First of all, allow us to share our most heartfelt congratulations on your engagement.
What a special moment to have shared, and with so many more to come, it is only natural to begin looking ahead to the future of your wedding planning. While the anticipation is undeniably wonderful, the process can feel overwhelming without a clear path forward.
In our attempt to be helpful throughout this magical (and rather turbulent) time, our guide is designed to offer you a measured, step-by-step timeline, giving you confidence in your decisions while preserving the joy of your engagement. With a well-structured plan, you may find there is no need for a dedicated wedding planner, allowing you instead to savour every moment of the build-up to your marriage. While many couples plan across 12 to 18 months, this timeline is entirely adaptable to suit your own preferences and pace.
The Journey Begins: 12-18 Months Before Your Wedding
Celebrate & Announce
Before diving into any planning, take time to simply enjoy the moment. Share the news with family and close friends in person where possible, or by phone, before announcing more widely. It is a milestone worthy of quiet celebration.
Set the Vision
Begin defining your wedding style, size, and season, and agree on an initial budget. Whether you envision an intimate countryside gathering or a grand, formal celebration, clarifying these fundamentals will guide every decision that follows.
Guest List Draft
Create a preliminary guest list to help determine venue capacity and costs. It does not need to be final at this stage, but a rough estimate will ensure you choose spaces suited to your celebration.
Choose Your Venue
Securing your venue should be a priority. Consider factors such as location, privacy, and available spaces. Virginia Park Lodge, for example, offers a luxurious, exclusive-use estate with stunning grounds, historic elegance, and the versatility to bring any wedding vision to life.
Select Your Wedding Planner (Optional)
While not essential, engaging a professional planner at this stage can be invaluable. An experienced planner will guide you through budgeting, scheduling, and supplier selection and provide reassurance throughout the process.
Set the Date
Once you have your venue confirmed, coordinate with key suppliers and secure your wedding date. Having a firm date allows the rest of your plans to take shape with confidence and clarity.
Building the Foundation: 9-11 Months Before Your Wedding
Secure Key Vendors
This is the time to confirm your photographer or videographer, as well as your caterer, if it is not provided by your venue, and your band or DJ. The most sought-after suppliers are often booked well in advance, so securing them early helps ensure availability and peace of mind.
Choose Your Wedding Party
Invite those dearest to you to stand by your side; bridesmaids, groomsmen, or other attendants, so they have plenty of time to prepare and support you in the coming months.
Start Dress Shopping
Begin searching for your wedding gown or attire now, allowing ample time for ordering and any necessary alterations. The same applies to suits, accessories, or bespoke pieces.
Send Save-the-Dates
Particularly if you are planning a destination wedding or marrying during peak season, sending save-the-dates now is both practical and considerate, giving guests time to plan.
Research Accommodation
Consider where guests will stay. If your venue provides accommodation, as Virginia Park Lodge does with elegant lodge rooms and charming Shepherds Huts, this can make planning easier. Otherwise, begin researching nearby options and provide recommendations to your guests in advance.
Details & Decisions: 6-8 Months Before Your Wedding
Finalise Guest List & Send Invitations
At this stage, confirm your final guest list and order your invitations, ensuring they align with your chosen theme and reflect the tone of your day. Sending them in good time allows guests to make necessary arrangements.
Plan Your Menu
Work with your caterer or venue to finalise food and drink selections, and book a cake tasting to ensure everything meets your vision and tastes. At Virginia Park Lodge, for example, Chef Richard Corrigan and his team will guide you through creating a memorable, seasonal menu.
Choose Attire
Complete attire plans for the groom, groomsmen, and wedding party, allowing time for fittings and adjustments. Coordinating colours and styles at this stage ensures a cohesive look.
Book Officiant
Secure your officiant and confirm the details of your ceremony, including any readings, traditions, or personal vows you wish to include.
Plan Honeymoon
Research and book your honeymoon travel, considering passports, visas, and insurance if required. Planning ahead guarantees the best options and prices.
Choose Florist & Decor
Now is the moment to select your florist and décor stylist, and refine the aesthetic details that will bring your wedding theme to life, from bouquets to centrepieces and venue styling.
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The Final Stretch: 3-5 Months Before Your Wedding
Purchase Wedding Rings
Select and purchase your wedding rings, leaving sufficient time for resizing or engraving if desired. These symbols of your commitment deserve thoughtful consideration.
Final Dress Fittings
Schedule your final dress fittings to ensure a perfect fit. This is also an opportunity to finalise any accessories or shoes you will wear on the day.
Plan Ceremony Details
Confirm the structure of your ceremony, including readings, music, and personal vows. Share this information with your officiant to ensure a seamless and meaningful experience.
Book Hair & Makeup Artists
Secure your beauty team and book in trials, allowing you to test styles and avoid any last minute surprises.
Order Favours & Welcome Bags (if applicable)
If you are gifting favours or welcome bags to your guests, now is the time to order them and begin assembling any personal touches.
Arrange Transportation
Organise transportation for the wedding party and guests, particularly if your venue is in a rural setting. Virginia Park Lodge’s team is always happy to advise on reputable local transport providers to make the day as effortless as possible.
The Grand Countdown: 1-2 Months Before Your Wedding
Send Out Invitations (if not done earlier)
If you have not already done so, now is the time to send your formal invitations and set a clear RSVP deadline, allowing you to finalise numbers for catering and seating.
Create Seating Chart
Begin arranging your seating chart, balancing guest relationships and ensuring a pleasant flow within your chosen spaces.
Finalise Music Selection
Confirm your ceremony and reception music, including any special requests for the band, DJ, or live musicians.
Confirm Vendor Timelines
Reach out to all suppliers to confirm arrival times, setup requirements, and any last-minute details, ensuring everyone is coordinated for the day.
Write Vows
If you are writing your own vows, set aside quiet time to complete them, heartfelt words are best prepared without rush.
Get a Marriage License
Review your jurisdiction’s legal requirements and secure your marriage license, ensuring all documentation is correct and ready.
Final Beauty Appointments
Book any final treatments, such as hair trims, facials, or grooming, so you feel your best on the day.
The Week Of: Countdown to "I Do"
Final Confirmations
Check in with all vendors and your wedding party to confirm timings, deliveries, and responsibilities. A final review helps ensure a seamless day.
Pack for Honeymoon
Prepare your honeymoon luggage in advance, including any travel documents or essentials, so you can depart without stress.
Relax & Rehearse
Attend your rehearsal and any pre-wedding dinners, taking time to pause, connect, and enjoy the anticipation with loved ones.
Delegate Small Tasks
Assign any final details, such as distributing favours, handling cards, or checking transport, to trusted members of your wedding party or your planner, leaving you free to focus on the moment itself.
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Your Wedding Day!
Enjoy Every Moment
Take the time to truly savour each part of the day, from the quiet morning preparations to the final dance. These moments pass quickly, and they deserve your full presence and joy.
Trust Your Vendors & Team
You have carefully chosen experienced professionals and a supportive wedding party; trust them to manage the details so you can focus entirely on celebrating.
Marry the Love of Your Life!
Above all, remember the reason for this day: to marry the person you love, surrounded by those who matter most. Let every smile, every embrace, and every shared glance remind you of why you are here and enjoy every single second of it.
Weddings at Virginia Park Lodge
Whether you choose Virginia Park Lodge as your venue or somewhere on the other side of the globe, we wish you the very best in all of your wedding planning and an eternity of happiness together thereafter.