The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist

Firstly, congratulations on getting engaged! This is a huge milestone moment and, if you are reading this blog, we are sure you are eager to start planning the big day!

Wedding planning can be very overwhelming. If you have never considered what it would take to plan a celebration like this, then it might be tricky to understand where to start.

People tend to start planning their wedding 13-18 months before their set wedding date. However, this is a rough guideline. It is likely to vary depending on your preferences, religions, and needs. There have been many successful weddings planned in the space of just 6 weeks!

To help guide you through the wedding planning process, we have designed a nifty wedding planner that can be found on our website. This wedding planner is designed to give you a step by step checklist, while guiding you to understand the most time sensitive aspects of the planning process. This planner can be altered to suit your needs and wants.

We recommend breaking down the wedding planning into manageable sections, organised by time sensitivity. With the wedding planner checklist, we break the tasks down into monthly chunks beginning at 18 months before the wedding.

Here is our 45 step checklist guideline to aid you in planning your wedding:

18 Months to go -

Step 1: Set a budget

This is a very important first step. You must understand and agree on your budget before considering any potential wedding suppliers. Deciding your wedding budget can be a tenuous process, however once it is decided, it will allow you to get on with planning all the fun parts! Make sure to discuss your priorities with your partner and confirm you are both on the same page.

Once the budget is decided, sticking to that budget proves tricky for the majority of couples. Either listen to our podcast or read our blog to help guide you through this process. After all, no one wants to start off married life in financial situation that you hadn't prepared for!

Step 2: Choose your wedding party

A wedding party typically includes the couple, the couple's parents, and the groomsmen/bridesmaids. The people in your wedding party should ideally be the people you want to support you when planning the wedding and support you on the day. The wedding party can be as small or as large as you would like.

Depending on your wants and needs, there may be a lot of roles that need filling, such as choosing a best man or flower girls. Keep your budget in mind when deciding who to ask. A large amount of bridesmaids can quickly escalate prices!

Listen to our podcast for some helpful tips on how to choose your wedding party. For more tips on how to choose your bridesmaids, groomsmen and other similar wedding roles, take some time to read this blog.

Step 3: Give your wedding party their roles

Now you've picked your bridesmaids, groomsmen and all other wedding party roles, this may be one of the most enjoyable parts of your wedding planning process! You now need to ask them to be involved. Many couples now like to "propose" to their wedding party just like they proposed to their partner or vice versa. You can do this simply or get really creative.

If you need some ideas, read our article on ways to propose to your bridesmaids.

Courtesy of Camera Hannah

Step 4: Decide on your wedding date

You may have a specific date in mind, or simply a month or season. In order to get a good idea of the cost and availability of your venue, for example, they'll need to know approximately when you plan to get married. So discuss this with your partner in advance of sending enquiries.

Although at first glance this may seem like a straightforward task, there are still lots of things to consider before confirming the date of your wedding. Take into account your potential guests availability, especially if they are travelling from abroad or if they have children. Also, the popularity of the date. A Thursday in November (midweek, off-peak) will likely give you more choices when it comes to venues and suppliers than a Saturday in August (weekend, peak wedding season).

For more factors to consider when deciding your wedding date, check out our blog.

Step 5: Start planning your guest list

Sadly, you cannot invite everyone to celebrate with you on the day. Although this would be ideal, most venues and budgets wouldn't be able to cater to this. Therefore, it is very important to plan your guest list thoroughly. First, consider everyone you might want to invite, ignoring budget and availability. Speak to your parents and important members who may want a say in the invite list. Once you have a comprehensive list, it is then time to consider who doesn't need to be invited. This can include your friend's new partner, or children. Once you have shortened the original list, then it is time to take into account your budget. You may need to shorten the list again to comply with the rules you have put in place for budgeting. Each guest can cost a significant amount per head, so take that into consideration.

For more tips on how to plan or downsize your wedding guest list, read this blog or listen to our wedding podcast.

Step 6: Choose the type of wedding ceremony you want

When it comes to saying ‘I do', there are a plethora of different ceremonies, with different legal statuses, to choose from to help you tie the knot. To help you research all the potential ceremonies that will perfectly represent you and your partner, we have written a blog with all the ceremony options open to you. These options include civil partnerships, civil marriages, choosing humanist or independent wedding celebrant to lead the ceremony, and many more.

