and accessories after the wedding.
• The best man should take charge of returning the grooms and attendants' hired suits.
• Make final checks on all arrangements.
• Confirm final wedding numbers to Woodlands
• Pre-pay your Catering account as arranged with Woodlands Country Cuisine.  Individual arrangements to suit you can be made by talking with Woodlands Manager, Lizzie Waters on 07 824 2687.
  
• Make arrangements for payment of the final account, due for payment seven days after your wedding.  This account is sent out within a couple of days of your wedding day.  Individual arrangements for payment of the final account to suit you can be made by talking with Woodlands Manager, Lizzie Waters, 07 824 3687
  

THE DAY BEFORE: 

• Check everything is going to schedule (if it's not - delegate!) then just relax.