A long engagement in Malta is not uncommon, and weddings in Malta sometimes take years to plan. However, if you don’t want to wait that long, here’s the essential checklist for getting married in eight months (or even less!)
8 Months Before
Determine your budget
First things first. Start by determining the budget for your wedding and figuring out who will be contributing (and how much).
Figure out your must-have items
You might want to allocate extra funds towards items such as a particular wedding photographer or live band, so work out in which areas you can afford to splurge and where you can save.
Choose your venue
While most traditional wedding venues are booked up more than a year in advance, finding a great venue is not out of your reach. Consider less popular dates like Fridays or Sundays, and check out unconventional spaces, like a restaurant, a gallery or a museum.
Secure your main vendors
Just like venues, a lot of wedding vendors get booked ahead of time, so you’ll want to get your ducks in line. Photographers, videographers, florists, bands or DJs, and cake bakers need to be booked asap.
7 Months Before
Choose your dress
Custom-made wedding dresses should usually be ordered six or more months in advance. If you’re not willing to spend that much, or don’t have a lot of time to attend fittings, check out ready-to-wear bridal shops, salon sample sales, or even online shops.
Figure out your guest list
Sit down with your partner to make a preliminary list, then talk to your parents about any other guests they’d like to add (if this is relevant to you). Think about the size and style of wedding you’re hoping for, and keep your budget in mind.
6 Months Before
Consider hiring a wedding coordinator
There are a lot of details to address when planning your wedding, especially on a short time frame, but a planner or coordinator can help you with your to-do list and keep things moving along at a good clip.
Establish your wedding party
If you’re asking friends to stand by your side at the altar, you need to give them time to prepare. For the bridesmaids’ dresses, you can consider ready-to-wear alternatives or ask your ‘maids to pick their own dress in a specified colour palette. Groomsmen should also get their rental orders placed sooner rather than later.
Order your invitations
Get working on the design early so that you can have them ordered and delivered with plenty of time to mail.
Create your wedding website
Not everyone needs to create a wedding website, but it can be useful especially if you have guests travelling from overseas, since it includes key information like maps, a dress code, venue details, and registry information.
5 Months Before
Hire the rest of your vendors
It’s now’s the time to hire hair and make-up stylists, rental companies, and transportation for you and your loved ones.
Order your wedding rings
Many wedding rings are made-to-measure, meaning it could take two to three months for your wedding band to be made and delivered.
4 months before
Do your menu and cake tastings
This is one of the most enjoyable wedding planning tasks. Keep in mind the guests you will have at your celebration and any dietary requirements that need to be catered to.
Plan your honeymoon
You’ll need some rest and relaxation after the wedding, so make sure you give yourself a bit of time to plan an awesome honeymoon as well. Booking flights too close to the date could significantly raise the prices. Don’t forget to check for any requirements, including visas and vaccinations, if you’re heading somewhere far-flung.
3 months before
Send the invitations
You’ve already designed and ordered your invitations, so now it’s time to get them in the mail. For a destination wedding, send those 12 weeks before your wedding date. For a local celebration, eight weeks is the perfect amount of time.
Request your marriage licence
Any couple wanting to get married in Malta must request a Publication of Marriage Banns from the Marriage Registry of Malta two to three months prior to the wedding. You’ll need Photocopies of the ID cards of both witnesses, the original and photocopies of both parties, and birth certificates if applicants are not registered on the public registry. You’ll need to know where the ceremony will be taking place, the dates of the wedding, and the full name of the celebrant, if you’re having a religious wedding. The documents will be collected a few days before the wedding.
2 months before
Hen’s parties and stag nights
Bridal showers, hen’s parties or stag dos shouldn’t be too close to the actual wedding, as they can add a lot of last minute stress. This is the ideal time to enjoy time with friends, family and colleagues.
Do a hair and make-up trial
Schedule a hair and make-up trial so you can make sure your glam team fully understands your wedding day vision. You may need to have one closer to the date if you’re not fully satisfied with it.
1 month before
Confirm all the details
Confirm timing and orders with all of your vendors. Make sure to create a wedding day timeline so all vendors (plus parents and bridal party members) are on the exact same page. If you have a wedding planner on board, work with them.
Pack your honeymoon bags
If you’re heading off right after the wedding, make time to get your honeymoon packing worked out.
Enjoy the moment
The engagement period has flown by and you’ve put so much hard work into it. Now it’s time to relax and wait for the special day to arrive.