First decisions
Discuss what type of Irish wedding you would like with your partner
What about an engagement party?
Choose potential wedding dates – run dates by your most important guests to make sure they can attend
Investigate potential venues
Chose your bridesmaid and groomsmen
Put a budget in place
Plan a guest list. Know how many you expect to invite, the amount of guests will effect your venue choice
Explore the possibility of creating a website for your wedding
Recruit any gifted family members you may wish to have create some aspects of your wedding
Create a pinterest account for wedding ideas and styles
Consider hiring a wedding planner, for complete planning or on-the-day planning
12 Months Ahead of The Wedding
Research wedding service providers – ask friends for recommendations
Book your reception venue and ceremony location – make sure you have visited these places
Get an engagement photo taken
Will you take out wedding insurance?
Make a decision on what type of entertainment you want
Explore your Wedding dress options. Purchase some bridal magazines to give you an idea of styles
Send save-the-date cards, important do to early if many people have to travel to Ireland from abroad
Secure your photographer and date with a deposit
Secure your Videographer and date with a deposit
8/10 months ahead
Make a list of the local accommodation close to your venue
Discuss Styling options with your wedding planner if you have one
Check out music bands and all musical options
Discuss wedding cake options, ideally taste the recipe to see if you like it. NB. if any guests have nut allergies
Send out save-the-date cards
See if you need a pre-marriage course
6/8 months ahead
Select and order your wedding rings
Discuss honeymoon options with your fiance
Discuss Stag and Hen party options with your bridal party
Check your passports are valid
4-6 months ahead
Create a wedding gift list if you are going to use one
Select invitation stationary
Shortlist flowers for your wedding. NB. See what flower will be in season for your wedding day
Discuss Groom’s suit for the wedding
Ensure all marriage paper work has been sent and received by church and civil authorities
Plan a shopping trip with bridesmaids
Shortlist readings and music. Confirm if priest has any restrictions on music
Proof read booklets
Check if you need any travel vaccinations
Book wedding car. Check to see if guests need transport, especially any guests coming from overseas
Create guest list and RSVP list. Include any special requests in this list
2-3 months ahead
Decide on groom’s and best man’s dresshire
Book final fitting appointments
Arrange hair trial appointment
At 6 weeks out post invitations
Arrange make up and tan trial
4 weeks ahead
Final fitting
Check list with suppliers, confirm everything by email
Send all printing jobs to print, don’t forget to proof read
Practise your first dance and chose your first dance song
2 weeks ahead
Check off RSVP list. Get final number count
1 week ahead
Practise your speeches – Speeches are very popular at weddings in Ireland
Inform wedding planner (if using one) and venue of any last minute requests
Sign off on Table plan
48 hours do final guest list count
Give table plan to the hotel wedding co ordinator
Let the venue know what time to expect deliveries from your wedding suppliers
Have all bueaty treatments done the day before and spray tan 2 days so it doesn’t stain
Confirm all arrangements and times with suppliers
Dress rehersal the night before wedding
Pack your wedding suitcase
Have suitcase packed for Honeymoon or mini moon
Arange for bestman or wedding co ordinator to collect money for suppliers
2-3 days ahead
Check the weather forecast
Make sure all the gents suits are the correct size and are collected
Re-confirm wedding details with suppliers
Check table plan and download to a memrory stick in case you have any last minute changes
Day ahead
Provide the wedding corodinator or hotel with all the suppliers’ numbers
Arrange payments into seperate envelopes
Email table plan to the hotel in case you need to rearrange table plan
Check with the hotel re delivery and storage of the cake
Don’t forget to go asleep, it’s too late now !!
Your Wedding Day!
Check the bestman has the rings in a safe place
Leave gifts for the wedding party at the venue with the hotel manager or wedding co ordinator
Make sure the bestman has all the correct envelopes for the suppliers
Assign a bridesmaid to liase with the photographer on the day. Make sure she knows the key party members
After the Wedding
Don’t forget to get your bridesmaid to leave your dress into the dry cleaners
Have a family member drop back any rental equipment
Write you thank you cards to everybody who was involved in your wedding
You can download the checklist here for printingI hope this checklist is helpful. If you would like to discuss the wedding planning services I provide, please email maria@theeventdesigncompany.ie or simply pick up your phone and call me at + 353 (0) 83 007 8057 . Enjoy your Irish Wedding!