Courtesy of Rachel Movitz Photography

Step 7: Choose your wedding venue

Choosing your venue is definitely one of the most enjoyable and important parts of wedding planning. With thousands of stunning wedding venues throughout Great Britain and abroad, you will be spoilt for choice when deciding where to get married!

To help you narrow down your search, it is important to consider what type of venue you are looking for. Do you love the idea of a barn wedding venue? Or have you always dreamt of tying the knot in an outdoor ceremony? Once you have this narrowed down, consider the location of the venue, the venue's capacity, and whether it is licensed for the ceremony you require.

For help in deciding the perfect venue for you, read our blog to discover the 50 most important questions to ask your wedding venue host.

Step 8: Consider taking out insurance

Wedding insurance provides you with security and peace of mind in the event anything goes wrong in the lead up to or on your wedding day. For more information about wedding insurance, what it involves and how much it costs, check out our wedding insurance guide.

Courtesy of Camera Hannah

12-16 Months to go -

Step 9: Set up gift list service

Setting up a wedding gift list service has never been easier these days! With many gift list services to choose from, such as Prezola, you will be able to set up a gift list with ease.

We recommend considering your guests budgets and making the list accessible to all. We suggest getting outside advice from someone to check the list over to monitor for any errors.

For more gift list services, check out our page!

Step 10: Choose you photographer and/or videographer

Getting good quality photos or videos of the wedding day is so important for couples to reminisce and show loved ones who couldn't make it. This is why it is imperative that you pick the right wedding photographer and/or wedding videographer for you!

When it comes to choosing your wedding photographer, choose someone you are comfortable with. This is important so you can candidly discuss your wedding photo ideas and, on the day, you will feel comfortable taking the photos. After all, no one looks good on camera when they are visibly awkward!

Make sure to do your research on wedding photography and wedding videography suppliers by checking out their portfolio before booking them. This will help you confirm their style of shooting and editing is to your taste. Often, popular suppliers get booked up quickly. This is why we recommend booking your photographer and/or videographer this far in advance.

Read our ultimate guides to choosing your wedding photographer and videographer.

Courtesy of Camera Hannah

Step 11: Styling your venue

Arm yourself with Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram, because it is time to plan your wedding theme and how to style your venue! Discuss with your venue what items they already have. Often venues have hoards things like tea light holders, table cloths, napkins and sometimes chair sashes, but they are unlikely to have everything that's needed to bring your dream decor to life as every couple is different. It is very important that you go for a theme that feels like ‘you'. This is the most crucial part to make your wedding day unique and special to you as a couple.

Discover incredible wedding venue decor specialists to help you style your day.

Step 12: Book transportation

Booking transportation is an important step that often slips couples minds. If your wedding ceremony isn't held at the same location as your reception, or your overnight accommodation is a distance from the celebration, then you will need to arrange transport for your guests. You may also want to consider booking transport to get your wedding party to the ceremony location. There are many wedding transport suppliers offering stunning ways to get you from A to B.

Check out our blog that will help you in deciding the perfect transport options for you!

Step 13: Discuss your music options and book suppliers

Another supplier that needs to be booked early in the planning process is the band or DJ. Wedding venues often recommend certain DJ's and/or musicians that they regularly work with, however there is a great range of choices out there for you to choose from! To help you discover the perfect supplier for you, make sure to take into account your budget and what works best with the venue. Also, have an idea of your key wedding songs you want included on the day to ask potential suppliers if they have the capacity to deliver these songs on the day.

Check out our podcast or blog for more helpful tips on picking your music suppliers!

Courtesy of Hawaiian Shirt Photography

Step 14: Book entertainment

Wedding entertainment comes in all shapes and sizes. From fireworks to magicians and caricature artists, there is a great range of suppliers for you to choose from! When booking your entertainment, research all the potential options you can have. It is important to check with your venue to see if they accommodate these things.

For some wedding entertainment inspiration, check out our blog on unique entertainment ideas.

Step 15: Choose your cake supplier

When choosing your cake maker, make sure to research all your potential suppliers. It is important that your cake maker is located near you and matches your style. There are lots of things to consider when choosing the perfect wedding cake. Therefore, it is important to check whether your cake supplier offers a cake tasting prior to your wedding. To gauge other areas you need to consider when choosing your cake supplier, check out our blog for more helpful tips.

