Although I like failing to announce things, I do need some help.

[chess]

tienelle and I would like to get married, preferably next summer. My mother informs me that I don't have the first clue about how much organisation and pain this is going to take and that I should start faffing now. The vague plan is that we'll have the service in Churchill Chapel and then get the Churchill conference people to do catering for the reception, then we'll have a party in the evening for people who want to avoid the family / don't fit in the church.

I know there are quite a lot of people doing the wedding dance right now, so I thought I'd ask for some advice as to where to start / what needs doing on what timescale...

Comments

Re: Start Now

[(Anonymous)]

I'll add my congratulations. Jen and I got engaged this time last year to get married this summer - and it was almost not early enough.

As has been said repeatedly (they are all right) organising the church and reception venue are the hardest two parts; all the more so because they need to both be coordinated to the same day. Many of the places we were looking at (including Trinity Hall) were booked more than a year and a half in advance. Churches especially important because you have less choice. If you can (and are happy) being married in Churchill Chapel that will help a lot. If you are going for a C of E church it must be in one of your parishes. Finding out after organising a venue that the church is unavailable sucks.

After booking those two you can relax a bit. Theres a lot to do, but most of it is not as urgent. Wedding dress takes at least 6 months, honeymoon (if you are going abroad) and invites (people book up quickly) you want to do 4 or 5 months ahead.

Lastly, sit down and work out a budget, and get actual quotes. Everything will cost more than you expect!

I hope you both manage to get things done in good time and workign on it strengthens your relationship rather than causing dispute. Some people say organising the wedding is there as a test to make sure you can cope with the rest of married life!

God bless,

Matthew Johnson

Re: Start Now

[naath.livejournal.com]

Dresses only take 6 months if you care 6 months worth... if it's being made 6 months is probably about right but if you're going to go to John Lewis and buy something then it might take you half an hour (to find out if it fits)... all depends on care levels. As with all things if you want it 'just so' leave aaaages, if you couldn't give a toss then go buy something cheap a week before, or don't bother... You probably *do* want a venue though... and everything seems to be booked 'till the next millenium when you just have to find 2 or 3 venues on the same day (even harder if you have strong opinions about the day or if your honneymoon plans involve enforced day/date selection) summer is popular for weddings, I used to bell ring for them and there was one most weekends all summer, some days there were 2 one after the other! And unless you fancy getting married at 8am in the registry office on a Tuesday in November... I suggest you book now.