Planning your wedding is really exciting, but there are times when it can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming. This handy wedding checklist should help you get the ball rolling and keep you on track as you go. It's based on a 12 month schedule and by no means is it complete. However, it may be a good guideline of what to do and when.

Please consider the following schedule for your wedding planning journey...

Sit down with your partner and discuss the type of wedding you both want

Think about the time of year you want to get married and particular months

Decide how many guests you want to have and make a rough list

Think about the style of venue you’d like

Set yourself a budget

Start researching venue/ceremony locations such as SG Banquets

Book reception venue (Give SG Banquets a consideration)

Book ceremony venue

Look in to wedding insurance

Start researching wedding suppliers and services such as wedding photographers, entertainment, florists, makeup artists etc.

Book Wedding Planner (if required)

Book Photographer

Book Videographer

Book Band

Do some research on the style of wedding dress you’d like and potential stores

Book appointments with bridal shops to try on wedding dresses

Send Save the Dates if you’re looking to give guests lots of notice

Think about your bridal party – pop the question once you know who you’d like to ask

Research and book ceremony music

Order your wedding dress

Think about your colour scheme and any decor your want to hire

Research and reserve accommodation for guests

Start looking in to honeymoon options

Order wedding stationery

Order your wedding cake

Start thinking about flowers

Buy or look in to hire options for groom’s suit

Start looking for bridesmaid dresses

Book pre-marriage course (if getting married in a Catholic church)

Book honeymoon

Research and book trials with hair and makeup artists

Book hair and makeup artist

Send notification of intention to marry to the registrar (this is a legal requirement - you need to give at least three months notice)

Order bridesmaids’ dresses

Order baptism and communion certificates if getting married in Catholic Church

Get hen and stag party planning under way (ahem bridesmaid/best man)

Buy wedding shoes and accessories

Book your wedding transport

Book your DJ

Book florist and discuss your options

Attend pre-marriage course if you’re getting married in the Catholic Church

Check the date on your passport - renew if necessary

If you haven’t already sent notification of intention to marry, 3 months is the last chance to do it!

Buy wedding rings

Buy lingerie

Book alterations and fitting appointments

Organise wedding favours

Shop for and arrange reception and venue décor

Compile your wedding gift list (if you're having one)

Get Best Man and Groomsmen’s suits fitted

Have any vaccinations needed for the honeymoon

Start collecting addresses of friends and family for the invites and buy stamps

Decide on your song choices - first dance, reception entrance and processional/recessional options

Arrange food tasting and decide on menu

Get working on mass booklets (approve readings/song choices with Priest if getting married in a Catholic Church)

Send wedding invitations

Check out/test tanning options

Purchase gifts for the bridal party, parents, partner

Attend dress fittings

Think about your table plan display

Have your final wedding dress fitting

Confirm details with suppliers

Confirm menu and any dietary requirements with the venue

Collect bridesmaid dresses

Send song suggestions/playlist to band/DJ

Chase any guests who have not yet RSVPed

Send photo list to photographer

Finalise guest list

Finalise mass/ceremony booklet and who is doing readings etc.

Start breaking in your wedding shoes

Pick up wedding dress

Organise table plan and seating arrangements

Write speeches/vows

Order foreign currency for honeymoon if needed

Go over checklist to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything

Wear in wedding shoes

Get your something old/new/borrowed/blue (if you’re doing this tradition)

Visit venue or chat to coordinator about placements (band, cake, first dance etc.) and timings

Give reception venue/caterer final guest numbers

Print or do up place cards and do up table plan

Confirm services/times with wedding suppliers and pass on bridesmaid/best man’s contact number

Get hair coloured

Have beauty treatments – waxing, tinting, massage etc.

Attend wedding rehearsal with celebrant

Assign bridesmaid/groomsman as contact person on the day

Pack your honeymoon bag (don’t forget your passport)

Create a timetable for your day with slots for bridal party’s hair, makeup etc.

Pack overnight back

Have lingerie, dressing gown and all accessories together

Organise envelopes with payments for suppliers – allocate groomsmen to look after on the day

Have manicure

Make any last minute changes to table/seating plans

Collect groom’s/groomsmen’s suits

Confirm time the wedding car will pick you up

Confirm time of cake delivery

Arrange for delivery of flowers to church/venue/home

Arrange for flowers/gifts to be given to parents/grandmothers

Put together wedding emergency kit

Drop off wedding decor, place cards, table names, favours, props, etc. to venue for set up

Give list of suppliers/contact numbers to bridesmaid/groomsman/other contact

Ensure bridal party know what time they’ve to be at your house/venue

Have the rings/wedding suppliers payment envelopes ready for the Best Man for the wedding morning

Ensure you have your wedding accessories ready for the morning/overnight bag packed

Double check what time the car will collect you

Relax

Soak up the excitement and get a good night’s sleep!

Have fun and enjoy!

There will be things that happen that are beyond your control.

Relax! There is nothing you can do about it.

Just enjoy your special day and don't worry.