Courtesy of Hawaiian Shirt Photography

Step 16: Book your florist

Booking your florist is another key supplier to book well in advance. It is important to research your florist to see if their style and expertise matches your vision. Make a note of all the potential needs for florals on the day, such as bouquets, decor, and button holes. This will help you decide your budget for your floral supplier.

There is so much you can do with florals on your wedding day. To understand certain colour schemes, different types of bouquets, or to just get some inspiration, we have the perfect blogs to help!

Step 17: Book your toastmaster

If you feel the need to add that extra bit of pomp and splendour to your wedding day, then it may be worth your while booking a toastmaster. The toastmaster is a master of ceremonies. They often have years of knowledge and experience. The toastmaster ensures the wedding reception runs smoothly by discreetly going about their duties coordinating, directing and announcing the ceremonial proceedings. When you have put all this time and effort into planning your wedding, you will be desperate to relax and enjoy your wedding day. Booking a toastmaster will help you with this!

For more reasons as to why you may want to consider booking a toastmaster, read our blog.

Courtesy of Rachel Movitz Photography

Step 18: Choose your dress

Yay! Now it's time for the really fun part - finding your perfect wedding dress! We recommend searching for your dream dress well ahead of time to allow you to browse through all the stunning options available, while leaving enough time for necessary alterations.

When searching, take into consideration your style, budget, and favourite designers.

Top tip: Don't bring too many people along to your dress appointments! Too many opinions may stop you from purchasing your dream dress.

For some wedding dress inspiration, check out our bridal wear blogs.

Step 19: Choose your bridesmaid dresses

It is often recommended to shop for your bridesmaids dresses during or straight after finding your dress. We recommend looking this far in advance as it gives you time to find the perfect dress for each of your bridesmaids, while catering to all budgets and body shapes. If you have a large bridal party, this can become tricky!

To help you narrow down your search, consider the season you are getting married in. You don't want your bridesmaids freezing in a light-weight strapless dress in the dead of winter! You may also want to consider mixing and matching the dresses. While this may take a little more time to research, it often looks fabulous when it all comes together! It also allows your bridesmaids to have a bit more of a say in what they wear.

For more information on choosing bridesmaids dresses, read our blog!

Step 20: Choose the wedding suits

Purchasing or hiring the suits and menswear for your wedding can occur much closer to the date, but while you are thinking about wedding outfits it may be helpful to consider what those who plan to wear suits will be wearing. From suave tuxedos to traditional morning suits, you'll want to find the ideal style and colour to match your wedding day dreams.

Consider your budget when brainstorming menswear. You can examine the benefits of hiring suits, rather than purchasing all of them.

For some stunning wedding suit suppliers, check out this link for inspiration!

Step 21: Send out your save the dates

Let's make this official! Sending out your save the dates will start to bring your wedding planning to life. We recommend sending out your save the dates about a year prior to your wedding. However, if you have decided on a date that tends to be popular, for example a Saturday during the summer months, then it may be worthwhile considering sending them out earlier than this.

Top tip: Save the dates should only be sent to the people celebrating the whole day with you, and not evening guests.

Courtesy of Camera Hannah

10 Months to go -

Step 22: Register your intention to marry

At the 10 month park, you will need to book and arrange a meeting with your registrar. These meetings can be booked any time between one year to 3 months before your wedding date, however we recommend completing this task as soon as you can in order to confirm a meeting in good time and tick it off the list. During the meeting you will be required to register your intention to marry, pay for the marriage certificate, and be provided with a form which asks for all your wedding ceremony details. You will be given plenty of time to return these details, so don't worry if you haven't laid out the specifics yet!

Top tip: Make sure that you register in the county you live in, and not the county you are planning on getting married in!

Step 23: Book your honeymoon/minimoon

By now you may be begging for a break from wedding planning. You will definitely not be the first bride to think this! Around this point is the perfect time to be contemplating your honeymoon and/or minimoon. Depending on what time of year you are planning on tying the knot may determine which holiday destination will work best for you.

Talk to your partner to gauge what plans you both have in mind, and get planning!

For some honeymoon inspiration, click the link to our honeymoon suppliers!

Step 24: Book additional sleeping arrangements

If your venue doesn't offer accommodation for all your guests, then you will need to start thinking about alternative arrangements for your guests.

If you will not be footing the bill, prepare to supply local accommodation on the invite list with a range of budgets.

