Everything to arrange for a wedding

The question “what do we need to arrange for our wedding” only has a simple answer at the start. You need to handle the legal side, the venue, the guests, the suppliers, the budget and the running of the day. But each of these areas has its own details, which are best dealt with in good time and in the right order.

Treat this overview as a map. You don't need a luxury wedding or a big team of suppliers, but even a small wedding needs a clear decision about who arranges what, by when and for how much.

The legal and official side

• For a civil wedding, contact the registry office (matrika) responsible for the area where your chosen ceremony venue is. The registry office will confirm a free date, the fees, the documents required and the procedure for that specific place.

• For a church wedding, sort out the requirements of the particular church, the preparation and the documents earlier. If one of you is a foreign national, start even sooner, because documents and translations can take time.

Venue, guests and budget

• Choose the venue by capacity, logistics, price, rules and wet-weather plan. The number of guests affects the catering, the seating plan, transport and the overall atmosphere.

• Keep track of the budget from the start. The most dangerous items are the small ones that look harmless: transport, tips, dress alterations, printing, late-night snacks, accommodation for suppliers or equipment hire.

Suppliers and contracts

With every supplier, ask for a clear scope, price, deposit, cancellation terms, the final payment date and the contact of the person who will actually be on site. “We have a photographer” is not enough; you need to know how many hours they shoot, when they deliver and what happens if they fall ill.

• Keep the important suppliers in one overview: photographer, video, coordinator, caterer, music, florist, cake maker, make-up artist, transport, stationery, rings and the venue.

The wedding day

• On the day you need a schedule, contacts, a list of group photos, a plan for moving things, payments in envelopes, an emergency kit and someone who is neither the bride nor the groom and can deal with practical questions.

• A wedding website with addresses, parking, the schedule, accommodation and RSVP helps your guests. After the wedding, a QR gallery lets guests easily upload their photos and videos.

Frequently asked questions

What gets forgotten most often?

The wet-weather plan, transport after midnight, exact meal numbers, the list of group photos and a person in charge of the suppliers.

Do we need a wedding website?

It isn't required, but for a larger wedding it greatly reduces guests' questions and helps with RSVP.

Sources

• Czech Ministry of the Interior: Getting married (in Czech)

What to open next

• Tasks
• Planning with Svatbík
• Wedding venue directory
• Wedding website
• Bulk venue inquiry
• Wedding catering