Your wedding countdown
18 June 2018
We’re often asked at the hotel, what’s the best length of time to plan a wedding? How long do you need to get everything organised? It’s a very personal choice, but we’ve found the optimum time is approximately 18 months ahead. Time management may not be everyone’s strong point, so we have created a wedding countdown to ensure all of your essential wedding details are prepared in good time. Planning in advance can ensure nothing is missed, and help saves any stress as the big day nears.
18 months until the big day
Let the excitement begin, with:
- Creating your list of guests that you wish to share your special day with, this helps identify the numbers for your wedding
- Holding your preferred date with your chosen venue
- Choosing a colour scheme and styles for your day
- Booking your church/registrar for your ceremony
- Paying your venue deposit and sign contracts
- Arranging your wedding insurance
- Checking your passports are in date if you’re going abroad for your honeymoon
Twelve months until the big day
Now it’s time to:
- Book your choice of entertainment
- Choose your bridesmaids, best man, ushers and page boys
- Buy your wedding day lingerie (essential for your wedding dress fitting)
- Book a day to try on an assortment of wedding dresses in a range of styles accompanied by a glass of bubbly
- Book your wedding photographer
- Select your wedding stationary design (e.g. name cards, invitations, etc.)
- Post your ‘Save the dates’
- Sample a selection of wedding cakes and book your favourite
- Trial a number of table centre ideas
- Choose your dream wedding dress
Six months until the big day
Your wedding day is getting closer, so ensure you:
- Order your wedding rings
- Arrange a shopping trip for the bride and bridesmaids to choose dresses
- Arrange a shopping trip for the groom’s party to choose suits
- Arrange your preferred choice of wedding day transportation
- Book hair and make-up artist if desired
- Deliver wedding invites and include details of discounted accommodation rates for your guests to take advantage of
- Finalise your choice of decorations and flowers
- Choose your preferred arrival drinks and canapés
- Select your evening buffet
- Ensure that all contact details for your suppliers are given to your wedding planner
- Arrange the stag and hen celebrations
One – three months until the big day
It’s time for:
- Wedding dress fitting
- Bridesmaids and groomsmen fittings
- Collecting your wedding rings
- Rehearsing your vows
- Finalising your guest list
- Creating your table plan and place cards
- Meeting with your wedding planner and confirm the final details
- Enjoying the stag and hen celebrations!
Of course, at the Mercure Swansea Hotel we understand that it’s not always possible to plan a wedding 18 months out, and we can help here too. Relocations, work commitments, even ensuring family availability if they’re all over the world, can play a part. So if you’re wanting to get married, but don’t have an 18 month lead time, it’s ok. You can still plan and organise a perfect wedding. The only difference is that there will be less lead time so decisions may need to be made quickly; and you may find your first choice of venue, photographer, or evening entertainment may be booked.
The Mercure Swansea is the perfect wedding venue to host your big day.
If you’re looking for a wedding venue in Swansea, look no further. Just call our Wedding Co-ordinator on 01792 626 371 or email weddings@mercureswansea.co.uk.
