Planning a Wedding

If you're planning on getting married, Efi Condovrakis has this very useful calendar to help brides organise the big day.

You've been a guest at many memorable weddings, where the bride looked gorgeous, her flowers were beautiful, and the reception venue and music were spectacular. Now it's your turn to organise the biggest day of your life - so where do you begin?

Decide on a date, it's best to give yourself plenty of time, and let the planning begin!

Twelve months to go

* Book the reception venue. Remember you need to take into consideration the style, size and budget.
* Book the ceremony.

Ten months to go

* Choose colour scheme and theme.
* Start looking for your wedding dress.
* Make a preliminary guest list
* Choose maid of honour, best man, bridesmaids and groomsmen.
* Choose master of ceremonies, band or disc jockey.

Six months to go

* Shop for bridesmaid's dresses, shoes and accessories.
* Book a photographer. Make an appointment to visit their studio to meet them and have a look at their work and choose a package that suits your taste and budget.
* Consider a videographer.
* Select a florist and order your bouquets, buttonholes, church decorations and reception table arrangments.
* Order invitations and stationery - acceptance cards, thank you cards, table place cards, hymn books, etc.
* Choose a location for photos and remember many public gardens require a permit.

Four months to go

* Choose the suits for the groom and groomsmen.
* Make travel arrangements for the honeymoon and organise passports and visas.
* Select cars.
* Choose wedding rings.
* Choose a wedding cake.
* Organise gift registry. Department stores, individual stores and online retailers offer this service.
* Send invitations to overseas guests so they have plenty of time to make travel arrangements.
* Book a hairdresser and make-up artist.

Two months to go

* Post wedding invitations.
* Make hotel reservation for the wedding night.
* Meet with the priest or celebrant to discuss and finalise ceremony formalities.
* Meet with your reception venue organiser to finalise menus and running details.
* Have dancing lessons if you think you both need them!

One month to go

* Lodge 'Notification of Intention to Marry' with The Department of Deaths and Marriages.
* Have hair and make-up trials. Don't forget to take your veil if you're wearing one.
* Finalise details with the master of ceremonies.
* Have your final fitting for wedding dress and bridesmaid's dresses.
* Finalise living arrangements and tie up financial and legal matters.
* Purchase ceremony accessories such as ring pillow and guest books.
* Purchase garter, toasting goblets etc.
* Organise lingerie.
* Choose wedding vows.
* Organise church programs.
* Select songs for bridal waltz.
* Reconfirm everything: flowers, cake, cars, band etc.

Two weeks to go

* Have bridal showers, hen's night and buck's night.
* Finalise guest numbers with the reception venue.
* Organise table seating for your guests. Write place cards and give them to the reception venue.
* Wear in wedding shoes.
* Pack overnight bag for the hotel and honeymoon.
* Write thank you speeches.
* Pick up wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses. Try everything on again.
* Shop for thank you gifts for your bridal party.

One week to go

* Pick up groom and groomsmen suits - check for proper fit.
* Pick up wedding bands.
* Have wedding rehearsal.
* Have a manicure.
* Spoil yourself and your bridal party with a relaxation massage.
* Reconfirm your honeymoon details.

Wedding day

Relax and enjoy, as this day, which has consumed you for so long, is over very quickly.
And don't forget to eat!

Some good advice
* Don't feel you have to invite everyone you know to the wedding. It's okay to invite your guests to the service only.
* Don't say no to help. There's a lot to organise and if your friends and family are offering help, let them help!
* Don't do any running around on the day. Have your flowers delivered to you and your hairdresser come to you etc.
* Bridesmaids usually pay for their own dressers and shoes.
* Don't expect parents to pay for the wedding. However many do contribute.
* Remember both sets of parents would like to be involved in the decision making, especially if they're paying towards the wedding.
* Many couples are choosing wedding bubbles instead of confetti as they look great in photos.
* Signature bears are fun instead of guest books.
* Try not to consume too much alcohol untill after the formalities.
* Place a few disposable cameras on each table and have your guests take photos of each other and the wedding couple. It's great looking back at these informal pictures.
* Make sure there are plenty of spare pantyhose for yourself and the bridal party.
* Make sure you pack tissues, lipstick, band-aids, etc, in your bag.