At Old Down Estate we have planned weddings within 6 weeks so thought we would share how to plan a wedding within 6 months… whether it be in our Manor House or Estate Barn.

Pros of planning a wedding in 6 months:

  • You will get a better deal on your venue and suppliers, especially if you are marrying out of season and if you are prepared to get married mid-week. See below for our current offers
  • Get a last minute deal on your honeymoon
  • You will experience the same high quality service from our wedding team and benefit from everything that our exceptional venue has to offer
  • You may share the responsibility of planning with your fiancé – which is no bad thing as you will get to know one another even better!
  • You get to be married sooner!

Old Down Estate Offers for weddings held before April 2018

In the Manor House we have £500 off venue hire plus 5 free bottles of Prosecco to be used for your welcome drinks.

In the Estate Barn we have £500 venue hire plus 5 free bottles of Prosecco to be used for your welcome drinks.

If you hold your wedding at Old Down Estate within the next 6 months (by the end of January 2018) as well as helping you with your wedding process we will help negotiate better deals for you with our wedding suppliers.

6 Month Wedding Plan:

6 months before:

  • Decide on the number of guests and make a list
  • Set a budget
  • Choose the bridal party
  • Organise your venue and ceremony- book church or give notice to the Registrar
  • Book a photographer and videographer
  • Choose your wedding dress and sort suits for the groomsmen
  • Book musicians, band or DJ for the wedding reception
  • Book the wedding transport
  • Book the florist
  • Order the cake
  • Order the wedding invitations and other stationery such as table plan and place cards
  • Decide upon your wedding list, and make it available to all your wedding guests
  • Take out wedding insurance

5 months before:

  • Choose the wedding rings
  • Order your wedding favours
  • Decide upon your chosen wedding music or hymns
  • Arrange to see your hairdresser or barber about what hairstyle you want on your big day
  • Start to plan your hen and stag party

3 months before:

  • Have your pre-wedding meeting at Old Down Manor
  • Buy your Marriage licence from the registrar
  • Confirm your ceremony details with either the registrar or the minister
  • Buy gifts for the best man, ushers and bridesmaids
  • Discuss the seating plan

1 month before:

  • Arrange for a final fitting of your wedding dress
  • Reconfirm the wedding arrangements with the florist
  • Reconfirm the wedding arrangements with the photographer and videographer
  • Reconfirm the honeymoon arrangements
  • Reconfirm all your entertainment
  • Have the hen and stag
  • Send Old Down Manor your table plan and final numbers
  • Write the wedding speeches (groom, best man, father of the bride)

7 days before:

  • Pack for your honeymoon
  • Give your ‘order of service’ sheets to the minister and have a rehearsal (church wedding)
  • Give the rings to the best man

Day before:

  • Have the day off!
  • Meet with the team at Old Down Manor

At Old Down Estate we are able to help you with your wedding process so feel free to ask any questions- we are here to help! Remember to enjoy yourselves as this is one of the most special days of your life.

Happy planning…The Old Down Estate Team