Your Sixth Month Check List
8th December 2020 – Advice
Written by Amy Brown
So here we are with 6 months until the big day, it seems like a long time but there are still some key things to tick off the list!
You’ve already made big decisions such as booking your venue and securing your main contractors, namely your Photographer, Caterer and Décor team ….. and if you haven’t then please add them to the list, right to the very top of the list, maybe even highlight them in fluorescent yellow too please!
1. Book Your Contractors
If you have your hopes set on particular contractors, then it’s best to make contact with them as early as possible to secure their services. 2021 looks to be a super busy year due to the postponements sadly bestowed upon 2020, so act fast! Highly sought-after contractors will be difficult to secure the closer you get to your wedding day! You’ll want to think about booking the following:
- Florist
- Wedding Cake Maker – also book your cake tasting
- Hair Stylist – book in your hair trails
- Make-up Artist – book in your make-up trials
- Videographer
*Remember to add Photographer, Caterer & Décor team right to the top if they haven’t been secured!
The Events & Weddings team at Hylands Estate will ask for a list of your contractors at this stage, this is so they can make contact with them to request any required documentation. For example, your Caterer will need to have a minimum 4 or 5* Food Hygiene Rating set by the FSA, together with Public Liability Insurance for a minimum of £5m as well as other potential requirements such as Personal Licences to sell/serve alcohol and PAT test certificates for any electrical equipment.
2. Budgets, Spreadsheets & Payments
Number crunching may be boring, but it’s super important to keep a list (or highly detailed spreadsheet) containing your budget plan, deposit amounts (paid or pending) for your contractors, and due dates for instalments or final balances.
If you’re lucky enough to be marrying here at Hylands then please note that your second payment (40% of your hire fee) will be invoiced to you 6 months in advance of the big day.
3. Order Bespoke Items
If you’ve chosen to design your own wedding rings, or would like to have them personalised, be sure to get them ordered with plenty of time.
Likewise if you’re ordering tailor made bridesmaid dresses, then this should become a priority now. Don’t forget to use your highlighter pen if you haven’t already ordered your wedding dress …. *faints*
4. Send Invitations
Now is the perfect time to send your formal invitations, check out our blog Dates: Choosing them, Booking them, Sending them for more details!
5. Plan pre-wedding events
Whatever your plans may be, from spa weekends with the girls to sleepless weekends abroad, earmark some dates in advance so that you can enjoy a well earned break ahead of the big day! Look at booking any hotels, flights and activities as far in advance as possible.
6. Pre-wedding Photoshoot
Had you thought about enjoying a pre-wedding photoshoot with your photographer? There’s no better way to get in some practise ahead of the big day! The images could be used in your invitations, or to update your own wedding website if you have one? They could form part of your wedding stationery, or make lovely gifts for close family?
What’s more, Hylands have an incredible Pre-Wedding Photoshoot offer running until March 2021: Enjoy 2 hours exclusive use of Hylands House for only £350! This discounted price gives you access to the ground floor of our lavish grade II* mansion house and for an additional £100 you can get ready in the comfort of our brand new Rose Room!
7. Plan your Honeymoon
This one is a great one, pour yourself a cocktail, fire up the laptop, sit back and browse the internet for honeymoon destinations …. The Maldives, Italy, Bali, Mexico, Thailand and the Caribbean are amongst the top honeymoon destinations. Consider asking guests for travel vouchers for your chosen travel agency, or for cash gifts to put towards your dream honeymoon (don’t forget to add these requests to your invitations!).
8. Wedding Night Accommodation & Transport
Think about where you will be spending your first night as a couple, you may not want to travel too far from your venue as you are likely to be exhausted from all of the fun! Here at Hylands we can provide a list of local hotels, all within a few miles of the Estate. It would be wise to get any overnight accommodation booked well in advance, you may be able to secure a discounted rate by booking more than one room for your family and friends.
Also decide upon your means of transport for the morning and evening, you may like to arrive by horse & carriage (in which case you can look no further than Hawthorn Heavy Horses who are located right here at Hylands Park!). You may like to arrive in a luxury car such as a Rolls Royce or a Bentley!
Consider group transportation such as coaches/buses to and from the local train station or a destination of your choice. Rest assured there are no height restrictions on the grounds of Hylands Estate and your coaches will be able to drive right up to the front doors of the house.
With the above items under control, you should be in good stead for the next few months! You’ve got this… and if you’re struggling, then please reach out, pick up the phone and give us a call! We are experts in dry hire weddings and always happy to help!
01245 605500 | hylands@chelmsford.gov.uk
