Wedding Checklist: 9 to 11 months

9-11 months

• Start looking for a High Priest and Priestess to perform the ceremony. Some of them will require marriage counselling, which can take several weeks at the least. You also want to be able to find someone you are compatible with.
• Start planning the guest list. Have two lists, A and B. The A list is for everyone that you feel HAS to be there, the B list is for people who it would be nice to have there, but only if you have the extra space or invites. When making your lists, keep in mind that the people you invite will probably have to participate in the circle, so make sure that they are comfortable with this before hand.
• Find a ceremony/reception site, if you are having both in the same place. Book as soon as possible. Be sure that they are they are comfortable with what will be going on in the space; renting a church basement wouldn't go over very well.
• Start looking at rentals if it is an outdoor wedding – an event tent, chairs, tables, etc.
• Choose the bridal party – who will stand with you, who will the flower girl/ring boy be if you are having such, who will take care of the guest book, the ushers if needed, who will help hold the broom for you to jump over.
• Start shopping for dresses. Custom made dresses can sometimes take a long time to get in, so the earlier the better. Especially for Witchy wedding dresses.
• Start looking for Djs or musicians. Ask for samples of their work. Decide whether you want specific musicians for the ceremony as opposed to the reception as well.
• Look for a caterer. Make sure to have a tasting, and as soon as possible decide, sign the contract and send in a deposit. Plan your reception menu. Decide on price per head with the caterer. If you are planning by the wheel of the year, you may want to be sure that your caterer can include some meals with significance for you.
• Shop around at different floral shops for prices. An attractive alternative for green witches? Grow your own flowers!
• Plan out the ceremony with the High Priest and High Priestess. Be sure to mention passages you would like included or things of special significance to you.
• Look for a photographer and/or videographer. When you find someone you like, book them! They book out quickly.
• Decide on which colours, if you haven't already. Again, if you are planning by the wheel of the year this can be a great help in deciding colours. Green and Red for a Yule wedding, Orange and black for a Samhain wedding, Gold and Green for Litha.
• Order your dress! At least send in the deposit and go for measurements.
• Decide what kind of invitations you want, who you want to get them from, and sayings or quotes you want included. Be sure to let people know what to expect, most people have never been to a handfasting. A little information sheet written with what they can expect is usually well received.
• Book your honeymoon, if you are planning on having one.