This is why Weddings make me a sad panda...

Oh my lord! The planning....

I will cross out what has been done so far... (We are currenly 6 months into being engaged, still without a set date or venue - so majority of this may not apply)

11 Months

• Arrange for both families to meet and celebrate if possible
• Purchase a wedding organiser and some magazines for some inspiration
• Plan the engagement party for no more than 3 months from your announcement. Set a date, chose a location and decide on a guest list. Create invitations and send to guests.
• Record cards and gifts received and send personalised thank you notes - Yes, I'm a terrible person, I recorded all the names but have not sent out thank you notes.
• Decide on a wedding budget
• Start guest list
• Determine time frame for your wedding date. Choose a few dates that don't conflict with other events taking into consideration that some guests may need to travel long distances.
• Choose a colour scheme. Collect ideas and create an inspiration board including colours, themes and styles
• Shortlist your venues for the ceremony
• Shortlist your venues for the reception
• Book ceremony venue and record payment in your budget planner
• Book venue and record payment in your budget planner

10 Months

• Begin looking for a dress
• Begin looking for a celebrant that suits your style, theme and personality  TB's uncle is a Pastor so he will marry us! It will be soooo good.
• Choose your bridal party and formally ask them to be in your bridal party - Half done... Is not working out as well and as magical as I first thought it would in my head.

9 Months

• Shortlist photographers - I have the most amazing Photographer in the world PLEASE CHECK HIM OUT - www.izo.com.au
• Shortlist videographer I would love a videographer but probably not able to afford it.
• Shortlist Florist Pish to a Florist. On the day i'm going to a florist shop and buying flowers to make my own bouquet. 
• Shortlist Band/DJ

8 Months

• Investigate bridal registries
• Book Photographer
• Book Florist
• Book Videographer

7 Months

• Research accommodation options for out of town guests
• Send out "save the date cards"
• Select dress and pay deposit, recording the payment in your budget planner
• Shortlist Cake suppliers

6 Months

• Research invitation or stationary supplier. Decide on a theme that covers all aspects of the stationary. Invitations, RSVP cards, name cards and thank you cards
• Meet with ceremony musicians and discuss music choices for ceremony

5 Months

• Book hair and makeup artist and any pre wedding beauty therapies that are needed (waxing, spray tanning, manicures etc)
• Gather bridesmaids for dress shopping or fittings
• Gather the Groom and Groomsmen for suit fittings. Record any deposits paid
• Book accommodation for your wedding night (make sure it’s the honeymoon suite!)
• Prepare detailed accommodation options for out of town guests catering to as many tastes and budgets as possible
• Plan and Book your honeymoon. Remembering to check the weather and make sure you book the honeymoon suite!

4 Months

• Purchase accessories for the day including jewelry, veil, shoes, underwear and handbags
• Finalise hair and makeup with artist

3 Months

• Confirm bouquets, button holes and ceremony flowers with florist ensuring your flowers will be either "in season" or available on the day
• Finalise bridal party accessories including shoes, handbags and jewelery for bridesmaids and ties, Cufflinks and socks for groomsmen
• Find jeweler to make wedding bands
• Finalise bridal registry and obtain cards to include with invitations
• Design and create bomboniere
• Book wedding cars/transportation

2 Months

• Finalise guest list
• Finalise invitation wording, font and style
• Finalise menu
• Bride maids to organise hens night (provide a list of names and addresses)
• Obtain travel visas for international honeymoon. Check passport validity
• Decide on readings for ceremony and ask readers to be a part of the day (the longer they have to rehearse the better)
• Schedule dress fittings with dressmaker for the last 3 fittings
• Supply full guest list to Maid of honour and best man for bridal shower/kitchen tea and rehearsal events
• Send out invitations

1 Month

• Confirm travel arrangements have been made for out of town guests
• Finalise ceremony programs and have them printed
• Obtain legal requirements and ensure all paperwork is completed before the deadline
• Purchase guest book
• Bridal party gifts (don't forget you ushers, readers, close family, flower girls, ring bearers and the celebrant)
• Write your vows and send to celebrant to review I've already written my vows

4 Weeks

• Arrange rehearsal with entire bridal party and celebrant
• Finalise play list for DJ (if you don't want to provide a full play list, supply "genres"
• Finalise play and "do not play" songs with live music band including : introduction, first dance, cake cutting, father/daughter dance and last dance.
• Finalise ceremony music selections and send the list to your ceremony musicians.
• Final accessories including hairpiece and jewelery
• Collect wedding rings make sure you try them on!
• Create a wedding day schedule covering off all elements including bridal party and suppliers.
• Final dress fitting
• Finalise readings and any other special touches to the day
• Finalise numbers for the reception
• Provide reception venue with running sheet on suppliers and when to expect them
• Create a seating chart and provide details to reception venue including any signage that may be required
• Confirm pick up details with florist
• Prepare toasts and speeches
• Send addresses to transport/car suppliers
• Confirm times and locations with photographer/videographer
• Provide photographer with a list of must have pictures (include parents, special guests etc)
• Shop and pack for your honeymoon (make sure you check the weather!)
• Put together an emergency kit (aspirin, makeup, hairspray, safety pins, mints, band aids)
• Deliver place cards, guest book, pens, cake knife, toasting flutes, and all other reception items at the reception venue.

So to sum it up FML.