Hall, caterer, band, decoration, photographer: in what order to book, and when? The calendar we follow with the couples who entrust us with their wedding in Tangier and northern Morocco.

A wedding is prepared in a precise order: some decisions condition others, and some resources — the best halls, the good bands, the sought-after photographers — go months in advance. Here is the calendar we follow with the couples we support.

Six months before: the venue and the date

Everything starts with the venue, because it sets the date, the number of guests and a large part of the budget. Wedding hall, hotel, villa with garden or marquee at a relative’s: each option has its advantages. In Tangier, summer weekends are booked very early. Visit the venue at reception time to judge the light and the access.

Five months before: the caterer and the tasting

The caterer is the second item to lock in. Ask for a tasting, specify special diets and the number of children, and decide on the format: traditional seated dinner, buffet, or cocktail followed by dinner. Service matters as much as the food: ask how many waiters are planned.

Four months before: music and entertainment

Traditional group for the entrance, band or DJ for the evening, negafa for the outfits: the artists everyone wants are taken early. Prepare the running order with them — the entrances, the highlights, the must-play tracks.

Three months before: decoration and photos

Decoration is designed on mood boards: colours, flowers, top table, arch, lighting. This is also the time to book the photographer and videographer, and give them the list of moments not to miss.

One month before: the minute-by-minute running order

Bring all the suppliers together around a single running order: guest arrival time, entrances, dinner, cake, first dance, end of the evening. Everyone knows where they must be and at what time. Check the venue’s access, power and set-up times.

On the day: someone other than you

On your wedding day you should not answer a single supplier call. A coordinator — an organised relative or, better, a professional — keeps the running order, welcomes the suppliers and sorts out the unexpected. That is what our project manager does at every wedding we organise.

Preparing a wedding in Tangier, Tetouan, Asilah or elsewhere in the north? Let’s talk: we will propose a concept and a detailed quote, free and without obligation.