What is a must leading up/for a wedding?

You don't need save the dates but they can be useful - for example if you're choosing a date that is quite popular, i.e. summer and want to make sure people don't book holidays, or if you have lots of people travelling from far away so they can sort out their accommodation.

You don't need a schedule of the day but some people like to know what the plan is. There is the argument though that they will be there all day anyway so it shouldn't matter to them when things are happening.
Unless you meant just to schedule the day out for yourselves in which case - yes, do this!

Order of service is about the ceremony - it will list hymns, readings, that sort of thing. It often explains who the wedding party are too. This isn't necessary either and I've never been to a wedding where I've had them. But being on a forum like this can make you think everyone does them - I think I will. Just depends whether you think there is any point to it really. For me a lot of his side won't know who the people on my side are and vice versa so it will be a way to get them up to speed on who's who.

I'm not planning to spend too much on favours, a lot of people will tell you they will get left behind. For that reason something edible is often a good option.

I would let the bar stay open, people will mingle amongst themselves, pop some background music on and I doubt anybody will get fed up. It can be a good opportunity to go off with your OH to take photos or just spend time alone too.

Photographers will often specify this either way but generally it's a good idea to expect to feed them.

Can't help with invites as I've not looked into it much myself, but I think I'm planning to make mine.

Hope that helps!

Do you need a save the date card before invitation? No but they can be handy if you're getting married during peak holiday time, on a weekday etc. You should only send them to day guests unless you have separate 'save the evening' cards made. I didn't send save the dates.

Do you need a schedule of the day? Do you mean for your guests? You certainly don't need to provide this before the day but some give an outline of timings on the day.

What is an order of service? And is this needed? Do we give these out? Order of Service is for church ceremonies and Order of the Day would be the civil ceremony equivalent. You would normally have them for a church ceremony but they are a matter of preference for civil ceremonies. You could either ask the ushers to hand them out as your guests arrive, or place them on the seats/pews.

How much would you pay for favours on the table for day guests? Entirely up to you! You don't even need favours if you don't want them. We paid about £2 per person for Scrabble place names and homemade chocolate truffles.

We are also stuck on what to do between our day meal and our evening buffet? There's about 2 hour gap and stuck on what to do? Do we do activities, or do we let the bar stay open? Definitely keep the bar open! You may find once your work through your timings you may not have that much time spare. What are your outline timings?

Do we have to buy the photographer a meal for the day? It is normally the done thing to have the venue give them a 'supplier meal' - ask your photographer (ours insisted they brought their own food).

Has anyone found it cheaper making their invitations? It depends what you want. For very simple, flat cards you'll probably find it cheaper to get them printed somewhere like vistaprint. For more elaborate invitations then it can be cheaper to make them yourself but I would always recommend using a stationery designer for this kind of invitaiton unless you are very crafty.

Thank you so much!

Our wedding is on a Friday within the 2 week Easter holiday, so I'm thinking now maybe save the date is a good idea for the day guests because of work/holidays!

We were thinking a mini cupcake for our favour. Everyone loves cake!

Our timings are 2pm church, about3-3.30pm venue, 4.30/5pm meal, then 7pm evening guests

x

I would definitely send Save the Dates for a wedding in that date. Is it next year? If so, I'd be sending them around now then your invitations maybe after Christmas.

I love cake.

Timings wise - how long is the journey between your church and your reception venue?

If you're serving dinner at 5pm you won't have a gap at all between your day and evening as it will probably take a couple of hours for your wedding breakfast and speeches.

Yeah next year. Ah I'll look into making them. Need some ideas for that now we've been thinking of involving our daughter in it some how as she is a massive part of our life. So possibly a photo of her on the front with her holding a piece of card saying "my mommy and daddy are getting married". May sound cheesey to some!

Maximum of 15 minutes between each place.

Ah I didn't think if the speeches, who does the speeches usually?

Traditional speeches are:

Father of the Bride

Groom

Best Man

But lots of couples are choosing something different.

Traditionally the speeches are the groom, the father of the bride and the best man but it can be anyone (or no one!).

Ok, so looking at your timings...

2.00pm - church ceremony

2.45pm - photographs

3.15pm - travel to reception venue

3.30pm - arrive at reception venue - reception drinks and possibly more photographs

5.00pm - wedding breakfast and speeches

7.00pm - evening reception

You won't have any spare time to fill there. The evening guests will be arriving as you're finishing dinner.

On timings. You might actually want to move the wedding breakfast half an hour earlier. Especially if it's a three course meal + speeches.

Yep, I was thinking that depending on how many guests you have. The venue should be able to advise on this though.

Thank you!

I think we will move it around by half an hour etc.

Sorry another couple of questions,

welcome drinks? For day time or evening guests? Or both?

Guest book? Needed or not?

Where do you store gifts/cards? Would it be ideal to maybe make a box for the cards?

Tia x

welcome drinks? For day time or evening guests? Or both? Normally for day guests - the venue will serve them as people arrive for the church. Some people choose to provide them for evening guests too.

Guest book? Needed or not? Entirely a matter of choice.

Where do you store gifts/cards? Would it be ideal to maybe make a box for the cards? I would definitely get a box of some description. You can get them from eBay for a fiver (search wedding post box), or some people use bird cages, suitcases etc and some have them made by the same people who made their stationery.

Firstly, hi and welcome to hitched, you've found a wonderful place full of wisdom and advice....

Only one thing to add about having cupcakes as favours. Depending upon the type of decoration you're planning on having on these and the number of guests you're having - just be aware of how long this can potentially take and do you really have the time on the run up to your wedding to be doing this. Cupcakes I'd say could only be made, decorated and packaged a few days before hand.

Good luck!

Thank you again kharv!

Thank you, We'll actually be getting the people who are making our cake to do the cupcakes, saves us a job plus they'll decorate them with a personal touch