Courtesy of Hawaiian Shirt Photography

Step 25: Book hair and makeup

If you are planning on you and/or your wedding party getting dolled up by professionals on the day, then it is important to start booking your suppliers 10 months in advance.

Before confirming your beauty supplier, research your preferences to help you pick the perfect supplier for you!

Consider any potential hair accessories you may want on the day as this will impact hair styles. You will also need to consider your budget, as some couples may not be able to justify beautifying every member of the wedding party.

For more help on deciding your hair and makeup artists, check out our blogs on the importance of hiring a beauty supplier, and top tips to ask your beauty supplier.

Prefer listening to a podcast? Don't fret! We even have an informal podcast with CJ Beauty discussing all things wedding hair and beauty!

Courtesy of Hawaiian Shirt Photography

8 Months to go -

Step 26: Order wedding favours

Wedding favours are a lovely way of thanking your guests for joining you in celebrating your wedding day. These small tokens of your appreciation are often given at the end of the night. You may want to consider purchasing something a little more personal for your wedding party. After all, they will be a massive part of your day!

For some superb wedding favour suppliers, check out our website for some inspiration.

Step 27: Plan your ceremony

When you registered your intention to marry, your registrar should have sent a form to fill in with your ceremony details. Now is your chance to fill it in! Don't panic though - you can send it off as close to six weeks before your wedding date.

When planning your ceremony, you will need to consider the following: What music will be at your ceremony? Who will be walking you down the aisle? Who will be in your wedding party? What readings will you want during the ceremony? Will you be reading vows?

Step 28: Decide the menu

If the venue has internal caterers, then they often send you an invitation to decide the menu in their own time, or at a time that suits you. We recommend deciding the menu roughly 8 months in advance.

It is simple but it is important to note that you should pick the foods you like, and not be influenced by any external opinions. Of course, having suggestions is always helpful and may help you think outside the box, however first and foremost, it is important that you enjoy it! Make sure to book in a tasting session with your caterer closer to the wedding date to confirm the menu and make any adjustments you may need.

Top tip: Don't forget to take dietary requirements into consideration. You won't need to change the whole menu, but you may need to have options for those who can't eat certain foods. Disclose this to your caterer as soon as possible.

For tips on how to decide your wedding menu, click the link here.

6 months to go -

Step 29: Order stationery

Now your menu is decided, your guests have confirmed, and the theme is picked, we recommend ordering wedding stationery. We suggest researching and purchasing 6 months in advance to give you plenty of time to alter any mistakes or change any designs before the big day. Most companies and designers will allow a trial order of stationery to test out what design will work best.

Wedding stationery can include invites, orders of service, place cards, wedding signs, menus etc. For inspiration for wedding stationery, check out our blog or find our favourite stationery suppliers on our website.

Step 30: Post your invitations

It's time to send out your wedding invitations! The day has come where you get to share all your wedding ideas with your soon-to-be guests!

If you haven't set up a wedding website, or you haven't put the finer details on to the website yet, then this is the perfect time to give your guests those key details. This may include the nearest recommended accommodation, a dress code, or timings of the day.

Top tip: Don't forget to include an address for RSVP's!

Step 31: Purchase your wedding rings

With 6 months to go, you will want to start thinking about purchasing your wedding rings. This is a big decision to make as these rings will be with you forever! Take your time in researching the perfect one, that will look perfect with your engagement ring.

For tips on how to pick the perfect wedding ring, take a look at our blog. Or, if it is just inspiration you are after, take a look at our suppliers!

Courtesy of S.R.Urwin Wedding Photography

2-4 Months to go -

Step 32: Attend dress fittings

No matter how gorgeous or expensive your wedding dress is, it is often likely that you will need several dress fittings. Getting your wedding dress to fit perfectly to your body is important for you (and the dress) to look its best!

We recommend going for dress fitting no sooner than 2-4 months in advance as it is unlikely for your body to change drastically in this time period. We also recommend this time frame as it leaves enough time for extra alterations that need to be made.

This is such an exciting step of the wedding planning process as it will allow you to finally see your wedding outfit coming together for the first time!

Top tip: Bring any wedding accessories along to the appointment if they have already been purchased. This will help you, and the seamstress, get an idea of what will look best!

Step 33: Hen and Stag nights

Tired from all this wedding planning and dreaming of a fun time with your friends? They hear you! Around the 2 month mark is where most future brides and grooms get to let their hair down and enjoy their hen and stag nights.

