Planning your wedding - 1 month to go

WEDDING PLANNING TOP TIPS

1 MONTH TO GO

CONSULT WITH YOUR HAIR-DRESSER

Collect pictures of possible hairstyles from wedding and glamour magazines and discuss with your hairdresser with at least 1 trial session in mind. Start weekly conditioning treatments and avoid harsh styling methods prior to your wedding - you want your hair in top condition for the day. Beware of using radically different colors to what you're used to - don't leave it to the day before to try something new. Your trial session should incorporate your veil, tiara and flowers.

BOOK YOUR HAIR-DRESSER

Book all appointments well in advance, taking care to ensure that your regular stylist has not booked a holiday over this period and that she will be available to do your hair. You will need to book at least 1 trial session and a session on the wedding day. Have a backup plan!

FINALIZE GUEST
LIST

Managing your guest list is a dynamic process that would have started shortly after your wedding invitations went out. This will be a process of shuffling names around as RSVP's come in. By now you should have a good idea of who will and won't be attending your wedding and you will hopefully have a tick or a cross against each name on your guest list. RSVP's not received should be followed up vigorously at this stage as lost invites are a possibility and time is short.

FINALIZE SEATING PLANS

Interestingly, research shows that an overwhelming 84% of guests prefer assigned seating - easier to seat friends together, avoids an unseemly rush for good seats, ensures elderly are seated in hearing and seeing distance + many more good reasons. You can choose to assign seats or tables, the latter requiring slightly less planning. Try and put each person next to at least 1 person they know, families or work colleagues may go together and try and balance males/females at tables.

PLAN BACHELOR (ETTE) PARTIES

The best man and maid of honor plan these. You will need invitations to mark the date, time and place(s). Do NOT plan to have your party the night before your wedding! Be sure you tell your best man and maid of honor and keep reminding them of this. Things the lads can try - skydiving, hiking/camping, special box tickets to a sporting event, the races, cigar lounges and bar hopping. Things the gals can try - wine tasting, day at the spa, karaoke evening, dinner and theatre.

FINAL
DRESS FITTING

Same rules apply as for your first fitting at 3 months. Most wedding dresses are made to standard sizes and may require some minor alterations to ensure the perfect fit. Alterations may be done in-store or you may be referred to a seamstress - make sure you understand the budget implications of this. It is critical at this stage that you are realistic about size - don't subject yourself to the stress of having to lose a lot of weight to fit into your dress a month down the line. Back up plan needed?

Wedding party - beautiful pink brides maids dress

FINAL WEDDING PARTY FITTING

The advice offered on the wedding dress fitting applies equally here. Be sure to book fittings for your attendants which suit them and each attendant can attend a fitting individually. Page boys should also attend a fitting to ensure correct size and length. Recently announced expecting attendants may need to choose a different cut at this stage or opt out of bridesmaids duties in favor of other duties at the ceremony. The groom and his attendants should equally attend a fitting at this stage.

BOOK BEAUTICIAN

A beautician is a must but equally important is a balanced diet, regular exercise, daily moisturising, cleansing and toning. A skin and nail care plan should start 6-4 weeks before the wedding - schedule regular sessions with a beautician. DON'T try out new facial treatments just before the wedding in case they have an adverse effect on your skin. Consider a spray-on-tan as an alternative to a suntan which could leave you burnt and peeling. Pictures of makeovers could help.

We hope these have been useful! More to come soon.