The Wedding Planner Countdown

To ensure that the most precious day of your lives runs smoothly & without any major complications, we have devised a checklist of priorities which may help you in making your arrangements.

18 – 6 Months Before
- Arrange reception at Lake House Country Hotel
- Book a photographer
- Organise entertainment
- Order hire cars or arrange for friends to supply the transport
- Plan your honeymoon early & make all the necessary reservations
- Choose your bridesmaid, bestman, ushers & attendants

5 Months Before
- Order your wedding cake
- Select invitations & order of service
- Choose the wedding dress & decide on the clothes for your female attendants

4 Months Before
- Compile your wedding gift list
- Order flowers for the wedding venue, reception, buttonholes, your own bouquet & those of your attendants
- Apply for marriage licence

3 Months Before
- Choose the wedding rings
- Check the validity of your passports & order new ones if necessary.
- Order morning dress for gentlemen
- Arrange hairdresser & beauty salon

2 –1 Months Before
- Post wedding invitations
- Contact Lake House Country Hotel with final menu details, timings & estimated numbers
- Double check details with photographer & florist
- Plan the hen & stag nights

2 Weeks Before
- Arrange a trial at the hairdressers & beauty salon
- Arrange your table plan for the reception

1 Week Before
- Arrange final dress fittings
- Telephone the Lake House Country Hotel with final numbers & any special dietary needs at least two days before your wedding

The Night Before
- You may wish to leave your going away clothes, cake & any special table decorations at the Lake House Country Hotel.
- Flowers may be left at the wedding venue

The day itself
- Enjoy the day.

Some helpful tips also

Speeches & Toasts
   * Duty Manager asks guests to stand & greet the Bride & Groom as they enter the banqueting suite for the meal.
   * Duty Manager asks Clergyman or nominated person to say grace before the meal.
   * Duty Manager asks the Bride & Groom to cut the cake after the main course has been cleared.
   * Bestman calls on the Bride Father or Family representative to say a few words followed by a toast to the Bride & Groom.
   * Bestman calls on the Groom to reply and proposes a toast to the Bridesmaids.
   * Bestman replies on behalf of the bridesmaids & calls on the Grooms Father or family representative to say a few words.
   * Grooms Father speaks & proposes health & happiness to the Bride & Groom.
   * Bestman asks Clergyman to say a few words.
   * The bestman calls on anyone else who wants to speak.
   * Bestman / Groomsman reads cards, telegrams and offers greetings from the guests.
   * Wedding Duties

Duties of The Bestman
   * See that the ushers are on hand an hour before the ceremony
   * Gets the Groom to the ceremony on time
   * Carries the rings & Presents them at the proper time
   * Arrives at the Lake House Hotel with the ushers immediately following the ceremony
   * Reads the congratulatory telegrams.
   * Replies to the Bridesmaids toast
     Is prepared for any emergency

Duties of The Bridesmaid
   * Chooses dresses with the Bride
   * Helps the Bride dress
   * Chief Bridesmaid takes charge of the Brides Bouquet during the ceremony
   * Duties of The Ushers
   * Arrive an hour before the ceremony
   * Have a complete guest list
   * Seat the guests graciously: friends of the bride to the left of the aisle & friends of the Groom to the right
   * Escort both Mothers to their seats
   * See that the wedding party gets on their way promptly to the Lake House Hotel.