There shouldn't be much you need to do here as your wedding party is usually in charge of organising. So just turn up and have a good time!

Courtesy of Camera Hannah

Step 34: Confirm the table plan

With all the RSVPs in, you can now confirm seating arrangements. This can prove a tricky task so this is why we suggest planning at the 2 month mark. It will give you time to think of all the possible combinations.

Top tip: Don't forget to supply your caterer with the seating arrangements and inform them of where the people with dietary requirements will be sitting.

Step 35: Write speeches

For some, this can be an intimidating part of your wedding. Getting up and speaking in front of a large audience, no matter how loving they all are, can be daunting so plan your speech well in advance! This will begin to ease your nerves about this portion of the wedding and give you time to think about everything you want to say.

Although it is intimidating, this is also your chance to thank all your guests for coming and to express your love and gratitude for everyone - especially to your new husband or wife!

For helpful tips on how to plan the perfect wedding speech, take a look at our blog to ease the writing process.

Courtesy of David Bostock Photography

Step 36: Hair and makeup trial

Hair and makeup trials are so important to ensure the smooth running of your wedding morning. By this point you will have a large understanding of your wedding outfit and accessories, so this trial will help you incorporate these things into your look.

Don't be afraid to tell your stylist if something isn't working out for you! You want to be feeling your best on your wedding day, so feeling confident and comfortable in your look is imperative!

For tips on how to have a successful hair and makeup trial, listen to our podcast with CJ Beauty.

Courtesy of David Bostock Photography

Final months -

Step 37: Put together a wedding day timetable

Now, with all the suppliers booked and guests confirmed, it is time to start designing your wedding day. This is a very important part of your wedding planning as suppliers will need to understand the order of the day so they can prepare everything effectively.

You must lay out the timing for when to start getting ready, to ceremony, to reception drinks, to wedding breakfast, to cutting the cake.

Top tip: Sometimes, suppliers work multiple weddings a day so make sure to send your suppliers your timetable a month in advance so they can be prepared!

Step 38: Ensure all balances are paid

Confirm that you have paid the full amount of each of your suppliers bills and they are happy with the wedding proceedings.

Courtesy of Camera Hannah

Step 39: Collect the final things e.g. outfits, decor

In order for your wedding day to run smoothly, with no hiccups, collect everything you will require for the day a couple of weeks in advance. If you are travelling to your wedding destination, it may be time to start packing certain items that you desperately don't want to forget!

Step 40: Take care of final grooming appointments

A week or two before your wedding day you should be thinking about those last minute beauty treatments. This may include getting a spray tan, getting your nails done, or getting a fresh haircut. Stick to common beauty treatments that are tried and tested. Don't step too far out of the box on these treatment days as there may not be enough time to change it before the wedding day.

There is a lot of pressure to look your absolute best on your wedding day. This can cause a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety to couples. We would like to emphasise that you should only do something to your appearance if it makes you feel confident in yourself and will make you enjoy the wedding day without feeling insecure. As long as you are comfortable and feeling like yourself on your special day, then that is all that matters.

Step 41: Rehearsals for wedding and brief your wedding party

Often venues and/or suppliers will request a rehearsal of the wedding ceremony and reception. This will give your suppliers a chance to confirm any little details with you and become confident in what to expect. This is also a good time to brief your wedding party on their roles throughout the day and confirm that everyone feels comfortable and confident.

Courtesy of Nigel Chapman Photography & Videography

After your wedding day -

Step 42: Change your name

Once the wedding is over, couples often contemplate changing their surname. Traditionally the bride often changes her name, however it is becoming more common for grooms to change their name to match their wife. Some even consider double-barreling their name!

Whatever you decide, Name Switch will guide you through the process and make this step a lot easier.

Step 43: Write your thank you cards

This is your chance to thank your wedding guests after an amazing and overwhelming day. For some stunning thank you card ideas, click this link!

Step 44: Arrange a photography/videography viewing day

A few weeks after your wedding, your photographs and wedding video will have arrived! This is an amazing time to reminisce on the day and relive that amazing feeling when you got the chance to say ‘I do'. Why not share this with some of your nearest and dearest and give them the chance to look at your wedding photos and videos with you?

Step 45: Relax!

And…relax! After that wonderful whirlwind of wedding planning it is now time to put your feet up and fully enjoy married life!

Courtesy of S.R.Urwin Wedding Photography