If you haven’t been living under a rock lately, today is the day Prince William of Wales marries Catherine Middleton. It feels like London has become one big Union Jack.
My wedding was planned in Microsoft Project. I’m not alone who thought it was important to plan properly. Peter Taylor, a Project Management Podcast interviewee, said that planning his wedding turned into an undertaking.
It can be difficult to disconnect from your work when you are a project manager. When I was planning a wedding, I used a project management approach because there was so much to do.
I can only imagine that Peter’s ceremony was not as grand as mine. What did William and Kate have to do to get ready today?
You can create a guest list and send invites to 1,900 people.
Plan the seating arrangement for the cavernous Westminster Abbey building.
Organise transportation for the day, including a Rolls Royce Phantom VI that was presented to Queen Elizabeth II in 1978 as part of her Silver Jubilee. This will transport the bride to the service.
Prepare for rainy weather. They’ll use The Glass Coach instead the 1902 State Landau if it pours with rain when they leave Abbey.
Organize music performances and agree to music.
Organise a wedding band. The Queen had some gold and gave it to William shortly after they got engaged. There was still much to be done in designing the ring.
You can taste many cakes before you decide to order one. In this case, you can order two. At the receptions, there will be a traditional fruit cake as well as a chocolate biscuit cake.
Book a photographer
Establish a gift list. The couple have chosen to donate to charities, so they don’t have to scour John Lewis for scanning pans. However, they have to choose which charities they want to support.
Organise the service, and prepare an order for service. However, Royal tradition says that this is a ‘programme.
Of course,
Find a dress.
They also included some things that most brides or grooms don’t need to do on the project plan:
Organise the live broadcast of your wedding on YouTube.
Liaising with the HQ Household Division, a Military Headquarters charged with planning the execution of the military element at State Ceremonial Events in London.
Liaising with the Metropolitan Police’s ceremonial team, which plans for the policing the Royal Wedding. The team consists of two officers and one police officer. It is responsible for ensuring that the entire policing operation, which includes approximately 5,000 officers, is properly resourced and provides logistical support.
To monitor security, arrange for 35 specially trained search dogs with their handlers.
Organise a military flypast
It takes serious project management to accomplish all of this! Most brides I’ve spoken to had something go wrong on their wedding day. So fingers crossed for the weather and I wish that everything goes according to plan. Enjoy the extra bank holiday and have a wonderful day!