Posted by Jennifer on August 31, 2007 9:31 AM

THE most important thing about the wedding - which I very quickly discovered - is being organised.
Here’s a step by step guide I am using - follow it and (hopefully) you can't go wrong!

NINE-TWELVE MONTHS BEFORE:
* Set Date and find venue
* Choose church or civil wedding venue
* Get in touch with a travel agent if you want to marry abroad
* Decide on a budget
* Celebrate your engagement
* Introduce parents
* Choose attendants and bridesmaids
* Choose a photographer/videographer
* Choose gift list
* Musician/DJ/wedding cars

NINE MONTHS:
* The Dress
* Book a florist
* Order stationery
* Choose wedding rings
* Mens wear
* Order cake and choose caterer

SIX MONTHS:
* Do guest list
* Ceremony details
* Arrange honeymoon
* Stag/hen
* Bridesmaid dresses
* Hotel accommodation for guests

TWO-FOUR MONTHS:
* Sort hair and beauty
* Jabs/visas for honeymoon
* Order of service
* Finalise catering plans/wine

TWO-FOUR WEEKS BEFORE:
* Dress fittings
* Finalise plans, collect marriage license
* Buy gifts for family/attendants.

I hope this helps. It has helped me so much so far.
Print it out on double sides and carry it in your purse putting contact numbers alongside the people you need urgently.
Next week I will fill you in on how my dress shopping went in London....

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It begins......

Posted by Jennifer on August 22, 2007 9:17 AM

Every girl dreams of the day she get’s married.... the princess dress, the romance..
But, the fuss along the way, which people forget to mention, is the emailing and calling people in your lunch break, hounding people to get back to you and the price of wedding magazines to get any hints and ideas.
Hopefully this blog will make a little easier for brides planning their big day. Everything I learn along the way will go on here so keep checking back.
My partner Gareth and I have been together for three years. We got engaged in Barbados and it was all very romantic. He took me for dinner on a beach table, which I thought was a bit romantic for him and roused my suspicions, and there were plenty of tears after he produced the ring over dessert.
I looked forward to planning the big day even going so far as buying some mags whilst still there. That enthusiasm wore off when I started to realise that all the things I liked were already booked a year in advance!
The point when I decided I needed to knuckle down to some planning was when my caterer said who is your DJ - ‘pass’, florist - ‘pass’, photographer - ‘pass.’ It was time to get my act together.
As it stands, I have a church venue and food. I had always wanted to get married at home after watching Steve Martin’s Father of the Bride but didn't think it was possible, so provisionally booked Knowsley Hall.
Not everyone has a J-lo from The Wedding Planner on hand to do it, so hopefully this blog will help....a little.
Mahoods have said we can have a marquee in the garden and so the saga continues.... watch this space.

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