Planning your wedding

So that we can ensure that you enjoy your special day, you need to plan your wedding arrangements as early as possible.

You need to consider:

  • Whether you would prefer the wedding ceremony to take place in a church, registry office or at the venue of the reception
  • A small intimate occasion or a larger celebration
  • What season of the year you prefer
  • The range of wedding services you would prefer; cars, flowers, photography etc.
  • The style of arrangements with respect to formality of dress, customs etc.
  • The budget for the wedding and who will pay for each of the arrangements

Getting startedPlanning your wedding

To assist with your planning, several very useful guides are available from good book shops and stationers. Before you commence discussion it is a good idea to obtain one. They detail the things you need to consider and the many options you may wish to include. If you prefer you could also use some of the many wedding magazines on offer alongside wedding web sites.

Once you have decided on the proposed format of your day, ensure your preferred date(s) are available at your chosen venue for the ceremony. Once you know this contact the suite to arrange an appointment with one of our experienced managers to discuss plans for the reception.

At this stage you only need to make a provisional booking for the venues of the reception and ceremony, however do ensure you meet the conditions for confirmation of both, well within the time scale permitted.

Even if you commence your planning over twelve months in advance, it is best to make as many arrangements as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

To help you, we have compiled a list of the arrangements which you will need to make in the months before your wedding day.

Up to six months before the day

  • Book the photographer, videographer, transport, reception entertainment, honeymoon and passports.
  • Compile a guest list
  • Order invitations and wedding stationary
  • Decide on bridesmaids, best man and ushers
  • Order wedding cake

From six months

  • Compile a wedding present list
  • Select bridal and bridesmaid dresses
  • Order flowers
  • Ensure bridegroom, best man, fathers and ushers arrange suite hire

From three months

  • Send out invitations
  • Ensure mothers are planning their outfits
  • Select order of ceremony, have it approved and stationery printed
  • Arrange marriage banns
  • Choose wedding rings
  • Book an appointment with the Knowsley Suites team to confirm reception arrangements.

From six weeks

  • Confirm travel and Honeymoon arrangements
  • Choose presents for bridesmaids and best man

From four weeksPlanning your wedding

  • Confirm reception details and make final payment
  • Make hairdressing appointments
  • Confirm details with florist, photographer, car hire etc.
  • Make last minute purchases for the honeymoon.
  • Write thank you letters for presents as they arrive and keep a record
  • Final fitting of wedding dress

From ten to two days

  • Meet with the best man, bridesmaids and ushers to finalise arrangements
  • Give the best man money for fees
  • Give “order of ceremony” sheets to ceremony official and/or ushers
  • Start packing for honeymoon
  • Ensure you have delegated as much as possible, those arrangements which need completing on the day before and on the day

The day before

  • Start to enjoy the fruits of all your planning, as the principal guests start arriving to assist you.
  • on the day
  • Arise and enjoy every moment of the busy timetable you have planned leading to the arrival of your car. The sit back, relax and enjoy your most wonderful wedding day.