A step-by-step guide detailing everything you need to do in the months leading up to your wedding, from setting a date to finalising the guest list. This is the ultimate Irish wedding timeline!
Featured image credit: Conlon Photo and Film
12+ months before
⎕ Sign up to weddingsonline!
⎕ Discuss the wedding with your partner – what you both want and don’t want
⎕ Decide how many guests you want to invite – make a rough guest list
⎕ Look up venues in your chosen area to find out approximate costs for your size of wedding
⎕ Do a budget
⎕ Decide who is paying for what – and will you accept help from family
⎕ Take out wedding insurance if desired
⎕ Pick a season and preferred wedding date
⎕ Book ceremony venue
⎕ Book reception venue
⎕ Decide on the size of your wedding party and ask the chosen people if they’d like to be in it
⎕ Decide what type of entertainment you want – a soloist for the church, harpist, a DJ, band etc
⎕ Research and book photographer, videographer, band, and wedding planner if desired
⎕ Research wedding outfits, find styles you like
⎕ Book appointments to try on wedding outfits
⎕ Send save-the-dates, if you wish
⎕ Make note of any DIY projects you may want doing
⎕ Throw an engagement party
⎕ Start wedding website or diary
8-10 months before
⎕ Research and book ceremony music
⎕ Order your outfit
⎕ Decide on your colour scheme and/or theme for the wedding – start a mood board
⎕ Research and reserve accommodation for guests
6-8 months before
⎕ Research and book florist, hair and make-up artist
⎕ Buy or order invitations
⎕ Order wedding party outfits
⎕ Buy wedding party accessories – shoes, jewellery, etc
⎕ Book honeymoon
⎕ Send save-the-dates if you haven’t already
4-6 months before
⎕ Buy lingerie for your wedding day, if desired
⎕ Send notification of intent to marry
⎕ Attend pre-marriage course if required
⎕ Buy wedding rings
⎕ Order Mass booklets
⎕ Order favours
⎕ Book transport
⎕ Decide on and buy your wedding cake
⎕ Buy your wedding shoes and accessories (veil, jewellery, etc)
⎕ Ensure your outfit fits, or get alterations done if necessary
⎕ Plan hen and stag parties
⎕ Renew passports if necessary
3 months before
⎕ Have make-up trial
⎕ Have hair trial
⎕ Send notification of intent to marry (last chance)
⎕ Get wedding party suits fitted
⎕ Sort out venue decor – centrepieces, flowers, garlands, signs
⎕ Decide on music – ceremony processional and recessional, reception entrance, first dance song
⎕ Have any vaccinations done you may need for your honeymoon
2 months before
⎕ Send invitations
⎕ Purchase gifts for wedding party
⎕ Test a tanning product if you’re using one
1 month before
⎕ Have final outfit fitting
⎕ Confirm bridal gown cleaning services
⎕ Collect outfits
⎕ Confirm menu with reception venue
⎕ Make last-minute adjustments with vendors and confirm their services
⎕ Agree on wedding photo list with the photographer
⎕ Send a music list to your band/DJ
⎕ Review final RSVP list and call any guests who have not yet responded
⎕ Have your hen and stag nights
2 weeks before
⎕ Plan reception table seating
⎕ Buy or make table plan
⎕ Write wedding speeches and vows
⎕ Order foreign currency for honeymoon
⎕ Go over this checklist to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything
1 week before
⎕ Give reception venue final guest head count
⎕ Print place and table cards
⎕ Call all wedding vendors and confirm services
⎕ Get hair coloured if needed
⎕ Have beauty treatments
⎕ Attend rehearsal with ceremony officiant
⎕ Assign somebody to be a point of contact for all the vendors on wedding day
⎕ Re-confirm final details with all vendors. Provide a telephone number for the wedding day
⎕ Wear in your wedding shoes
⎕ Decide on your “something old, something new…”
⎕ Pack for honeymoon
2-3 days before
⎕ Collect suits
⎕ Call the transport company for pickup times and locations
⎕ Get spray tan done
⎕ Put together a wedding emergency kit
Day before
⎕ Deliver cake, favors, flowers, etc to the reception venue
⎕ Sort out payments
⎕ Get a manicure
⎕ Relax
Day of
⎕ Take in every minute of the day!
