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3 months before the wedding checklist
1 month to your wedding day
Only 4 weeks to go now. It definitely feels more and more real by the day and you’re going through everything to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything. By this point, all the important things have been checked off your wedding list: you have talked to your wedding venue to sort out and organise the final details, you have organised the traditions that will be part of your day and decided on your hair and makeup.
Although we are positive the most important details have been looked after, there could be a few things here and there that you may still want to look at running up to your wedding day.
1 - Wedding venue: final balance
Normally, the final payment for your wedding is made 4 weeks before your big day. This is normally non-refundable and it basically ensures both the couple and the venue that everything will be going ahead exactly as planned, including your decor, guests and timings.
This also means that if, by any chance, any of your wedding guests decides to cancel at the last minute, you will not be entitled to a refund so it is important to ensure that your guest numbers are finalised before this point.
2 - Wedding coordinator: final plans
By this stage, you are likely to have absolutely everything or most things already finalised and ready to go. It is important, however, to certify that your wedding coordinator is on the same page, so if you have any questions or would like to let them know of any requests and/or slight changes, this is the moment to do so.
Even if you don’t have any requests or questions, simply going through everything with your wedding coordinator will also give you that much needed peace of mind every person needs before their wedding day!
3 - Guest book
Guest books are a wonderful way for your guests to record on paper their thoughts and wishes on your wedding day. Although you will certainly go around and chat to each and every guest, having a guest book allows you to cherish those beautiful words and memories forever.
Wedding days are busy days for the couple; as much as you try to talk to everybody, you just won’t be able to give every single person the same level of attention. Guest books come in handy in this situation, as friends who you haven’t had a chance to have a conversation with may be able to write you some kind and loving words that you can go on to read after the day is over.
4 - Wedding menu: include your suppliers
Your suppliers will spend most if not all day at your wedding venue providing you and your guests with some much needed entertainment. Whether this is your photographer, DJ or photobooth professional, some will contractually require that you provide them with meals throughout the day.
Here, at Manor Hill House for example, we charge £20 per supplier for the whole day, which allows them unlimited soft drinks through the bar and two meals throughout the day. Whether they contractually require it or not, it’s always important to bear in mind they’ll have a long day ahead so making sure they’re looked after with food and drinks can help ensure the day goes ahead as smoothly as possible.
5 - Thank you cards
Sending thank you cards within 2 weeks after your wedding day is a tradition and etiquette still in place to this day. In the run up to your wedding day, your friends and family will have showered you with great experiences, such as your hen and stag do, as well as gifts and contributions towards your day and honeymoon.
Sending them either a little symbolic gift or a thank you note will go a long way and it’s a chance for you and your significant other to express your gratitude to all those who took the time to be present on one of the most important days of your lives.
6 - Wedding playlist
One of the things your guests will definitely remember about your wedding day is your music playlist. Those ‘hold my drink!’ moments are rarely forgotten and create the perfect fun atmosphere every wedding should have.
When you’re only 4 weeks away from your big day, you can start putting a playlist together to send off to your DJ or band so they know what songs you want played and which to definitely keep off the list.
You will want different moods to different stages of your wedding day, growing from atmospheric and/or instrumental to more upbeat songs as the day goes by and the night arrives and people start gathering on the dance floor.
Remember to include an array of options to cater to all your guests as ideally you would like every single person to have something they can move their feet to. Make sure to let your DJ or band know what songs you want to keep off the list at all costs, as it will also help give them an idea of your music taste.
7 - Stag and hen parties
Now it’s the time to enjoy your final moments of freedom! Your designated organisers have now sorted the last details of your hen and stag party and the day will be finally approaching. A month before your wedding day is a good time to unwind with your close friends and family and start getting pampered in preparation for one of the most important days of your life.
Some will prefer to soak up some rays of sunshine on the beach somewhere with a cocktail in hand, while others will opt for an energetic weekend of hiking and exploring with their besties. Whatever you do, make sure to enjoy the company of those closest to you and the moments you have together.
8 - Final fittings
Within those 4 weeks before your wedding day is when you will want to book your very final dress and suit fitting. In those 4 weeks, it’s likely that your body won’t change too much between then and the actual day, so it’s the perfect time to carry out any final adjustments.
This will also be the last time you try your gown on before your big day, so enjoy this moment!
9 - Honeymoon fund
Some couples will wait a few months before they set off on their honeymoon, as it gives them something to look forward to in the long run. Others prefer to set off straight away, to keep the wedding high going. If you have decided to do the latter, a month before your wedding day is the time to start organising the funds for your honeymoon in the local currency of where you’re planning to visit.
Your honeymoon is a time to sit back and relax, so the last thing you want is to have to do anything whilst you’re away. Now is the perfect time to get all the final details of your travels sorted, including funds in the local currency, day trips and any final reservations.
10 - Collect wedding rings
One of the most exciting things about your wedding day is sitting down at the jewellers with your better half and choosing your wedding bands together! It’s an exciting feeling as you’ll be making this decision together about something that you will wear forever and that will forever represent your love.
You may have one designed specifically for you both or you may like something off the shelf with slight tweaks or adjustments in size. Whatever the case may be, you should now be going back to the store to pick up your wedding bands. It’s also a good opportunity to ensure the size feels right, so that if any further adjustments need to be made, there will be enough time to do so.