Sponsored by

Countdown to the big day

. Plan early. As soon as you are engaged discuss with your partner what sort of wedding you would like; church or civil ceremony, a small number of family and friends as guests or a larger, more formal celebration.

. Choose a date. Allow yourself enough time to plan everything and book the venues that you want.

. Decide who is paying for what and set yourself a strict budget that will determine the number of guests and the style of the wedding.

. Arrange an appointment with your religious leader, if you are having a religious ceremony, to discuss your plans.

. Book your venues, both for the ceremony and for the reception and party. Popular venues can be booked up a year in advance.

. Draw up your guest list in conjunction with both sets of parents and decide on the catering arrangements. Decide whether you want a formal sit-down meal or a buffet, which is less expensive.

. Order your wedding cake.

. Book your photographer, video producer if using, entertainment and music.

. Order your wedding dress and think about overall colour schemes, flowers etc. If you are having a dress designed and made for you, allow at least four months. Order dresses for bridesmaids.

. Order your invitations and other stationery.

. Choose a florist and decide on your flowers for the church, reception, bouquets and buttonholes.

. Buy your lingerie and other accessories.

. Ensure groom, best man and ushers have ordered their wedding suits.

. Draw up a gift list in conjunction with a department store or specialist gift list company. Both of these often undertake to notify your guests of the gift list.

. If you receive gifts before the wedding, make a careful note of who has sent what and send out thank you cards.

. Choose your wedding rings.

. Book your honeymoon and first wedding night hotel. Arrange any necessary vaccinations and visas. If you are changing your name allow plenty of time to have your passport changed.

. Send out invitations at least six weeks before the wedding. Make a careful note of acceptances and refusals.

. Decide on your hairstyle and make-up.

. Order travellers cheques and foreign currency.

. Pack your honeymoon case and have it delivered to your hotel.

. Have the rehearsal for the wedding ceremony.

. Ask a close friend to pack up your wedding dress following the reception and store it for you until after the honeymoon.

. Consider buying some wedding day insurance in case a mishap forces you to postpone the ceremony. Otherwise it could cost you a fortune in lost deposits.