The bride:

12 months to go Pick a date, book venues and entertainment, create a guest list, research caterers, florists, and photographers and start looking for The Dress.

9 months to go Choose your invitations, confirm caterer, photographer, and select your cake. Book your honeymoon (check if you require visas to travel), choose wedding rings and decide on a gift list. Delegate wedding party roles such as bridesmaids and ushers.

6 months to go Decide on an Order of Service, ensure your groom has thought about hiring/ purchasing a suit for himself, the best man and ushers. Plan hen and stag parties, hair and make-up trials, purchase bridal shoes and accessories. Book first night hotel.

3 months to go Book the wedding rehearsal and finalise wedding day schedule. Send out invitations and confirm/chase replies. Collect wedding rings, run through ideas with photographer, collect currency for honeymoon, have beauty treatments... and remember to breathe..!

The big day You’ve made it! Relax, savour and enjoy every moment!

The groom:

 

12 months to go
A customised wedding dress can take up to a year to get right so be prepared for your bride to have to go for lots of fittings, tweaking,s, and yet more fittings. Your fiancée will be filled with excitement and elation during the initial planning stages.

9 months to go
Although only three months in, stress levels will already be on the rise. Your future wife will no doubt be suffering from ‘back seat driver’ syndrome with every relative, friend and colleague offering their advice on her big day. Be prepared for some doubts over the choice of cake, menus and perhaps bridesmaids! A thick skin and good pair of ears should suffice.

6 months to go
At the halfway point, you and your fiancée should have most elements under control – although she may not feel that way. A treat or non-wedding themed evening is ideal to take her mind off favours (a small gift given to guests) and Jimmy Choo’s (the must-have designer wedding shoe.

3 months to go
Your future wife may have reached full bridezilla mode. This is normal but should be approached with caution. Be on hand to chase suppliers, replies and offer any assistance possible. Have you booked the wedding day transport – traditionally the grooms’ responsibility?