Wedding Day Plan

You should know that the first sensible thing any would-be project manager does is draw up a business plan. For this particular project (ie: your wedding) it’s a good idea to start off by setting a budget. A sensible conversation between the pair of you about costs and expenditure at this stage could save thousands of pounds and gallons of tears later on.

Actively engage in the conversation in which a venue is chosen and a date set. Then you can’t complain later if the wedding takes place on the same day as the World Cup Final in a technology-lite cave in the middle of nowhere.

The Guests

Whether you are inviting just a few close friends or half the population of Southern England, you have every right to ensure that it’s a balanced guest list with people who are special to both you and your fiancé.

Draw up your wedding gift list (if you are having one) together. If guests are kind enough to want to buy you a present it should be something on which you both agree.

The Legal Stuff

Never were customs and traditions so alive and well as at a wedding. And traditionally, it was the groom who was responsible for ensuring all the legal requirements were met together with paying the church or registrar’s fees.

Check out the information on legal requirements in the planning section of our website. And while you’re at it, there’s a section on wedding insurance that it’s probably a good idea to read up on.

The Best Man

When it comes to choosing your best man it may be a no-brainer. It could be your oldest mate, your brother or your next-door neighbour, as long as it’s someone who is ready, willing and able to take on the responsibilities and duties, not only on the day itself but also in the run-up to the wedding.

Just one word of warning: think twice about asking someone she can’t stand – however many years you’ve known him and pints you’ve sank together. Someone she is comfortable will make the day run more smoothly.

Your Honeymoon

Booking the honeymoon used to be ‘A Groom Thing’. Try and do it in secret these days and you’ll jeopardise the next 40 years of married life. After all the planning, the excitement and the stress, it’s going to be a much-needed holiday so make sure it’s exactly what you both want.

Your outfit

Once the bride has decided on her style and colour scheme, you can make some decisions about your wardrobe. Do you hire or buy? Is it formal or more relaxed in style? Are you getting married in Westminster Abbey or on a beach in the Maldives?

If it’s a top hats and tails affair it’s traditional for the groom to pay not only for his own outfit but for those of the best man and the ushers as well. Make sure you get fittings arranged and someone you trust to pick up the outfits in good time to deal with any problems that may arise.

However non-traditional the rest of the occasion may be there’s something rather nice about the idea of the groom paying for his bride’s wedding ring. Choose it – and yours if you are having one – together but make sure you are the one who brings out the credit card.

Speeches

You may hate the very idea of it but you will need to stand up and give a speech of thanks. It’s a basic expression of courtesy to thank your guests for their attendance and gifts – and you’re making it on behalf of you AND YOUR WIFE!!!!

Yes, it may be the first time you have ever described her as such so you might as well enjoy it. Just remember to prepare well in advance, give yourself plenty of time to practise and get it right. Check out our section entitled: The Wedding Speech.

Stag Dos

Traditionally, the arrangements for that memorable pre-marriage bash, the stag night, fall on the capable shoulders of your best man. But it’s a good plan to avoid possible misery, great embarrassment and even greater explanations to your bride-to-be by getting involved in the planning stages.