Planning your wedding – it’s all in the detail

• Date: 13th March 2025
• Author: Blair & Sheridan
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You’ve planned the proposal, bought the bespoke engagement ring of her dreams (from Blair and Sheridan of course!) and finally popped the question… congratulations – she said ‘I do!’.   Like everything wedding-related there are no rules for what happens next but when the time comes to start thinking about your wedding then planning is key!  Obviously Blair and Sheridan is your go-to for bespoke wedding rings,  however,  there is a long list of things to consider.

Some couples have a good idea of how they would like their wedding to look prior to even getting engaged – there may be a venue you’ve always dreamed of or a date that holds special importance to you as a couple.  Generally speaking around 12-18 months before your date is a good timeline to plan out everything you need to do and suppliers to book to ensure your wedding runs smoothly…

12+ Months Before the Wedding:

• Set a budget: Decide on how much you want to spend and how you’ll allocate funds (venue, catering, etc.).
• Choose a date: Venue availability tends to dictate this – especially if you have a specific place in mind.
• Prepare your guest list: Start organising your daytime/evening guest list.
• Book the venue: If the ceremony and reception are at different venues remember to factor in travelling time/distance between the two.

9–12 Months Before:

• Book key suppliers: Photographer, videographer, catering & bar (if not in-house), and entertainment (DJ or band).
• Choose your bridal party: Including closest friends and family in your big day can create really personal moments – bridesmaid(s), best man, flower girl, page boy… including a poem or reading can add some personal touches to your big day.
• Dress & kilt shopping: Say yes to the dress – time to start looking for the wedding dress and kilt/suit options for the groom.
• Honeymoon planning: Whether you are staying local or going long-haul, your honeymoon will be a welcome break following all the busyness of the wedding day.
• Gift registry: This isn’t everyone’s preference but helps if you have a big guest list of people looking to buy things you actually need – alternatively a travel gift registry allows friends to purchase experiences or activities for your honeymoon.

6–9 Months Before:

• Save-the-dates: Make sure your nearest and dearest have bookmarked your date in as much advance as possible – this also allows plenty of time for guests to look into accommodation if necessary.
• Book transportation: How are you getting to your venue – do you also need to book coach transfer between church/venue and reception for your guests?
• Wedding rings: Bespoke, personalised wedding rings are our speciality at Blair and Sheridan – book today to secure your appointment with our dedicated design team.
• Flowers & decor: Choose your florist to create bouquets, centrepieces, buttonholes etc – if fresh flowers aren’t your thing then artificial or dried arrangements are another option.
• Stationery: Invitations, place names, order of service, RSVPs, menus… a trusted supplier will ensure consistency of style across all your wedding stationery.
• Wedding cake: Cake makers are booked up far in advance for weddings so it’s best to get in early to secure your date.

4–6 Months Before:

• Bridesmaids and groomsmen: Don’t feel pressurised to have multiple bridesmaids – schedule in fittings for your wedding party too… kilt/suit hire for groomsmen still requires fittings.
• Hair and make up: Factor in trials for these around now – an excuse for a girly get together.
• Finalise your menu: Your venue or caterer will offer pre-wedding tasters to allow you to choose your courses.

2–4 Months Before:

• Invitations: Official wedding invites should be sent out around 8-10 weeks before your date to give your guests plenty of time to plan and RSVP.
• Dress fitting: If you have ordered your dress in it should have arrived by now allowing fitting and alterations to get underway.
• Check in with your suppliers: Double-check with everyone on timings, outstanding payments and any other logistics.

1 Month Before:

• Marriage licence: Make sure you know the rules for your location (especially if you are having a destination wedding).
• Finalise your seating plan: Everyone should have RSVP’d by now so you can allocate seating.
• Final dress fitting: Your final fitting – your dress should be perfect and ready to take home now.
• Paying suppliers: Most suppliers will require payment in full in the month prior to your wedding.
• Wedding day emergency kit: Toiletries, safety pins, wipes, needle and thread, paracetamol… you can’t prepare for every eventuality but having a few essentials can only be a good thing.

1–2 Weeks Before:

• Confirm with suppliers: Call  to ensure everything is on track and get a last-minute checklist.
• Pack for your honeymoon: Make sure passports are up to date and any other travel documents are in hand.
• Head count: Update your caterer or venue on final numbers and any dietary requirements.
• Time check with wedding party: Confirm timings with your closest wedding party.

Wedding Week:

• Beauty treatments: Time for nails, tanning and any other treatment(s).
• Time to relax: Make time to rest and de-stress before the big day.

Wedding Day:

• Enjoy your big day!: Trust your suppliers, you have done all the planning, now it’s your time to shine.

Photography courtesy of Craig and Eva Sanders Photography